I had my fiance and our kiddos meet me at work yesterday. There is a gym located in the same building- the Sabes JCC. We took a tour of the facilities and WOW. NO comparison to our preceeding visit at Bally Total Fitness. 3 indoor basketball courts, 1 outdoor basketball court, raquetball, multiple class options, nice locker rooms, a children's pool, a lap pool, an outdoor pool- complete with diving board and slide(!), plenty of cardio, weight machines and free weights. The list goes on: a sauna, whirlpool, steambath in the men's and women's locker rooms, a family locker room, locker rooms for those under 18 (a safeguard due to sauna and whirlpool restrictions), 2 masseuses, a staff of 15 trainers, free towel service, a $50 credit to use as we please once we become members, aquatics classes, lifeguards on duty at the pool, a track above the basketball court, Sasha's place and the tumble room (where the kids hang out). Sasha's place will feed and change your kids. Locks available to use during your visit for your locker, or you can rent a locker. A hoard of aerobics courses ranging from spinning to yoga to pilates to Zumba! They also give us 24 guest passes for the year with our family membership.
WOW.
The club was so clean and friendly too. It was big- but not so big that you feel annonymous or that the gym is a cash cow with a revolving door.
They also offer a sliding fee scale so that regardless of your financial situation, you can still maintain your health.
I wish I had known about this place sooner!
My fiance is excited to join and feels good about the change I think. I feel good about all the ammenities and that it is so family friendly!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
No thanks....
I handed in my resignation from my Bally's membership on 12/23/2010. I never even used it. The more I thought about the space (very warehouse like and unmotivating) paired with the children's area not willing to fulfill my children's basic needs (food, water, diaper/bathroom - we're potty training our 2 y.o. now) I just was not comfortable with the situation. I went and surrendered my membership card, along with my very formal typed resignation-- which included where to find the rules of my contract (section 2 paragraph A in this case). I left my ice hockey game and uncovered, or in this case, attempted to uncover my snow covered car and hoped that I would get to Bally Total Fitness before they closed at 10p.m.
It was 9:50pm when I stood at the entrance. The doors were locked and a blonde attendant sat behind the counter. I had left my phone in the car- believeing this would be a quick in/out. I knocked, I waited. Since the door was locked, the attendant had to get up (which I felt bad about because she had some sort of physical problem that hindered her walking). I handed her my resignation along with my club member card and explained that I just needed to drop this off. She retorted that I could not drop off a resignation and had to mail it to corporate. I replied that "..according to section 2, paragraph a of the contract during the first 3 business days I am allowed to drop off my resignation to the club -- if I were already a member I would have to give 30 days written notice and send that to corporate". She took the paper and said she would put it on the managers desk. I felt like I had been a bit of a "b" to the employee- I hadn't meant to and apologized.
I emailed the manager today to ensure that he had infact received my letter. His email was short and curt. Clearly not happy that I had declined my membership. I hadn't planned on cancelling- it's not something that I do for fun... sign up for things only to opt out later. Especially a gym membership that I have waited so long for.
In the end, I couldn't justify the lack of options and the lack of quality child care. That and my fiance is always telling me things are broken there (i.e. the whirlpool specifically). The staff is probably worried about hitting their quotas and I probably screwed things up for them a bit in that area- but what they had to offer- blah.
To digress to the scene at the entrance of Bally's- I guess the argumentation class I took in college is proving helpful.
It was 9:50pm when I stood at the entrance. The doors were locked and a blonde attendant sat behind the counter. I had left my phone in the car- believeing this would be a quick in/out. I knocked, I waited. Since the door was locked, the attendant had to get up (which I felt bad about because she had some sort of physical problem that hindered her walking). I handed her my resignation along with my club member card and explained that I just needed to drop this off. She retorted that I could not drop off a resignation and had to mail it to corporate. I replied that "..according to section 2, paragraph a of the contract during the first 3 business days I am allowed to drop off my resignation to the club -- if I were already a member I would have to give 30 days written notice and send that to corporate". She took the paper and said she would put it on the managers desk. I felt like I had been a bit of a "b" to the employee- I hadn't meant to and apologized.
I emailed the manager today to ensure that he had infact received my letter. His email was short and curt. Clearly not happy that I had declined my membership. I hadn't planned on cancelling- it's not something that I do for fun... sign up for things only to opt out later. Especially a gym membership that I have waited so long for.
In the end, I couldn't justify the lack of options and the lack of quality child care. That and my fiance is always telling me things are broken there (i.e. the whirlpool specifically). The staff is probably worried about hitting their quotas and I probably screwed things up for them a bit in that area- but what they had to offer- blah.
To digress to the scene at the entrance of Bally's- I guess the argumentation class I took in college is proving helpful.
Referee Roundup
My return to refing, overall, went well. I have to admit though, that I felt slow and sluggish after the first game, and by the end of the second period of the second game- I was wondering how I would survive the last period of the evening. It was exciting to be back. I had the opportunity to ref two girls' games- which was great. One of the coaches during the first game, was confussed about icing vs. off-sides-- the call that I made and why the face off was where the face off was. The "good ol' boys" club still exists...
coach: "I've been coaching for 15 years and that call was supposed to be icing."
me/ref: "the puck was shot from the red line, and your player preceeded the puck into the offensive zone. The face off occured where the puck was shot from and the call was not icing- it was off sides. The player was over the line before the puck crossed the red line."
The two coaches continued to attempt to tell me I was wrong. This basic rule of off sides was clearly violated. Another parent watching the game affirmed to my partner that the call and face off point was determined correctly.
So, it wasn't all smooth sailing during my time back on the ice. The days afterwards my legs were sore. So sore and stiff that walking, bending, kneeling, twisting-- was all painful. I finally asked my fiance to assist me in two partner stretches that I remembered from high school track and field. I've felt great ever since. Clearly, even though I'm still in my 20s, my body doesn't rebound as quickly as it did even 3 years ago. Again, I have had two kids since then- and that of course, is a major influencer.
My next ice hockey games aren't until January. Tournaments will be increasing in frequency and tempers tend to flare over the plastic trophy that is at stake.
coach: "I've been coaching for 15 years and that call was supposed to be icing."
me/ref: "the puck was shot from the red line, and your player preceeded the puck into the offensive zone. The face off occured where the puck was shot from and the call was not icing- it was off sides. The player was over the line before the puck crossed the red line."
The two coaches continued to attempt to tell me I was wrong. This basic rule of off sides was clearly violated. Another parent watching the game affirmed to my partner that the call and face off point was determined correctly.
So, it wasn't all smooth sailing during my time back on the ice. The days afterwards my legs were sore. So sore and stiff that walking, bending, kneeling, twisting-- was all painful. I finally asked my fiance to assist me in two partner stretches that I remembered from high school track and field. I've felt great ever since. Clearly, even though I'm still in my 20s, my body doesn't rebound as quickly as it did even 3 years ago. Again, I have had two kids since then- and that of course, is a major influencer.
My next ice hockey games aren't until January. Tournaments will be increasing in frequency and tempers tend to flare over the plastic trophy that is at stake.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tonight....
Tonight marks my return to refing ice hockey. I have not refed a game since March 2009 (following the broken nose fiasco on February 28, 2009).
I'm excited and nervous. It's been so long since I refed a hockey game- nearly 2 years! What?! How did that happen- oh right- I was pregnant all of last season.
I have 2 girls games this evening. They are both U10 girls. This level has a lot of variation in playing level and ability. One game that I did two seasons ago- the girls were pretty much standing around waiting for the puck. I'm not sure which is better- everyone standing around waiting for the puck or everyone on the ice in a rugby scrum-like mob.
Both aren't great.
Reffing two girls games for my return to refing does remind me how I started refing in the first place. In college, I was super early to practice- our time and place had changed to the youth rink in Moorhead and it was highly out of the ordinary. Better to be early than not show at all. In this case, I ended up assisting my coach with pre-practice prep and toting things between the rinks, her car, and the youth rink. We were just finishing up when the U12 girls game that was set to take place between a Fargo and Moorhead team was delayed because neither of the refs had shown up. I wasn't certified. I was just a college goal tender with my coaches whistle (made to be worn attached to her glove) and red wind pants. One of the coaches had to get her helmet for me and remove the face shield- as I only had my goalie helmet. I was all over the ice in my red wind pants. I just imagine what the coaches and spectators/parents were thinking. What a spectacle! I would have failed and probably been kicked out of my referee association had I refed like that post-certification.
The point is, had I not been willing or able to take on that challenge of refing that ice hockey game (with no experience as a ref) those players would not have been able to play. How disappointing for them!
I love refing. It's a way for me to give back and continue to provide players with the opportunity to play. There are some jerk coaches and parents out there. It can be difficult to keep your wits about you when someone is going ballistic or being a crab apple. It also shows the young female players what they can aspire to once they are all grown up and not playing on a team anymore (whether they realize that now- I will never know).
Being a ref also reminds me of how I started playing hockey "late" but was on my inagural high school team- how far they have come since our first team was formed 12 years ago. How I will always be a pioneer in hockey- even if I'm not a Natalie Darowitz- will never see the olympics as a teammate - I could possibly see the olympics as a ref. Choosing to be a ref is something I take seriously but also have fun with- because just like "Doug" on The Cutting Edge I love the smell of the ice. It helps me set an example for my own kids in terms of physical fitness and helps me to stay focused on that fitness for my overall health and well being so that I can be the active and fun parent I want to be.
(Having watched Wall-E last night, I find myself more motivated not to become sloth-like.)
I'm excited and nervous. It's been so long since I refed a hockey game- nearly 2 years! What?! How did that happen- oh right- I was pregnant all of last season.
I have 2 girls games this evening. They are both U10 girls. This level has a lot of variation in playing level and ability. One game that I did two seasons ago- the girls were pretty much standing around waiting for the puck. I'm not sure which is better- everyone standing around waiting for the puck or everyone on the ice in a rugby scrum-like mob.
Both aren't great.
Reffing two girls games for my return to refing does remind me how I started refing in the first place. In college, I was super early to practice- our time and place had changed to the youth rink in Moorhead and it was highly out of the ordinary. Better to be early than not show at all. In this case, I ended up assisting my coach with pre-practice prep and toting things between the rinks, her car, and the youth rink. We were just finishing up when the U12 girls game that was set to take place between a Fargo and Moorhead team was delayed because neither of the refs had shown up. I wasn't certified. I was just a college goal tender with my coaches whistle (made to be worn attached to her glove) and red wind pants. One of the coaches had to get her helmet for me and remove the face shield- as I only had my goalie helmet. I was all over the ice in my red wind pants. I just imagine what the coaches and spectators/parents were thinking. What a spectacle! I would have failed and probably been kicked out of my referee association had I refed like that post-certification.
The point is, had I not been willing or able to take on that challenge of refing that ice hockey game (with no experience as a ref) those players would not have been able to play. How disappointing for them!
I love refing. It's a way for me to give back and continue to provide players with the opportunity to play. There are some jerk coaches and parents out there. It can be difficult to keep your wits about you when someone is going ballistic or being a crab apple. It also shows the young female players what they can aspire to once they are all grown up and not playing on a team anymore (whether they realize that now- I will never know).
Being a ref also reminds me of how I started playing hockey "late" but was on my inagural high school team- how far they have come since our first team was formed 12 years ago. How I will always be a pioneer in hockey- even if I'm not a Natalie Darowitz- will never see the olympics as a teammate - I could possibly see the olympics as a ref. Choosing to be a ref is something I take seriously but also have fun with- because just like "Doug" on The Cutting Edge I love the smell of the ice. It helps me set an example for my own kids in terms of physical fitness and helps me to stay focused on that fitness for my overall health and well being so that I can be the active and fun parent I want to be.
(Having watched Wall-E last night, I find myself more motivated not to become sloth-like.)
Sabes JCC- fitness center?!?!?!
I had no idea until I started working here that the JCC (Jewish Community Center) had a gym/ fitness club attached to it. I wish I had known! Especially when I was unemployed- they have a special "Pay what you can" program for those that have lost their jobs. If I had only known....
Even though the club is at the Jewish Community Center- it is open to the public- just in case anyone is wondering...
Their club is clean and modern. The child care area is clean and the staff is really friendly. They let my kids hang out there one Friday when I didn't have anyone to watch the kids. There's usually more than 1 person on at a time in the children's room too. Someone pinch me!
Right now, they have a "Pay what you want" promo going through December 25th.
I have $2 in my jacket pocket. I wonder if that is acceptable??? It would be really nice to go work out over my lunch breaks.
I picked up their personal training pamphlet this a.m.- they have 30 minute express sessions. Perfect.
I've already contacted the membership department. Maybe this will be a better fit than Bally's.
(My fiance keeps getting his membership fee raised without notice at Bally's and has been considering leaving because of that and the cleanliness is lacking- they reportedlycut their janitorial staff due to budget cuts with the economic changes.)
Even though the club is at the Jewish Community Center- it is open to the public- just in case anyone is wondering...
Their club is clean and modern. The child care area is clean and the staff is really friendly. They let my kids hang out there one Friday when I didn't have anyone to watch the kids. There's usually more than 1 person on at a time in the children's room too. Someone pinch me!
Right now, they have a "Pay what you want" promo going through December 25th.
I have $2 in my jacket pocket. I wonder if that is acceptable??? It would be really nice to go work out over my lunch breaks.
I picked up their personal training pamphlet this a.m.- they have 30 minute express sessions. Perfect.
I've already contacted the membership department. Maybe this will be a better fit than Bally's.
(My fiance keeps getting his membership fee raised without notice at Bally's and has been considering leaving because of that and the cleanliness is lacking- they reportedlycut their janitorial staff due to budget cuts with the economic changes.)
My Bally's "7 day pass"
Well, I got one or two things right regarding how my visit to Bally's would go. My sales rep was from the east coast- Baltimore. Second, I didn't get to use the "guest pass"... lame. I didn't even get a workout in. That's even worse. We arrived at 6:45- dropped the kids off and I had to wait and wait and wait.... My fiance went to go work out and I got the "grand tour" followed by meeting another trainer and filling out paperwork. Our youngest son got upset and I had to leave the meeting. Resumed the meeting once I went to go get him. (Awwww- he missed me after I had worked all day!) Once I was out of the meeting, it was 7:45 and the childcare area was only open for 15 more minutes.
My fiance had joined us in the office part way through the earlier portion of the meeting and asked what was going on. When I told him he was upset and I felt badly that I hadn't discussed the decision with him.
When we got home, we looked at the contract more closely. I was shocked- even appalled that the childcare people will not change diapers or give a baby a bottle. How am I supposed to get a work out in at all???
I will be submitting my "give me my $ back" notice and contract tremination today.
My fiance had joined us in the office part way through the earlier portion of the meeting and asked what was going on. When I told him he was upset and I felt badly that I hadn't discussed the decision with him.
When we got home, we looked at the contract more closely. I was shocked- even appalled that the childcare people will not change diapers or give a baby a bottle. How am I supposed to get a work out in at all???
I will be submitting my "give me my $ back" notice and contract tremination today.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The last time I tried this....
It's been a while since I've had a gym membership or even stepped foot into a gym. I canceled my memberhsip at SNAP fitness after my first son was born. You can't go to the gym and leave the baby in his carseat- that just doesn't work. It's just not right- i.e. does anyone else remember hearing about the kiddo that died at daycare in MN for that??? My conscious does not allow for that...
The last time I was at a gym at all was after our oldest was born and L.A. Fitness was fairly new in Hopkins. We had a guest pass. I enjoyed the step class and my fiance enjoyed the cardio and free weights. Our son was in the children's area. When we went to pick him up- it was a mad house. Kids running everywhere. The lady working was very nice, and held on to our 4 month old son as if for dear life. She looked completely freaked.
Then we met with the sales rep- James. Oh, I will never forget James- the fast talking, let-me-make-this-as-confussing-as-possible salesman, that finished with providing us no clear information regarding membership rates, sign up fees etc. The meeting finished with him stating "Well now that you have all the prices and information just let me know what you decide". Then, like a vulture, he plucked away our 3-day visitors pass as if it were vile and poisonous.
So much for the visitors pass- apparently, you have to forfeit it to the sales rep upon entry and the remaining "free" days- are allowed to you once you have decided you want to become a member. I clearly remember James stating "Ok, so once you make a decision to join, then you can come back and use the other two days." That's not a 3-day guest pass.
Today, I have a 7-day guest pass to Bally's in St Louis Park. I can't help but wonder how this is going to play out. I've already recieved an email from the club's general manager. And a sales rep with an east coast Long Island accent left me a voicemail within moments of my request for a guest pass was submitted. His name is Johnny. Immediately, images of an individual mimicing Jersey Shore's too-tan cast with too-tight tank tops, and too much muscle come to mind.
This should be interesting.
On a positive note, the child care area at Bally's has a 2 child per family and 2 hour limit. And there can only be 8 kids in the room at a time. At least they have crowd control.
I looked into their class schedule- it was less than appealing. They only have 1 studio at this location, and the variety of classes is lacking.
I did visit Bally's with a guest pass my fiance gave me once before (pre-kiddos). It was ok. The hot tub was broken- which I'm told is often the case. They do have a sauna- which I always like to have.
The gym used to be so much apart of my lifestyle. It was what I would do before and after work or class. I considered myself a runner, a weight lifter, and athletic. I still consider myself these things but it's not reflected in my day to day life, nor has it been for the last 3 years. 3 years- wow- where did the time go?
It'll be interesting to see what happens at my visit this evening.
The last time I was at a gym at all was after our oldest was born and L.A. Fitness was fairly new in Hopkins. We had a guest pass. I enjoyed the step class and my fiance enjoyed the cardio and free weights. Our son was in the children's area. When we went to pick him up- it was a mad house. Kids running everywhere. The lady working was very nice, and held on to our 4 month old son as if for dear life. She looked completely freaked.
Then we met with the sales rep- James. Oh, I will never forget James- the fast talking, let-me-make-this-as-confussing-as-possible salesman, that finished with providing us no clear information regarding membership rates, sign up fees etc. The meeting finished with him stating "Well now that you have all the prices and information just let me know what you decide". Then, like a vulture, he plucked away our 3-day visitors pass as if it were vile and poisonous.
So much for the visitors pass- apparently, you have to forfeit it to the sales rep upon entry and the remaining "free" days- are allowed to you once you have decided you want to become a member. I clearly remember James stating "Ok, so once you make a decision to join, then you can come back and use the other two days." That's not a 3-day guest pass.
Today, I have a 7-day guest pass to Bally's in St Louis Park. I can't help but wonder how this is going to play out. I've already recieved an email from the club's general manager. And a sales rep with an east coast Long Island accent left me a voicemail within moments of my request for a guest pass was submitted. His name is Johnny. Immediately, images of an individual mimicing Jersey Shore's too-tan cast with too-tight tank tops, and too much muscle come to mind.
This should be interesting.
On a positive note, the child care area at Bally's has a 2 child per family and 2 hour limit. And there can only be 8 kids in the room at a time. At least they have crowd control.
I looked into their class schedule- it was less than appealing. They only have 1 studio at this location, and the variety of classes is lacking.
I did visit Bally's with a guest pass my fiance gave me once before (pre-kiddos). It was ok. The hot tub was broken- which I'm told is often the case. They do have a sauna- which I always like to have.
The gym used to be so much apart of my lifestyle. It was what I would do before and after work or class. I considered myself a runner, a weight lifter, and athletic. I still consider myself these things but it's not reflected in my day to day life, nor has it been for the last 3 years. 3 years- wow- where did the time go?
It'll be interesting to see what happens at my visit this evening.
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