Fitness centers
 

We want to start the year off getting in better shape.

I see three places

Planet Fitness Leesberg, $10 a month,
24/7 up on 301 $30 a month
MVP Brownwood $55


Opinions pros/cons

Also here in the Villages..Laurel Manor-Mulberry Grove-SeaBreeeze-Colony-Rohan center

Since you indicate your willing to drive a distance with the Leesburg option, I would add to your list 'To Your Health Spa'. They are located on 441/27 in Lady Lake across the hwy from Oakwood BBQ. They also offer classes like MVP and in addition have a 60' indoor pool. They opened just last March and membership can be as low as $20 a month. They are a part of a small chain, I believe they have 5 locations in Florida.

I belong to MVP at Brownwood. It costs $60 a person and $40 more for a spouse per month, so with taxes it's $109 a month for the two of us. We like the classes, for example my wife takes Zumba 5 days a week. She had gone to a rec center for over a year taking Zumba for free and they never broke a sweat, it was more learning your steps rather then getting exercise. I enjoy taking Group Power 3 days a week, it a cardio and weight combined class. I also take yoga twice a week, it's very good in getting your bones and muscles getting stretched out. I also spend time doing the free weights, riding stationary bikes and walking on the treadmills.

You also didn't list Anytime Fitness, on 44 northside of the hwy between Buena Vista and Morse. It's very similar to the 24/7 Gym that you listed because they also give you a key and you can go at anytime you like. If you're a member of the Villages United Health Medical Plan, you probably received a card in the mail with the logo 'Silver Slippers'. With that card you can go to Anytime Fitness for free. I have a neighbor and him and wife belong and they pay $700 a year, it almost seems worth it to join the Villages Health which has no premiums.

Planet Fitness is all over the country and the rates seem the best. If you're someone who can work independently and not need any classes or any structured type program, then they would be the best price-wise outside of the Silver Slippers program.

The poster above mentioned the Villages Gyms. They have about 5 of them at various regional Rec Centers. I have another neighbor who belongs and goes to either Sea Breeze or Colony Cottage and pays about $360 a year. I once walked into the Sea Breeze location and it reminded me of a motel/hotel type gym. There was maybe 10 people exercising and the place felt crowded.

There is also Anytime Fitness both up north and a new one down south on Rte 44. I believe both Anytime Fitness and MVP (and possibly 24/7) offer short trial periods for free. You might want to check them each out, using that option, to get a feel for things. My husband who is really into fitness has checked them all out and usually frequents Anytime Fitness when we are there. He probably would say that it all depends on what you're looking for though, as each is very different in their offerings. If you are just starting up you can't beat Planet Fitness for its rate and it offers all the basics, just not real heavy weights and classes. Also, no contracts so you can cancel at anytime and move on if it doesn't suit your needs. Probably MVP is the best if you are into classes versus just weights and machines, as they offer all of those.

Good luck with your search. Great way to start off the new year!

If anything goes wrong @ MVP--their personnel are trained for all emergencies--they saved a man's life , who had experienced a cardiac episode==they worked on him for 30 minutes until the emts arrived

He is alive today because of the efforts of Kristin Coleman & others.

Can't beat $10 per month rate at PF but I prefer the convenience of MVP in SS. I personally don't want to take the car and drive the miles needed to get there and I also live in the north end. If it were close, I might consider it.

Treadmills overlook the square and the people are friendly.

If all you need is equipment to work out on the Villages Regional Rec Centers are just fine. If you are into taking classes, then MVP and some of the others could be the better option.

Or - you can work out on the Regional Rec Center equipment, and then get to know people in your local community (and save money) by taking fitness classes at your nearby rec center.

thanks for the input we are on the Silver Sneakers option if want to use that.

Please keep the feedback coming.