UrbanForagerX

UrbanForagerX t1_j5mmk0z wrote

Reply to comment by cjazz24 in Gyms: YMCA vs vida by cjazz24

Not many. I did like that my VIDA location had a couple of pelotons. I don’t have one so that was my only “instructor led” experience in the gym. At the Y I took some classes and they were nice enough but I prefer working out on my own.

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UrbanForagerX t1_j5mk9f6 wrote

Have had memberships at both and miss living within a reasonable distance of Anthony Bowen YMCA. It’s somewhat cheaper but my real reason for loving the place was that the diversity of age and ethnicity at the Y made me feel welcome and safe. The staff don’t have the fake perky smile and tone of the VIDA gyms but they also don’t constantly try to pitch you more services and extras to buy. I kept asking VIDA to remove me from their sale pitch emails (no unsubscribe option) and it made no difference. Every week someone would personally reach out and offer something. The gym itself wasn’t much better equipped than the Y but it was 30-40% more expensive and I never felt totally welcome there. I left the gym and am wishing we had more Ys in the District.

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