[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by fiddlehead

The Villages is great and at the top of my short list for the near future … however after talking with some new residents, I find that the health club options are not great … by this I mean that the present facilities are over crowded, No indoor pools, no decent locker rooms, no wet areas(to include hot tub, sauna, steam) …. any talk of a modern health club … as good as a YMCA or LA Fitness, LifeTime Fitness …. ???? I would hate to retire at the largest, healthiest, retirement community in the country without a decent health club??

I think your concerns are valid. I think you are suggesting a Private Health Club and NOT one funded by our Villages Amenities. I join you in hoping that a Fitness Chain will see The Villages as a viable opportunity. I would have no problem buying a membership that included use of an indoor pool, sauna and hot tub.

[kentucky blue]

Originally Posted by Dutchgirl

people who live here are from 50 to 100. not everybody you see at the squares live here. not everybody likes to exercise. it is there choice.

That's why the USA is the most obese country in the world, i'm not counting a couple of small islands,and it effects all of us in the pocketbook.Sorry ,but using the excuse that it's their choice to be fat , miserable,and bankrupting our health care system doesn't cut it.TV offers everyone of us the opportunity to be the best we can be,and gives us all the facilities and personnel to make that happen.................Just Do It.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by kentucky blue

That's why the USA is the most obese country in the world, i'm not counting a couple of small islands,and it effects all of us in the pocketbook.Sorry ,but using the excuse that it's their choice to be fat , miserable,and bankrupting our health care system doesn't cut it.TV offers everyone of us the opportunity to be the best we can be,and gives us all the facilities and personnel to make that happen.................Just Do It.

you don't sound like the people I know who were born in Kentucky. You sound like you are from someplace else. You could say the same thing nicer. and you will get older too.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by Dutchgirl

you don't sound like the people I know who were born in Kentucky. You sound like you are from someplace else. You could say the same thing nicer. and you will get older too.

You got that one right!

[kentucky blue]

Originally Posted by Dutchgirl

you don't sound like the people I know who were born in Kentucky. You sound like you are from someplace else. You could say the same thing nicer. and you will get older too.

Your right Dutchgirl,went to the University of Kentucky to play basketball and fell in love with the people and the state.I truly believe Lexington is as good as it gets,but i still bought a home in TV,what does that tell you about TV???

[Hancle704]

Speak to the people at USF who are looking at the long term health needs of TV community and let your views be heard. Expanded and additional exercise facilities of the type now contained in some of the Regional Rec Centers was discussed at a focus group I participated in. The general consensus was a few dollars added to amenities fees would provide for expansion of these facilities with no daily charge for residents.

[golf4me]

Originally Posted by Hancle704

Speak to the people at USF who are looking at the long term health needs of TV community and let your views be heard. Expanded and additional exercise facilities of the type now contained in some of the Regional Rec Centers was discussed at a focus group I participated in. The general consensus was a few dollars added to amenities fees would provide for expansion of these facilities with no daily charge for residents.

Leave the amenity fees alone! That's all we need a bunch of special interest groups trying to raise the amenity fees.

[graciegirl]

I agree. I am a fiscal conservative. Even with amenity fees.

[CarGuys]

Why I moved here .

I can Walk Play Golf, Swim , and Ride my Bike most of the year,

I'm sorry after Syracuse NY weather I have had it with being stuck inside stuffy germ filled Heath Clubs waiting months for the winter ,weather to clear.,

See Gracie I'm getting better- Were almost there!

And besides we just came out of closing, NO MONEY LEFT! " Laughing "

Herv

[mjdollard]

Does anyone know if there is there an indoor pool at the High School? If so, do they have open swim?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by mjdollard

Does anyone know if there is there an indoor pool at the High School? If so, do they have open swim?

They do not have an indoor pool at the High School.

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by fiddlehead

The point is, the health facilities that are currently in The Villages are NOT free!! the fees are in addition to the $140/month Village fee, so having a nice modern health club should not cost The Village any thing .... most decent towns have an indoor pool, and most health clubs will have a sauna, steam room and hot tub ... you can't tell me that 100,000 people can not support a private health club .... heck most LA Fitness's have those things for $29/month ... less than what The Village's fitness centers are!!

I had looked forward to using the fitness facilities at the rec centers I had read about in promotional literature during my month's stay in The Villages last year. First of all, I was quite surprised to have to pay signiificant sums to use those at the rec centers which were small, overcrowded, offerered minimal weights, only a couple of benches, and a few machines. In size and amenities they reminded me of what one finds in a hotel or perhaps on a cruise ship. When I needed to use a rest room I had to walk all sweaty through the lobby area of the rec center, passing by nicely dressed people attending other activities. That felt strange and inappropriate. Worse, if I wanted to shower afterward or use a locker I would have had to go over to the other side of the rec center and use the shower adjacent the pool. I just changed my shirt and drove to the house I rented to shower. Thankfully I had a rental car so I did not sweat up my own car.

I pay $15/mo. to work out in Southern California at 24 Hour Fitness Centers all of which provide plenty of free weights, benches, aerobic equipment and exercise machines, a sauna and adjoining locker rooms having adequately sized lockers and showers. Some have indoor pools, steam rooms and more. Obviously, they need to operate at a profit to stay in business.

Fitness centers are inexpensive to build, equip and maintain compared to golf courses. It seems to me it would be advantageous to the developer to update and upscale TV's fitness centers - but if and only if TV's target market would sufficiently desire them.

From my observations during my visit and from following TOTV most villagers reside there for two primary reasons. The first is to escape harsh winter weather and the second is for the free/inexpensive golf - not necessarily in that order. In those regards TV offers a lot of bang for the buck. I was quite impressed by its affordability, cleanliness, and overall ambiance. Perhaps spacious and well equipped, nice but not posh fitness centers availble for use at reasonable cost are simply not sufficiently desired by most residents. I do not know. I do know they are for me and I hope some get built in TV by someone, somehow. Decent fitness centers would certainly help make The Villages Florida's healthiest home town!

[homeball]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

I had looked forward to using the fitness facilities at the rec centers I had read about in promotional literature during my month's stay in The Villages last year. First of all, I was quite surprised to have to pay signiificant sums to use those at the rec centers which were small, overcrowded, offerered minimal weights, only a couple of benches, and a few machines. In size and amenities they reminded me of what one finds in a hotel or perhaps on a cruise ship. When I needed to use a rest room I had to walk all sweaty through the lobby area of the rec center, passing by nicely dressed people attending other activities. That felt strange and inappropriate. Worse, if I wanted to shower afterward or use a locker I would have had to go over to the other side of the rec center and use the shower adjacent the pool. I just changed my shirt and drove to the house I rented to shower. Thankfully I had a rental car so I did not sweat up my own car . . . . . . .

That is an excellent analysis of the gym situation here. Before I moved here in 2009, I was a member of Jack LaLanne/Bally Total Fitness in NY since 1976. My dues at the time I moved were $150/yr for which I got all the things that are missing here. You can imagine the culture shock when I found out that I had to pay $366/yr for the conditions described in the above post. But in short I learned how to cope with things simply by going to the gym at other than peak times and utilizing the advice in the phrase "when in Rome . . . . ".

I still had my membership in Bally's up until last year but the closest one is in the Northern Orlando area about a hour and a half round trip drive, a little to much travel for an hour workout. When my membership expired last year, Bally's sent me an offer to renew my membership for $125/yr. I wouldn't mind their opening a local facility either in or close to TV.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by homeball

That is an excellent analysis of the gym situation here. Before I moved here in 2009, I was a member of Jack LaLanne/Bally Total Fitness in NY since 1976. My dues at the time I moved were $150/yr for which I got all the things that are missing here. You can imagine the culture shock when I found out that I had to pay $366/yr for the conditions described in the above post. But in short I learned how to cope with things simply by going to the gym at other than peak times and utilizing the advice in the phrase "when in Rome . . . . ".

I still had my membership in Bally's up until last year but the closest one is in the Northern Orlando area about a hour and a half round trip drive, a little to much travel for an hour workout. When my membership expired last year, Bally's sent me an offer to renew my membership for $125/yr. I wouldn't mind their opening a local facility either in or close to TV.

Have you contacted them??

[homeball]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Have you contacted them??

Not formally. Bally Total Fitness was concentrated in Metro areas anyway.

BTW, after I posted this AM, I checked the Bally web site and have now learned that in November 2011 they sold a lot of their locations to LA Fitness. Florida is one of the states that LA Fitness bought all the Bally locations. So as they say, life moves on.