The Sunday Times visited the three fitness chains recently to ask about membership fees. No price list was observed at all three centres' reception area.

At True Fitness in Great World City, the club's assistant general manager first offered me a $260 monthly fee. When told it was too steep, he slashed it down to $84, with monthly credit-card instalments.
'I want to help you, so I give you special price,' he said. 'Usually we can't give different prices.'

Total time: 60 minutes.

At California Fitness in Novena Square, a consultant quoted a $116 monthly fee but eventually slashed it to $74. She later threw in six months of free membership.

Total time: 90 minutes.

At Fitness First in Ang Mo Kio, the consultant cut the monthly fees from $160 to $140 after consulting his manager.
Told his rate was still high, he said: 'Other gyms offer different members different prices. We're not like that.'

Total time: 30 minutes.

Since I did not sign any deal, the matter of personal training did not arise. Still, within a week, all three gyms made over 15 calls to me, urging me to take up a membership.

This story was first published in thesundaytimes on Oct 19, 2008.

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