Ymca
 

I'm scouting gyms. I'm thinking about the YMCA because I have 3 young kids (2, 6, 9). They would enjoy it. I think I would make more friends at Curves (which I need because I'm new to the area), but for the same price I can get family membership at YMCA. Is anybody else a member? How do you know what is available for free. It's not my favorite choice to have so many ala carte programs. I want to do a comparison. $30/mo for Family membership is cheap! Plus there is a newbie orientation later in January and I have a week free coupon. Just wanted a heads up!

I joined the Y yesterday after weeks of deliberation. With my membership, they gave me 2 free orientations. That means they will show you how to use the machines, sit and explain all the benefits, give you a class schedule, etc. I would think that the family membership would be perfect for you...they have all kinds of activities for children.

Every Y is different. There are 2 equidistant from where I live. One is about $1600/yr for a family membership with a hefty $600 "building fund contribution" enrollment fee, the other is about half that. The programs are compatible with the prices. When my kids were younger, the expensive Y really was a good choice. Although most programs had additional fees, they were heavily discounted for members. Their summer camp programs are hugely popular and usually filled by the end of February. Members received discounted rates and preferential enrollment times. It was worth the steep membership fee at the time.

Mel

I use to work at a Y in Colorado. Whoever said that each Y is different, is right-on. I'm a huge advocate of Y's, so check it out. I'd say that joining as a family would be an awesome family experience!

But...I know what you mean about meeting people. I'm fairly new to where I live now, and I really haven't met a single soul.

Email
 

I emailed them and asked what their free schedule for the winter is. They are closed, but I expect to hear from them soon.

Do a search and see if they have a web page. Google on "YMCA+the name of your town." I was able to get quicker information that way.

We have 3 Ys in our town. Only one has a pool which is closed in the winter. There are also not too many classes (only 1 on Saturday!), which means I'm glad the monthly fee is only $36. They have a special for January -- they're waiving the joiner fee.

I loved the Y when I lived in Seattle. Went there every day for water aerobics and weight training. Now I live in a town where there is no Y, but there is a good athletic club that has the same amenities for the same price.

Prices and Websites
 

I already did a search for it before I posted my first post. The information is a little conflicted. Now I think I may have been quoting a sattelite office in another town. If I have to travel, I won't go. I can afford the $30 for family membership but not $70. Sorry, to me I can't justify $70 when you still have to pay for so much extra. Yes, the kids will bug me at some time to join a sports league. I'd rather spend the $30 at a regular gym for me if that's the case. We'll see. It's like boy scouts. It is a good deal. Cost next to nothing to join, but (depending on the troop) they find ways to eat your money all year long. Personally I'd pick boys scouts first. Not negative to the YMCA, they just have to be affordable before I will join. I'm still waiting till tomorrow for their answer. I'll keep you posted.

I'm a Y mmeber and I like it. My boyfriend split a family membership ($50/mo) and it's chaper than just about any gym around here. My only complaint is that too many of the classes at the branch I go to are during the day when I can't go. But there are 2 evening water aerobics classes weekly that I rather like and some weekend spinning and yoga that I've been meaning to try out. Some YMCA branches participate in the "away" program so you can use other Y locations. The Y back in my hometown is by far the nicest gym I've ever been to and I get to go there when I'm visiting so that's nice.

Good luck, hope you end up with a gym that works for you!

Pocket book rules
 

I love the Y. I really do. It seems neat. I just found out though that I can use the military base gym for free (I didn't know I could before because I didn't know that civilian workers had that benefit). Money wise, it makes more sense to go there. Fun wise, YMCA has them beat hands down. Unfortunately pocket book rules.

I loved working out at the Y, but they upped their childcare rates and it would be $90/month for unlimited use for a toddler and a baby on top of the $33 family membership we were paying. (Or $7 an hour for both of them.) It was just too much. I joined a smaller, closer to home gym (only $16 a month for DH and myself) and got unlimited childcare for AS LONG AS I'M A MEMBER FOR $200 TOTAL--FOREVER!!! So, I have no excuses!! I do miss the classes and pool at the Y, but it's working out fine.