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A gym membership is a bet on your own habits. Pay too much for something you rarely use and it feels like a waste. Pay a fair price for something you use every week and it's one of the easier bills to justify. This guide shows you how to work out which one you'd be, what to check besides the price, and what the $90 a month includes at ONE Boulder Fitness.

If you're comparing prices first, see our guide to average gym membership costs in Boulder.

The honest math: price divided by visits

Take the monthly price and divide it by the number of times you'll really go. That's what each visit costs you. These are examples, not predictions:

• $90 a month and 12 visits is $7.50 a visit.
• $90 a month and 8 visits is $11.25 a visit.
• $90 a month and 4 visits is $22.50 a visit.

The more you go, the less each visit costs. Be realistic about your own number, not the one you hope for in January.

Then compare it with paying as you go. Our published drop-in price is $30 a visit, so three drop-ins cost $90, the same as a month's membership. Go more than three times a month and the membership costs less on price alone, before you count anything else it includes.

What to check besides the price

Two gyms at the same monthly price can be very different deals. Before you join anywhere, ask:

1. Is there a contract? Month-to-month means you can stop. A long commitment means you're paying whether you go or not.
2. Is there an enrollment or sign-up fee? Some gyms add one on top of the monthly price.
3. What costs extra? Ask whether recovery facilities, towels, lockers or classes are included or sold separately.
4. What does parking cost? Downtown, this can matter as much as the membership itself. Ask whether it's validated and for how long.
5. Can you bring a guest? Guest passes let a friend try it with you.
6. Can you try it first? A day pass or a free consult tells you more than a tour.

When a membership isn't worth it

If you'll only go once or twice a month, or you travel a lot, paying as you go can make more sense. We sell those options too: a $30 drop-in, a $60 one-week pass, a $150 one-month pass, a $300 three-month pass, and 5- and 10-visit punch passes at $125 and $200. Check the current rates on our pricing page, since they're confirmed at sign-up.

A quick test before you decide:

• Can I name the days and times I'd realistically go?
• Is the gym close enough to my home or work that I'll actually stop in?
• Would I use what's included, such as recovery, parking or a consult, or only the weights?

If you can answer those with confidence, a membership is likely to pay off. If you can't, try a pass first.

What the $90 a month includes at ONE Boulder Fitness

Our standard membership is $90 a month, month-to-month, with $0 enrollment. Students and teachers pay $80. It includes:

• The full gym floor: free weights, cardio and a functional-training area, kept clean and never crowded.
• The recovery suite: the cedar sauna, the steam room and the Cool Tub, included rather than sold as an add-on. See the recovery suite.
• Towel service.
• 2-hour validated parking on site.
• Two guest passes a month, so you can bring a friend.
• A free consult with a trainer, physical therapist or dietitian.
• No contract. You stay because you want to.

Try it before you decide

You can try the floor and the full recovery suite on a free first day pass before you decide. No pressure and no contract. It's the simplest way to find out whether a membership would be worth it for you.

FAQ

How much is a gym membership at ONE Boulder Fitness?

Standard membership is $90 a month with $0 enrollment, month-to-month. Student and teacher memberships are $80 a month.

Is there a contract?

No. Membership is month-to-month with $0 enrollment.

Is the recovery suite included?

Yes. The sauna, steam room and Cool Tub are included with every membership, at no add-on cost.

Can I bring a guest?

Yes. Every membership includes two guest passes per month.

Do you offer day passes?

Yes. Drop-ins, 1-week, 1-month, 3-month and punch passes are available, plus a free first day pass.

Is a gym membership worth it in Boulder?

It can be if you will use it regularly and the location, parking, recovery suite and month-to-month terms match what you need. Use the price-per-visit test above and compare what is included, not just the monthly rate.

See if it's worth it for you.

Try the floor and the recovery suite on a free first day pass, or ask about membership.