Which gym to join?

[tara]

DH has belonged to a small gym for awhile now and although he enjoys it there we are looking into joining a gym as a family, and child care is a must. But having never been a member at a gym I have no idea what to look for, right now my only concern is that their child care center is a good fit for DD. What else should I be looking for?

I'd love to hear some recommendations! We've only looked at Lifetime so far, and The Y is way too far of a drive for us.

[deannemdm]

In Inver Grove, we have a Community center that has gym, pool and child care (for two hours). Maybe check if there is a nearby community center?

[tara]

Thanks! I will look into that!

[tara]

Anyone else have any recommendations?

[ReneeW]

I'm biased in that I love LifeTime. I've been a member for 10+ years, and I like that the kids have room to run around and play and be active while I'm getting in a workout. Yes, there is a computer room but my kids are NEVER in there thankfully. The TV is on a bit here and there as well. But when I go to pick up my kids, 95% of the time they are running around and playing with kids or drawing or coloring or doing something that's active and good.

[outdoorsmommy]

We are planning on Joining the Chaska community center since we have visited others and it seems to be the best fit for our family. My thought is that local community centers seem to have more for kids plus you usually get discount on programs for kids too...tumbling, swimming lessons, open gym time and more. Actual "gyms" don't seem to have as much for family activities so I figure a community center you get the best of both worlds all rollled into one and usually at a cheaper cost

[sarahisis]

I would also check out your local community center!! There are so many programs outside of the CC's and members get discounts on them, (and also bday parties). I've always found the costs weird though, so make sure you really understand what you are paying for.. (family, vs. 3 months, vs, a year.. ours if you signed up for a year you had to pay upfront plus signup fee! but if you did a three month, there was no signup fee, and you paid just a tad more but you paid monthly out of a checking acct. THe extra paid didnt even amount to what the signup would have been for the year) if that makes sense.

[tara]

Awesome! Thanks!!
And Vic I'll let you know if we do join LifeTime, I'm all for us both getting extra LT bucks

[dara1012]

Not sure where you live, but I really like the Shoreview Community Center. You have to pay for the childcare but it is only $1 an hour. I have only used it a couple of times because DH doesn't like to work out at a gym so he is usually available for DS.

I used to belong to the YMCA in Mpls (downtown) and Shoreview. I never liked the one downtown and the Y was just too expensive - if I did exercise classes and childcare daily the Y would make more $$ sense (you pay separately for exercise classes at Shoreview CC) but since I just want a pool and exercise equipment the community center was a better deal.

My friend just left LA Fitness because they had male staff changing lightbulbs and such in the women's locker room, while women were in there. She is switching to Lifetime and is now paying for 2 memberships because of it (her LA Fitness one was paid through October 2011). She had this happen twice in a week and complained to the manager after the first time and decided to leave after the second. So if you go w/ LA Fitness it might be good to ask what their maintenance policy is.

[jlschlangen]

I myself like the YMCA. We go there periodically. I have done the machines 2X, in the pool lots.