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Gyms and Sports Clubs
Date: March 31, 2006
Author: David Smidt, SeniorDiscounts.com

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. Many of us
will be heading to the gym to get ready for summer activities and outdoor fun.

While it’s difficult to put a cost on your health, gym and sport
club memberships and monthly dues can certainly add up. Luckily, there are lots of
discounts out there for older adults who are looking to get in shape.

Gyms and sports clubs are among the many businesses which offer
senior discounts and they can be found at many different health facilities nationwide.
Some of the national chains may offer senior discounts, but you will most likely find
better deals at local health clubs. Some of the best places to locate senior discounts
are at the facilities operated by your local parks and recreation department or even at
the YMCA.

National health clubs, like Bally’s Total Fitness and Gold’s Gym,
typically franchise their locations. They have told us that there are no universal
senior discounts, but certain locations may provide membership incentives for seniors.
Their advice is to contact your local branch and inquire about any available senior
programs.

Local clubs and exercise facilities are competing with the larger
companies for customers, which can lead to larger discounts for you. While these
facilities may not have all the equipment of the nation chains, they may prove to be
less crowded and more personable. Check many of the local exercise classes, like
jazzercise, tae bo, and dance classes, as they will likely have discounts for older
adults.

Almost all parks and recreation facilities have discounts for seniors.
Senior discounts tend to be the greatest at these facilities, but the age requirements
will probably be higher than those of the privately owned facilities.

Specifically, most discounts at the privately owned facilities will
begin at the age of 55, while the parks and recreation facilities typically begin around
62 years of age. The amount of a discount can vary dramatically depending on the facility
and its location. Some gyms and spas provide discounts off initiation fees, while others
give a discount from their monthly dues. Some locations even provide discounts on both
initiation fees and monthly dues.

Health clubs may provide discounts, but many have also started
programs for the mature market. These programs can include personal training sessions,
classes and nutritional guides to help you get in shape. While researching gyms and
sports clubs, be sure to inquire about these additional programs and ask them what they
do to make their facility more accommodating for you.

If you can’t find a particular gym on the SeniorDiscounts web site,
look for the gym on the Internet. Many don’t necessarily post their senior rates, as
they would like to try to sell their membership in person. If this is the case, call
ahead of time and ask if they have any specials for older adults.

© SeniorDiscounts

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