MVP Brownwood too crowded
 

My wife attends MVP for various classes--she told me the place is near capacity and the snowbirds are not,even here

MYP, should consider building another facility--once new section developments get into high gear--the Brownwood facility will be swamped

Relatively empty in afternoon hours. Why not go to classes at Rec Centers in morning hours and go to MVP in afternoon if you want to use machines, etc....

she got injured using a machine @ a rec center--she will only go to a gym where there is"professional" guidance--

Which classes does she say are too crowded?

I think the buildup in Brownwood happened because United Health Care included free MVP membership with their medicare plans starting this year. Before this year they only offered Silver Sneakers.

My wife and I go to MVP Brownwood regularly and each of us has a trainer. We can't schedule the sessions exactly when would like them because most of the trainers a pretty busy but we can get slots. We've never been "gym rats" so we wouldn't want to use the machines there without a trainer.

When we are there in the early afternoon the machines are pretty busy but not completely full and the classes running at the time don't look completely full.

I think in the morning it's a lot busier.

My understanding is the MVP Brownwood wasn't making money earlier this year... maybe now that they have all the UHC members they are??? So it doesn't seem like there will be a new MVP in the near future.

Having gone to Brownwood for a couple of years now, I counted on general growth with spikes around the new year, both because of New Year's resolutions and returning snowbirds. You combine those two with the United Health Care offer of free membership and it was a madhouse earlier this year. Not only was there no space in classes but parking was nearly impossible.

We're still going but the classes we attend now at the height of summer are nearly as crowded as they were at the height of snowbird attendance when we joined. I really do hope that The Villages opens up the retail space south of 44 soon and that MVP opens up a location there. If they can combine that with golf cart access coming down Morse, I would probably start going to the new location.

For now, our wish is that Suzanne (Susann?) would come back and teach her great yoga classes at Brownwood. We don't know if she's left the company, taken the summer off or move her classes to Spanish Springs and nobody at the front desk seems able to tell us but she was (and I hope still is) a great yoga instructor for my relatively low level of yoga skills.

MVP seems to be a successful business. I'm sure they are always considering their options and making good business decisions.

If you mean Sue Wager she is at Spanish Springs.

I go to SS the Admiral goes to Brownwood--

MVP summer classes are just as crazy as high season. I find the Afternoon classes and some instructors are not high on my list, and that may explain why they are not as busy. CB, I get you do not want to workout without a trainer. Sometimes I do not push myself or sometimes too much without a trainer. I believe in adult supervision when working out.

I am at the gym 7 days a week, 3 to 4 hours a day, between, yoga, laps, cardio, and weights.

Last week I decided to use a piece of equipment I had never tried, and pulled a muscle because of my lack of knowledge.

Is there a private trainer you can use without a MVP employee. Up north I belong to Lifetime, and my trainer is not an employee

I took Suzanne's yoga class for over two years, so I know who she is referring to, it's Suzanne Duncan. Here's a facebook photo. I think she is just taking time off. I quit yoga myself in March after Suzanne stopped teaching.

https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...72&oe=5C0FBDDD

Rec centers for me has entry level classes, even their experience classes are not much of a challenge for those who work out daily.

With my UHC plan, I was previously only able to get a free membership to Anytime Fitness though Silver Sneakers. Do you mean there is a chance that changed this year?

Back on January 1st UHC added a new program called the Optum Group. It made MVP free, you must be the last person to find out. Back in January they were signing up 200 new members a day at Brownwood, that's why people are complaining.

Go to this link and get an ID number and take it to MVP.

Optum Fitness Advantage

Yes, UHC now includes MVP membership. You have to call UHC to get a key number. Just ask at MVP and they will give you the number to call.

We haven't had to pay for our MVP memberships since the beginning of the year.

I go to Brownwood and live here full time. I only go to classes, I don't like the machines. It is insane how crowded the morning classes are now, even in the summer. I stopped going this past January and February because it was simply too crowded. I have been a paying member (starting at Spanish Springs) for 7 years now and am upset about "free memberships" but can do nothing about that. I do wish they would have more classes in the afternoon. Most of the classes are finished by noon. I used to go to S.Springs, but we have moved within The Villages and now Brownwood is much closer. Before you suggest I speak to management, I have done so. I have asked several times if they were going to build another facility, but just get the "I don't know" answer.

Just wait till the snow birds return-the parking lot in Brownwood is a zoo--its only going to get worse--if its free they will come

The Optum Fitness program is not a part of ALL United Health Care health plans. And free membership to MVP only comes with Optum Fitness.

Many posts in this thread make it sound like it's automatic with any UHC plan...it is not. So be cautious before you get your hopes up too high...LIKE I DID!! :cryin2: :)

I get a free membership and it's great. Mostly just use the treadmills.

Infinity
 

We go to Infinity in Fruitland Park which is only a short drive from the Village of LaBelle. They have a very nice facility and excellent trainers. Also Infinity honors the Silver Sneaker program. Anytime fitness does have a version of the Silver Snicker program but charges a “Maintenance fee” which,Infinity does not. We checked into MVP and they did not honor the Silver Snicker program but perhaps that has changed but question if they do. We were disappointed that the rec. centers too do not honor the Silver Snicker program. :ohdear:

A "Maintenance fee"? How much is that? And how does it work?

I'm guessing your suggestion would be better served if directed to MVP. They would probably welcome the feedback and would love to be able to service more members.

It’s a fee at Anytime Fitness they charge for maintenance of equipment. Surprised me enough to not go there. It wasn’t a lot of $$$ a month but it was something that I never paid anywhere else. Sorry can’t remember exactly it’s cost. :faint:

Jerry! I'm back. Just on Tuesdays for now. Come back.

Suzanne is still teaching
 

A number of posts expressed confusion about whether or not Suzanne Duncan was still teaching Yoga at MVP. The short answer is Yes! :a040:

Suzanne has taught yoga since 2004 and at MVP since 2012. She did cut back her schedule this spring and is presently teaching it on Tuesdays at Brownwood.

Suzanne specializes in yoga that will help people of all abilities and will give you options to make it as challenging as you wish. :coolsmiley:

Suzanne is totally awesome! :bigbow:

Interesting. I read posters in another thread saying tha Brownwood was a failing ghost town.

Big difference from "Brownwood" & MVP--MVP is not in the square--the same way "the Lighthouse" or " the Waterfront" is not in Lake Sumter Landing

;;;

They're not in the "heart" of the square--they're outlying buildings--and MVP Brownwood has a much younger clientele that MVP Spanish Springs--the further south in TV--the younger the residents

Carry on.

If you think MVP is crowded now, wait until they build those 265 yearly rentals in Brownwood.

The market will then respond to the need.

They will have their own workout facility and pool. Why stand in line and pay for mvp when it’s steps away

When will another brand facility figure out this is a gold mine.

It appears that United Health Care, the insurance company, is paying for it's senior members to use a work out facility. This has flooded Brownwood with members, because of course all we have is seniors, and this has been fairly recently. I imagine that the enthusiasm that comes with a new gym membership will wane as it does for many. This is well known in the gym industry, the New Years resolution spurt and the spurt before donning a bathing suit in summer (up north) I would guess that before investing millions, they will wait and see if it lasts.

Ask me why I know this.

Lifetime is in the Florida market, but near large cities. The buy in is anywhere from $195 on a promo, to $400. Monthly fee for 2 adults is about $150, depending on the promo.
Indoor swim lanes, extreme classes, upcoming new equipment, saunas, climbing walls, child care, cafe, salon.
Their instructors are paid employees, with many years experience. I usually take 3 to 5 classes a day, plus use swim lanes. It’s a 24/7 facility, and does not slow down in any month. Not sure if TV would support the cost of a full service center.

So you’re saying that any empty storefronts further down the streets in Brownwood shouldn’t count in the “Ghost Town” argument then either? Because everything right on the square is pretty full.

Maybe UHC will change their policy when more and more seniors go to their doctor to treat injuries they got while overdoing their workout.

Why do you know this?

(Sorry. Somebody had to do it. :icon_wink:)

It is simply overcrowded. Treadmills are often full, even in the afternoon. That being said it is a great facility and staff. Anyone know of a better deal that includes classes, sauna and shower rooms?