C.W. asks from Evanston, IL on May 28, 2008
Childcare Rooms at Fitness Clubs - Pricing Structures
I'm seeking input regarding local fitness centers (private clubs, YMCAs, etc.) and how they structure pricing for drop-in childcare rooms (made available to member parents who wish to have their kids looked after while they workout). My current club is suggesting some seemingly hefty price increases on top of their already premium prices and now I'm very curious to learn about general costing of other similiar services elsewhere. Including information about the monthly adult membership dues/joiners fees and what extra cost is for child room, if any, would be helpful, as well as any general feedback regarding what you like/dislike about the club and its babysitting.
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S.S. answers from Chicago on May 29, 2008
I think that you might find cheaper childcare choosing female fitness places only. Perhaps, too, just finding a local place and a teenager who might need a short summer job would be helpful.Then you can decide if you really want to belong to something all the time. If you are doing this for the social part of it, then perhaps you will have to eat the cost. Parks have pretty good programs (don't know where you live but Addison, Bensenville, etc. have workout rooms).But I used to use tapes at home. Just depends what the total reason you are doing this for is...
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S.S. answers from Chicago on May 29, 2008
I think that you might find cheaper childcare choosing female fitness places only. Perhaps, too, just finding a local place and a teenager who might need a short summer job would be helpful.Then you can decide if you really want to belong to something all the time. If you are doing this for the social part of it, then perhaps you will have to eat the cost. Parks have pretty good programs (don't know where you live but Addison, Bensenville, etc. have workout rooms).But I used to use tapes at home. Just depends what the total reason you are doing this for is...
B.H. answers from Chicago on May 29, 2008
i used to pay 46.25 a month for a platinum membership to Crunch (so i could go anywhere in the us). It recently went up to 74. Childcasre is free!!! but the people are not trained so you need to screen them yourself to get a feel for them. My girlfriend goes to Cheetah up North, i think the family membership is around 120 and daycase is super cheap or free - cant exactly remember --- but she loves all of the babysitters.
A.L. answers from Chicago on May 29, 2008
it should be free! At LA fitness it's a part of your membership, you don't pay extra for childcare.
I.H. answers from Chicago on May 29, 2008
It's interesting to see how Y's are all priced differently. I am a member at the Irving Park YMCA and the single rate is $45/mo. The family rate is not much more, but it's nice that there is no contract, and you pay month-to-month.
The childcare facility is $3/hr, but most of their classes are free to members (Pilates, Yoga, Spin, etc.) They are exclusive to members, as well, however, the classes that require a fee (boxing, TKD, etc.) are offered to members (at a discount) and non-members.
During some months, the joiner fee is waived or half the monthly rate, parking at this location is free and you also get six guests passes per year. Most of the equipment has it's own TV, you bring your own headset.
Best of all, it isn't obnoxious like some health clubs I've been to. No one cares what they look like because we are there to work out not look pretty!
M.B. answers from Chicago on May 29, 2008
Hi,
I pay a dollar per hour per kid and there is a 2 hours max. The childcare is ok but nothing fancy and tv is mostly on. I go to Xsport lakeview and paid 600 for a whole year unlimited. you can also do 49 a month. The gym is absolutely not fancy at all but since I go on off hours with the kids its usualy not crowded and tons of machines. Just be carefull with the personal training thing, they really try to sell.
Mirjam
L.C. answers from Chicago on May 29, 2008
I go to Bally's, which has free childcare. I currently pay $35/month, but have been a member for almost 10 years, so I'm not sure what it would cost nowadays. The facilities are okay - not great. I just toured X Sport (the new one on Logan and Elston) which has a great childcare area for $1/hour/kid. Not sure about their enrollment fees though. Good luck!
K.F. answers from Chicago on May 29, 2008
We belong to an Xsport in Logan square. It is brand new so it is a nice facility. Childcare is $1 an hour per kid up to 2 hours. So far I have been very please with it. Since it is a new gym they had a special for $33 per month per adult.
K. answers from Chicago on May 29, 2008
We belong to the UIC Rec Center. Their sitting is $5/hour. I know membership is expensive if you're not affiliated with UIC, but for employees and spouses it's $26/person/month. Students are free (but still have to pay for sitting).
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