i just recently moved back to the city (brewerytown) and i want to join a gym. 3 or 4 years ago when i used to live in south philly i went the ymca on christian st and it was pretty cheap, something like $21 a month. thats kind of out of the way living up here and i was wondering if anyone knows what the cheapest might be in the general center city area. i think ballys has a 30 day trial thats $19 a month but i cant tell if it stays that price or then goes up.

It depends on what you're looking for, really. If you're in Brewerytown, the cheapest gym in close relation is Lifesport on Fairmount Ave. - approximately 45 per month. If you want cheaper, you'll have to venture further outside Brewerytown.

DO NOT DO THE BALLYS 19/month plan!

I looked at it last summer and it is a 3 year contract and you have to choose which 3 days per week you want to go... you don't have the ability to drop in any time you want.

I talked with one of the sales reps last summer after seeing the $19 plan and after he explained it I had him run down my list of options. He started with the $87/month plan and worked his way down. On a whim, I asked how much it would be if I paid everything up front. I got a premium plan for $855 for 18 months plus 6 months free (ok.. it was really 24 months total, but that's the way he did the contract). I put it on my credit card (about 7% apr) and it ended up being only $38/month total. When I pass 120 visits this week, I'll get my IBX $150 refund too, which will bring it down to about $26/month.

You are not captive to their contract/payment schemes!

ok thanks. i will probably go check out lifesport. ballys also has a free 14 day trial on the internet. i went in and they tried really hard to get me to commit to a membership. i dont think i got an offer that cheap though.