My quick rant about my YMCA

jmoney34

Sorry in advance if I offend anyone, because I probably will.

I work out at the YMCA in my town because I love that they have everything all under one roof (cardio, weights, track, basketball, pool, racquetball/handball, and classes). I used to pay $30/mo at Snap Fitness but was so bored with the cardio machines and tiny weight area that I joined the Y for $52/month (couples membership w/ my bf otherwise it's $63 for a single person) PLUS an enrollment fee. I can't believe how expensive it is. I know there is a lot included, but it just seems like so much. I know I could do their scholarship program and get my rates reduced because I am a broke student, but I *can* afford it, it's just a lot!!! I'd hate to take that scholarship money away from someone who really can't afford the gym.

There are also SEVERAL personal trainers and class instructors there that are overweight. I'm sorry, but if I paid money for a personal trainer (it's very expensive on top of your membership) and they were fat, I'd be PISSED! I just don't think it looks good to have overweight people teaching diet and exercise. I also paid EXTRA for a pilates reformer class that I thought would really help me. Well my instructor was overweight and everyone in the class was about 65 or older and I felt like I literally paid to sit and talk. I got absolutely nothing out of this class that I was very excited for and had to pay even more than my $52/mo for.

I found out from a friend who lives about 20 minutes away that her gym used to be a Golds Gym but now has changed its name but has all the same equipment (same things at the Y except better and newer). Guess what she pays (and her trainers and instructors are actually in shape)? $21/month!! I pay over half that for the same exact stuff!!! I was going to switch to her gym but because it's about 15 minutes away from me and I go to the gym 7 days a week most weeks, I'd pay way more than I pay now because of gas! I cannot wait to move closer to her in a few months so I can join that gym!

That's my rant!

hevhoyda

Maybe your YMCA is nicer but in my town it costs $30/month

BrianSharpe

There are also SEVERAL personal trainers and class instructors there that are overweight. I'm sorry, but if I paid money for a personal trainer (it's very expensive on top of your membership) and they were fat, I'd be PISSED! I just don't think it looks good to have overweight people teaching diet and exercise.

So I'm guessing competence doesn't matter? You'd hate my tri club, some of the coaches are a bit overweight (but you sure wouldn't know it from their race results) and are great coaches.

Shallow.......:huh:

pen_thief

I don't think I'd care to have an overweight fitness instructor either. We don't appreciate when hairstylists have crappy hair and dentists have a mouth full of rotten teeth. It's the same thing, really. I want to see that the class actually makes an impact, you know?

I thought about joining my local Y when I hit my halfway point, as I just can't tolerate being around many people right now when I'm in my workout clothes - or eek! a bathing suit. But if it's as expensive at my Y as it is at yours I might reconsider. That's really steep, jeez.

jmoney34

I don't think I'd care to have an overweight fitness instructor either. We don't appreciate when hairstylists have crappy hair and dentists have a mouth full of rotten teeth. It's the same thing, really. I want to see that the class actually makes an impact, you know?

I thought about joining my local Y when I hit my halfway point, as I just can't tolerate being around many people right now when I'm in my workout clothes - or eek! a bathing suit. But if it's as expensive at my Y as it is at yours I might reconsider. That's really steep, jeez.

Thank you! That's how I feel. The person above you called me shallow, but I don't care, it's how I feel. I would just immediately lose motivation if an overweight person was training me. Just like you said, I wouldn't let someone do my hair who has bad hair or anything else along those lines. I feel like in certain professions you have an image to uphold.

onikonor

I pay $180/month for the gym I go to. They don't have all the fancy stuff that YMCA does (only weights and floor space) but you get instructors that know what they are talking about and there is only 6 people per class.

So it's almost like having a personal trainer 4-5 days a week.

You get what you pay for.

JPod279

My family membership at the Y is $58/mo. Sounds like they are bending you over.

I would bet you could get a better deal at a gym if you went in there and negotiated with them. Most of them just want the money rolling in.

morgansmom02

Wow really? I went to a core class the other day with a woman who had arm wings. She actually has a super strong core, I didn't even care about her arm wings halfway through the class. Your comment makes me never want to even try to be a Zumba instructor because I will never be "skinny".

taylor5877

I guess some would just call Mark Rippetoe a fat *kitten* too...

p0pr0cksnc0ke

so, what you are saying is that you would rather have an instructor that LOOKS healthy... how do you know what the "overweight" instructors do outside of the great YMCA?

My cousin is fit, and teaches many aerobic/fitness classes. She probably has a bodyfat of 10% or less.

But she also drinks EVERYnight, pounds energy drinks, pulls all nighters, dabbles in drugs... so I would rather take a instructor thats not an hypocrite.

soccerella

I don't think I'd care to have an overweight fitness instructor either. We don't appreciate when hairstylists have crappy hair and dentists have a mouth full of rotten teeth. It's the same thing, really. I want to see that the class actually makes an impact, you know?

actually I prefer the hairdresser with the worst hair....think about it - she's doing everyone else's hair cuz shes the best, but someone else there is doing hers :laugh:

CHN_

Not going to go into the whole overweight instructor thing (mainly cause I disagree, a lot). It seems to me that the only reason your are not switching for the other gym is because it's 15 minutes away by car. Even if it is more than half as cheap?

And if you really dislike and have so many issues with the classes and such at the YMCA, that alone should be a reason to switch gym. As for the gas prices making the other gym so much more expensive, you have to ask if it would be worth it?

15 minutes by car isn't really that much (less than I drive to mine), not if it's the quality of the training that matters. I had options for much cheaper gyms than mine when I was a student (the student gym was about 110 dollars for a semester, my current is about 70-80 a month) but I picked based on what it offered and where my friends were. I want them for motivation, and I want the classes my current gym offers. To me, it was worth the extra money, even if it meant I was broke just about all the time.

mehaffeymk

i totally get what you're saying about the overweight trainers. like im some situations it might be okay. for example when i was in high school i had a softball pitching coach who was overweight. granted softball isn't total fitness image but she was overweight. BUT she used to be an Olympic softball player and coached Team USA before retiring to teach lessons. So she has game, she just got older and less active. Still an amazing coach. I digress...
My gym (Urban Active) is $20. Some machines broken, not in the greatest condition but still usable and everything. And I have a personal trainer who i see 4 times a month for $106. Steep price, but it's what got me finally on a healthy lifestyle path so it's priceless for gaining my life back. But all those trainers are hella built. Super muscular or super toned and you can tell they go to the gym through layers of sweatpants and hoodies.
I'm a recent nursing grad and i did a research project in school about patients taking nurses seriously about healthy lifestyles if the nurse was fat v. skinny. basically it said they didn't really want to take their advice on a healthy lifestyle if the nurse herself was fat. like who is she talking to about being healthy, shouldn't see heed her own advice? one of the biggest reasons i want to be healthy, i'm not gonna be that nurse who is fat and gross when i am a representative of the healthcare community. like seriously, why can't those fat trainers just do the workout with you or something to show that it really works?

ilikepandasyay

How do you know they're overweight? You checked their body fat percentage?

fatboypup

I thought our YMCA was kinda crappy too for what we were paying ..... People assume the Y is cheap but its not

Annafly3

I hear ya ... I live in rural area and I am a member of the YMCA here because it is really the only gym close by that has everything. The classes you gotta pay extra for I do not attend because my membership costs enough!
I am not a big fan of the YMCA I think the classes at this gym are not as good as the classes in the city. The only nice thing with the YMCA is that you can use your membership at any of there gyms.

CHN_

I don't think I'd care to have an overweight fitness instructor either. We don't appreciate when hairstylists have crappy hair and dentists have a mouth full of rotten teeth. It's the same thing, really. I want to see that the class actually makes an impact, you know?

actually I prefer the hairdresser with the worst hair....think about it - she's doing everyone else's hair cuz shes the best, but someone else there is doing hers :laugh:

My hairdresser is a middle-aged man who has pretty normal hair really. But as he is a multiple national and international champion I don't really care

BrianSharpe

I don't think I'd care to have an overweight fitness instructor either. We don't appreciate when hairstylists have crappy hair and dentists have a mouth full of rotten teeth. It's the same thing, really. I want to see that the class actually makes an impact, you know?

I thought about joining my local Y when I hit my halfway point, as I just can't tolerate being around many people right now when I'm in my workout clothes - or eek! a bathing suit. But if it's as expensive at my Y as it is at yours I might reconsider. That's really steep, jeez.

Thank you! That's how I feel. The person above you called me shallow, but I don't care, it's how I feel. I would just immediately lose motivation if an overweight person was training me. Just like you said, I wouldn't let someone do my hair who has bad hair or anything else along those lines. I feel like in certain professions you have an image to uphold.

For all you know the overweight trainer may have been morbidly obese at some point in his or her life and may have a great deal of insight to share with you.

It's the pre-judging based solely on appearance that's shallow (yeah, I wouldn't go to an accountant who had just been released from prison for tax fraud.....I understand the analogy) and a bit surprising coming from someone wanting to lose weight.

sadiegirl32

Wow really? I went to a core class the other day with a woman who had arm wings. She actually has a super strong core, I didn't even care about her arm wings halfway through the class. Your comment makes me never want to even try to be a Zumba instructor because I will never be "skinny".

don't give up...my zumba instructor isn't skinny but she works my butt off!!

_Wits_

Good lord..just switch to the other gym....

crawpapa

I guess some would just call Mark Rippetoe a fat *kitten* too...

All hail to the Coach!!

laurie0507

I wouldn't want an obese trainer but overweight, well.. overweight according to who? I had a Zumba instructor at the Y who was "overweight" yet she could out zumba me any day of the week. I don't think that is as important as the quality/satisfaction of the class itself. Maybe you could try some other classes by different instructors. They are all different with different levels of motivation. Also, if you do qualify for a reduction in fees at the Y.. then take it! It's not taking from anyone else. Their motto is to not turn anyone down.

Becoming_A_Butterfly

When I toured the YMCA here for the possibility of a family membership, a member actually raced up to the front desk complaining that I walked through the gym area (the cardio machines) when I wasn't a member. How the hell else was I supposed to see if I like the place or not? He caused a huge scene and acted like I was preparing to bomb the place. It was bizarre. That, plus crammed-in equipment, unknowledgeable staff members, and general uncleanliness left me pretty unimpressed.

jynxxxed

I guess every one of them is different. The Y that I go to is really, really nice and was more recently built a few years ago. The trainers are all in shape and there are all age ranges in the classes, though it mostly is around 25-40 it seems. There are special 'senior' activities that they keep separate from everybody else.

I'm not sure about the price range (I get in free, my boyfriend works there) but if I was in your position I wouldn't think that's worth the price either. I'd switch gyms as well unless you choose to partake in the scholarship program.

Hellbent_Heidi

I don't think I'd care to have an overweight fitness instructor either. We don't appreciate when hairstylists have crappy hair and dentists have a mouth full of rotten teeth. It's the same thing, really. I want to see that the class actually makes an impact, you know?

^^THIS!!
I feel the exact same way. I don't think this is shallow at all, its simply wanting your "professional" to look like they can 'talk the talk" AND "walk the walk"

For the record, I don't want a scrawny little trainer either (my old gym had one who looked like she couldn't lift her gym bag)...I want someone who looks like they could kick my @ss on every level...

doornumber03

i belong to a Y in a city and it's 85.00......but i dont' pay for any classes.
For the record, i have a trainer there and she's not a stick but wouldn't call her over weight either. She use to weigh 280lbs and lost it. If your concerned about appearance that's fine, but i want someone who has been where i was and is where i want to be now.

oOMusicBabii

Thank you! That's how I feel. The person above you called me shallow, but I don't care, it's how I feel. I would just immediately lose motivation if an overweight person was training me. Just like you said, I wouldn't let someone do my hair who has bad hair or anything else along those lines. I feel like in certain professions you have an image to uphold.

For all you know the overweight trainer may have been morbidly obese at some point in his or her life and may have a great deal of insight to share with you.

Fit over fat.

If they are overweight but can still kick your @$$ in a class, then they are probably on the same journey, just further down the road from you and maybe their motivation is teaching fitness to others while simultaneously working themselves into better shape.

taylor5877

I guess some would just call Mark Rippetoe a fat *kitten* too...

All hail to the Coach!!

I was trying to find a good picture for the many here that don't know who he is, but I ended up finding myself reading the quote thread on t-nation and trying not to cry or spit on my computer screen (from laughing)....

SoDamnHungry

I go to my park district. It's about 12 dollars a month. It's small and there aren't a ton of machines, but it works for me. They have a good variety.

larnsperger

We belonged to the YMCA and in our area it was a great place. However the Y tends to be more expensive than most gyms bc they cater to families and offer so many other programs to their members. We didn't pay extra for classes as members only non-members paid. Not sure maybe they are all different. Our Gold's Gym became Urban Active, it was dirty and lots of broken equipment but half the price of the Y. I can't take a dirty gym, too gross. When it changed hands nothing improved but there are some nicer Urban Actives in our area. As for instructors it would depend on what you classify as overweight. No I don't want someone morbidly obese but I try to realize that not everyone is programmed to weigh 120 lbs and look like Barbie. I just try to remember that there are some really awesome sports coaches out there who are over weight but they know there stuff. I do see your point however.

I look for the hairdresser that does the hair of the person whose hair I like best in the salon! I agree sometimes it isn't the person with the best hair bc they are too busy to do their own or get it done!

bcf7683

I went to the local YMCA when I was doing mainly cardio, before I started strength training. I was doing Zumba & Body Pump everyday other day for 8 months. Then the gym decided that they were going to start charging extra to do Body Pump because they didn't feel like footing the bill for the Les Mills license anymore. They were passing around a sign up sheet- it wouldn't been an extra $20 a month just for ONE class, on top of $30/month. I'm sorry, but I am NOT paying $50 a month just to do a couple cardio classes. I was on the *kitten* list of every old woman in that Body Pump class because I would've been the 15th person to sign up for it (They needed at least 15 people to maintain the license). Sorry people. Not gonna happen.

Needless to say, I switched to the local Anytime Fitness. Best decision EVER. Not only did I get away from the nagging old women who liked to gossip about anything and everything rather than actually work out, but this gym actually has people that give a *kitten* about lifting, and I've made a couple new female lifting buddies. AND it's the same price as the crappy Y was.

I say switch. Your health is worth investing in.