• expired

Medibank Private; $8.50/ $11.95 Single Visits to Gyms (Fitness First, Anytime Fitness, Goodlife)

1030

Medibank Private members can now get contract free single passes to participating gyms at either:
- $8.50 if your insurance has Hospital and Extras
- $11.95 otherwise
- (If you do 8 visits or purchases 8 passes in a month, the rest of the passes are free for that month … I haven't read this in detail)

Participating gyms are listed in my email as:
- Fitness First
- Anytime Fitness
- Goodlife Health Clubs

You just buy a pass, then visit the gym (or with 4G, buy your pass at the foyer and do the check in there)

Benefits seem to be:
- no contract
- no fee to a collection group (if you don't prepay your amount, a lot of gyms use a collection service that charges you a fee on top of everything)
- no prepaying large sums
- access to more gyms with the one system (3 gym chains instead of just 1)
- nationwide access at no extra cost! (Fitness First normally charges a higher rate if you visit more than one of their gyms)

Warning only for use during staffed hours

I take it a visit allows you to do more than one class and/or use the machines as well (except Anytime Fitness, where I think it's just machines)


I hear there are a lot of people paying around $18 or more a week at many gyms, so if you are only doing 2 visits a week AND have hospital cover, this could be very good.

I also know some gyms will charge $13 a visit for single visit tickets so … again, for those faced with that as an alternative, this could be very good.


Right now I'm paying about $13 a week, prepaying for a year, doing 2 visits a week, except over Summer when my local Genesis Fitness clubs cut out all the classes that I do.

(Garbage about, they do this because the instructors are all away but I know some of my instructors are still around and would teach if they could)

So it's got me thinking.


I've just realized, without the classes I like over Summer, even for just 1 month … this deal becomes much more attractive. I can pick and choose from 3 different gym chains or just not have to pay. If they were closer to me.


Better yet if Medibank could have pre purchase packs working out to $6.50 a class, with a 10 pack of tickets …

Better still if Genesis Fitness, Recreation and Aquarena got in on this (They are far closer to me than any Fitness First)


13 January 2015 - Update
For members aged 18 years and over

Related Stores

Medibank Private
Medibank Private

closed Comments

  • +16

    Sorry but how is this a deal again?

    • +56

      if you're the kind of person who buys a gym membership then goes once a month, you can instead tell yourself you're just going to pay per-visit then not go at all. Huge savings!

      • +4

        This is VERY true.

        A friend of a friend knows someone who pays every week, keeps saying she is going to go … but doesn't.

        With this, if one of these gyms were near her, she could cancel (if she can be bothered :S) and then just say she will buy a pass when she is actually going …

        I trust she isn't an OzBargainer :S

      • +2

        I don't recommend going to a gym if you only do it once a month.

        Just go for a run outside, or buy a small set of weights and use them on a semi-regular basis.

    • +2

      I've spoken with a number of the people going to Genesis and Fitness First.

      Most I spoke to pay around $18 - $25 a week. (Plus $50 to the collection company, once a year or so)

      If they any are only visiting twice a week, and have hospital + extras insurance, (plus are happy to use the applicable gyms) this is better for several reasons:
      - no lock in contract (if you are sick, you don't pay while you are ill; if you have to move, you don't have to deal with a contract termination person etc)
      - it's cheaper

      • "Collection company"?

        $12.50wk no joining/annual fee. Why pay more. Particularly for those lifestylers, who sign-up just to tell others… ergh.

        If you want to go to the gym, Go To The Gym!

        • Which gym is $12.50 per week, with no joining and annual fee?

          "Collection company"; I think it's both Genesis and Fitness First that use "Debit Success" to collect money from the customer, if the customer does anything apart from pay in full up front (for a year or more).

          Debit Success then charge a fee, every time they are brought in for a contract. I'm not sure if they charge a fee each time you sign up to a new contract but I've been charged more than once.

        • @foundit: Jetts, genesis, anytime fitness & a local gym. I've tried them all. Some I paid a year up front (peanuts). One I paid 3 years!! $1200 total. Worth it!
          Others, direct debit.

        • @Utopian:
          Thanks for that Utopian :)

        • +2

          @foundit:

          FYI Plus fitness 24/7, $13 a week, sometimes they waive or reduce the joining fee (Joining fee was $99, now only $49.), http://www.plusfitness.com.au/ can use any gym, open all the time, no classes though, apart from a virtual class from a computer/tv screen, which can be quite good compared to some classes.

    • Other people I know are paying $13 per visit to a gym (YMCA and council I think).

      For those people, if they have an applicable gym nearby that lets them do what they want, this is cheaper.

      It also avoids queues to buy the ticket, bringing the cash for it etc (depending how they pay)

      • +1

        my local gym in Northcote (fitness 405) is only $4.95 per visit. Also exercise classes are only $6. No contract.

        • Nice … so why is so expensive for the rest of us? :S Yours is almost inner city.

        • +1

          @foundit: the gym cuts overheads by not having the bells and whistles eg. no showers, new state of the art equipment etc.

    • +3

      Good question the only way that this is a saving is if you only use the gym 1.5 times a week (what would be the point of that). I pay $13pw @ Genesis

      • $13pw on a prepayment or every week?

        If every week … how did you get that? :)

        • +1

          Deducted weekly on a corporate rate with 3 family members signed up.We also quite often put our membership on hold for a fee of $5 when we go on holidays etc.Anytime fitness would only be about $1 dearer but will not accept my daughter due to her age.

        • @coin saver:
          Ah, thank you :)

          When I put on hold, it's free for me (negotiated early on). But I'm paying about $13.37 a week, with a pre pay.

          I like to go to the classes, so Anytime Fitness would not be so good.

      • I definitely see a market for a monthly membership (paid monthly) if they offered

        $13 per 7 days / 7 days * number of days in the month.

        Or to be easier say … $52 a month.

    • +4

      People are missing the point of monthly gym memberships. The idea is not to visit the gym regularly. Instead it's when women (almost always women) are asked if they play any sports, to have a ready response: "I have a gym membership" It implies the person is fit and exercises regularly without any evidence that they actually do.

  • $8.50 ? maybe typo $1.50…

    • ? It says $8.50 on the website if you have hospital and extras cover

  • +1

    Public gym visits are $13 in local area.

  • Also any feedback on what people thought of the system / tips on how to use it best would be great :)

    I don't need to use it yet (still a couple months prepaid) but would like to hear how to use it :)

    • +2

      App looks great - keen to try it out. I wonder if one account could be "shared" between a few friends to hit the 8 visit cap a bit quicker and lessen the cost even further?

      • +1

        Can people who have Medibank buy single passes for others to use?
        It would be great if other providers did the same. For me to attend a yoga class once a week costs between $23 -$25 for single pass. This sounds like a great option if it includes classes.

  • +4

    If the bit about 8 pass cap is true you could basically get away paying $64 a month for Fitness First. That's $17 a week…. Even cheaper than a membership.

    • +3

      Yeah but Fitness First is a ripoff.

  • -6

    This really depends on what kind of user you are for you to consider it as a "bargain" but either way, it's not that great.

    Anytime Fitness memberships are around $13.95/week which equates to $60.45. I already consider that as quite as expensive; there are much cheaper alternatives if you don't need a large network of clubs. For a regular user, this deal would be at least $68.00 which means $7.55/month more expensive. This is definitely not a deal for a regular user.

    However, if you're an infrequent user and only go once a week, then yes, technically you're saving money this way over a gym membership. Having said that, I really think you'd be wasting money as going to the gym once a week is pretty ineffective (poor return on investment).

    Either way, this deal is not that great.

    • +3

      Each individual is different and I wouldn't neg this just because it doesn't suit me.

      There will be some that do weights once a week and run and/or cycle outdoors regularly. Not all activities can be done outdoors.

      Those who had not signed up to membership at $13.95/week may find this single pass at $8.50 attractive.

      • +2

        And also suits people that work away.

    • +2

      You have to remember that Anytime Fitness is a different product, similar concept with a different execution. You could apply your argument to a phone, why buy a nice phone when the cheap one does the job too. I have a membership to Fitness First because it is a heavily staffed gym with tons of classes and lots of options with regards to machines and free weights.

      If you can find a membership to a full service gym like Fitness First or Goodlife, without a contract (or even with one) for $13.95 then please share, I have a feeling many would be interested.

    • Wow, my tommo gym was 3.50 a visit, this is a blatent ripoff!!!

      • What is a tommo gym?

        • +2

          http://www.5stargym.com.au/

          or more specific…
          http://www.5stargym.com.au/gym/

          its 3.30 per casual visit. and its a pretty good sized gym, never had any issues with equipment either.

          the only reason im not negging you is because its obviously very limited in location.

        • +1

          @wisc:

          Huge, staffed full time, classes and a great price! … We don't get that anywhere near me :(

          You've got a great thing going there :)

        • @foundit: and they have a ladies only Gym…

          Although that said, I'd probably still go to the local Gym (as per your deal)for a casual workout given we're about 15-20 minutes from the tommo gym now… (unless there where a couple of people coming to make the drive worthwhile - half an hour both ways…30KM 4 liters of fuel=about 4.40 works out about the same price add to that the driving time.)
          so i guess your deal warrants the +'s

        • @wisc:

          :) For me, the Tommo is 44 min away easy … vs 6 min for the Genesis.

          It's definitely not a deal for everybody … in fact, I doubt there are any deals for everybody … but it seems there are a lot of people who can benefit from this … I hadn't realized that so many of the people going to Fitness First would automatically benefit (including getting away from Fitness First's "contract specialists")

    • … what deals do you know of, that are cheaper than Anytime Fitness, for single club memberships? (no equipment)

  • +36

    A true ozbargainer walks to the post office to collect all their packages and then carries them back doing arm curls. Don't need a gym for that.

  • +3

    I remember paying $2 casual rate at UQ gym. That was twenty years ago though. I think it was $150 for a year.

    • +6

      wow its 495/yr now haha

  • -1

    Great, more randoms coming to my local anytime fitness.

    • +5

      Don't want even more weight lifting competition from women?

  • +2

    I think this is a wonderful deal if you use Goodlife or fitness first. I have medibank private so I would pay $68 per month for unlimited visits to fitness first and goodlife. My local fitness first charges over $100 per month. This way I can use both Gyms. Depends on the person/location but if you are a goodlife member or fitness first member this could be cheaper than your membership.

    • +2

      Agree, I go to Fitness First whilst my partner goes to Goodlife. This scheme would allow me/us to interchange between gyms. However, I've crunched some numbers as I'm not with Medibank Private. To get the same level of cover with Medibank Private to that I'm currently paying my health insurance provider is some $45 per month more expensive. Not going to neg this deal, but it really is a very personalised offer and even then you still need to crunch the numbers.

      • +1

        Yes you are right, this deal is very personal to some. I live halfway between goodlife and fitness first and I like to do classes. I am also a member of medibank. If any of these were not it the equation it may not be worth it. Fitness first platinum gyms are very expensive so this could save a lot of people who are members some money if they "crunch the numbers".

  • This is a good deal for me. But I'm in BUPA.

    • +4

      So change to Medibank Private.

      Disclaimer - I may or may not be a Medibank Private shareholder…

      • +1

        Do Medibank Private shareholders get discount on health insurance? Well that is something that should be explored…..

  • +1

    Would come in handy when traveling.

  • +2

    Just signed up! I reckon this is a deal cause I know someone who has a FF membership. I'd rather buy one off passes so I can train with someone rather than train alone, but I would find that I'd only go a few times every few months. Too few to justify signing a contract!

  • +2

    I don't see how this is a deal $8.50/$11.95 for a single gym visit is hefty.. going to the gym once a week is similar to not going at all. May as well dedicate yourself to a contract. Not committing to the gym just because you can go prepaid just shows you're telling yourself you are not committed to making progress. Locals gyms for $50/mo.

    • +1

      Ninety percent (yes, 90) do not use their contracts.

      If you accept the fact that people are terrible predictors of their own behaviour - no one is signing a contract predicting they will use it for less than 90 days which is what most people do - then this is the smart money option.

      Also your theory of "committing" yourself to going to a gym by signing a contract is very ineffective in any case. Just going on what actually happens when people sign contracts - it doesn't work.

  • good deal, Unfortunately I am with Crunch.

  • +3

    I dunno..this seems really expensive.

    I go to two different gyms when in different cities, both are 24/7. One is 12.5 per week with sign up fee, the other is 16 with no contract no sign up fee

    • Hmm my partner joined Snap fitness before it officially opened the 24/7 branch near us and they gave him $12/week (or $11 I'm not sure) with no sign up fee, no contract, but a card fee. I'm waiting for a similar deal for any new branch now!

    • True. Iron grip Gym, N. Sydney has a promotion going on for 9.99 per week for 4 weeks with no joining fees. Fitness first there is $50 a month. So even you are going once a week, it is almost that price.

    • I have been with number of different gyms. The best thing about FF is you get swimming pool and nice spa

      • +2

        Hmmm I would say more than a few wouldn't shower before pool/spa and just use it as a bath.

        • +1

          Another hazard of the modern world that exactly no one has been harmed by ever. [citation needed]

        • hmmm practically true

      • Well yeah. But only if the gym has those facilities. Fitness First (all clubs now owned by ****life) Adelaide and Holden Holden Hill clubs do not for example.

        Not sure whether this is reflected in price for each location though.

      • Does FF have swimming pools in some clubs? All the ones I know of, don't

        But … yes, I'd be happy to pay this for a one off visit to a gym with a pool, for a swim in Winter … depending on what the pool is like and all

        • Yeah there are few, such as fitness first southgate sylvania NSW

    • which gyms? i need to join one.. thanks

  • I'm with AHM And its owned by Medibank private. Am I included ?

    • Nvm, excludes AHM and ambulance cover

  • +1

    Does it mean you have to queue up to get a temporary locker key (for that visit) every time you go to one of the gyms participating in this offer?

    • Good question … I don't know but if anyone can find out that would be great (I also hope there is a solution for this)

  • +3

    I'm guessing you can only use this during staffed hours. So no point rocking up at 1AM at Anytime wanting to get in?

    • +2

      Just read through all the fine print, and you are correct- can only be used during staffed hours.

      Also, allows access to all gym services, classes etc for unlimited time (per visit) except for PTs..

      • $8.80 for a boxing class is cheaper than what I pay!

  • +1

    I know this won't suit everyone, but it is a good deal for me, cheaper than my current membership and no contract/debits. Also, no need to stuff around with putting membership on hold if I am sick/on holidays.. just don't go (and no holding fee either). Really happy with this, looking forward to using it!

    • Wonder if the participating gyms would be willing match this offer (at the risk of losing a customer)…

      • I'll let you know tomorrow. I'm currently a Fitness First member at a Platinum gym (and a Medibank private member), paying $20/week ($1040/year), which supposedly included a "discount" for being part of a large employer when I signed up. I'm long since out of contract, so I can cancel any time I want at the end of a 2-week payment period.

        I asked about this program when I was in yesterday, and the guy on the desk said he didn't know anything about it, but to let him look it up and see what the details were. I said we could discuss next time I'm back (tomorrow).

        By my math, the maximum fee for this service is $8.50/visit * 8 visits/month * 12 months = $816/year. Plus it includes Goodlife and Anytime fitness (not that this is a big feature for me, my two closest gyms are both Fitness First, but it might be nice for when travelling).

        FF charges a ridiculous $2/week "maintenance fee" to put your membership on hold while travelling, and you can't put it on hold for less than 4 weeks, if I recall.

        Anyways, $816 / 52 = $15.69. Plus the extra gyms on offer and the hassle with hold periods and maintenance fees, etc. If my local Fitness First isn't willing to chop my fee down to $14/week, I'm switching to this program.

  • Be aware that often 'young people' hospital cover does not cover hardly anything (bordering on nothing at all).

    After being a member for 4-5 years and assuming I was covered if I needed to go to hospital I found out the hard way after finding out I was not covered for a common ailment which affects people of all ages.

    Either get good cover - or don't waste your money.

    • +3

      hmm this has me worried.
      I have this cover, can you elaborate a bit more on your situation please

    • +1

      and/or on what was not covered? (bed stay, any of the doctor's fees …)

    • +1

      I'd also like to know more as I was considering switching to the young people cover.

      • +1

        Surgical excition of cancer - no cover at all. Had to go full medicare + out of pocket.

        When I asked 'what exactly IS covered?' they stated… Ahhh…. Knee reconstructions….

        • +1

          Yeah looks like only shoulder/knee, tonsils, wisdom teeth (and ambulance) are covered.

          It's hard to find more detailed info on the Medibank site.

          Apparently basic coverage does cover cancer op. Only medium and above covers skin grafts/plastic surgery

        • This plan doesn't really include much. Only a few things + accident-related injuries.

          Having said that, even if a procedure is covered, you'll still end up paying a lot out-of-pocket (e.g. gap, doctor visits/tests before and after the procedure, discharge med,etc). For major issues (especially life-threatening ones), it might be better to just be treated as a public patient in a public hospital.

    • +1

      I found this info
      http://i.imgur.com/j4rlbpC.png

      I think the "All other in-hospital services where a Medicare benefit is payable" line is the important one here

  • YMCA family pricing is around $10 pw (per person). You only need one other family member/friend to sign up with you. Amazing value if you go 2~3 times a week

  • +1

    My question is: Can I go to Fitness First Platinum clubs?(which is apparently more expensive than the normal FF club).

    If I can, it's significantly cheaper than what I'm currently paying for Platinum membership ($46/fortnight or $92/month), compared to $8.5 x 8 visits = $68/month from this deal. (= save $24/month or $288/year).

    Better call FF tomorrow to ask them to lower my membership charge or I'll cancel my membership and take this offer as I have hospital and extra covers with Medibank Private.

    Anyone has done this please let us know.

    • What is the address of your gym? You can look it up in the app to see if it's available

      • Oh yes, they are in the list (Flinders Street, QV and Melbourne Central, all 3 Platinum clubs in Melbourne).
        I'll give them a call tomorrow.
        Thanks.

        • Make them beat the deal!

          If they only offer to match, cancel it :P

    • +2

      I am a member at an FF Platinum club, have been for several years - I talked to my club manager today. He looked up the details and confirmed that it is definitely the cheapest option for me to continue at that gym, and any FF gym listed on the website is included (don't know if it's every single Platinum gym, but it sure looks like it). $8.50/visit * 8 visits/month * 12 months/year = $816 or $31.38 per fortnight. Plus no "maintenance fees" to hold my membership if I'm traveling and not using it.

      Anyways, he said $31/fortnight is cheaper even than the staff friends and family rate, and that corporate wouldn't let him match the rate for me otherwise he would. He speculates Medibank may be kicking something back to FF on the back end (hence the cheaper price for Medibank members), and isn't too pleased that he's being undercut by corporate.

      So, I gave my 28 days notice (not under contract) and will be switching over to Medibank GymBetter.

      • Thanks for the update. I guess the only downside is that you will not hold a permanent locker key anymore… the queues at the counter can be a real pain sometimes

        • +1

          My home club (Wanda Platinum) is pretty small and still has old-school keys that you take out when you put your stuff in, so actually no loss for me. I haven't bought a pass through the app yet, but I've downloaded it an entered my payment info. Looks pretty simple to use, shouldn't slow me down at all.

  • +1

    I am with medibank extras and hospital and i am with anytime fitness
    For me this deal isnt suitable as I am currently paying 60/month with anytime fitness, I usually train at 10 pm or so and I assume this deal would only be valid in staffed hours, I also train in different locations depending if I am training near work or near home, but for people who has a FF membership and are currently with Medibank I'd say this is a pretty good offer, one that could save you significant money over the course of the year.

    • What times are 'staffed hours'?

      • Anytime fitness is staffed until 6pm on weekdays, not sure about weekends.

    • +1

      you are correct
      32.Gym Members can only access 24/7 gyms during staffed hours. Each Gym’s opening hours are listed within the App and Website.

      • I hope they can fix that soon

        • doubt it…you would need to issue out security fob and then the associated administration of that

          remembering you can go to any gym so potentially pile up large amount of fobs

          unless some sort of mobile scanner type thing which would then cost individual gyms money to install/affix and maintain and link into some server

          all sounds too much like a too hard basket

  • +1

    Just a note that you would have to use the gym during the hours they are manned. While many memberships offer 24 hour access these days.

  • +3

    Wait, surely Ozbargain people wouldn't have "extras" cover? That's the thing where you give them some money, then they give some of it back to you for things you can budget like sneakers, glasses etc. It's not an insurance product so much as a payment plan.

Login or Join to leave a comment