Unfortunately, the Y is probably the only option for an indoor pool in most places, but I wouldn't recommend them in general if you're worried about scummy practices. They wanted me to come in-person to sign a form in order to unsubscribe, after I'd moved. I finally got them to relent, but still had to send a digitally-signed pdf to the manager. Of course, signing up was a simple web form.

Climbing gyms kind of run the gamut. I was actually pretty delighted to find that the one I had been a member of, when I moved during Covid, actually never reactivated by subscription when they reopened, so when I nervously called to cancel, expecting them to have some ridiculous requirement, I didn't even have to cancel at all. They hadn't been billing me in the first place.

If you want to run, go outside. Even in fairly unpleasant weather, I think that's generally a better experience than a treadmill. And if you want strict measurements and not to worry about being hit by cars, go find a local high school or college and they almost certainly have a track that is sitting unused often enough for community members to run at. That's how I used to do it when I still ran.

And even if you don't have a Y nearby, check out community centers and other such things. The main thing is finding something that's not part of a massive chain, and they'll usually be pretty reasonable.

That true. I’m just playing devils advocate. I use community services when I want to do anything gym like . The only reason for a gym membership is if your community provides nothing or the hours just don’t work for you (e.g. you like early morning or very late at night)