Which Gym should I join? I can't decide!

[DMickey28]

I just can't decide. I am famous for being a gym member and not going but I really need to go and I think DS would benefit from the interaction in the daycare!!

GYM #1: Brand name Gym
-$67/month including child care for up to 3 hours a day. No start up fee.
PROS:
-VERY nice ... plush locker rooms, towel service, locks on the locker with key given each day in return for your vehicle keys, stylish steam rooms, sauna, showers and relaxing whirlpool in the locker rooms.
-Daycare has camera's that you can watch on the cardio equipment
-Cardio equip each has their own TV
CONS:
-Nautulis equipment is dated and located in the middle of the cardio room
-10 miles from home invovling a highway drive. I belonged there when we lived down the road, membership can be reactivated for no additional fee though.
-Small pool only for lap swimming and COLD. DS can't go in with me comfortably.

GYM#2: YMCA gym
-$50/month including daycare for up to 2.5 hours a day with $100 startup fee.
PROS:
-3.5 Miles down the street
-Two pools including family pool with zero entry and slide, great for DS.
-Nautulis equipment has computerized tracker to keep track on each piece what you should be doing. (Used this in the past and a BIG help. I get lost on Nautulis without it and don't use it.) That's the biggest draw to the gym.
-Nice childcare but no cameras
CONS:
-Just basic facilities, nothing special about the locker rooms or anything else.

Basically it comes down the Nautulis system, which I really like and may help me keep up with weight training, and the pools at the YMCA as well as it being closer vs. the individual tvs with childcare camera's at the other gym and the nicer facilities which has a lot to do with my comfort while going but it's further away.

What do you think?
***I should have added a poll, whoops!

 

[ckay87]

I'd go with the Y. Because it's so close to home, do you really need much of a locker room? And I personally wouldn't care to much about the childcare cameras either, for that amount of time, but that's just me.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I'd choose the Y b/c it is closer and the better Nautilus equipment (which you said you like to use).

 

[SDFgirl]

I'd go with the Y. I've joined gyms that are a ways from my house, and it's so hard to get motivated for the drive. Since the Y is so close, you can't use that as an excuse to not go!

 

[momrek06]

I'd go with the Y. I've joined gyms that are a ways from my house, and it's so hard to get motivated for the drive. Since the Y is so close, you can't use that as an excuse to not go!

ITA!!!

For me it is the distance!!! 10 miles is a bit of a hike!!!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

We belong to the Y and we LOVE it. The kids always have friends to play with in the pool, the facility is scrupulously clean, and the Zumba classes are AWESOME!

Well, awesome in the sense that you and 40 other middle age women can Drop It Like It's Hot for an hour without embarrassing yourself or others

 

[kpm76]

I'd go with the Y because of it's proximity to your house. Did you join Gymboree?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

YMCA. I have belonged to the Y and other assorted gyms in the past.

The thing I liked about the Y were the classes. They had alot of them.

Also the 3.5 miles vs 10 miles will make up for the start up fee in gas alone quickly. If gas gets back up to 4.00/gallon you are looking at spending 20 miles on the road there and back.

And the equipment tips the scale. You are there to work out, not enjoy the locker room.

And then you have the pool.

So YMCA.

 

[JessR]

YMCA usually lacks good equipment. I would go with guy #1

 

[babytrees]

YMCA because you are more likely to use it more often for things other than the equipment. Great place for swimming lessons, playing in the pool, etc.

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks. The equipment at the Y is definitely stronger from a Nautulis stand point but I really like the individual tv's at the other gym. I hate being in the middle of the room with three tv's to choose from with programs like ESPN, Foxnews and Dr. Phil!!!

DS was really happy playing in the childcare room though and used to freak at the other one. He's older now though. I think I might go with the Y and it's cheaper.

KPM - Yes, we did join Gymboree. Alexander loves it. He tends to do his own thing and I am working on getting him to go along with the class more!

 

[Rora]

It's fun to go to the YMCA!!!

I've been a member of the Y for a long time. It's great and I highly recommend a gym membership there! Their classes are worth the money!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

You can ALWAYS get the joining fee waived. You just have to ask.......

 

[DMickey28]

You can ALWAYS get the joining fee waived. You just have to ask.......

I wish. I did ask, I told them I was a member of the other gym and thinking about joining. They said the only waive they are doing is if you belonged to bally's because they closed nearby. They did say they are talking to a local mothers group about getting a group membership going and I do think it's the one I belong to. I emailed our group leader and asked her about it.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Talk to the Membership Director or the Center Director. Call and ask for that person directly.

 

[robinb]

I would go with the YMCA. It's cheaper, the equipment is better and the pool is better. PLUS, the YMCA has some really great preschool programs. My swim team fish of a DD learned to swim at the YMCA and now swims for the Y.

 

[Barb D]

I don't know -- that Whirlpool sounds awfully tempting.

 

[DMickey28]

I don't know -- that Whirlpool sounds awfully tempting.

HA ... The whirlpool room is a very relaxing room. It has a italian theme to it. I picture myself relaxing reading a book while DS is in the daycare ... now in reality, I doubt that I would do that!!

I think I am leaning towards the Y.

 

[kpm76]

KPM - Yes, we did join Gymboree. Alexander loves it. He tends to do his own thing and I am working on getting him to go along with the class more!

Abby loves it too! She's in Level 4 and honestly they all sort of do their own thing. She does love the parachute though!

 

[staley7580]

We LOVE the Y. All the classes for the kids, plus they had this 12 week program I did for free and lost a ton of weight. My kids have a blast, and I do too!