NDR: Anyone belong to the Y?

[sailorgray]

I am researching if it would be good for my family (my H, me and our toddler and infant). I am a SAHM with the boys. Our would cost $87/month and that allows us access to 5 of the local branches. Do you think yours is worth it? I actually started looking b/c they have a weekly summer camp that I would like to enroll DS1 in and members get a discounted rate. Any info or opinions are welcome. Thanks!!

P.S. If it helps, my H and I are in our 30's and like to be active (biking, camping, trail walking, etc). We spend the majority of our free time doing outside stuff with the kids (parks, playgrounds, day trips). Unfortunately, we also spend a lot of time online...booooo!!!

[thewop]

We're not members now, but when DD gets older we will get a membership. The ones near us are really nice, with a lot to offer. A lot of our friends with little kids have memberships and always rave about it. $87 is a good price for a family membership.

[Tea-rific]

We are members. I love their group fitness classes and pools. Once ds gets a bit older we are planning to do mommy and me swim classes.

[statlerwaldorf]

We are members. It's the only gym near me that has childcare. I am a SAHM and I go often. DD likes getting to play with the other kids. It also gives us access to the indoor and outdoor pools. DD also takes swimming and gymnastics classes through them. They also have a parent's night out every other month where the kids stay in the daycare part to give the parents a date night. DD has a blast and it's much cheaper than hiring a babysitter.

[sailorgray]

Thanks so much!! I think we will take a tour. They recently re-did our local one. I had been to the old one and it was not nice. The new one looks awesome.

[statlerwaldorf]

I'm sure it just depends on location. I went to one several years ago in a different city and I wasn't very impressed. The one out here is very nice. They have a bunch of different exercise classes, but they aren't my thing.

[sailorgray]

Are the exercise classes extra? Their site isn't the most direct when it comes to this info. I am not big into getting on a machine, but enjoy classes with others.

[statlerwaldorf]

No, the adult fitness classes are included in the membership. Some of the children's programs like gymnastics, swim lessons, and karate cost extra.

[jenni232323]

I had a membership a while back for just me at around $45/mo. Even though I could literally walk to my local Y, I hardly went. When I did go, I went to the classes: yoga, pilates, kickboxing, etc. We ended up getting equipment at home which got used minimally and now we're on to dvds - I did P90X and am on Insanity now. The dvds seem to work better for me - I've stuck with it for 6 months now.

[Deleted]

I don't live within 40 miles of a Y...lol...but SIL is a member of hers (in an up and coming suburban family friendly area). I've been with her a few times and it's super nice.
She raves about all the extras, ameninities and esp. the activities for her kids.

She told me she'd give up food to keep that membership..lol.

[statlerwaldorf]

If you check it out, I would go during a time when you normally would go. The one bad thing about mine is that there are certain times where it is crowded and annoying to have to wait for machines. It can be hard to get a 9a-10a childcare slot because of some class and the gym is very busy around 5-6p.

[amblor]

I think that the Y is worth it for families! My parents/family used to be members when I was younger and up until they kicked me off because I was too old. I loved the variety of classes: zumba, yoga, pilates, etc. Plus, they have the pool, Jacuzzi, sauna. It's just not worth the cost for a single membership for me for now (H prefers to run/play soccer outside for exercise) so I Jazzercise!

[vanillahip]

I don't belong, but I was just talking about this with one of our contract workers. His (SAHM) wife bought a membership really just so she could spend some time without the kid every day (he travels constantly for work, is usually gone 3.7 out of 4 weeks so she's sort of like a SAHSP) So anyway, she's able to spend some time alone while the kid does activities/ interacts with other kids, and now that she's been going for about an hour every day she's so fit! Totally bangin' hot. I'm a little bit jealous