Gym Memberships

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-03-2005
Gym Memberships
15
Tue, 02-10-2009 - 4:43pm

Just curious what gyms/fitness centers people belong to.  We currently belong to LifeTime Fitness, but it's a bit pricey.


I'm also curious what amenities your places have -- child care, pools, running track, showers, locker rooms, class and equipment selections, etc.


A women's place opened at my corner:  LOA Fitness for Women.  Does anyone know anything about that place?  My understanding is that it's a step up from another women's fitness center, but I can't remember which one.  I do know it isn't Curves.


Thanks for any input anyone can provide, either from current or past memberships.


 

spring 09 siggy


For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.  The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.       Song of Solomon 2:  11,12

spr/smr 2010 siggy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-06-2007
Tue, 02-10-2009 - 4:56pm

I think you'll find a huge variation in gyms by region.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2006
Tue, 02-10-2009 - 5:20pm

My gym is a small, privately owned one with two locations.

I paid a $30 registration fee and I pay $33 per month for my lifetime regardless of any rate increases. They have a wide variety of equipment, classes and they even have a theater. Everything is included in my membership (spinning, all classes including pilates, yoga and zumba - which can be an additional charge at some gyms). The only thing that is extra is tanning and I don't do that anyway. Babysitting is extra too - I think it's 2 or 3 dollars a kid. Lockers are on a daily use basis - bring your own lock and remove it when you leave.

I think this gym is a good deal.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-06-2007
Tue, 02-10-2009 - 6:01pm

That's a really good deal!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2006
Wed, 02-11-2009 - 7:15am

I've always felt pretty lucky with my gyms...

Right now we belong to LA Fitness. We joined during the grand opening of the first location in the area, so we got a GREAT rate. We pay $24 per month - that includes all childcare, classes, machines, use of pool, raquetball courts, basketball courts. The childcare is probably the most important feature to me, since it eliminates most excuses not to go. Multiple locations is also a plus - we can go to any LA Fitness location. There is one close to our house, but there is also another one about a block from my college, so that is very convenient for fitting it into my schedule. There is also a location near dh's work. Since he has over an hour commute to work, this is great so he can drive up there, beat traffic, work out and then just drive the 5 min to work. The only negative is that they don't sell things like water, towels, no snack/juice bar, etc.

In CA we belonged to Gold's. It was a bit more, $35 per month. For the childcare you could pay per time or buy a "block" of visits (like 25 at a time for a discounted rate). I honestly can't remember the exact rate, but we always bought about a months worth at a time when we paid our monthly fee. Classes were included, but they had no pool, no basketball courts, no raquetball, etc. They did have a "women's room" (free weights, machines and a few cardio machines), which I loved. It was great if you had to go at peak times (like 6pm) Then you didn't have to fight all the muscle men for the free weights. NO ONE ever used the free weights in the women's room (except me!) They also had a great juice bar with sugar-free/fat-free frozen yogurt, and they would make you smoothies with Crystal Light instead of juice.

















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belizesig1
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-03-2004
Wed, 02-11-2009 - 8:13am

I belong to my local YMCA and they started a program (don't know if it is national or regional) called Membership for All, it's basically

Melissa

Change takes CHANGE!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Wed, 02-11-2009 - 8:26am
Every "Y" is so different.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2006
Wed, 02-11-2009 - 10:09am
Our Y's are also pretty expensive. WAY more per month than my $24 gym membership. It does get you discounts on things like summer camp, swim lessons for the kids, sports leagues. Plus their after school care (they contract with the school district and offer after-school care at the local elementary schools) That is their main focus and that is the main reason people join around here.
















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belizesig1
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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2006
Wed, 02-11-2009 - 10:10am

I belong to Bally Sports Club.

Fall 2010 siggy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2005
Wed, 02-11-2009 - 11:13am
We belong to Lifetime Fitness, which I love.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2006
Wed, 02-11-2009 - 11:57am
My daughter joined the World Gym near her college thinking that she could also go to the one around here during breaks and the summer months. Unfortunately it turned out that World Gyms are individually owned and do not reciprocate! That was quite a surprise since it's a big name in gyms and very disappointing since that means she can only use a 12-month membership for less than 8 months!!

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