The Hidden Cost of Budget Gyms

When people compare gyms, they often focus on the monthly fee.

On the surface, a £30–£50 gym membership seems like the obvious choice over something more expensive. But monthly fees are only part of the equation. The true cost of a gym is what you get—or don’t get—for your money.

Cheap memberships can come with hidden costs, especially if you’re a beginner: wasted time, slow progress, inconsistent results, and a lack of accountability that leads many people to quit altogether. Meanwhile, premium options might feel like a bigger investment upfront, but they often save you money—and frustration—in the long run.

So, how do you evaluate what’s actually worth paying for when it comes to your health and fitness?

The Hidden Cost of ‘Cheap’ Gyms

Most budget gyms operate on a simple business model: they sell far more memberships than their facilities can accommodate because they know most people won’t show up.

Budget gyms are essentially banking on (and hoping) that their members fail.

Even if you do show up, you’re on your own. There’s no coaching, no plan, and no accountability. Without expert guidance, many people waste time doing ineffective workouts—or worse, get injured.

For those who want results, the realisation quickly sets in: they need help. That’s when they turn to personal training.

The Real Cost of 1:1 Personal Training

One-to-one personal training is a common next step, but it’s rarely a cost-effective solution:

Gym membership: £50/month
1:1 PT twice a week (£70/session): £560/month
Total: £610/month—or more than £7,000 per year

And for that price, there are no guarantees. Many PTs working in commercial gyms are self-employed, renting space from the gym.

Their loyalty is to their timeslots, not your long-term progress. Some are fantastic, but others may be underqualified or unreliable.

There’s no standardised programming, no quality control, and no real consistency.

The Foundry Approach: Personal Training Without the 1:1 Price Tag

This is where personal training gyms, like Foundry, offer a better alternative. We combine the benefits of personal training with the energy of a small group—giving you tailored attention without the cost of 1:1 sessions.

Everything is personalised: Our programming is tailored to your goals and abilities—this is personal training, just delivered in a small group.
Expert coaching every session: All our coaches are employed, qualified, and fully invested in your results. We don’t rent out space to freelancers; our team works together under a shared training philosophy.
Consistent, evidence-based programming: No guesswork. Our training is designed and tested by experts, with progression built in.

This structure means you get all the benefits of a top-tier personal training programme for a fraction of the cost of 1:1 PT.

But What If You’re Confident in the Gym?

We often meet people who are experienced gym-goers—confident with a barbell and comfortable managing their own training. For them, a standard gym plus some expert-led programming can be a solid, cost-effective route—if they have:

The time to train during off-peak hours (when the kit they need is free)
The knowledge to manage their own progression
The motivation to train consistently without external accountability

We have plenty of experienced gym-goers at Foundry. Some started with us as beginners, and have got fit, strong, and confident with their workouts over their years with us. Others are already at a fairly advanced stage when they join; but they stick around, even though they may not strictly ‘need’ our personalised approach. Why?

Training alone gets lonely: Our small-group format means they’re still following their personalised programme, but with the camaraderie and accountability of a group. Many find they push harder and enjoy their training more.
Coaching matters—even for the experienced: An expert eye on form, pacing, and progression is valuable at every level. Experienced lifters often credit their breakthroughs to coaching they didn’t know they needed.
Efficiency and consistency: With our programming, they don’t have to plan. They can just show up, knowing they’ll be challenged and supported. And the flexibility and time-efficiency means they can fit their workout around everything else they need to juggle over the course of a week.

What About Boutique Gyms and Fitness Classes?

Boutique gyms are often seen as a middle ground—offering stylish facilities and energetic group classes. But they come with their own limitations:

No personalisation: Everyone in the class follows the same workout, regardless of ability or goals.
Limited progression: Boutique gyms focus on variety and experience rather than structured progression. Fun, but not always effective.
Inconsistent coaching: Group fitness instructors may be excellent motivators, but they’re rarely coaching you as an individual.

Boutique gyms can be a great social experience, but they rarely offer the level of coaching and personalisation needed to drive long-term results.

So, What Are You Really Paying For?

When comparing options, it’s helpful to shift the question from “How much does it cost?” to “What am I getting for my money?”

Let’s break it down:

Option	Cost	What You Get
Budget Gym (£50/month)	£50/month	Access only. No plan, no coaching, no accountability.
1:1 PT + Gym (£610+)	£610+/month	Personalised coaching, but at a high cost—and with no guarantee of quality.
Boutique Classes (£200+)	£200+/month	High energy and community, but no personalisation or progression.
Foundry (£200-£400/month)	Far less than 1:1 PT	Personalised coaching, unlimited sessions, expert programming, and a supportive community.

The foundry 21-Day Challenge

When people hear our 21-Day Challenge costs £179, they’re often surprised. But what they’re getting for that investment is extraordinary value:

Open access to personal training—not generic classes, but personalised coaching in every session
Unlimited fitness classes—for variety and conditioning
A 1:1 strategy session—to tailor your training from day one
Expert programming and individualised support—within a small-group format that offers both personalisation and camaraderie

It’s effectively the experience of 1:1 personal training—without the 1:1 price tag.

So, Is It Expensive—or Just Worth It?

If you’re experienced, motivated, and happy to train solo, a standard gym plus expert programming may be the best route for you.

But for most people—whether they’re new to strength training or seasoned lifters—the combination of personal attention, expert coaching, and group accountability provides far greater value.

That’s why many of our most experienced members choose Foundry. They know they could train alone. But they choose not to—because they get more from being coached, challenged, and supported alongside others.

So before you decide based on price, ask yourself:

What’s the cost of inconsistency?
What’s the cost of slow or no progress?
What’s the cost of another year spent guessing?

Because when you’re investing in your health, longevity, and confidence, the cheapest option is rarely the best value.

Rethinking Personal Training with Foundry Personal Training Gyms

Want to find out more?

You can read more about the Foundry 21-Day Challenge (including the most frequently asked questions) here.

And if you’d like to Challenge us (and Challenge yourself) to give you amazing value for money, you can sign up for our next 21-Day Challenge here. We’ll even give you your money back if you’re not 100% satisfied with the experience.