Keeping a New Year's resolution to get in shape is no easy feat. The first hurdle often is finding a gym membership that's fiscally fit.

Half of consumers who don't belong to a gym say the costs are the primary deterrent, according to a 2009 survey from market researcher Mintel. Factoring in initiation fees, the median annual cost for a new gym member is $775, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, a trade group. Ongoing members pay slightly less than $43 per month for an average $511 annually.

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