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?