[Tara D]

I've been doing the free 8 week challenge for Bally's Total Fitness gym, which is supposed to end on March 10th. They keep pushing me to sign up for a special that ends on January 31st. It's zero money down and 3rd year free. I don't much care about the 3rd year free because I may move by then, but I'm wondering if it would be possible to get zero money down in March, too.

Has anyone had experience with signing up for Bally's? Do they waive the sign up fee sometimes? They're now saying it will be at least $150...is this absolutely true? I have to decide soon, so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[House_of_Mirth]

Hey, Iv'e been a Bally's Total Fitness Customer for about two years. (Im stuck for three) I think its a perfectly nice gym but I would consider it very carefully before you sign up for a contract, especially if you intend to move (moving wont get you out of the contract). I would look into other options, possibly a YMCA which probably wont force you into a long term commitment. IF I had it to do again I'd probably would go that route.

RE the sign up fee I put down 100 two years ago but since gyms are always having deals and sales Im sure you could haggle.

[Meg]

Tara, you'd think that working at Ballys would make me an expert, but I only have experience with the training side, not sales. But I do remember that last year they made a big push to sign up Body Challenge participants when their passes expired. I think you'd be safe to wait until March - bet they'll have a deal then for all the people with free passes. I'm guessing that they're pushing you now because they need to hit their sales number for January.

BTW, if you sign a three year contract and move more than a certain distance (varies by state) from a Ballys, you can cancel. You can also sell some memberships or go on inactive status if it's only a temporary move.