MVP Sports Club
 

Is MVP Sports Club, either Brownwood or Spanish Springs, a good alternative to the Village recreation facilities? I have heard that the Village facilities are so crowded that they are not available. Is MVP better? Do you enjoy using the facilities and the classes? How much does it cost?
My husband and I are planning to buy in the Villages in a month or so.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Some times of day Brownwood is crowded but most of the time it isn't bad. Some courses are popular but you should be able to find one you can easily get into. Our health insurance pays for our membership now but before it did it was around $110/month for my wife and me. There are other gyms just outside of The Villages that are less expensive. But MVP though is really very nice.

We've gone to various free exercise classes around the Villages. During the high season, some courses get full and people are turned away. The rest of the year usually most can take everyone who goes to a session.

Thank you for sharing your experience.
Are most people there really fit? Would a very out of shape person just starting out feel like a rhino in a herd of gazelles?

All sizes and shapes at MVP
 

Some are in very good shape and others (most) are like the rest of us. If you can get past your own body inhibitions you will easily fit in. Classes are structured to go at your own pace, so don't try to keep up with others that have been there awhile. Push yourself just enough to keep coming back. During high season and even during the summer at times the treadmills and other equipment get crowded. Visit a couple of times to find your best time.

Simple answer. No. :)

Thank you for your kind responses. :ho:

No, not out of place, But if you have never worked out, I would use a private instructor couple of times, to introduce you to machines and a workout plan.

Last time I checked, Social Security Silver Sneakers was accepted at MVP.

With a "corporate membership" through one of the clubs, the cost for a couple is around $80 per month.

I don't think so. I believe it is accepted at Anytime Fitness. If you belong to UHC Medicare Advantage, you can go to MVP for no additional cost.

When you join, they will give you one "training session" for free.

I do go to MVP for spin classes because it's free with my health insurance. However the Regional Rec centers have fitness rooms with machines, etc...there are also several outdoor fitness machines at various locations thru out The Villages.
There are hundreds of various types of exercise classes at all rec centers and all sports pools. Yes may be a little crowded in winter but not impossible to take part. Also walking trails and the cart paths are for walking, running, whatever.
So yes, MVP is nice and I'm happy I can go there but most of the time I'd rather exercise outside or try many different classes at the rec centers. Since you'll be here soon New's a great time to try out all the classes before you pay for MVP. I know some people use it all the tine, others like me only go for spin class because you can only do so much in 24 hours!
And definitely every body does any activity they want.
You need to get a rec guide at any rec center.

:ohdear: Not correct

Unfortunately, CWGUY is correct.

The UHC Advantage plan switched from Silver Sneakers to Optum Fitness as a benefit and is accepted at MVP and most surrounding fitness clubs (but not TV rec fitness center). Silver Sneakers still exists with other insurances and is accepted at many area fitness centers but not MVP or TV rec centers.

I've been an MVP at Brownwood member since May 2014. The first couple of years we paid as a couple it was $102 a month and with tax it was $109 and was automatically paid with a credit card. In the third year I joined Straight Gun Club (Villages Club) and our membership dropped to $75 plus tax. Then my neighbor joined and gave them our name and it dropped to $70.

In January of last year 2018, about a year and a half ago, United Health which we belong and there is no premiums, created the Optum Group and the gym became free for both my wife and me. The regional rec centers do have a small workout gym, my neighbor belongs and he pays $375 a year. I went once and found the room was about the size that you would find at a condo or motel, ten people and it seemed crowded.

For 4 years we went Mon-Fri five days a week. Last year we stopped going on Tuesday and Thursday, it seemed to become almost like a job. Now just going M-W-F it's more enjoyable and you have a day in between for your muscles to rest.

The average age of a Villager is 70, you find all shapes and sizes at MVP. Some have been in shape all their lives and others are just now picking it up, like golf, starting something new with their new lifestyle.

Right now it is fairly comfortable with the amount of people and you can get a free 3 day pass at the front desk just for asking. My wife takes Zumba 3 days a week and her 10:15 class has had 70 people at one time in April. In the floor area January thru April it is very crowded and maybe you might have to wait 10 minutes for a treadmill, they'll have someone taking names and you'll find classes tight but you will get in. The workout benches in the free weight area use to have only 3 benches, now they have 5 or 6 depending on their use, so I usually can get a bench when I arrive at 10 am, sometimes I might wait five minutes. There use to be just two stationary bikes, now there four, since they started the United Health plan MVP has tried to keep up.

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I go to MVP SS for personal training twice a week, I like the layout @ SS for training way better than Brownwood--the trainers a room set aside for training, which doesn't happen in Brownwood, also they have Nu Step machines which are not available in Brownwood

Most important the MVP staff @ all locations are trained for emergencies @ rec centers you are on your own, my wife was injured @ a rec center when she was not given any instruction on how to use a machine--she , goes to MVP Brownwood ,now

Great idea posting the photos, I couldn’t make out the brand of weight equipment Precor? Nautilus? Are there any hip abductors, can’t quite make it out from photo. Dumbbell weights in ladies weight sizes?

At Brownwood, they have some lighter weight bars, 25lb, besides 45lb bars. The smallest plates are 5lb. They a mix of machine brands but I don't think I have seen any of the brands you mentioned.

True, but it’s a here is what is available, not a evaluation of your strengths weaknesses, duration of peak calorie burn, health issues that may be impacted by workout. Even though we are in the gym 7 days a week, once a month we do a 4 hour personal trainer tweak.

For ladies there must be 5 lb and 8 lb and 10 lb and 15 lb dumbbells for exercises eg. shoulders... a lot of gyms are a bit short on these weights and they are not even expensive but I suspect that there would be less injuries if the correct weights are available especially to an older population.

There is a difference in how easy it is to work out on different brands of machines, some are a lumpy chore and others (high end) are smooth as silk.

Great information! Thank you. :bigbow:

If I may ask, how much does the personal trainer cost?

I would say ask about their background.

Yes, that is why I put quotes on "training session". If you know what you are doing it is still worthwhile. I learned a few things. It is what it is.

I can't put in a link because I had to login to see the info, so it wouldn't show up for you. Once you join you can have your own account page and get points for attending and for classes. I use to get about 500 points a year which was worth $50 off my monthly fee. Now that I don't pay, so I can use the points toward training, massages and merchandise. I find classes like "Group Power" are way better than any training I've seen. I watch trainers all morning, most of the people taking training are new and can't do much. I think taking classes would be more beneficial. Look into Mon-Wed-Friday Group Power at 10am, that's a good workout. I did for three years 3 days a week. There are a lot of classes with professional instructors all day long, get a schedule when you visit.

One-on-One Training
Live with passion, train with purpose.

Sessions 30 min 60 min

1 Session $40 $70
5 Sessions $180 $325
25 Sessions $810 $1,463

Great information. Thank you!

Also if you are a member you can join plus one. For $40 a month you can get one massage a month if you like massages.

Lifetime personal trainers have been with company for close to 18 years, all have degrees in health and fitness. I get point that takes $$ off my sessions. My yogi charges $10 for two hour group session, or 30 for personal. Since they are company employees they still are paid their salaries. My personal guy charges $20 an hour and works out with me, he doesn’t get to stand around. Because of him I have stopped using an elliptical, just not tracking as well as I should

Fitness Centers at Recreation Center
 

There are 6 fitness centers in TV. A lot of people want to go to them because they are close to their house. A great deal of members are there 4 to 7 days a week. Most stay for 30 minutes. The fees are (single) $47.50/ month; $127.50 for 3 months; $214.00 for 6 months and $ 3??.00 (don't recall) for a year. There are memberships for a couple also. I like going there for the exercise and the social aspect, if you go the same time each day, you see the same people. The staff will help with instructions, no personal trainers.

Silver Sneakers is not accepted, but Renew Active which is part of many UHC plans(but not mine) is.

If you join the SLB (Sumter Landing Bike) it cost $10 for the year on line. MVP will give you a substantial discount with a no contract membership If I can recommend you I will get $5 off a month. You can do the same for everyone you recommend you will get $5 off a month. Contact me if your interested 631.678.7544 Jeff

The six Villages Rec Centers fitness rooms are $363.49 for 12 months. MVP has the same social aspect, I probably know 20 people by name at Brownwood and I don't even go out of my way to socialize. I see some people at Brownwood never lift a weight, it's like they go to drink coffee and meet other people, which is OK if that's their thing because there is plenty of room.

Village Community Development Districts

Yes you are right. I did some research and found that UHC The Villages has a RENEW PROGRAM that covers fitness centers around our area. Was so surprised at how many there are. If you have The Villages Insurance call the number on the back of your card and they will walk you through the site to get your
CONFIRMATION CODE.

I visited MVP in Brownwood today. It was crowded and noisy. The membership cost is $100 initiation fee and $63 per month. If you want to rent a permanent locker, the cost is $15 per month. Also, you are required to provide a credit card for them to charge every month, which I do not like at all. I think it is a good facility, if you want to participate in a lot of classes. However, if you just want to use a few machines, I think it is very expensive, especially since, sometimes, there is a wait time for certain machines.

Hi, do you know what the cost is with the discount?

That seems rather expensive to me based on a comparison to my YMCA membership up north. I pay $48 per month and they have just about every workout option one could imagine, including a regulation indoor lap swimming pool and all kinds of classes. And during mid day they are never crowded. Some days I am the only one in the pool or using the exercise equipment.

There are lower cost options than MVP. The monthly cost for MVP is $80 per couple with corporate discount (we belong to SLBC). I don't recall what the individual rate is. There was not an initiation fee as someone else claimed. It is missing a pool but I can swim laps at the sports pools so that is not an issue. I don't find MVP to be crowded but I choose to go at times when it is not crowded ;-)

Everybody makes that mistake the first few years, how many times have you heard something say, "up north this was better". You have to realize you're in Florida, this is where you live. Here's a list of YMCA's in the area.

Ymca Locations & Hours Near The Villages, FL - YP.com

MVP is convenient, it has classes, it's successful, and if you have United Health it's free. For those who don't and join a club, a couple is $80 a month.

If you're looking for a bargain, there is "To Your Health" in Lady Lake across from Oakwood BBQ, it's only been open about two years. They have an indoor pool, they have classes and from what I've read, is as little as $20 month with an automatic credit card. Unlike MVP, they are not golf cart accessible and you'll be with mostly others who are about half your age.

LOCATION | tyhspa

To Your Health photos

to our health gym lady lake, fl indoor pool - Google Search

We belong to 24/7 which is on Route 301 near Rainey Trail. I don't recall the exact price, but I think it was about $600/year for a couple, which comes out to about $50/month. They have a nice silver sneakers type class weekdays at 10:00, and a good variety of machines, treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, stair climber, etc. No pool or permanent lockers.