Fitness centers should be "free"
 

If golf is "free" for the rest of your life for villagers, I think the fitness centers should be free as part of the amentities fee. Exercise is important for health and happiness. Why is golf "free" but not fitness??

Point well taken JimJoe. I have often wondered why our amenity fees do not cover this important health issue as well. Many of us have had heart problems and have a need for this equipment at least three days a week.

If the fitness centers were free, they would be soooooo jammed that it would be necessary to make an appointment. Just like the "free" executive courses. You can't hardly get on in the peak season.

Even with the charge for the fitness centers, I found the wellness center so jammed at times that I would leave before I even went inside. Lots of people just sit on the machines and stare off into space or at the television sets.

When I went into Colony Plaza on Tuesday to see the fitness facility, I asked the woman in charge why there was a fee, why wasn't it included in the amenities? She told me that a survey had been done and that there weren't enough people interested in using it. Yet, here it was, July 7, not exactly the high season, and there were 11 people in there, with no treadmills available. However, she was quick to hand me the card with membership prices on it.

Personally,

I would like to see fitness as part of our amenity fees as well... but I did know what I bought into. TH, I am a relative newbie at the Wellness Center - have seen no one using the machines other than as intended.

Championship 18 hole golf is not free. The fitness centers in the larger recreation centers such as Colony are profit centers for the districts and, I believe, are actually business competetors with The Villages Wellness Center.
Like executive golf, there are many, many "free" fitness activities that take place daily throughout The Villages. I was surprised to learn when I moved here that there was a fee to use the fitness centers located in the rec centers but I think they are worth the fee.

Rec Center classes
 

I'm a snowbird, won't be down for good until another 2yrs. I have seen the rec centers crowded with all kinds of classes and people walking in with their mats. Does anyone know if these classes are free? I never asked, just assumed you had to pay but someone recently said they thought they were free but the instructors have to get paid...

I believe they are free--- like exec golf:laugh:

Deja vu
 

My question in July 08 was "Why is the most effective aerobic exercise the most expensive?" There were many folks who agreed with me that it's a missed opportunity for the Villages not to provide as many fitness centers as there are sport pools, for example, and at no charge. Why not "America's Healthiest Hometown". That, I believe would be another big draw to lots of retirees. But The Developer simply did not have that vision. He saw golf and swimming, pickelball and softball as the active sports and the facilities are plentiful and free. We all know what we bought into but IMHO no single item currently lacking would be more desirable and beneficial to us than free exercise centers. Ironically, in comparison to the costs of the other activities favored by The Developer, free exercise centers would be relatively cheap. I believe there is an underutilized area in every existing rec center which could accommodate some treadmills, elipticals, and bikes. Talk Host has to wait to use equipment because you can count the existing fitness centers on one hand.
But I'm afraid there still aren't enough folks who are willing to work against that Great Inertia Machine here to bring about a change. Anybody want to join in an effort to get The Developer to change the situation? For a start, how about going to the Amenity Committees in Districts 1-4 and asking for some money for equipment, then asking The Developer for rec center space and a piece of the supervision budget currently in place for those centers? This would be an interesting marriage, sort of like 'matching grants'. And why would The Developer consider it? Because we would all have bigger smiles and it could be the heart of a new ad campaign for America's Friendliest AND Healthiest Hometown.

(ok, so I had nothing else to dream about this afternoon)

I respectfully disagree. Having used and worked in fitness facilities for many years, the equipment and workout space they provide, is shameful for what they charge. I used a gym in Naples that charged around $35 per month less than fees here, yet had probably 7 or 8 times the equipment. And that's common in most areas. I don't want to seem like I'm promoting another facility, but look around. There are other good choices in this area.

Fitness Center fees
 

Can anyone tell me what the fitness center fees are? Do individual classes, such as aerobics, have their own additional charge?

Shazam,

Could you list some of the alternatives and the cost(s) is you have them.

Thank you.

How about free bowling?

How about free fish fry on Friday's?

Wellness Center
 

Name one ! Better yet name one within 50 miles?

I'm not sure what you are asking, and I'm not trying to stir the pot at all, but I'm surprised you have to pay extra for your fitness centers.

We have two fitness centers in our "little" community, and they are free for all residents......every time I've gone in there I was the only one. I like that. Most of our activities are free, included in our $85.00 per month HOA fees.

Frank

sounds like what has been wrong with this country for past 20 or more years everybody wanted something provided to them with out paying for it.

My point was not it should be "free". Golf on executive golf courses (and championship golf courses) is not "free". It is part of the amenity fee. Everyone knows that. I am suggesting that the "free" golf may be one of the advertising points that helped the villages grow, but maybe, just maybe, it is time to move a small portion of the amenity fee to something that would be good for everyone: some fitness equipment in the rec centers for use by the villagers. It would be a very reasonable expense, it would appeal to another segment of potential home buyers and current owners, and it is very consistent with the very important theme here of a healthy active lifestyle. I reject the idea that the villagers cannot consider changes and improvements in the amenities the villages. Do the villagers really need the "permission" of the Developer to add exercise equipment to the amenities in the villages? Wow!!

Are you a Villager?

Take it to the AAC in the form of a petition as they now deal with how our amenity fees are spent.

Heck, everybody else knows how our amenity fees should be spent, without increasing them, of course. I thought the Friday fish fry was a bit much. However, in order to contribute to the mental and physical health of residents, the AAC should pay for a team of highly qualified prostitutes, both males and female, in sufficient number to satisfy whatever desires a resident might have without having to wait in line.

You know what's here and what costs when you buy. If you don't like it, find someplace else more to your liking. Don't expect the rest of us to pay for your perversions.

Muncle, perhaps you'd like a free car wash for your new spiffy cart.

I believe a forum like this is a good venue to express how we would like to see things changed. No harm in that ... and no need to come out with the "love it or leave it" notion. As I recall, a certain someone has suggested on more than one occasion that charging the full amenity fees for single people was unfair (and, yes, this policy was known before purchasing as well). I actually agree with the view that singles are being overcharged for their amenities and think it is OK to post it here - just as it's OK to post about free fitness centers.

Agree, this is a good forum to express how we'd like things changed. And using this forum, I'm expressing my view that many, many people are overly concerned about how unfair/unjust/biased/inconsiderate/greedy/insert adjective here TV is because the don't jump to the wish du jour of these people. It matters not what the issue is, be it free fitness centers, dog parks, indoor swimming pools, fences and/or property line bushes, or power boats on Lake Sumter, most of the time these people have done and will do nothing to make their desires happen, no call to TV management to even validate their outrage. They'd rather just b__ch. (A salute to some of the dog people. I may disagree with what they want, or I may not, but they are doing more than just carping on TOTV.) I am sooo sick of the very small minority of people here in TV who are always so negative, who are never satisfied, whose only joy in life seems to be to suck the souls out of others. And since so many of these people seem to find whatever their complaint to be so serious and critical to their life in TV, I have suggested and continue to suggest that they might be happier elsewhere.

And no, I have never seriously suggested that singles pay less amenity fee than others. What you might be remembering is that at least twice, I have commented that it is unfair that singles pay the same trail fee as a household of four. But I made these comments in a tread that discussed the cost of Executive golf and trail fees and another seeking "pet peeves." Maybe the sheer injustice of it all is enough to make me move.




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:agree:I checked out the gym at Colony and was appalled at the fee they charge for the equipment provided. I pay $40 in NY but the equipment is unbelievable. We have a multi level area with 30 treadmills,20 elyptical machines, 10 stairsteppers, dont know how many bikes..all other equipment is top notch and plentiful..I never wait to use anything and there are classes going on all the time. Once I hit 65 there is a "Silver Sneaker" program at the Gym which reduces cost to practically nothing...Why? to promote exercise and good heath for SENIORS>>>

Did you hear that VILLAGES... Laura

Although there is a cost to join the fitness centers there is so much happening at the Rec Centers at no cost. Check the paper. Everyday one can find Walking Aerobics, Walking Away the Pounds, Total Fitness, Zumba, Yoga, Qijong, Line Dancing, to name a few. When I first moved to The Villages I also thought there should be no cost for the fitness centers. Now, however, I realize maybe the cost is for the upkeep and maintenance of the equipment. I recently signed up again for 3 months. They currently have a special $100 for 3 months. I think this is very reasonable.

I can't really comment on whether the price should be included with the amenity fee since I don't own in TV.

But from my experience of belonging to 'gyms' for years I totally agree with MSNPA. It seems that the most fit people in the gym are those that take part in the various classes that are offered. And as mentioned there are numerous classes offered free throughout TV that more people who are concerned with fitness should attend regularly.

The cost of the fitness centers is computed over the total number of homes, not the amount of people in each home. Therefore singles would pay as much as married folk because they represent the use of one house. It is sort of like school taxes. Kids or not each person pays his share.

As a person who is only in TV 8 months out of the year, I still pay for 12 months of amenities. It would not be right for me not to pay for the 4 months I am not there as it would raise the rates for the 12 monthers.

Just my thought.

I agree. A forum is intended to foster discussion - and TOTV does that. And sometimes that discussion is just "blowing off steam" regarding some topic. Venting is OK - but IMHO it becomes whining over time when no initiative is taken to resolve the issue that is raised over and over again by the same people.

Whether it be kids driving golf carts, dogs peeing near the mailboxes, or the inequities of what is/isn't covered in amenity fees - work to find a solution.

Now I'll quit whining.:shrug:

Kate

When comparing many retirement communities, we found TV the worst in providing exercise equipment rooms. Almost every other community had exercise equipment in the rec centers that were a basic part of the amenity system. We bought here anyway because of the whole package.

We plan on getting our exercise the free way - on the golf course, riding bikes and using the rec center classes. The paid fitness centers are pretty underwheming in size. For the price charged, they should be much larger and provide some level of fitness classes. Facilities similar to the fitness centers (but 5 times larger) are available in my northeast community for costs of $10 to $20 a month. Perhaps we need a private club owner to open nearby and provide some competition.

There are quite a few...Curves (for women) are all over, Ladies fitness on 301 Core Fitness on 301, Anytime Fitness on 441, there's a place on 466A that is a training facility (personal training by the month) a couple of others I can't recall the names of, and all are within minutes of TV. Of course if you want to travel 50 miles, there are many as you near Orlando.

there are a number of facilities nearby, that opened in the last year.

Great Idea Bob....
You know that every time I drive through the TV I am so impressed with the landscape and just the beauty of this place that the price for the gyms seem quite small to me. I think I will just take walks and bike too!

I may just buy a treadmill for the rainy days....