Budget gym or coached gym? What your money actually gets you
- Budget gyms are great value if you already know what to do and keep yourself motivated.
- Motivation is the real difference: in a coached class you train functional, whole-body movements with a coach and a group, not on your own with your phone.
- A coached gym costs more each month, but every session comes with a coach, a plan and people around you.
- At ORE, Unlimited is £57.50 a month. Three classes a week works out at about £4.40 a coached session.
- Not sure which suits you? Your first two sessions at ORE are free, with no joining fee and no contract.
Telford has plenty of gyms at £20 to £30 a month, open 24 hours a day. So why would anyone pay more? It's a fair question, and the honest answer is that it depends on you. Here's what each type of gym gives you for your money, so you can choose the one you'll actually keep going to.
What you get at a budget gym
- Low monthly price, often £20 to £30.
- Long opening hours, often 24/7.
- Lots of equipment: machines, free weights and cardio kit.
- Freedom to train whenever and however you like.
What you usually don't get is someone telling you what to do, checking your technique or noticing when you stop turning up. Classes, if there are any, are often busy and not adapted to you. If you know what you're doing and you're self-motivated, that's a great deal.
What you get at a coached gym
- A qualified coach in every session, teaching you the movements and keeping you safe.
- A plan already written for you, so you just turn up and train. At ORE, our sessions follow a professionally written, progressive programme.
- Every workout scaled to you, whether it's your first week or your fifth year.
- People who notice you. Coaches and members learn your name, cheer you on and ask where you've been. That's what keeps most people going.
The real difference: motivation and what you actually do
Let's be honest. The biggest reason people stop going to the gym isn't the price. It's motivation, and not knowing what to do when they get there.
Look around most budget gyms and you'll see a lot of bodybuilding-style isolation exercises: bicep curls, leg extensions and machine work, one muscle at a time. You'll also see plenty of people spending more of their session on their phone than training. There's nothing wrong with that if it's what you enjoy, but it's not the fastest way to get fitter, stronger and more capable in everyday life.
In a coached class, there's no time for scrolling. You train compound, functional movements, like squatting, lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying and getting up off the floor. These are the movements you use every day, from lifting the shopping to playing with the kids, and they keep you strong as you get older. A coach keeps the session moving, and the people training alongside you keep you honest.
What does a coached session really cost?
At ORE, Unlimited is £57.50 a month. If you come to three classes a week, that's about 13 classes a month, or roughly £4.40 per coached session. Come more often and it drops further. A single one-to-one personal training session often costs £30 or more, so a coached group class gives you much of that expertise for a fraction of the price.
There's no joining fee and no long-term contract: you can cancel with 30 days' notice. See all our prices.
What a coached gym like ORE doesn't give you
To be fair to the budget gyms, here's what you won't get with us:
- 24-hour access. We open for coached classes at set times: early mornings, evenings and Saturday mornings.
- Rows of machines. We use barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, rowers, bikes and bodyweight.
- Showers or changing rooms. Most members come ready to train.
Which one is right for you?
A budget gym probably suits you if you already have a routine you enjoy, you know how to lift safely, and you need to train at odd hours.
A coached gym probably suits you if:
- you've joined gyms before and stopped going;
- you're not sure what to do when you get there;
- you want to learn to lift properly and safely;
- you'd like to train with other people rather than on your own;
- you're coming back after a long break, an injury or a busy few years.
If the second list sounds more like you, a coached gym is worth a try.
Try it before you decide
The best way to find out is to try a class. At ORE CrossFit your first two sessions are free, and every one is fully coached and scaled to you. Book a free taster in about 30 seconds. We're in Halesfield, Telford, with free parking on site.
Frequently asked questions
Is a coached gym worth the extra money?
If you'd otherwise pay for a gym you don't use, or you want someone to teach and plan your training, yes. At ORE, three classes a week works out at about £4.40 a coached session.
Do I need to be fit to join a coached gym?
No. Every workout is scaled to your level, and beginners train alongside experienced members. Our Beginners & Improvers classes are a gentle place to start.
Is there a contract or joining fee at ORE CrossFit?
No. There's no joining fee and no long-term contract. You can cancel your membership with 30 days' notice.
Can I try ORE CrossFit before joining?
Yes. Your first two sessions are free: two CrossFit classes, or a HYBRID session and a CrossFit class.
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