100% Inflation at Villages Fitness Clubs!

[MandoMan]

I don’t go to a gym nearly as often as I should. I like the fitness center at Laurel Recreation Center, and I tried to start the new year right by going this morning. To my surprise, the single use price has been raised from $5 to $10! 100% inflation overnight! I can afford it, but still . . . Ouch! And I only use the weight machines for twenty minutes, then leave.

I don’t know if the monthly single fee has gone up. It was or is about $45. I’m not sure. I don’t go often enough to make that pay for itself.

[Laker14]

I don’t go to a gym nearly as often as I should. I like the fitness center at Laurel Recreation Center, and I tried to start the new year right by going this morning. To my surprise, the single use price has been raised from $5 to $10! 100% inflation overnight! I can afford it, but still . . . Ouch! And I only use the weight machines for twenty minutes, then leave.

I don’t know if the monthly single fee has gone up. It was or is about $45. I’m not sure. I don’t go often enough to make that pay for itself.

Maybe at $10 a pop for the single visit, a monthly fee would pay for itself.

[retiredguy123]

Maybe at $10 a pop for the single visit, a monthly fee would pay for itself.
Here is the current pricing, not including tax:

One Month
Single: $44.39 / Couple: $85.98
Three Month
Single: $119.16 / Couple: $229.50
Six Month
Single: $210.28 / Couple: $411.22
Nine Month
Single: $294.39 / Couple: $574.77
Twelve Month
Single: $363.49 / Couple: $710.28
Resident/Guest Member
Daily: $9.35 / Weekly: $23.36

[tophcfa]

Here is the current pricing, not including tax:

One Month
Single: $44.39 / Couple: $85.98
Three Month
Single: $119.16 / Couple: $229.50
Six Month
Single: $210.28 / Couple: $411.22
Nine Month
Single: $294.39 / Couple: $574.77
Twelve Month
Single: $363.49 / Couple: $710.28
Resident/Guest Member
Daily: $9.35 / Weekly: $23.36

That’s awfully steep for what is offered at over $44 per month. I pay $46 per month for a YMCA membership up north and that includes a lap pool, a smaller water aerobics pool, a gymnasium that is set up with indoor pickle ball courts, a free weight room, a room with both Nautilus and Matrix machines, a stretching room, a room with TRX training equipment, lots of cardio equipment including bikes, elliptical, stair, and treadmill machines, sauna and steam rooms, a bunch of free exercise classes, unlimited hot showers, and more. When we’re up north I go there 5 days per week and the hot showers alone practically cover the membership cost.

[It's Hot There]

To my surprise, the single use price has been raised from $5 to $10! 100% inflation overnight!.

Not inflation, it's a price adjustment..............totally different.

[Bogie Shooter]

Ah yes…….up north.

[asianthree]

Family membership (6) up north Lifetime Fitness $189. Month. Open 24/7 (1/2 day close on Christmas) indoor/outdoor pools/slides with 10 each swim lanes, 40 free classes everyday, 100 machines, 30 treads. Spa and salon, steam, sauna, massage, showers, complimentary products. I miss having a clean anything you need fitness center.

[JGibson]

Does your health insurance include gym membership? UHC managed plan has Renew Active which allows you to sign up for as many gyms as you want. TV gyms don't accept Renew Active or any other health insurance gym memberships.

Genesis and Anytime fitness accepts health insurance memberships.

I can't handle all the cable news TV's at Laurel Manor gym. lol.

[Smalley]

I don’t go to a gym nearly as often as I should. I like the fitness center at Laurel Recreation Center, and I tried to start the new year right by going this morning. To my surprise, the single use price has been raised from $5 to $10! 100% inflation overnight! I can afford it, but still . . . Ouch! And I only use the weight machines for twenty minutes, then leave.

I don’t know if the monthly single fee has gone up. It was or is about $45. I’m not sure. I don’t go often enough to make that pay for itself.

What the fitness center offers is so important for your health. If you pay for one month, maybe you will be motivated to get there more often and get the health benefits. The day pass at many gyms is now $20. We buy the 3 month package and we consider it a great value. You can use any of the 7 fitness rooms. Sometimes we go to Seabreeze which has all new equipment. Once in a while, Mulberry. The older you are, the more you need strength training.

[djlnc]

To my surprise, the single use price has been raised from $5 to $10! 100% inflation overnight!

Supply chain issues. :>)

[kkingston57]

I don’t go to a gym nearly as often as I should. I like the fitness center at Laurel Recreation Center, and I tried to start the new year right by going this morning. To my surprise, the single use price has been raised from $5 to $10! 100% inflation overnight! I can afford it, but still . . . Ouch! And I only use the weight machines for twenty minutes, then leave.

I don’t know if the monthly single fee has gone up. It was or is about $45. I’m not sure. I don’t go often enough to make that pay for itself.

Another great example of how #s can be manipulated. You are correct that price doubled. On other side of coin it went up by $5.00. If price was $3.00 and went to $10 it would gave gone up over 300%. Like a lot of other endeavors better off getting a monthly or yearly membership. A new Planet Fitness is opening up on 441 near Billys Cafe soon. Bet they will have memberships for <$30 a month.

[Djean1981]

It's a shame that the nearest Planet Fitness is in Leesburg ($11/month). Maybe someday. ;)

[Papa_lecki]

It's a shame that the nearest Planet Fitness is in Leesburg ($11/month). Maybe someday. ;)

Hard to compare to planet fitness, their business model is literally to sell memberships to people who wont use them.

Price went up, to drive behavior - they want to sell the 1/3/6 month membership

[Randall55]

That’s awfully steep for what is offered at over $44 per month. I pay $46 per month for a YMCA membership up north and that includes a lap pool, a smaller water aerobics pool, a gymnasium that is set up with indoor pickle ball courts, a free weight room, a room with both Nautilus and Matrix machines, a stretching room, a room with TRX training equipment, lots of cardio equipment including bikes, elliptical, stair, and treadmill machines, sauna and steam rooms, a bunch of free exercise classes, unlimited hot showers, and more. When we’re up north I go there 5 days per week and the hot showers alone practically cover the membership cost.Where are you from? Sounds better than the Villages. Maybe, I will check it out when I travel North.

[bowlingal]

Mandoman....there are outside fitness areas at rec centers that are free. Check it out.....

[Laker14]

Hard to compare to planet fitness, their business model is literally to sell memberships to people who wont use them.

Price went up, to drive behavior - they want the 1/3/6 month membership

this!

[Redsmom]

I’m pretty sure planet fitness is going in at the old office depot location on 441 across from Walmart. I believe they’ll be open later this year if I remember correctly.

[davephan]

Good Original Medicare supplement plans include gym memberships for free. We have Silver Sneekers included with our Original Medicare supplement plan. Silver Sneakers gives you free access to hundreds of gyms. Watch out for the gyms that charge extra for fitness classes, like Crunch Fitness. Check out what the normal gym membership includes and does not include. If you have to pay out of pocket, usually you can get discounts. You can oftentimes get a drastic discount if you pay for three years in advance. But you need to be certain that you will be using your gym membership consistently. Many people get gym memberships, then slack off, and don’t use their gym memberships.

I bought a three year membership for about $18 a month before I had the free Original Medicare supplement gym membership. If I renewed the three year gym membership again, it would cost less than $6 a month. The normal month to month cost is about $35 a month. So, not everyone pays the same rate. You have to throughly check out how to get the discounts and free gym memberships.

Medicare Advantage plans should be avoided because the Medicare Advantage plans actually reduces the quality and quantity of your health care services. That’s why Medicare Advantage should be named Medicare Disadvantage.

[mdmurrell]

I don’t go to a gym nearly as often as I should. I like the fitness center at Laurel Recreation Center, and I tried to start the new year right by going this morning. To my surprise, the single use price has been raised from $5 to $10! 100% inflation overnight! I can afford it, but still . . . Ouch! And I only use the weight machines for twenty minutes, then leave.

I don’t know if the monthly single fee has gone up. It was or is about $45. I’m not sure. I don’t go often enough to make that pay for itself.
After having tried numerous recreation center gyms with long lines and several coughing participants, I decided to put together my own. I read Bill Phillip's "Body for Life" and bought a range of dumbells appropriate to my strength. I also bought a weight bench that had a pull-down on one end and a setup on the other to do leg extensions. I put it all in my garage along with a treadmill. In one room of our house, I placed an elliptical machine in front of a TV with a DVD player. In addition, I bought the DVD "Maui Pilates" and do that three times a week on my Yoga mat. Voila! I work out at any time at my convenience. Weather and coughing peers are not a problem. At 77 I am in better health than any time in my life. Michael Murrell, Marsh Bend.

[Couponmeemom]

New Planet Fitness coming on 441 in Summerfield across from Walmart

[Gunny2403]

No longer use. Small facilities and in my opinion if someone is ill the closeness of the room will spread the illness. As a Senior I use Planet Fitness in Leesburg. Always clean and much more to offer and it is FREE

[cherylncliff]

I don’t go to a gym nearly as often as I should. I like the fitness center at Laurel Recreation Center, and I tried to start the new year right by going this morning. To my surprise, the single use price has been raised from $5 to $10! 100% inflation overnight! I can afford it, but still . . . Ouch! And I only use the weight machines for twenty minutes, then leave.

I don’t know if the monthly single fee has gone up. It was or is about $45. I’m not sure. I don’t go often enough to make that pay for itself.

The daily rate seem like a big jump. The yearly rate has been about $360 for the last 12 years.

[mrf0151]

I don’t go to a gym nearly as often as I should. I like the fitness center at Laurel Recreation Center, and I tried to start the new year right by going this morning. To my surprise, the single use price has been raised from $5 to $10! 100% inflation overnight! I can afford it, but still . . . Ouch! And I only use the weight machines for twenty minutes, then leave.

I don’t know if the monthly single fee has gone up. It was or is about $45. I’m not sure. I don’t go often enough to make that pay for itself.
If you are on Medicare, your plan C, whatever you have may pay for a gym membership. Lots of gyms in and around TV accept those Medicare plans.

[mrf0151]

Does your health insurance include gym membership? UHC managed plan has Renew Active which allows you to sign up for as many gyms as you want. TV gyms don't accept Renew Active or any other health insurance gym memberships.

Genesis and Anytime fitness accepts health insurance memberships.

I can't handle all the cable news TV's at Laurel Manor gym. lol.
Not sure about Anytime but Genesis has those TV programs on too!

[JGibson]

Medicare Advantage plans should be avoided because the Medicare Advantage plans actually reduces the quality and quantity of your health care services. That’s why Medicare Advantage should be named Medicare Disadvantage.

I couldn't be any more happy with my Advantage plan.

Anytime fitness does accept Renew Active.

[Michael 61]

In my visits to many 55+ communities throughout the country the years prior to my retirement and relocating to The Villages, I noticed that was the one amenity lacking at The Villages that most other communities had - A health club/gym included in the amenity fee.

Now with that said, of course the other communities can’t hold a candle to The Villages when you start making a list of all the amenities and features for each community. I pay the yearly fee for access to The Villages fitness centers, and the yearly fee seems very reasonable to me. I initially joined Genesis, but the monthly fee in excess of $100 (I’m not 65, so I’m not eligible for the free or reduced membership that comes with some Medicare advantage programs), is excessive for what you get - limited equipment and very long wait times to get on certain machines.

[Wondering]

I don’t go to a gym nearly as often as I should. I like the fitness center at Laurel Recreation Center, and I tried to start the new year right by going this morning. To my surprise, the single use price has been raised from $5 to $10! 100% inflation overnight! I can afford it, but still . . . Ouch! And I only use the weight machines for twenty minutes, then leave.

I don’t know if the monthly single fee has gone up. It was or is about $45. I’m not sure. I don’t go often enough to make that pay for itself.
I have Medicare Advantage plan/coverage. I get free fitness center visits. The 100% increase in your choice of fitness centers in simply corporate greed!

[MX rider]

In my visits to many 55+ communities throughout the country the years prior to my retirement and relocating to The Villages, I noticed that was the one amenity lacking at The Villages that most other communities had - A health club/gym included in the amenity fee.

Now with that said, of course the other communities can’t hold a candle to The Villages when you start making a list of all the amenities and features for each community. I pay the yearly fee for access to The Villages fitness centers, and the yearly fee seems very reasonable to me. I initially joined Genesis, but the monthly fee in excess of $100 (I’m not 65, so I’m not eligible for the free or reduced membership that comes with some Medicare advantage programs), is excessive for what you get - limited equipment and very long wait times to get on certain machines.

Genesis is very nice. My wife takes classes there every day and loves it. I just go to lift a few times a week since I get my cardio running outdoors. If you want to do cardio there it can be hard to find an open machine at certain times of the day.
We get it free thru our UHC Advantage plan.
But I agree, if you're paying for it $100 a month is way too high imo.

But back to the OP.
In Indiana we live in a small town with a gym that is not very good and the day pass there is $7. So to me $10 for a fairly nice gym is reasonable.

Besides, day passes aren't meant for people who want to workout regularly,

[peggyb]

Does your health insurance include gym membership? UHC managed plan has Renew Active which allows you to sign up for as many gyms as you want. TV gyms don't accept Renew Active or any other health insurance gym memberships.

Genesis and Anytime fitness accepts health insurance memberships.

I can't handle all the cable news TV's at Laurel Manor gym. lol.

I just found out that this is a benefit in my plan! Do you use it? Is it a full membership with classes and equipment use?

[agnesd]

My mother is visiting for the winter months. In November we were able to get monthly rate of $47.50 for her. Now it will cost her $100 for the month. Found this out after 3 days of talking with rec center personnel - they didn't even know about this change! This is an outrageous price for what they offer at the gym. I was told by the Recreation Dept Directors office that they did this because of inflation and in order to keep members prices down they eliminated the month pass for guests. Bad business plan because now they lost me as a member as well as my mom as a guest. (They were very eager to refund me the rest of my membership for some reason). I find this very puzzling and bad for business.

Looked into Genesis and Planet Fitness - both less expensive and they offer much more.

[MX rider]

I just found out that this is a benefit in my plan! Do you use it? Is it a full membership with classes and equipment use?

At Genesis you get everything free if you use your plan. They have classes everyday.
We go to the one in Brownwood. The one in Spanish Springs isn't as nice, but they're moving it and doing a complete remodel with new and more equipment. Should be really nice.

With your membership you can use both locations.

[OhioBuckeye]

Just me but I think it’s govt. inflation. Economy is getting out of hand!

[txfan]

The convenience of golf cart access and being within the "bubble" will forever mean TV costs will be higher than outside.

The amenity fee only goes so far before you'll realize it's way more expensive to golf, go to the gym, or eat, in TV than driving a bit and find higher quality golf and fitness outside.

Obviously it is a choice to make, and many can afford the fees, but I had a way different idea of what the amenity fee would include.

It's an observation, not a complaint.

[Papa_lecki]

My mother is visiting for the winter months. In November we were able to get monthly rate of $47.50 for her. Now it will cost her $100 for the month. Found this out after 3 days of talking with rec center personnel - they didn't even know about this change! This is an outrageous price for what they offer at the gym. I was told by the Recreation Dept Directors office that they did this because of inflation and in order to keep members prices down they eliminated the month pass for guests. Bad business plan because now they lost me as a member as well as my mom as a guest. (They were very eager to refund me the rest of my membership for some reason). I find this very puzzling and bad for business.

Looked into Genesis and Planet Fitness - both less expensive and they offer much more.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the plan was to eliminate the fitness centers in the rec centers and repurpose the space.
If you see a few more Genesis opening (especially one in LSL), then that is the long term plan.

[MX rider]

The convenience of golf cart access and being within the "bubble" will forever mean TV costs will be higher than outside.

The amenity fee only goes so far before you'll realize it's way more expensive to golf, go to the gym, or eat, in TV than driving a bit and find higher quality golf and fitness outside.

Obviously it is a choice to make, and many can afford the fees, but I had a way different idea of what the amenity fee would include.

It's an observation, not a complaint.

To us the amenity fee is a bargain for all the things we have access to for free, and how well maintained everything is.

As far as golf, yes the CC fee is too much after Jan 1st. But before that during the off season they're half price. Which is a very reasonable fee for 18 holes.

Eating out can be a bit more here, although not "way more" imo.
I just retired from Sysco, I sold food to restaurants in Southern Indiana. For the most part, prices at the places we go to here are not that far off from the accounts I had.

But generally I agree with you, it takes more money to live here. But for us, it's well worth it and we couldn't be happier.

[MX rider]

I wouldn’t be surprised if the plan was to eliminate the fitness centers in the rec centers and repurpose the space.
If you see a few more Genesis opening (especially one in LSL), then that is the long term plan.

There is an Orange Theory Fintness at LSL. You can get a membership there free the same way we do at Genesis, if you have the right advantage plan. Actually you can join both.

[Papa_lecki]

There is an Orange Theory Fintness at LSL. You can get a membership there free the same way we do at Genesis, if you have the right advantage plan. Actually you can join both.

I forgot about the OT in LSL - it’s relatively new, right?

[MX rider]

I forgot about the OT in LSL - it’s relatively new, right?
Not sure on that one.

[MrLonzo]

I’m perplexed by the price increase as well. These are small gyms at the Villages with a limited variety of equipment, and the Precor weight machines don’t come close to matching others, like Life Fitness. They’re basically extended ‘home gyms’, yet charge as much as full service gyms. And they don't accept insurance plans which pay for gym membership or put memberships 'on hold' when the member goes out of town for a few months like many full service gyms will do.

I also wonder why they are still charging instead of including their use under the amenity fee. When I do the math, I’m sure their fees over the years have already paid off the equipment. Yet everyday I see dozens of unused bocce and shuffleboard courts which probably cost at least as much to build and maintain as a gym. It may be true that not many Villagers use the gym, but there are many people who do not play golf but pay amenity fees which support the golf courses.

[Jhnidy]

Another great example of how #s can be manipulated. You are correct that price doubled. On other side of coin it went up by $5.00. If price was $3.00 and went to $10 it would gave gone up over 300%. Like a lot of other endeavors better off getting a monthly or yearly membership. A new Planet Fitness is opening up on 441 near Billys Cafe soon. Bet they will have memberships for <$30 a month.

An increase from 3 to ten is not 300%

[retiredguy123]

An increase from 3 to ten is not 300%
It's an increase of about 233 percent.

[justjim]

Good Original Medicare supplement plans include gym memberships for free. We have Silver Sneekers included with our Original Medicare supplement plan. Silver Sneakers gives you free access to hundreds of gyms. Watch out for the gyms that charge extra for fitness classes, like Crunch Fitness. Check out what the normal gym membership includes and does not include. If you have to pay out of pocket, usually you can get discounts. You can oftentimes get a drastic discount if you pay for three years in advance. But you need to be certain that you will be using your gym membership consistently. Many people get gym memberships, then slack off, and don’t use their gym memberships.

I bought a three year membership for about $18 a month before I had the free Original Medicare supplement gym membership. If I renewed the three year gym membership again, it would cost less than $6 a month. The normal month to month cost is about $35 a month. So, not everyone pays the same rate. You have to throughly check out how to get the discounts and free gym memberships.

Medicare Advantage plans should be avoided because the Medicare Advantage plans actually reduces the quality and quantity of your health care services. That’s why Medicare Advantage should be named Medicare Disadvantage.

There are many different Medicare Advantage plans. Shop around - some are very good with very good caps. Ours has a 1300.00 cap. We go to Infinity fitness in Fruitland Park (on 441/27) and pay nothing.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

There are also free outdoor exercise machines IN the Villages. There's one at Paradise Park, and they just built a new one across the street (441) next to the Hacienda fitness pool. Pretty sure there are a few more scattered around the community as well.

[Laker14]

It's an increase of about 233 percent.

I was about to disagree with you, then I realized you had it right and I had it wrong.

Math before coffee=bad idea.

[JGibson]

I forgot about the OT in LSL - it’s relatively new, right?

It's new but it's not a gym in the conventional sense.

It's more just fitness classes with treadmills and no weights.
You can't just go whenever you want you have to sign up for the class in advance.

I was hoping they put a real gym where that useless Paradise Grill is that nobody is ever in.

[Robnlaura]

Bidenomics working for you !

[graciegirl]

I go to Laurel Manor twice a week for a total of seven hours for free.

The trick is, to use the art room.

[Two Bills]

I was about to disagree with you, then I realized you had it right and I had it wrong.

Math before coffee=bad idea.

I've had a few beers, and I make it about 60 watts!
Cheers.:beer3:

[Dusty_Star]

Some original Medicare Supplement plans have gym membership benefits, my supplement plan G does.