Dog does the McConnell Health Center

[BigDog]

Well, I'm thinking about it. The center is holistic not just a gym. Vickie has gone there several times as a guest of a friend and done water tai chi and water yoga. We're going to take a tour tonight together and I'll see if there is enough there to make me want to sign up.

$300 evaluation fee
$78 primary member monthly fee
$50 secondary member monthly fee

We might be able to take advantage of a special they run from time to time so we aren't paying $600 for our two evaluations. We'll see.

[kramday]

Is this still related to the Aukerman plan that you had mentioned previously?

[amerigoV]

Well, I'm thinking about it. The center is holistic not just a gym. Vickie has gone there several times as a guest of a friend and done water tai chi and water yoga. We're going to take a tour tonight together and I'll see if there is enough there to make me want to sign up.

$300 evaluation fee
$78 primary member monthly fee
$50 secondary member monthly fee

We might be able to take advantage of a special they run from time to time so we aren't paying $600 for our two evaluations. We'll see.

Given the economic climate, I would try some haggling, esp on the evaluation fee. They may say no, but I bet new sign-ups have slowed.

"Here, I will save some time -- I'm fat. Ok, lets get to work."

[BigDog]

Well, I'm thinking about it. The center is holistic not just a gym. Vickie has gone there several times as a guest of a friend and done water tai chi and water yoga. We're going to take a tour tonight together and I'll see if there is enough there to make me want to sign up.

$300 evaluation fee
$78 primary member monthly fee
$50 secondary member monthly fee

We might be able to take advantage of a special they run from time to time so we aren't paying $600 for our two evaluations. We'll see.

Given the economic climate, I would try some haggling, esp on the evaluation fee. They may say no, but I bet new sign-ups have slowed.

"Here, I will save some time -- I'm fat. Ok, lets get to work."

LOL. ACtually I want to see how extensive the evaluation is. If they throw me on a treadmill for $300... uh no. I'm looking for something more holistic and comprehensive. It may end up as "get on a treadmill, lardass" but I want facts, dammit!

[BigDog]

Is this still related to the Aukerman plan that you had mentioned previously?

I never seemed to get on the bandwagon with that, although I do eat about a third of my meals with Vickie and often eat with the same restrictions as she does. So it is better than nothing, but it isn't a significant factor. The thing I have kept up with is the walking but I miss a group/sport type activity. Haven't gotten myself to play tennis enough and I think my bball days are over with the shoulder injury. So some of the group classes might entice me to McConnell.

I'm pretty much looking for something to inspire me to renew my efforts.

[kramday]

Did you go on the tour tonight? What did you think?

[BigDog]

Actually no, I ended up painting all evening. We're probably going during the day tomorrow if I can carve out the time. If not then, then the weekend sometime.

[kramday]

Just curious again if you ever got to check the place out.

[BigDog]

Nope. All the stuff with my Dad has me off track and we've heard that they do a discounted entry fee/exam after the first of the year. Not that I shouldn't go but it also eased me up. Vickie is still going a couple times of the week with her friend and is still positive about the possibilities there.

[BigDog]

Well, I took the tour of McConnell a couple weeks ago. The facilities look pretty complete and varied. They have a soft running track indoors, an outdoor "trail" running track, different pools at different temperatures including one for lapwork. They have a large room of weight and flexibility machines, all computerized so it will remember you and help you remember what you did last time, what your settings are, etc. They have rooms where you can get your golf swing or tennis swing analyzed. There is a slate of classes from low-impact to aerobic, in a room on a mat or in the water, all free to members. Yoga and Tai Chi are available. There is a nutritionist on the floor you can ask questions of or you can set up an appt ($). There is a cafe with all healthy foods and several places to sit and read and relax. The men's locker room was like a spa or men's club with all the toiletries available, hair dryers, sauna, steam room, nicely furnished. Vickie says the women's is similar.

To join, you have to fill out a long questionnaire (20pages?) at the level of depth you can usually get from memory about health history. It also touches on how you feel, your opinion of your own strengths and weaknesses, what your goals are, etc. I believe you get a lot of tests when you join (treadmill, bloodwork, etc.) and then they create a fitness plan for you related to what you are seeking.

While you don't have to worry about the issue of feeling intimated by big bruising weight-lifters or people that look better than you (like in some gyms), you need to be comfortable with the fact that the average age is probably around 60. There isn't as much "eye candy" as you'd get in a normal gym either, if that's important to your motivation. This isn't targeted at the youngest population although there were kids around and families. There are a lot of people recovering from injuries, going through therapy. There is a large therapy section where they get their work done.

Right now, with a member referral, the join-up charge (and all the testing/consultation) is $150. Normally the testing/join fee is $300. The monthly fee is $78 for the first person in a family, +$50 for each additional. I think that is static.

[amerigoV]

Big, check and see if your company has a fitness subsidy. Deloitte reimburses 1/2 of costs up to $500 a year (so 1000 in fees, get 500 back, although taxed) for things like gym memberships or equipment purchases. Deloitte has been rather up front about the program. I could see other companies not pushing in harder times.

[kramday]

My first thought is that $78/month is expensive. But in my mind, I'm comparing it to the wrong thing. I'm comparing to something like the Westerville Community Center that is $220/year. I originally looked at the Westerville Athletic Club before they shut down. That was around $1200/year, but was a much nicer place.

Aside from the initial evaluation, what do they offer for training in the at $78? Are they just giving you a plan and then you are on your own to implement it?

[BigDog]

My first thought is that $78/month is expensive. But in my mind, I'm comparing it to the wrong thing. I'm comparing to something like the Westerville Community Center that is $220/year. I originally looked at the Westerville Athletic Club before they shut down. That was around $1200/year, but was a much nicer place.

Aside from the initial evaluation, what do they offer for training in the at $78? Are they just giving you a plan and then you are on your own to implement it?

I'd have to check, but I believe that you can communicate with the various specialists and professionals either at the facility or via email. This would be for basic questions and such. If you want someone spending time with you as motivation or further evaluation or something, I think that's extra. So you get set on a course, and I believe you can get feedback as things go on as part of the membership.

So the $78 is really access to all the facilities and the classes. Oh yea, they have free weights and a basketball court as well (about half-court size IIRC). They don't have organized basketball but they are happy to support members who want to organize such a thing. I think I'm forgetting something, but it's not coming to me.

[BigDog]

Big, check and see if your company has a fitness subsidy. Deloitte reimburses 1/2 of costs up to $500 a year (so 1000 in fees, get 500 back, although taxed) for things like gym memberships or equipment purchases. Deloitte has been rather up front about the program. I could see other companies not pushing in harder times.

Worth a look but they've been in starvation mentality for eight years now. The economic downturn is just piling bad onto worse. They did put in a fitness center at the Columbus building back when we still had a cafeteria and probably 2x as many employees there. Several years ago they cancelled the contract for the people to maintain the facility and consult with you (how to use the machine, check blood pressure, health questions, etc.) So its still there and being used, but with cautions like you can't use it with no one else there. They have a camera to the security team and if they catch you, you'll be banned from the facility. Too much liability of someone having a heart attack or something in the unattended facility. The treadmills were 8 and are down to 4 functioning. I'm surprised its held up this long. Just an indicator on how much the company is willing to spend on luxuries like their employee's health.

Still, I'll poke around and see.

[kramday]

So are you still in "considering" mode, or do you think you are going to join for sure?