Hitting the gym without severely bruising your wallet

Editor’s note: The Chronicle is partnering with Bay Area Consumers’ Checkbook magazine and Checkbook.org, a nonprofit consumer group with a mission to help consumers get the best service and lowest prices. Checkbook is supported by consumers and takes no money from the service providers it evaluates. You can see Checkbook’s evaluation of health clubs, with detailed price comparisons, a listing of government-run facilities, and more on boutique health clubs until January 1, 2019 at https://www.checkbook.org/CHRONICLE/ fitness-centers

Health and fitness are year-round concerns, but as each New Year approaches, lots of us resolve to start exercising or to rev up our workouts. Some people think that putting skin in the game — paying for a membership at a health club — will provide motivation. But beware: It’s a little like Las Vegas, in that the house wins more often than it loses. That is, gyms rely on people who pay and rarely use their membership or stop entirely after a few months, even though they have paid for a year’s worth of workouts.

On the other hand, a lot of people like going somewhere to work out, the availability of classes, and the motivation of being with others. If you think you’re one of those people, consider your goals and what kinds of exercise you’re likely to stick with. Also decide whether you’re interested in particular classes or personal training. If you’re over 40 years old and have been fairly sedentary, talk with your doctor first. Regardless of age, if you have any health conditions, check with your doctor — he or she may also be able to help you set priorities.

Once you’ve got a preliminary checklist of what you want, it’s worth shopping carefully before making any commitments. Bay Area Checkbook and Checkbook.org evaluated 115 Bay Area clubs and found big differences in customer satisfaction and whopping differences in membership fees. For example, the toprated clubs were give top marks for overall value by 90 percent or more of their surveyed customers. But just as many clubs got such high marks from fewer than half their surveyed customers. Undercover Checkbook researchers collected prices for several user profiles with varying membership lengths, privileges and couples’ discounts. Prices varied dramatically. For example, the one-year fullaccess individual user would pay $160 at several Planet Fitness locations and $6,660 at several Bay Club locations.

Besides price shopping, other due diligence is in order. If you’re considering a gym, give it a test drive. Most clubs will provide a guest pass. Some questions to have in mind:

 Is the location convenient? If not, you’re a lot less likely to use it and get your money’s worth.  Is it open when you need it? Work schedules and personal preferences will dictate when you can work out — make sure the facility is open when you need it.

 Does it have the facilities and amenities you want? Do you want a sauna after you lift weights? Make sure it has one.

 Does the equipment work?

 Does it offer the classes and activities you want? Check schedules to be sure they’re offered when you can attend.

 Is it crowded?

 Is it clean?

A very important intangible is whether you’re comfortable there. Different clubs have different vibes. Some are clubbier than others, more oriented toward socializing. Others are all business. Perhaps you’re joining to lose that spare tire — maybe you don’t want to be around people who are already in great shape, or maybe you do for motivation.

You might also consider boutique gyms — pricey clubs that specialize in only one or two types of exercise — cycling or rowing, for example. The good news at some of these is that you pay by the workout — no commitments. The bad news is that each session will set you back. Think $32 for a single class. They tend to be smaller, and offer more personalized attention. And if you’re really into rowing, for example, a boutique rowing club provides community.

Before you join any club, check out what’s available at local government-operated facilities. Recreation centers and parks have cardio equipment, weight rooms, tennis courts, swimming pools, aerobics classes, basketball courts, sports leagues and much more — all free or much cheaper than comparably equipped private health clubs.

Finally, remember you may not need to hit any gym to get fit. A regimen of pushups and sit-ups at home, plus walking, running or biking can do wonders. So can a regular soccer or basketball game at a nearby park.