Since moving to New York City, I dreamed of getting to work out at a high-end club with eucalyptus-scented towels, premium toiletries, and top-rated classes.
When I signed up for a $250 monthly membership at a luxury gym eight years ago, I felt like I’d made it. But when I lost my full-time job at the end of last year, I had to reprioritize my finances.
As much as I loved my fancy club and its amenities (jacuzzi and smoothie bar included), I could no longer justify such a steep monthly expense on fitness.
So, I found a more affordable option that was only a couple of blocks from my apartment, took advantage of a new-member deal at the beginning of 2026, and signed up to pay $93 a month.
Admittedly, going to a new gym was an adjustment
Going in, I knew the new gym would be more pared back than what I was used to.
For starters, the lockers don’t have built-in locks, so I had to buy one and remember to bring it with me. And because my new gym’s showers are much smaller, stocked with toiletries that aren’t much better than the ones I have at home, I rarely wash up there.
The space itself is also very different. The loud colors and fluorescent lights are a far cry from my old gym’s muted neutrals and natural light. It doesn’t help that my new gym is in a basement, whereas my old one is above ground in a historic building drenched in sunlight.
I immediately noticed that my new gym’s equipment shows some wear, and I couldn’t find certain machines, like a T-bar row, that I frequently used at the luxury club. There are also rogue weight plates and dumbbells scattered around the floor, which I rarely, if ever, saw in my old gym’s meticulously organized weight room.
That said, my new gym has everything I need for my four weekly strength workouts, including four Olympic platforms with squat racks and a couple of additional platforms with barbells.
It even has some equipment I couldn’t find at my former gym, like a hack-squat machine, more leg-press variations, and a few more barbell setups to make rows and military presses easier.
I’ve come to prefer certain aspects of the less expensive club
The new space is generally less crowded, too. My old gym was large, but it often got so packed that I didn’t have consistent access to the equipment I needed, even during off-peak hours.
I’d often have to wait in line or abandon my workout plan because the machines were in use. I’m glad I rarely have to do that now.
My new gym also has perks that make it hard to believe I’m saving $160 a month.
Although the sauna is smaller than the one at my old gym, I love that it’s in the women’s locker room rather than in a coed space. I never took classes at my old gym, but I immediately felt welcome when I decided to test out the heated fitness studio in my new one.
I now take yoga and Pilates classes taught by approachable, accommodating instructors. As much as I love lifting heavy, it’s been an exciting challenge to incorporate these new movements into my routine to build core strength, improve flexibility, and gain stability.
Another bonus? I don’t feel guilty about taking a rest day or two, since I pay an average of $3 a day for my current gym, compared to more than $8 a day for my old one.
I’m not sure if I’ll return to a luxury fitness club down the road, but for now, I’m satisfied with the switch. Although I miss my old gym’s amenities, beautiful interiors, and natural light, my fitness routine hasn’t suffered — and that’s what really matters.
With some distance, I can see that I viewed my membership at my old gym as part of my identity. It felt like a status symbol, placing me in an elite group of New Yorkers who prioritized fitness and looked chic doing it.
However, exclusivity isn’t one of my core priorities. Now, I care more about having access to the equipment I need for a good strength-training session.
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