2008 Woodie Awards
Point Counterpoint: High gym costs not promoting public health
Bryan Willis and Brian Heinemann
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Opinion
Bryan Willis
Gym costs reflect quality service
Money is exchanged for goods and services, one of the founding principles of not just capitalism but market exchange in general. If money isn't exchanged then you're relying on a pure privilege with little or no control of the service you receive. This is no different when paying gym membership fees.
First let me say that private gyms strike me as among one of the more highly competitive businesses out there. There is such a limited variation of equipment and services they can provide that aren't any different then what another gym can provide so the selling point has to be mostly in the service aspect. When you pay the gym fees you are paying for that heightened level of service and paying for the knowledge that each time you come to the gym its going to be clean and well maintained regardless of how many people use it.
In a free gym, to some extent, you lose the right to complain. If there is a real problem with the facilities your voice will not matter nearly as much because you don't contribute to the budget of the place. So in paying your gym fees you get a level of quality control in the experience. I've been to a few of those "dollar" gyms before and most of them are pits. There are even ways to lower the bill on a private gym membership which vary based on your situation.
Signing up early in the lifespan of a gym is a good way to get a special rate. You can get a discount for joining a club where a friend is a member who recommends you or if you join with your family. And, depending on the club, I'm sure there are other methods and programs to trim you monthly bill.
In life, you get what you pay for. Why wouldn't it be true for gym memberships, too?
Brian Heinemann
Gyms should be free to deal with obesity epidemic
It is somewhat ironic that America is so concerned with our obesity "epidemic" considering nothing of substance is being done to alleviate the situation. While the best thing people can do to help take off excess weight is to exercise, the absurd price of decent gyms and personal training makes it an option that many cannot afford.
Gym costs reflect quality service
Money is exchanged for goods and services, one of the founding principles of not just capitalism but market exchange in general. If money isn't exchanged then you're relying on a pure privilege with little or no control of the service you receive. This is no different when paying gym membership fees.
First let me say that private gyms strike me as among one of the more highly competitive businesses out there. There is such a limited variation of equipment and services they can provide that aren't any different then what another gym can provide so the selling point has to be mostly in the service aspect. When you pay the gym fees you are paying for that heightened level of service and paying for the knowledge that each time you come to the gym its going to be clean and well maintained regardless of how many people use it.
In a free gym, to some extent, you lose the right to complain. If there is a real problem with the facilities your voice will not matter nearly as much because you don't contribute to the budget of the place. So in paying your gym fees you get a level of quality control in the experience. I've been to a few of those "dollar" gyms before and most of them are pits. There are even ways to lower the bill on a private gym membership which vary based on your situation.
Signing up early in the lifespan of a gym is a good way to get a special rate. You can get a discount for joining a club where a friend is a member who recommends you or if you join with your family. And, depending on the club, I'm sure there are other methods and programs to trim you monthly bill.
In life, you get what you pay for. Why wouldn't it be true for gym memberships, too?
Brian Heinemann
Gyms should be free to deal with obesity epidemic
It is somewhat ironic that America is so concerned with our obesity "epidemic" considering nothing of substance is being done to alleviate the situation. While the best thing people can do to help take off excess weight is to exercise, the absurd price of decent gyms and personal training makes it an option that many cannot afford.
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