That is crazy, one of the most popular gym chains (they are local to the state though) here has a 50 dollar initial fee and like 50 dollars a month for access with no contracts and decent benefits. [1]

The whole thing seems awful and is probably the result of massive franchising of a particular gym chain (I don't know if Gold's has this issue or not).

[1]: http://www.defined.com/trainerfinder/websites/60178/membersh...