In the balance: Should you join a gym?

January may have the monopoly on fresh starts, but if the back-to-school mood of September has brought with it an urge to tackle your health goals, you might be thinking about joining a gym.

Why pay to exercise at all?

We all know we can pull on a pair of trainers, walk out the door and get fit for free. So why do 12.2 million people in the UK – a record 18% of adults – belong to health clubs?

For some, it’s a matter of fitness goals and the equipment you need to achieve them. Then there’s the British weather, which isn’t always conducive to outdoor pursuits.

A factor that’s less frequently mentioned is that for a lot of people gyms aren’t just about facilities – they enjoy the sense of community.

The cost of joining

Which? estimates the average cost of gym membership to be £38 a month, but depending on location and facilities the monthly fee can be under £20, and it can be well over £300 – not including the one-off joining charge.

Some of the country’s biggest gym chains don’t publish fees and instead ask you to speak to membership staff, making comparisons difficult. If you decide to enquire, ask if there are discounts for couples or with certain health insurance schemes, and get offers in writing, making it clear if the fee includes things like classes, towels, parking and access to other locations.

Don’t assume the first price you’re quoted is fixed: you may be able to negotiate on the monthly fee, joining charge or extras.

Whatever monthly fee is within your budget, a secondary calculation worth making is the cost per visit. If you go twice a week, £38 a month comes to roughly £4.40 each time – great value for money. But one visit a month means you’re paying a hefty £38 per workout.

Deciding which gym

Cost, location and facilities will influence your choice, but the best gym for you is the one you’re most likely to use consistently. The option closest to home might be less convenient than one that’s en route to your workplace, for example.

It’s also very helpful to arrange to visit potential clubs at the time you expect to go regularly. A gym that feels spacious at 11am may be very different at 6pm. Check whether the machines you want are available, whether classes look overcrowded and what the changing rooms and showers are like at peak times.

Before you sign anything

Once you’ve picked a gym, it’s important to read your membership contract properly, rather than relying on what you were told by a sales rep working on commission.

To avoid any nasty surprises, make sure you’re aware of the minimum term of membership, notice period, automatic renewal, price-rise clauses, whether membership breaks are allowed and if there is flexibility when it comes to cancelling because you move, lose income, become ill or are injured.

If you do want to leave and think the gym is unfairly penalising you, do not simply cancel your direct debit. Citizens Advice explains when you may have grounds to end a contract and what to do if a term seems unfair.

What about alternatives?

If your schedule changes frequently, a gym that offers pay-as-you-go access might be better value than a membership.

There are also plenty of non-gym options that still let you work out with others – whether that’s boxing or martial arts, circuits or kettlebell training, yoga or Pilates.

While the cost of an individual session can sound pricey, £18 for a class you attend is better value than paying £38 for a gym you avoid. A block of classes or a credit-based subscription can cut the cost per session – but bear in mind that an unused bundle of classes is simply another form of wasted subscription.

And there’s always the do-it-yourself option: walking, running, cycling, outdoor gyms and free online workouts. After all, you reap the benefits whether you’re in a luxury studio or your local park.

5 October 2026