Choosing the right gym membership can significantly impact your fitness journey. It’s not just about the cost or the number of visits but about finding a membership that aligns with your goals and lifestyle. Whether you’re considering unlimited access or a set number of visits per week, such as our three-times-per-week membership at VSC, it’s crucial to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each to make an informed choice.
This article is designed to assist you in making an informed decision about your gym membership. We will explore the details of unlimited and limited memberships, their advantages and disadvantages. By the end, you should understand which option best suits your needs and goals.
First, let’s start with the unlimited membership option. This is for someone making fitness a part of their lifestyle and a main spotlight. They have extensive fitness goals and want to get the most out of their efforts. Some of the pros of this option are as follows:
Pros:
- Flexibility and Convenience: One key benefit of an unlimited gym membership is its unparalleled flexibility. You can choose whether to work out in the early morning or late at night. This flexibility is especially beneficial for those with busy schedules, as it allows you to fit your workouts seamlessly into your day.
- Maximized Results: With unrestricted access to the facility and class timetable, you can spend more time physically active. This allows you to experiment with different workouts, push your limits, and optimise your results by capitalising on consistent training. Like most things, exercise works when you do it the most. So, with unlimited access and maximising time spent at the gym, you will be fitter, faster, and stronger in no time.
- Variety and Options: Unlimited memberships typically include access to various amenities and additional training services. At a facility like VSC, that means access to ‘Extras’ programming, Weightlifting Programming, classes, and more. This variety ensures that you have ample opportunities to achieve success. Although starting, this may not be a priority. As you build more confidence towards your training and look to develop your skills, this will most certainly help in the future. It also helps keep your exercise routine engaging and exciting with no limitations.
Cons:
- Higher Cost: Unlimited gym memberships often come with a higher price tag than limited memberships. At VSC, the difference is $62 per week for unlimited class access compared to $52 per week for 3 class access per week. While the added convenience and flexibility may justify the cost for some, others may find it prohibitive, especially if they don’t anticipate utilising the gym frequently enough to justify the expense.
- Potential for Overtraining: With unlimited class access, particularly at the start of a fitness journey, without adequate rest days, you may increase your risk of injury, burnout, and plateauing in your progress. However, with the right coaching and asking for more individual guidance towards weight selection, movement selection and particular rest protocols, you may find this is not the case and not a limitation for you at all, given how our workout structure is designed week to week.
Limited Gym Membership (e.g., Three Times per Week):
Pros:
- Structured Routine: Limited gym memberships provide a structured framework for your workout week. This makes planning and adhering to a consistent training schedule easier. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who prefer routine and thrive with a set number of weekly workouts. Some people like to have a rest day in between workouts. Plus, due to family, work or hobbies, the commitment to the additional time complicates attending so frequently.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Limited memberships typically come at a lower price point than unlimited memberships. If you’re on a budget or only plan to visit the gym a few times a week, a limited membership may offer better value for your money.
- Balanced Approach: A limited membership balances fitness and other pursuits for individuals who lead active lifestyles outside the gym, such as participating in sports or outdoor activities. It allows you to prioritise recovery and cross-training while reaping the benefits of structured gym workouts. It also allows you to train around these commitments and advance in your physical pursuits on the court, field, land or sea while staying injury-free and building extra strength and conditioning.
Cons:
- Limited Access: The most apparent drawback of limited memberships is the limitation. If you thrive on frequent workouts or prefer the flexibility to train whenever the mood strikes, a limited membership may feel restrictive and hinder your progress. It may also stop you from finding a solid routine, and with limited access to regular exposure to movements, it can leave you open to more injuries and fewer results in the long run.
- Potential for Missed Opportunities: With only a set number of visits per week, there’s a risk of missing out on valuable training sessions, particular movements, or opportunities to explore different aspects of fitness. This may limit your ability to achieve optimal results or fully capitalise on the gym’s resources.
Ultimately, the main reason for someone to pick between each membership option must be what you want to achieve. Unlimited and limited gym memberships offer distinct advantages and drawbacks, depending on your preferences, goals, and lifestyle. An unlimited membership may be ideal if flexibility, maximised results, and variety are your top priorities. However, if you need a structured routine, cost-effectiveness, and a balanced approach to fitness, a limited membership could be more suitable. In the end, as long as you are exercising, the best option is the one that aligns with your needs and enables you to stay committed to your fitness journey for the most extended amount of time.