Do you feel you are spending too much money on the gym?

Home Show presenter Sinead Ryan is a former gym member and is sceptical of the idea that everyone needs to be a member of one in order to keep fit. 

In fact, she strongly believes there are “lots and lots of ways” to get fit cheaply. 

“Do you actually want to join a gym?” she told The Pat Kenny Show. 

“Or it is that you just have this vague notion that you want to get fitter or lose some weight? 

“Unless you’re actually committed to what I would call the ‘gym culture’, you’re probably not going to enjoy it.” 

A man works out in a gym. Picture by: Andor Bujdoso / Alamy

Perhaps, Ms Ryan suggested, you might prefer signing up to a cheap zumba class or a free parkrun. 

If you do decide to sign up to a class, see if you can get a friend to do it with you - which means you’ll feel guilty if you don’t go. 

“In other words, you’re kind of buying the guilt and that sometimes can save you unnecessary expenditure,” Ms Ryan said. 

“Because if it’s only you that has to think about it, very often staying on the sofa and watching Netflix can be very, very attractive. 

“So, join with somebody who’ll make you go or sign up to a schedule of classes so at least you’ve other people and you might feel you’ll be letting somebody down if you don’t go.” 

More choice in cities

However, for those who do want to join a gym, it will likely be much cheaper if you live in a city. 

“Dublin was actually one of the cheapest counties,” she said. 

“That’s down to supply because once you move outside Dublin, a lot of gyms are contained in hotels. 

“That means you get the lovely pool and the sauna and all of that but you pay considerably more for that.” 

Also, consider whether an expensive gym is really going to offer you value for money. 

They might offer a lot of perks but the cost will be reflected in the membership fee. 

“Some of the top ones come with free toiletries but you’re definitely going to pay for that,” Ms Ryan said. 

“The top gym in Dublin is probably Eden One but you’ll be spending €1,000 to join and €400 a month - and there’s a massive waiting list. 

“The chance of you getting in there is zero at the moment.”

By contrast, it only costs €30 a month to be a member of the YMCA on Aungier Street in Dublin city centre.

Main image: A spinning class using exercise bikes at a gym. Picture by: MBI / Alamy