Harbor Fitness - WTF?!

Is there anything affordable?

Yeah that's the current situation...it does get a little hard to self-motivate when it's cold and dark outside.

Fitness magazine actually had a "home gym" suggestion - $122 (bands, mats, flexibility ball) ...but i like going to the gym....it's my "treat" to myself...and I have a very small apt so it's difficult to move (and I have neighbors below me and I want to be considerate of noise - especially since I work out in the am before work). And I am addicted to spin...can't do that at home

I want to go to the gym, but $70 a month is a little wowza to me.

I wish there was a gym that was under $50 and wasn't crappy.

if cheap is the most important factor look at the 5th ave gym on 15th street. It is the very definition of "no frills"

Carmen wrote: The Y it 56 a month with a 150 signup fee. Its not that cheap.

The Y in Brooklyn Heights is running a special of no sign-up fee at all. http://www.ymcanyc.org/index.php?id=2622. Lasts until Feb 2. I don't know if it applies to all nyc YMCA's, but would be worth asking.

Yep... looks like it is waived for all NYC YMCA's...
http://www.ymcanyc.org/index.php?id=698

I wonder if they make you sign up for a year?

NYSC on 9th st wanted $90 a month. I was blown away. Been going to harbor for $60 a month; they have some pretty hot staff there =o

NYSC has more than one plan...I have the less expensive one...I have full access to the 9th Street gym, and I can only go to other NYSC gyms off-peak (which includes weekends). That works for me...and a lot of their gyms don't stop you even if you don't have the full membership.

Fitness Mag also said the best time to join a gym is the end of the month when the sales staff have to make their numbers

Honestly, I join the gym this close to my home so I can just walk a few blocks and the closest are the Y and NYSC. I had bad experiences with the Y many moons ago - I know it has improved significantly - but it left a bad taste in my mouth

"TheTodd"]NYSC on 9th st wanted $90 a month. I was blown away. Been going to harbor for $60 a month; they have some pretty hot staff there ]


I must say its of a morale buster that the front desk women at Harbor are gorgeous...Plays right in to my insecurities

the Y is pretty cheap! Act now, no enrollment fees.



and there are a TON of discounts, even just based on your health insurance carrier!

Sweeeeeet deal.

moderator wrote: I hear your pain on this one, but I have belonged to about 6-7 gyms in my lifetime. Harbor is heads and tails above the rest. Clean, polite employees, good hours, a nice gym experience all around.

Agreed on all points. I had much love for them, but this one person handled the cancellation very poorly.

Subject: The Y

I've been a member of the Y on 9th st for more than a year now, I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for something cheap. Through Feb 2nd they offering free sign up, and then most people will pay $45 a month, on a month-to-month basis. They've got a long long list of orgs and clubs and whatnot that you get a large discount for being a member of. I got mine due to my blue cross/blue shield healthcare.

It can be a little crowded, but I've never waited for more than a couple minutes for a machine (I use the "nautilus" gear and treadmills), and I go at peak times. It can get a little annoying with a lot of kids running around sometimes, but they've always got clean towels, the staff is friendly (if a bit prone to just standing around and talking instead of being proactive, but hey...) and the price can't be beat.