Quote:
Originally Posted by manaboutown
I had looked forward to using the fitness facilities at the rec centers I had read about in promotional literature during my month's stay in The Villages last year. First of all, I was quite surprised to have to pay signiificant sums to use those at the rec centers which were small, overcrowded, offerered minimal weights, only a couple of benches, and a few machines. In size and amenities they reminded me of what one finds in a hotel or perhaps on a cruise ship. When I needed to use a rest room I had to walk all sweaty through the lobby area of the rec center, passing by nicely dressed people attending other activities. That felt strange and inappropriate. Worse, if I wanted to shower afterward or use a locker I would have had to go over to the other side of the rec center and use the shower adjacent the pool. I just changed my shirt and drove to the house I rented to shower. Thankfully I had a rental car so I did not sweat up my own car . . . . . . .
|
That is an excellent analysis of the gym situation here. Before I moved here in 2009, I was a member of Jack LaLanne/Bally Total Fitness in NY since 1976. My dues at the time I moved were $150/yr for which I got all the things that are missing here. You can imagine the culture shock when I found out that I had to pay $366/yr for the conditions described in the above post. But in short I learned how to cope with things simply by going to the gym at other than peak times and utilizing the advice in the phrase "when in Rome . . . . ".
I still had my membership in Bally's up until last year but the closest one is in the Northern Orlando area about a hour and a half round trip drive, a little to much travel for an hour workout. When my membership expired last year, Bally's sent me an offer to renew my membership for $125/yr. I wouldn't mind their opening a local facility either in or close to TV.