Elonka wrote:
] ] Because of last year's tremendous success, the Discovery
] ] Health Channel is going to host the challenge again next
] ] year. The challenge begins on Jan. 15 and will continue
] ] for eight weeks.
] ]
] ] You can register for the 2005 NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE
] ] until Jan. 20, 2005.
] . . .
] ] Registration closes on Jan. 20, 2005 at 11:59 p.m. ET/PT.
]
] I've been poking around lately checking out health clubs,
] reviews, membership prices, etc. etc. For myself, things have
] boiled down to a choice between two clubs: Bally's and
] 24-hour Fitness. The former because it's closer to where I
] live, and has yoga classes. The latter because I'm more of a
] 24-hour person.
]
] 24-Hour Fitness also has the advantage of "pay as you go"
] memberships of about $35/month. Bally's offers a lower
] monthly ($12/month), but in order to get to it, you have to
] sign a multi-year contract and "buy" a membership which can
] cost over a thousand dollars. As I've surfed the web and read
] the reviews, the #1 complaint I've heard, is about the
] high-pressure sales tactics at Bally's, and how many people
] are bullied into signing contracts that they don't entirely
] understand, after which they're harassed by collection
] agencies even if they no longer wish to go to Bally's.
]
] There are some creative alternatives though. One of which is
] going on right now -- Discovery Health Channel is sponsoring,
] in coordination with some other national health organizations,
] a free "National Body Challenge". Signing up for it on the
] web takes a couple minutes, requires no money or credit card,
] and as one of the freebies, there's a 2-month "no obligation"
] membership to Bally's. I've signed up for it, if for no other
] reason than it's a 2-month free pass to a sauna and enormous
] whirlpool hot tub. :)
]
] Of all the research I've done, this is the best deal around at
] the moment (can't beat free!), and it's only open for this
] week. After that, things go back to the normal "2-week free
] trial" system.
]
] FYI,
]
] Elonka :)

I'd say avoid Bally's, and go for 24 hour fitness, for the reasons that you stated, once you're done freeloading. Or... just buy and ride a bicycle. 2 wheels good, four wheels bad.