As a matter of fact, most quality gyms DO value and encourage patronage, and a facility's value to its corporate owners can be affected by the amount of foot traffic. The more patronage the more value to the corporate; the less patronage, the more vulnerable the facility is to headquarters. The fewer people coming in the door, the less likely there will be the ability to cross-sell other services (personal training, court reservations, pro-shop, ancillary services such as tanning beds and massages, etc.).
Also, most quality gyms also encourage participation in fitness activities by offering participation contests (i.e. X number of group fitness classes attended in X number of weeks can put your name in for a prize drawing, or a prize without a drawing), and quality gyms are increasingly hooking up with managed health care plans that offer partial dues reimbursement strictly based on a minimum number of times a plan member attends the gym each month.
Maybe you've just picked the wrong gym(s), Maximus. IMHO any gym that would sponsor a weight-loss contest isn't worth belonging to.
A-Jock
