Big Company Taking Over Wellness Center

[carole131]

MVP Sports Clubs has purchased our Wellness Center. Interesting. Now membership rates are sure to go up. On the bright side, they will probably find a way to use the pool at the WCs former location, which The Villages has been maintaining at conserable cost all the while. I wonder where The Villages is "going"? Does anyone know the difference in square footage of useable space between the old location & the new one? That move still boggles my mind.

[Hawkwind]

http://www.mvpsportsclubs.com/florida-the-villages-mvp-athletic-club

No mention of the membership fees.

[elevatorman]

I think the price went down. The price sheet is on the counter where you sign in.

[Russ_Boston]

My guess would be down as well since the fees were pretty stiff compared to national average for a fitness center with no pool.

[texasfal]

Went today and met with the MVP membership guys. For Village residents, it's $39.00 per month for the first member and $30.00 a month for the second resident of the household. You have to pay month by month - no yearly memberships. After 8/31, the prices go way up and there is a $200 enrollment fee. Also, Banner Mercantile is moving out and going into the old Augustines space. The gym entry and snack bar, wtc will be on the first floor along with the second and third floors will be the massage rooms and the gym will remain on the third floor. GMS will stay on the second floor. We asked what they nintend to do to make the price worthwhile, the guy said all the classes will be included and will be standardized. Don't know if that good or bad. No matinee memberships, no discounts, though. Don't know if the hubby and I want to spend $840.00 a year on a gym membership.

[jannd228]

Went today and met with the MVP membership guys. For Village residents, it's $39.00 per month for the first member and $30.00 a month for the second resident of the household. You have to pay month by month - no yearly memberships. After 8/31, the prices go way up and there is a $200 enrollment fee. Also, Banner Mercantile is moving out and going into the old Augustines space. The gym entry and snack bar, wtc will be on the first floor along with the second and third floors will be the massage rooms and the gym will remain on the third floor. GMS will stay on the second floor. We asked what they nintend to do to make the price worthwhile, the guy said all the classes will be included and will be standardized. Don't know if that good or bad. No matinee memberships, no discounts, though. Don't know if the hubby and I want to spend $840.00 a year on a gym membership.

obviously someone forgot to figure this out on a corporate level

[Russ_Boston]

obviously someone forgot to figure this out on a corporate level

Since this is their 9th location - I doubt it.

But that doesn't mean it will work - $39 month is about right (maybe a tad bit high). Any more and membership will go down. There should never be an initiation fee IMO.

With SO many ways to work out in and around TV (run, walk, sports, lap pools, yoga and pilates classes, etc.) I'm surprised that any gym can get enough members.

[RichieLion]

Since this is their 9th location - I doubt it.

But that doesn't mean it will work - $39 month is about right (maybe a tad bit high). Any more and membership will go down. There should never be an initiation fee IMO.

With SO many ways to work out in and around TV (run, walk, sports, lap pools, yoga and pilates classes, etc.) I'm surprised that any gym can get enough members.

Well I guess you're not and have never been a gym rat. I go for the free weights and the machines. I love to lift and can't imagine not doing it. Also the low impact cardio machines are invaluable to me as I have problem knees and love to work up a good sweat on them.

Also it's another social gathering place to meet people of a like mind as are all activities here in TV.

The price isn't bad and the price you sign up for is the price you pay forever as long as you stay current.

The ones who will pay a lot are non-residents of TV. Their rate is going up to $59 a month at the introductory price and this includes employees of TV who used to get a reduced rate of about $30 a month and will no longer.

In September rates will be $45 a month with a $75 sign up fee for residents, so get there by the end of August and sign up if you want the reduced rate. They're starting to take membership applications on Monday July 26th.

[Russ_Boston]

Well I guess you're not and have never been a gym rat. I go for the free weights and the machines. I love to lift and can't imagine not doing it. Also the low impact cardio machines are invaluable to me as I have problem knees and love to work up a good sweat on them.

Richie - you need to re-read my post. I said I'm surprised that it gets enough members, not debating the merits of a gym. My point being that there are alternatives. More in TV than almost anywhere I can think of.

Obviously resistance training is important, especially as we age. And it is easier to do that at a gym than at home.

[homeball]

And let's not forget that there are the four regional gyms that are $100 less per year for a membership than the quoted MVP price and are resident only. For a lot of us these gyms are closer to home and get the job done for the most part. You can augment your gym workout with a three mile walk (fast) at 7 AM while it's still relatively cool out.

-Dave-

[dominick]

My guess is that MVP will keep the Wellness Center at the present location for a few years and then move everything to a "mega-gym" type place on 466 or 466A. By that time TV will have a population of 100,000 or so and the present facilities will be way too cramped to handle the demand. Baby boomer age folks, especially, will demand state of the art workout facilities before even considering a move here. The present wellness/fitness centers, while well equipped with cardio machines, offer little in the way of real resistance and strength training equipment, and most of them don't even have lockers and shower facilities.

[Midge538]

They may be better experienced and organized to deal with the infectious MRSA issues. That will be a real plus.

[aln]

Also, Banner Mercantile is moving out and going into the old Augustines space.

Actually I heard they're going into the "Put a Cork in it" space.

Until an announcement is in the "SUN" I guess it's conjecture.

[Pturner]

The price is too high for my blood, given the alternatives.

[RichieLion]

My guess is that MVP will keep the Wellness Center at the present location for a few years and then move everything to a "mega-gym" type place on 466 or 466A. By that time TV will have a population of 100,000 or so and the present facilities will be way too cramped to handle the demand. Baby boomer age folks, especially, will demand state of the art workout facilities before even considering a move here. The present wellness/fitness centers, while well equipped with cardio machines, offer little in the way of real resistance and strength training equipment, and most of them don't even have lockers and shower facilities.

The Wellness Center and the Fitness Centers are 2 different operations and MVP is only the new owner of the Wellness Center in the LaReina Building. The Wellness Center does have lockers and showers and also many exercise classes, including spinning that the Fitness Centers don't.

The vast majority of the clients in the Wellness Center are seasoned citizens and the I've never seen one yet use the largest dumbells in their workouts. The many resistance machines are more than suitable to a good resistance training regimen. Many of the clients are there for rehabilitation for medical conditions and injuries and can and are trained by the knowledgeable training staff available at the Wellness Center if they so desire. There is also therapeutic massage therapy available at this facility.

Also of importance is that the gym is golf cart assessable and there is a shuttle to take the rehabilitation clients from the parking lot to the building entrance that has self-opening doors for their convenience.

I am in fairly good health, with the exception of a bum leg due to a motorcycle accident 10 years ago and am able to work out pretty vigorously at the Wellness Center and use more reps and lift somewhat less heavy weights than in my younger years and find this facility to have been very well run and maintained.

I hope it stays that way, and maybe even improves. There's always room for improvement.

[Russ_Boston]

Baby boomer age folks, especially, will demand state of the art workout facilities before even considering a move here.

While workout facilities are important to some I highly doubt if this is even a question for most, never mind a decision maker. TV already has 85K people which is about 72% capacity. Nothing short of an economic collapse will stop TV from from full occupancy.

[lefty]

I reviewed my last contract with the existing Wellness center and found that the new owners cost is a little bit lower and that does not put in the equation the fact that most, if not all classes are included. I checked the company on the internet and with BBB and found no issues there. I talked with the president of the new company and found him to be very open to ideas and he was very willing to provide specific answers to specific questions. How refreshing is that? I have no connection with the company in any way, form or fashion. :)

[Pats2010]

I never used a facility to work out. We are moving south so we can power walk and jog year round. You don't need much equipment to keep muscles in shape in your own home.

[elevatorman]

I spoke with the new people this morning and they told me they would be taking over the golf cart store on the corner of the building. They also said equipment would be upgraded and the classes would be included in the cost of your membership.

[jmitchell]

We won’t be moving to TV until the end of November and I was wondering if anyone had asked about partial year memberships (Snowbird and/or long-term travel)? Given that after July 31 there will be an Initiation Fee, even though the membership is month to month, my experience has been that if you want to stop your month to month and then resume later you would be change another Initiation Fee. Anyone have any insight?

Thanks.

[lefty]

We won’t be moving to TV until the end of November and I was wondering if anyone had asked about partial year memberships (Snowbird and/or long-term travel)? Given that after July 31 there will be an Initiation Fee, even though the membership is month to month, my experience has been that if you want to stop your month to month and then resume later you would be change another Initiation Fee. Anyone have any insight?

Thanks.

All memberships are a month to month. There are no contracts say for a specific period except monthly according to the President of the company. They will work if you are gone for a short period but you would have to contact them direct to get more of an answer. FYI my current contract with the wellness center expires on 9 Aug and we are leaving town for 3 weeks. The new company will let me begin the month to month on 1 Sept so IL woun't "lose" a month. The initiation fee starts after 30 August. If you have the paperwork done prio ro that you won't have to pay the initial fee and you can delay your "start" date.:D

[jmitchell]

All memberships are a month to month. There are no contracts say for a specific period except monthly according to the President of the company. They will work if you are gone for a short period but you would have to contact them direct to get more of an answer. FYI my current contract with the wellness center expires on 9 Aug and we are leaving town for 3 weeks. The new company will let me begin the month to month on 1 Sept so IL woun't "lose" a month. The initiation fee starts after 30 August. If you have the paperwork done prio ro that you won't have to pay the initial fee and you can delay your "start" date.:D

Lefty,

Thanks for this information. I will contact them to see if we can sign up now but delay our "start date".:beer3:

[rockyisle]

We will be in TV for the first winter starting in November. I'm wondering what the current status is with the gym?? I'm specifically looking for a Pilates Reformer class... Is there anything like this in TV?
Thanks
Sue from NH

[Flying Dutchman]

As someone who was a member in the Old Villages Health Club from 2000 to 2005 and again now in 2010 I have seen many changes. When I returned they bumped my monthly fee up to $43 +tax and I have friends paying $50. Theys also pay an additional $70/month for Zumba lessons. With MVP who if you check them out on Google, Facebook etc have a very good rep, I only pay $39 +tax for everything and anything. I am looking forward to the wide range of equipment and sevices MVP has planned. One reason I left 5 years ago was because The Villages refused to get in any free weights and treated anyone who liked to lift heavy like a cancer. They continually viewed it as "UnVillagerlike" to want to train seriously. Someone commented on "no-one ever using the heaviest dumbells" or some such. Not true, I do and I know others who do as well. There are lots of guys who have been frustrated for years at the paucity TV provided. Many of them simply went up to Belleview's "Too Your Health" spa to meet their needs. The smaller gyms here, which I have often used, are not well equipped and often crowded. Hopefully MVP will carry out their usual format and provide lots of options to meet every level of need. For "Snow Birds" I think they have some kind of 5 month $5 fee or somesuch for one prolonged absence a year. And best of all, I can't wait for a healthy snackbar where I can grab a protein shake after a workout.

[18togo]

As someone who was a member in the Old Villages Health Club from 2000 to 2005 and again now in 2010 I have seen many changes. When I returned they bumped my monthly fee up to $43 +tax and I have friends paying $50. Theys also pay an additional $70/month for Zumba lessons. With MVP who if you check them out on Google, Facebook etc have a very good rep, I only pay $39 +tax for everything and anything. I am looking forward to the wide range of equipment and sevices MVP has planned. One reason I left 5 years ago was because The Villages refused to get in any free weights and treated anyone who liked to lift heavy like a cancer. They continually viewed it as "UnVillagerlike" to want to train seriously. Someone commented on "no-one ever using the heaviest dumbells" or some such. Not true, I do and I know others who do as well. There are lots of guys who have been frustrated for years at the paucity TV provided. Many of them simply went up to Belleview's "Too Your Health" spa to meet their needs.

I have been lifting with free weights for 10 years, and plan to do so for the rest of my life. I don't even mind getting older as I seem to be stronger and in a little better shape every year. What is the set up for benching, squatting, and deadlifting? How heavy do the dumbbell's go. Are the machines plate loaded or already have stacks installed.

If these centers aren't equipped for heavy lifting, are there more suitable gyms outside of TV? I'm spoiled where I live. Even though we are in a small area, the school district has a weight room that has been equipped better than most YMCA's through local grants, volunteers, etc. Best of all it's free as it's mostly staffed by volunteers.

[RichieLion]

I have been lifting with free weights for 10 years, and plan to do so for the rest of my life. I don't even mind getting older as I seem to be stronger and in a little better shape every year. What is the set up for benching, squatting, and deadlifting? How heavy do the dumbbell's go. Are the machines plate loaded or already have stacks installed.

If these centers aren't equipped for heavy lifting, are there more suitable gyms outside of TV? I'm spoiled where I live. Even though we are in a small area, the school district has a weight room that has been equipped better than most YMCA's through local grants, volunteers, etc. Best of all it's free as it's mostly staffed by volunteers.

Right now the dumbells go up in weight to 90lbs, and after 50lbs go up in 10lb increments only. That's not great, but it's what it is. There no Olympic weight benchs for barbells and only one Smith Machine. There is a stand of easy-grip fixed-weight barbells that come in handy.
There are no plate loaded machines, other than the Smith machine, as all the machines, and there are a good number of these, are stack loaded.
MVP reps tells me that there will be many upgrades in equipment and so I'm hoping that the deficiencies in free weight equipment will be addressed.

There are gyms available just outside TV if you desire and the biggest have what you're looking for if you don't mind the drive.

[18togo]

For the weight room here, I bought platemates, which are 2.5 pound magnets which attach magnetically to the end of the dumbbells. That way you can go up by 5's and buy in ten pound increments. They can be a pain, though, on our 85 and 95 pounders ( the highest we have so far) as they are pretty wide already, but better than not having them at all.