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Harris YMCA

I’m considering joining the YMCA.

Okay, done singing the song? Moving on!

My preferred form of exercise is running. However, it’s a billionty-eleven degrees outside, give or take a degree. My internal thermostat has always been a little wonky, and it hasn’t gotten any better now that I have an insulating layer of blubber to protect me in arctic waters. When I go running and it’s over, say 80 degrees Fahrenheit, I walk away from it feeling drained, which is the opposite of what usually happens.

The Harris Y has an indoor track and isn’t that far from my house. Plus they have a really great set of indoor pools which would be nice to bring Em to on those days when it’s sweltering or the ozone is bad, which is most days so far this summer. It also has outdoor tracks and pools, good workout facilities, and a range of classes in case I go insane one day and decide I need to learn how to dance hip-hop.

(Note: I will not be taking a hip-hop class. It doesn’t sound fun and I would look like an electrified frog.)

That would also get me membership at the Harris Y Express, a smaller branch that is closer to my house. No indoor track, but a treadmill would do in a pinch.

Local folks, anybody got any experience with the Harris Y, positive or negative? I’ll take answers online or in person when I run into you. Thanks!

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  1. Anonymous
    July 11th, 2010 at 03:59 | #1

    I’m a member at Dowd and always hear good things about Harris. It’s more kid-friendly. That Express thingy sounds awesomest, though. I vote you do it.

    Many Ys discount the joining fee if you work in certain fields, which I know your husband is in one of them, and if you mention that (though it might only work if he joins), it could save buckage. Also and/or, it may be that I can get a referral credit, so if you decide to do it, let me know and I’ll split the credit with you.

    Last note: they do not publicize it, but they have memberships called Off-peak, where you can’t go during the heaviest trafficked times, and you pay less. I pay $49 instead of $58/month, and I don’t go at 6-8 am, 11 am -1 pm, and 4-7 pm. Or close enough. Adds up over time but doesn’t work if you want to take most of the classes.

    Ellyn

  2. July 11th, 2010 at 04:09 | #2

    Excellent tips, Ellyn, thanks! I’ll check on the discount.

    I’ve been by at three different times, and only one has been crazy busy. The whole family did the pool today, and it wasn’t as crowded as Marion Diehl and the lifeguards seemed a less curt than the ones at Ray’s Splash Planet. Today there were a few more mature people in the halls (I won’t say elderly, Dad hates that!) who were having a little trouble getting around, and the staff was very attentive about being sure they had everything they needed. I take that as a good sign for their level of service.

    Right now I’m thinking that we will do it, but since I made my first crazy impulse clothing purchase ever today, we’ll have to look at the budget to figure out exactly when. Which is ironic, because to fit comfortably into that purchase, I’m gonna need to work out!

  3. Anonymous
    July 20th, 2010 at 19:43 | #3

    I’ve been a member at Harris for a couple of years and love it. They have been very nice about putting my account on hold when I’m not able to work out too.

    Lynda

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