Sarah writes:
I was wondering what people think are the best gyms in town. I’m looking for a place that’s a good deal, but has a lot of the amenities (classes, childcare, etc.). The places I’ve looked at are pretty pricey.
What do you think are the best no-too-expensive gyms in Colorado Springs? Share your faves by leaving a comment on this post!
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when my kids were younger and I needed childcare and/or events for them, the Y was the best deal around… lots of classes for me and them and lots of free events. We had the family membership, but you can do individual memberships and I believe they scholarship some people… I think there are military discounts too. Now that my kids are teens, a great deal is at Accolade on the west side (near Agilent Tech.)It’s $19 a month, no membership fee (and they often run specials with no enrollment fee like I got) and the best thing is you can ALWAYS bring a person in with you free! and it can be the same person every time like a spouse! It’s very spacious and lots of equipment, but no childcare, so it’s not for someone that needs that. They have classes but I think they charge $5 a session because the teachers are contracted out by the owners. I just use the different equipment.
We have been YMCA members for over 8 years and really love it. There is a wide variety of classes offered, weights, cardio, pool, youth sports programs, and more. One of the biggest benefits to us is the childcare there. The staff know and engage our children and I am confident that the care they are receiving is excellent. Childcare is available free with your family membership for up to 2 hours/day/child, ages 6 weeks-10 years. The family membership (2 adults + children) is currently $83/month and gives you a good discount on programs like swim lessons, sports registrations, etc. We love the family-friendly atmosphere there. (We’ve mostly used the Briargate branch, but I would bet they are all good.)
We use the Briargate Y and it seems like they use the same people over and over for childcare. My 18mo old son used to cry until he started to recognize people and they would call him by name. Now he runs to the door and tries to get in on his own! My 4 year-old greets them all by name now too. It’s nice to see familiar faces. We have been a member since December and we love it!
The Pikes Peak YMCAs now do memberships based on income. You need to ask about the income scale (it’s posted online) and bring your most recent tax return. We have a one adult plus kids membership, which is $47/month. As above, that includes childcare plus full use of their classes. You can sign up at one Y & use any of the facilities in the Pike Peaks area.
Gold’s gym is also good option – their childcare is meant to be fabulous. The only reason I chose the Y was because of the pool. Gold’s doesn’t allow anyone under 10 yrs on the gym floor (cardio, weights, pool ..etc). I wanted to keep my kiddos swimming.
I’ve been a member at Bally Total Fitness, Villa Sport, and Lifetime Fitness. Bally’s is a no thrills basic gym that never gets updated. The equipment is older and the child care is a joke. It is the lowest priced of the three I’ve belonged to.
Villa Sport is a more upscale gym, and has more of a club feel to it. The employees are nice, the gym has newer equipment that is maintained, and has a nice indoor outdoor pool. Villa is the most family oriented of the three. There child care is great. They actually engage the kids in physical activity’s and have them separated by age range. I felt very comfortable leaving my child with them. They’re the most expensive of the three, but I would definitely recommend them.
Lifetime Fitness is a very nice facility and is the biggest of the three. They have the most cardio equipment, and the free weight area is a good size. The staff is nice, but I like the staff at Villa better. Lifetime has a indoor outdoor pool, but I haven’t had a chance to take advantage of it yet. The child care is okay. They basically put your kids in a big area and let them fend for them selves. There’s a separate area for toddlers with employees monitoring it. They’re a little cheaper then Villa, and I would recommend them to friends.
I’ll add my YMCA vote! We have been to the Southeast, the Downtown, and regularly use the Garden Ranch. I love that my kids over 7 can use the shallow pool without me, and I can check my other kids into the childcare program. I love that we can afford it and there are a ton of options included in the membership-like the pool and the water fitness classes, and spinning, step, boot camp, zumba and a bunch of other classes too! I go several times a week and it started out to be mostly for the pool, evolved into down time for me, and now I’m really pushing myself to be healthier. I LOVE how involved the child care providers are with my family, and how they know us well enough to ask about my kids when they aren’t with me! I hope you find something that works for you!
If you have kids, you really can’t beat the Y. When we shopped around last summer it was the cheapest by far (about half the cost of VillaSport).Our kids have loved the swim instructors at the Briargate Y and the pool at Trilakes is lots of fun. (Not to mention how happy we will be if they run Cottonwood Creek pool soon). Briargate also has things like a bounce house on Sunday afternoons.
We did a day pass to VillaSport recently and I wasn’t able to find any reason to pay double. The indoor kids pool reeked of chlorine and made us all cough excessively. We spent maybe half an hour there.
I am surprised by your comment about Villa Sport reeking like chlorine. I have been a member 4 years and have never spelled that and assumed they use something else in their pool water. I have had the same swim suit forever and it has not disintegrated like those exposed to chlorinated water.
Villa Sport “appears” expensive, but I have to say…if you use it, you definetly get your moneys worth there. I am there every day, I use it and love it. The facilities, equipment and classes are top notch. The kid area is awesome and the gym as a whole is very family friendly. They offer special events and activities every month. The VillaKids area offers 2 1/2 hours per kid daily care while you are working out. At $15 per kid, per month its very cost effective. Unlike at Bally’s, the kids are not just plopped down in front of a tv. They have 30 minute rotations where the kids do all sorts of different activities and crafts. My daughter begs to go every weekend! The VillaSplash area is awesome, perfect entertainment for a cold day. And I can’t say enough about the outside pool area. This town does not offer much in the way of outdoor swimming. I wanted my daughter to grow up around water and be comfortable with playing and swimming in it. The only affordable option was to join Villa. Wilson Ranch is pricey if you go often. We are able to spend all day at the pool every Saturday and Sunday, I can work out daily in the mornings, and do lots of fun activities at the gym all for one price. If you join when there is open enrollment (no fees) its very affordable. For what they offer, its a far better deal than the YMCA and its not really all that much more than the Y. Oh and they offer camps during school breaks, parent survival nights and even care during snow days when the schools are closed.
But just like any gym, its only a good deal if you are using it. There is no way I would keep paying for Villa if I stopped going. Whereas when I was a member at Fitness 19, I could justify not ever using it, considering I was only paying $9 a month.
I agree completely! While I am guilty of not always getting my money’s worth, when you do it is not a bad deal. We have been member since the beginning and we love it. In addition to the tons of adult classes included there are also the kid classes like the tots yoga that my son loves. Also there are family activities that are free, like the Easter egg hunt this weekend. I loved the Y, but I feel like I am pampering myself while my kids play and are having fun at Villa. And for the really special occasions, pedicure while my kids get all of there energy out! Love it!
The Y is really the best deal for a family. They offer a ton of different classes and have multiple locations in the springs that you can use as well as in the country. I just put my kids in swim lessons and for 8 lessons it was by far the cheapest. at $25 which is a third the price at villa sports, and lifetime. I am sure they are also great facilities but the Y is a much better deal for our family.
YMCA
If you’re looking for a basic gym, check out Fitness 19 at Stetson Hills and Powers. It is around $10-15 per month and I don’t think you can beat that price anywhere. They have childcare, but I don’t have kids so you’d need to call for that information. They also have classes and trainers, but they are an extra fee. You’ll need to sacrifice some amenities of a big gym, but it’s a great facility for the price. We love having a gym where people know our names and that doesn’t break the bank! It’s been a good fit for us for over 4 years.
Childcare at Fitness 19 for 2 children was $15/month, or you can pay by the hour ($2 for the first hour per child). I used Fitness 19 for 5 years. I was not happy when all memberships switched to the Powers location. I worked out there 4 years (2-3x per week) and no one knew me by name. That said, I did consider keeping my membership active when I switched to the Y because I was only paying $6/month!
We are members of the Pikes Peak YMCA also… I have looked at changing to Villa Sport or Lifetime… but I guess for me the Y is a great deal… I really use it more for the kids programs first and my fitness 2nd (I am sure no other mom puts kids first ;) The childcare is great… can’t beat the parents night out (kids love it and price is great)… youth sports are wonderful and abundant… both my toddler and school age son love the pools and swim lessons… and the special programs like Lego club, dino discovery, cooking club, and bounce house free play are all used by my family and all free or very cost effective entertainment. And for me there are plenty of classes and equipment to keep me happy. We usually use the Briargate Y… but enjoy swimming at the SE Y or Tri Lakes. One thing that turned me off about one of the other gyms I looked at was that they wouldn’t change diapers… I thought that would be a real bummer if I had to leave my class or workout to go change a stinky diaper. Also the Y had a new program called the family program where you pay an extra $12 a month and you then get all programs & most camps for HALF price… this si grate for us b/c it makes sports much cheaper and parents night out only $6 for 5 hour of care… can’t be that!
VillaKids changes diapers. Though I know Bally’s and Lifetime do not.
love the Y! We regularily go to the garden ranch y….we pay for the single adult family, which is $63 a month (my husband can go on the couple of guest passes we get with our membership)…they watch each child 2 hours per day…which if you really use them on a regular basis it’s worth it alone in child care! you can add a family package on for an extra $12 a month which gives you 50% off most classes, which makes it REALLY affordable for the kids to do every sport and swim lessons! this is just off of memory, but i think it makes it like 12.50 for a group of swim lessons or $25 for the other sports like basketball soccer t ball etc….LOVE THE Y
Wow! Lots of responses…we use the PP YMCA. Only started this school year because we needed an afternoon “home away from home” between school and soccer practices since my older two kids are out of district students. I actually saved a gas $ by joining. But….we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Y! We have used all of the facilities except TriLakes–just discovered the SUPER-AWESOME play pool at the Southeast Y. We will be going all summer!
I’m a real cheapee and used to use the Peterson base gym. But I’m hooked on childcare freedom, and all the various programs. The different Y facilities have different programs/schedules. It’s worth checking into them all for the variety. I like being able to use different facitilies based on where I’ll actually BE during any given day and not being tied to using only one facility (errands, piano lessons, school, etc).
Also, the Y allows the older kids to use workout equipment and go to classes with me. I love the encouragement I can give the kids to live healthier. The kids also get to hang out by themselves once they reach 11 years old, including the swimming pool–which makes them feel grownup, and I can relax knowing that they are in a safe environment.
Have fun deciding!
I’ve already responded, but I thought I should also add that when my family belonged to the Y (mostly went to Garden Ranch) there were a lot of home school families during the day that had their kids working out for PE class which I thought was cool! and they have instructors on hand to help kids under age 14 navigate the equipment. I remember some other things that seemed to cater to home school families which I didn’t use but lots of others did (pool and gym were very open during the daytime hours)…
YMCA for us too. I love that you can go to any of the facilities in town because each has its own cool things. My kids have done lego club, mini movement, nerf club and ballet, not to mention the different pool features (slide at Briargate, zero entry/slides at Trilakes.) I looked into and priced Villa and Lifetime and they are good for the summer/outdoor pool but were just too pricey for us.
I am not a member of 24 Hour fitness, but have always been intrigued by this deal at Costco.com. (link to follow) Non Costco members can purchase for a 15% upcharge. Comes to about $16.00 a month. I am currently with Fitness 19, because it is super close. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11753116&search=24+hour&Mo=5&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=24+hour&Ntt=24+hour&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
I’ll just add my 2 cents about the YMCA. It’s a great place for families. So many different activities and very affordable. When I first moved here, the Lifetime Fitness was under construction. I had been a member of that gym in another city, and I loved that place as well. I joined the Y figuring I would switch to Lifetime when it was finished. Now, I don’t want to switch! Lifetime’s pools are better, but now that 2 of my kids are 12 or over, Lifetime would be very expensive (you have to pay for an adult membership when you are 12). We get everything we need from the Y!
We tried a membership at Lifetime and were so unhappy about it. They had me in tears within the first week, because they just assumed I knew how things worked there and snapped at me when I didn’t. My son was also in tears his first time in the child care. He accidentally wandered into the toddler room where the door only opens from the outside. He couldn’t get out the entire time he was there and was so uncomfortable there that he didn’t ask anyone for help. The second time he was there he just watched TV the entire time. I was unimpressed.
We are now members of the Tri-Lakes YMCA, and we LOVE it! They are friendly and welcoming. It’s not as fancy as Lifetime, but we are more comfortable there. Plus for our smaller kids, the pool is super fun because it has a slide.
OK, Sarah, when you said that you were in tears because they assumed that you knew how things work and that you didn’t – that TOTALLY sounds like me (not at Lifetime, I haven’t stepped foot in a gym in years, LOL). I’m pretty adventurous and confident on the outside but I *hate* situations where people act like I know what I’m supposed to do and I haven’t a clue. Glad I’m not the only one who gets to tears like that. :)
We tried Lifetime too and it was awful! We were told that it would be “just like” Villa Sport with the pool areas and rotations in child care but it’s not at all like Villa! The pools there have nothing to offer younger kids outdoors except for one umbrella that water flows over and indoors there is nothing for the older kids – at least the Lifetime in Parker has two indoor water slides. The child care was terrible and my kids were extremely bored. My newly 4 year old was on a computer when I went and picked him up and he doesn’t even know how to use a mouse! We went back to the Y after only one month but are thinking of joining Villa for the summer – wish they offered a pool only membership!
We are 4-year members of Villa, use it almost daily, and love it. But if you are thinking of joining the Y I have heard that if you drive to Pueblo and join down there the monthly price is significantly cheaper and you can use all the Y’s up here. Worth the drive!
I just wanted to thank everyone for this great info. I’ve just started looking into this (probably on my mind because summer with the kids is just around the corner!!) and this detailed feedback was just what I needed.
I have been a member at 24 for years and I absolutly love it. The one on North Academy Blvd has a deal for 21.99/month if you only want to use that location. The ladies in the childcare are awesome and the front desk is super friendly and welcoming.
This was my question and I’m so grateful for all of your responses. Based on advice here, we joined the YMCA and got a great deal based on our income. My kids are happy there and I think my husband and I will be, too.
saw an ad for YMCA membership sign up in the Gazette this morning…
“Early Bird Sale” April 27-30
If you join this weekend, you get your joining fee waived and save on season passes for the outdoor pools (newly taken over by the Y from the city of Colorado Springs).
Y members will receive unlimited use of all YMCA Centers and City-owned/Y operated Cottonwood Creek and Memorial Park Recreation Centers as of May 26. Add a Season Pass to outdoor pools to your membership and gain unlimited access to Wilson Ranch, Monument Valley Park and Portal Pools and Prospect Lake Beach beginning May 26.
Early Bird Member Rate
$100 – Individuals ages 11 and up
$145 – Family
There is also a non member rate listed on their website. I’m thinking this rate is the outdoor pool season pass rate on top of the Y membership rate? but it’s not clearly stated so I’m not sure. But anyway, if you like to use pools indoor or out, the Y membership just got better!
Is that $145 per month? That seems like a high monthly payment.
It is $145 for the family season pass in addition to what you pay monthly. The $145 covers the months the outdoor pools are open.
If you are not a Y member & wish to buy a season pass for the outdoor pools, the cost is $400 for the season. Hope that helps!
Jasmine, I “think” it is the cost of the season (summer) pass for the outdoor pools in addition to the regular Y membership which includes use of the indoor city pools. It is a good deal for the pass based on what I paid several years ago just for my kids to use Wilson Pool for the summer. But you would have to call to confirm everything.
the Y.
it has everything: classes, gym, weights, track, machines, lessons, park/rec, childcare…and it is priced based upon your income. so there is the potential for savings.
contrary to what the others are saying, I’ve been a member of Lifetime since they opened in May. The classes are AMAZING! I’ve lost 30 pounds and kept it off. My kids, who are 9 and 5 enjoy the kidcare. The staff there has been nothing but helpful, and the price is comparable to Villa.
wish I had read this forum before yesterday… I just joined Lifetime ..but I did do my homework ..I went to Villa Sport and the cost is so high .. it was gonna be about 600 dollars for startup enrollment fees and 1st months dues for my family of 4 .. went to lifetime and walked out yesterday paid 231 dollars for enrollment fees and monthly dues.. what convinced me was Lifetime is 24 hours a day and Villa Sport isnt.. Villa Sport had a great resort look to it and the pool area was packed..dont know if thats good or bad … But as far as cost comparison and workout stations..lifetime was the place for me .. I just dont understand how there was so many people at Villa and almost noone at Lifetime.. The Cardio machines were all newer models .. which is what I like .. The classes were all day just like Villa… didnt understand why there was hardly anyone there… but I did sign up and my first day will be today ..but overall I signed up becasue of price and square footage.. Villa has one floor and Lifetime has 2 floors of working out machines.. the swim area was smaller than Villa ..but come on I can swim at 3 am in the morning at Lifetime and I cant do that at Villa…anyone have any thoughts ?
I think I’ll save my money and just work out at home! I have all the machines and I can watch whatever t.v. show I want. If I just had a swimming pool I’d have everything I need.
Jasmine—I second that!! :)