Well they have 3 things going for them besides the obvious problem that like it's been raining here for weeks and weeks now, sometimes very heavy (3 inches in 48 hours) and most people don't want to workout in the rain (except mountain bikers), one: locker rooms so you don't go into work stinking (applicable only to those that have jobs that need you to shower before work, as opposed to after), two: they have specialized equipment that is hard to either afford or keep at home, and three: they have professionals to guide you, and classes that can help you meet your targets. Lots of health care policies cover some part of the membership (mine puts in half the cost) because preventive medicine is a lot cheaper than paying once it all goes South.