Reasonably priced gyms?

Submitted by Difficult_Ad5098 t3_11t3dv9 in newhaven

I’m new to the area and have been looking for a weight training gym that isn’t ridiculously overpriced. Currently I go to city climb gym as I primarily rock climb but if you are familiar with them, you know they don’t have any squat rack or weights. I’m looking to supplement my training with some weights but I was surprised to see gyms charging $75 or even $125+ a month (looking at you mactivity and elmcityfit).

I tried out Mactivity and found it to be ludicrous they charge so much for a run of the mill gym. I’ve been to many gyms in my life and and the most I ever paid for a membership at a gym of similar quality was $40.

I’m more than happy to pay $40-50 for regular decent gym. I’d prefer something in the downtown area, I mainly commute via bike. Just trying to do some research before I pull the trigger on a planet fitness membership lol. Any recommendations?

Update: Thanks for the great suggestions yall!

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PercyBluntz t1_jch23tc wrote

I was at mActivity paying 70/month and thought it was a stretch and then they did the huge price hike and I peaced right out of there. Gonna try the JCC in Woodbridge next cuz they have a pool not sure how good their weights set up will be though

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thrillhou5e t1_jcheatw wrote

Wow I just looked and they've almost doubled their prices. I was going there for a bit last summer but then just decided to buy an at home treadmill. Best decision ever.

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Difficult_Ad5098 OP t1_jchwoxa wrote

Yeah I was legit surprised.. for that price you’d expect something fancy but it’s not even better than any regular degular ymca or golds gym

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catsmash t1_jcif2wp wrote

mActivity also had a penchant, at least back when i was a member, for charging multiple "maintenance fees" a year that they weren't super forthcoming about on their website or during the trial membership, so some months i'd be shocked to find they'd charged me several hundred dollars more than i was expecting to be charged. hard pass, man. nice enough place but not remotely worth it.

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investing1O1 t1_jch2juo wrote

Edge in Orange is good.. Nice mix of beginners and health nuts, decent hours, updated equipment, juice bar and in that $30-50/mo range

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PeteyWinkle t1_jchdapj wrote

Edge in Hamden is probably easier. Not a bad bike ride straight down dixwell

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blaze99960 t1_jcj3w5p wrote

Yale's Payne Whitney gym and the LAB are the only gyms actually in downtown, so I'm surprised nobody has mentioned either of them. I don't know anything about the LAB, but PWG offers memberships for $47/mo for New Haven community members. The weight room has all the things you're looking for, although it can be a bit busy during peak times. Plus you also get access to other amenities, like the pool, squash courts, running track, basketball courts, etc

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libraintjravenclaw t1_jck8srt wrote

Do they offer memberships to the community? Last I checked years ago it was Yale-affiliated only and I was so bummed.

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Difficult_Ad5098 OP t1_jck41n6 wrote

Might have to look into that since my partner is a Yale student.. thanks!

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poweredbait t1_jckt28y wrote

There is a pretty vibrant pickleball community there too

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blaze99960 t1_jckx39b wrote

Wait really? Where do they play?

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poweredbait t1_jclhd4g wrote

Only sort of joking. We play in the lanman center 7am. The group is 3.0-3.5. Dm me if you’d like to join

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stallion89 t1_jch68xw wrote

Not sure where you are, but In Shape in Branford is great. It’s about $35-40 a month, has a bunch of turf areas, sauna, smoothie bar, classes, etc.

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MQZ01 t1_jchm0a9 wrote

District Athletic Club right off of exit 5 on 91! $42 a month for access to the "fitness center", which doesn't include the entire gym but gets you a squat rack and a few benches - very rarely crowded too, even at prime times. (also I'll see you around city climb!)

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thereal-lazyshady t1_jciumgz wrote

A word of caution, the owner of the gym treats her employees like slaves, which includes ridiculing them and shouting at them in public. :( shame though because the gym isn't bad

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4times4equals12 t1_jcj1sj9 wrote

P O W E R H O U S E

I'm really not sure if it's a reasonable commute on a bike, and I've never even been there, but I heard it's cheap and very "serious."

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tombuzz t1_jcot7o4 wrote

It’s pretty much a bodybuilding gym I’ve gone there forever but I’m a bodybuilder. Services are zero, 30$ they have everything you need if you are into hypertrophy. And it’s not really s reasonable commute without a car but with one from downtown it’s <10 min

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runningaprn t1_jch4j06 wrote

I’d do the PF membership. Really can’t beat the price and it usually has most of what you need

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Stop_Already t1_jciycsz wrote

He specifically asked for a squat rack. PF doesn’t have those.they also have very few free weights.

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Unaccomplishedat889 t1_jcs6mkx wrote

I’m tired of PF. So tired. The price is fair but damn it I want to squat and deadlift and press more than 75 lbs while I’m young enough to do it.

Also tired of the broken equipment everywhere, especially the treadmills with the loose supports that bob like they’re about to dismantle if you try to jog.

A good price is good but requirement number 1 is that I be able to get a proper workout and be inspired to come back instead of dread the next session.

I don’t know how they’re still in business like this.

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Fun-Cockroach8339 t1_jch6u46 wrote

Bike commute is a tough one in this area to get to a cheap gym. For a fairly modest amount of money you could buy some weight to sling around.

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spirited1 t1_jcial6t wrote

Even with a car there are not a lot of quality gyms at a decent price in this area for some reason. I lived in Fairhaven Heights and getting to either the edge in Hamden or Orange was a pain of a commute, and the closest gym is PF which is not the gym I'm looking for.

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NATO1092 t1_jch14d6 wrote

Esporta fitness (la fitness) like less than 30 bucks a month

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scoliosis11 t1_jck1a8u wrote

Powerhouse is the best gym to lift at

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kn0ck_0ut t1_jcmjbz5 wrote

if you have a job that provides insurance, check the perks. if they have a fitness program you could pay <$30 for a wide range of gyms in the area.

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greattigergang t1_jcirkyy wrote

Mactivity is dope and I think it's worth it living in East Rock. But if you want the most cost conscious option go to Planet Fitness in East Haven.

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Commercial_Cherry663 t1_jcuqswr wrote

Some of the Planet Fitnesses around are pretty nice (Orange and Middletown are my favorites; Hamden isn’t bad). However, the equipment is limiting (no squat racks or barbells onto which you can load your own plates - you’re confined to a lot of smith machine, dumbbell, and fixed-weight barbell work). I appreciate having the Black Card for the value and convenience (especially when traveling). Good hours, too (24/5)! I’ll always keep it, at least as a secondary gym.

I, too, am in the market for a reasonably-priced gym that suits my more advanced lifting needs. I’m going to do a trial at Surge Fitness Center (North Haven) this week and will report back. I’ve heard only excellent things, and they seem to have decently-priced memberships ($20-30/month). Their hours are a bit limited, for my liking. But I’m hopeful that this could otherwise be a good fit. You get a free workout during your first visit, so I’d encourage you to give it a go, too!

I’d discourage you from the Edge. For me, it’s a bit of a “meathead” environment. Very busy. Lots of people taking up space to take pics, socialize, etc.. I had a hard time getting my workouts in efficiently, and the overall energy wasn’t a match for me.

Wishing you health and happy workouts. (:

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Bluegreenmountain t1_jci5j3u wrote

I feel like this is subjective. My partner and I moved to New Haven from nyc and we were astounded at how “cheap” Mactivity was. 300 dollar entry level gym membership at a comparable place in my nyc neighborhood so I was elated to find Mactivity. Plus, it was quiet, clean, and not filled with aggressiveness

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YankeeinNCandIhateit t1_jciu3zu wrote

I feel that comments like this are indicative of a larger issue facing CT. This huge influx of NYC folks especially since the start of the pandemic paying far more for everything because they think it's cheaper than what they were used to, while completely ignoring the fact that the median household income in New Haven is $48,973/yr. Source: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/newhavencityconnecticut/PST045222#qf-flag-X

This is why locals, and transplants from other LCOL areas get annoyed at folks paying $2500 a month for a one bedroom apartment or saying $300 a month is an acceptable price for a gym...

And we see this playing out with housing costs pricing out those of us who make "local" wages.

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Fresh-Team-6361 t1_jck9nll wrote

Yea that’s pretty subjective, I’m from nyc and there are decent gyms at 50 or less in plenty of areas. Especially if you just want weights and classes. Not sure why you would need to do 300 dollar spots in nyc unless you really want to.

As for the OP question, the edge at Hamden is a pretty good value gym with weights and turf and it’s busy but it’s enough that you’ll get a rack after asking the guy on there how many sets they have. It’s not a 3 man queue or anything at peak. I go there around 5 and get my stuff done within an hour even if I need squats or bench. The only issue with it is they lock you on for 1 year contracts that are a pain in the ass to get out of. If that’s not a concern. I think that’s on of the better options.

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Difficult_Ad5098 OP t1_jcid2bv wrote

It certainly is! I’m definitely not tryna say m was bad, it’s a perfectly fine gym and what not. I’m from small town in the south tho and we didn’t have any $300 gyms so that’s my perspective lol

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DaddyWarBucks26 t1_jcjcv09 wrote

Bro I'm from the Midwest $60 a month is a fucking lot for a gym. 300 is insane.

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