Joining a club or the Y

[SuzySunshine]

Ok SAHM's do you belong to an athletic club or a Y where you take the kids on a regular basis?

We are debating what to do about a membership once I stay home. We have two options. A very nice private athletic club which is what DH is leaning towards because he thinks he will use it A LOT during his two research years. Or the Y. I'm having a hard time justifying the cost but my girlfriends that belong to one or the other say that if they weren't at one of these two places with their kids they would be at the mall or Target where they could do a lot more $$ damage.

Anyone?

[SuzySunshine]

Annie - you are no help at all!

[Vanquisher]

I belong to an athletic club just because the Y is so far away from me. I would look at several things when deciding.

Cost
Cost of childcare
Hours of operation of facility and nursery
amenities
how far away it is/how hard to get to

I think that is what is most important.

Based on what Annie says, I'd go with the club.

The Y here is expensive and not that great a deal compared to other places.

I would look at class schedules -- like mom and tot play and swim classes. That is a great way to meet others and get out of the house.

We belong to the fitness center that's run by the hospital. All of the childcare workers are hospital employees so I feel comfortable with their employment screening.

Definitely check out the class schedules and nursery facilities/workers. They may even offer prenatal yoga classes that you'll be able to use now.

Maybe you could do a trial 1-month membership when you become a SAHM and then move to a full membership once you know you'll get your money's worth out of it.

[DCJenn]

The entire reason I selected the Bally's is because they offer child care mornings, evenings and weekends.

I did Stroller Strides in DC which was great- you can see if they have a group there- it's sort of a happy medium- you get the exercise, you get to meet other mommies and no one cares if your kid has a fit. (and when you have tiny, new one, you get to exercise AND keep your baby with you)

jenn

[pstone]

YMCA - I go about 4-5 days a week, playroom for the kids is huge and I feel so unpretencious about it all that I smile when the 80year old is walking next to me on the tread mill.

Great pool, etc....

Cheaper for us than the big health club, though I can see the benefits of the health club....more stay at home moms to chat up and a cafe to buy 5$ cups of coffee at.....someday.

[Cumberland]

I say go to the most kid friendly one possible- best childcare, best classes like swim lessons and tumble tots, and best pool. There is an awesome kid pool at the Y here and I know a lot of people who joined other places and have gotten a second membership at the Y just bc of the great pool.

[JaneDoe]

We belong to an athletic club. It's one of the more expensive clubs in our area, but we felt the price was worth it based on the quality of child care, alone! The childcare at some of the other clubs looked a little sketchy. The kids love going, and I love the time to myself (including showering in peace).

During the school year, we also belong to a toddler indoor play area, which is a co-op. It's great for the kids and for me too.

We have the Y in our area, but I have yet to check it out.

[houseelf]

Is the club Lifetime fitness (Again in Borat voice: Very niice). I think that they offer THREE HOURS in childcare a day. Dude, that's enough time for me to run, have Sven rub me down, throw down a couple of gin and tonics, and get my nails done.

In all seriousness, do go check out the childcare providers. Leaving an infant is hard to do, especially for first time moms.

Kelly

[SuzySunshine]

No, the club is a local run - no national chains here. I guess the nice thing is as long as he/she is in a carrier I can take her into the work out area with me, or so I'm told. I think DH and I are going to go tour the private one this weekend or next. My friend who belongs to the Y is out of town for the next two weeks so we're not going to decide until I talk to her too.

[Phoebe]

I say go to the most kid friendly one possible- best childcare, best classes like swim lessons and tumble tots, and best pool. There is an awesome kid pool at the Y here and I know a lot of people who joined other places and have gotten a second membership at the Y just bc of the great pool.

ITA

Our closest Y is on the other side of town and very crowded. I am not sure of the price. I tried a couple smaller gyms, but I wasn't always happy with the childcare or their hours. I ended up joining a club because it best suited our needs. I haven't taken advantage of all the facilities, but the most convenient is the childcare and a hair salon located inside. There is a dedicated infant area and tons of activities the kids enjoy. I pay $50/month and get free childcare. A place that just opened in our community is over 1000k/year for a family membership, you have to pay extra for group fitness classes and childcare is $5/child/per day. If I went four days a week I would rack up over $1000/year in childcare alone. Totally not worth it!

[SuzySunshine]

We can buy a membership at the Y that includes childcare but the monthly difference is about the same as paying $3.50/kid/day at the private club. I'm pretty sure we'll end up at the private club b/c I think DH is more likely to use it and I don't want to join either if we aren't all going to use it.

Sounds like he is part of the equation, but you could also check into what the guest rate is and see if it is better to have a single membership and invite him as a guest.

[SuzySunshine]

Guests living in our town can only use the club once every sixty days.