My gym has become so crowded that I now have to arrive 30 minutes early in order to secure a bike for spin class. On Tuesdays and Thursday mornings, I’d have to get there 90 minutes early to get a spot in the popular Body Pump class. (which I just cannot do.) It’s insane really–it’s hard enough to fit in time for a workout but now I have to schedule in time to WAIT for my workout?
Not only are the classes jam packed but the cardio floor has a fleet of machines, all of which are occupied in the evening.
The weight floor is so crowded that people are bumping into each other.
And there is really no designated area for stretching or ab work. (there is a tiny room that is often used for personal training clients.)
Trust me, the crowd has nothing to do with quality either. It’s an okay facility, but there is room for improvement. The fact of the matter is they have NO COMPETITION.
Where are the big name gyms, like Lifetime Fitness or 24 Hour Fitness? Or how about a YMCA, Fitness First, or even a Gold’s Gym?
Given that I live just outside a suburb that boasts it’s one MILLION person population, I just can’t figure out why there is nothing out here yet?
So if you are a big name gym or unique facility (Bikram Yoga and Kettlebell classes please!), I encourage you to check out my little town. I think you’ll find a lot of active people who are willing to spend money on quality fitness facilities.
Ok gang, what options do you have in your town?
and have you been active today?!
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I’m not really much of a “gym person” actually. I prefer just heading outdoors for a run, walk, or hike.
No gym fees! No babysitters! No driving!
That said, I have heard that Lifetime Fitness is fantastic.
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Hi Lisa, love your blog. I live on a farm and work out every day in a converted corn crib. Weird, I know. But I have lights, music, mirrors, the works, and there’s no commute and no crowds. Plus it’s open any time I want to use it, which is usually around 4 or 5a.m. I totally agree with you about the benefits of exercise. I’ve lost 35 pounds since we moved here four years ago. I feel great physically and mentally (it really helps fight depression). I tell every mom I know to workout mommy! I’ll tell them about your blog, too. Keep up the great work. Susan
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Now I feel bad for having such a hard time trying to decide which gym to join!
renaes last blog post..10k Firechase
I go to my local community college. Have you checked those??? We don’t have a spin class (sad face)
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Yay for the post! I wish lifetime would spread out into our neighborhood like they did in Ashburn and Rockville – that would rock! I’d love to be able to hit the gym on Saturday and not have a 30 minute commute (15 min one way and 15 min back home). Keep plugging – maybe we’ll get our wish!
Our Lifetime is exactly how you describe your gym! However our Y is pretty empty:) Ihope you get some new options soon! That’s insane to have to wait so long for a class!!
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I go to a community college with a gym. I live in Kansas City North and the gym choices with morning classes is pathetic!!! Really. I like the college gym though. Good mix of ages and still some younger chicks to motivate me to not be outdone by them!!
I would have to agree. Scheduling time to exercise is difficult enough, never mind the added time of waiting. That’s probably why I’m not a gym person. I do have a gym at work, which is fantastic from a convenience perspective, but I usually prefer to run outside on those days. On cross-training days, I usually use my basement. We have a concept row machine, a stationary bike, and a great weight bench.
I know, I know, that’s much help to you…sorry!
Unfortunately, 24 Hour Fitness or any other big-box gym wouldn’t be a long-term solution to your overcrowding situation. I spent several years as general manager of health clubs before opening my own boutique training facility and, having spent time on the inside of the machine, I can tell you that the health club model is fundamentally flawed. The brief and boring explanation is that the only way to sustain the scale of a big-box gym is by volume selling, which ultimately leads to the problem in existence in your gym now. Case in point: I’m in Los Angeles, we have TONS of big-box gyms and every one of them is terminally overcrowded.
One possible solution: Tons of boutique facilities and higher prices. Yep, sorry to say it, but higher prices control volume.
I can’t remember; what city are you in?
Jonathan Aluzass last blog post..The Scarring of American Youth! Part 1
Jen–I could NOT believe they picked Sterling! There are so many choices out there, it just didn’t make sense! I think they should take over the spot where Home Depot was supposed to be. I heard a rumor it might be a Costco, but LTF would be much better for my body and wallet!
Jonathan–hmmm, very good point. I am in Prince William County, VA, which is about 35 miles west of DC. We have only one gym choice out here, whereas just 15 miles up the road there are 6-7 choices. (which unfortunately with our traffic problem could be a 45 min commute.) There must be some other factor that is keeping away the competition?
Renae–you should, Sterling stole our LTF!
(just kidding!)
I’m not exactly sure why competition may be avoiding the area; demographics and population density, perhaps. But my sister lives in Culpeper, population 25,000 maybe (I could be wrong) and they have a Gold’s gym there, I believe. The best thing that could happen would be for someone, or more than one person, to open a boutique facility that features group classes at a per-class fee. It’s not that hard to do, and the great thing about classes only facilities is that the overhead is fairly minimal in comparison to a traditional gym setting.
Jonathan Aluzass last blog post..The Scarring of American Youth! Part 1
There are options around here, smaller gyms, places like Curves, and then a bunch of little gyms. The gym I go to is the biggest one in town: Sports Academy and Racket Club (SARC). We have a great facility: 3 pools (1 indoor and 1 outdoor, 1 heated pool for kids and older adults), plus a kiddie pool. They have an indoor tennis court, 3 rooms for racket playing, a basketball court (about 3 times the size of a regular one) a huge weight lifting area (2 actually, one upstairs too, smaller), a gigantic cardio room with all sorts of machines: dreadmills, stair steppers, ellipticals, bikes. Then they have rooms upstairs for spinning, dance, aerobics, pilates, yoga, and a section for the martial arts. In another section, they have the gymnastics gym–huge place.
Having said the above, the spinning class during the winter is packed! You have to get there about 45min before class starts to save a bike. During the summer it is quite empty in that class as many (like myself) prefer to go out and bike outdoors.
I really love my gym, it has everything I enjoy: swimming, lifting, and spinning
.
Hope you find a solution for your dilemma.
I hear you on the getting early to get a spot in class–if I can’t be late for a group fitness class I have no place going. Right now I’m only going to the gym during off hours (between 12-5) because I can get the baby in the baby room without any trouble and my kids have room to play too!
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I just went back to the YMCA last week. They have changed up their child care and I’m really happy about that. It’s hard to work out if the kids aren’t happy!
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What about the Anytime Fitness near The Teets @ 15 and 29? It always seems deserted when I pass by there…but I don’t know if they have classes.
I think the growth in this end of the county is much bigger than was ever anticipated…and being the ugly step-sister of Fairfax county didn’t help with getting nicer development around here. Having Wegmans lessens the pain, but what I wouldn’t do for a little shopping and a non-chain restaurant close by…
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Maybe you could find someone nearby who is an instructor and would be willing to train you and some friends for a fee? You could bring your own equipment or do a boot camp style thing.
Maybe?
Its funny, but my small town has two great gym options. One has the bodypump classes, the other the Reebok. My gym has kettle bells, bosu balls, and lots of functional training classes… and plenty of room for everyone.
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Well I am happy to say 24 Hour Fitness will be coming to the DC area soon Lisa. Our first location will be in Annapolis. So keep an eye out there for us.
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