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Health Club
updated: Apr 07, 2010, 9:25 AM

Question: Can anyone recommend a good health club for a family? I'm looking for one that has motivating classes for me, lots of workout equipment for husband and an activity room/classes for young kids. Also - please list the rates if you know them.

Places People Are Talking About:

Cathedral Oaks AC	Goleta Valley Athletic Club	SB Athletic Club
YMCA

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 67597	2010-04-07 09:35 AM
For a family there's nothing better than the YMCA.
COMMENT 67676	2010-04-07 12:14 PM
I think that the Y.M.C.A. is great , especially for a family, and I have belonged to 3 other clubs in town!
COMMENT 67684	2010-04-07 12:34 PM
For family, definitely the Y.
COMMENT 67739	2010-04-07 03:18 PM
We are really enjoying the Goleta Valley Athletic Club. The child-care staff is GREAT--my daughters love them. We tried the Y first, but it was incredibly crowded, and my four-year-old was really unhappy in their child care (I never found the staff to be particularly welcoming when she arrived). GVAC has free-swim for kids on weekdays in the afternoon and on weekends during mid-day. They also offer kids' swim lessons during the summer. I think my husband and I each pay about $75/month.
COMMENT 67769	2010-04-07 06:02 PM
Cathedral Oaks Club is where we are.....but now that I think about it, it really is not that great. It is expensive, something is perennially broken or out of order. The staff turnover is frequent. Since Julie Main left us, the place is headed downhill. The pool situation is quite good though. The gym is small and has pretty old equipement, except for some new bikes. One good thing is, you end up meeting quite a lot of pretty nice people. If they'd just pay the staff more and get some new equipment and focus on maintenance things would be better.
COMMENT 67806	2010-04-07 10:59 PM
Re. Cathedral Oaks: "The pool situation is quite good ..." I think some would disagree with that
COMMENT 67818	2010-04-08 06:22 AM
The Santa Barbara Athletic club, hands down, is the best Club in town. Definitely check it out before choosing another one!
COMMENT 67868	2010-04-08 08:21 AM
Pool at YMCA isn't any safer! I vote SBAC.
COMMENT 67873P	2010-04-08 08:29 AM
Re Cathedral Oaks... Much improved since Jamie Ficarra has been manager! Well kept-up (except for the damn dirt blowers), new cardio equipment, excellent water aerobics 6 mornings & 1 evening a week. Very appealing surroundings and Happy Hour every Friday eve. From a 30-yr. member of COC
COMMENT 67933	2010-04-08 10:14 AM
YMCA on Hitchcock
COMMENT 67934	2010-04-08 10:18 AM
Thanks everyone for your suggestions! Based on where I live and work, either YMCA or SBAC would work best - has anyone been to both places that can compare them for me? I suppose I can check them both out myself but would love to hear the suggestions of my fellow Edhatters. Thanks again! -OP
COMMENT 67954	2010-04-08 10:46 AM
The Y has an excellent aerobics program. Only reason I go there! Pretty good for families, but no better than SBAC. If you want aerobics classes, the Y, fer sure! Otherwise, I would, and am about to give SBAC a shot. The Y is set in their ways and not very responsive to clients needs and wishes, imo. They need some competition, imo.
COMMENT 67956	2010-04-08 10:47 AM
Unless you have a lot of extra money to throw around, SBAC is not for you. It'll cost at least a $1000 for a family to join there. The Y is more like $200.
COMMENT 67957	2010-04-08 10:49 AM
Holy smokes! $1,000 to join?
COMMENT 67958	2010-04-08 10:50 AM
Last I checked it was $750 for an individual to sign up without a corporate discount.
COMMENT 67963	2010-04-08 10:56 AM
Are people actually paying over $700 to join a gym these days? Oh wait, I guess in SB they are...
COMMENT 67967	2010-04-08 11:02 AM
Yes, the SBAC charges a big enrollment fee and also has monthly fees, depending on what it is you want. Very expensive.
COMMENT 67973	2010-04-08 11:22 AM
Cathedral Oaks Athletic Club is great for families! It's not that much, only about $250 month for the entire family. Great swimming, brand new tennis courts, gym is fine, getting new steam rooms also. Excellent brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Nice people...you can't go wrong there!
COMMENT 67986	2010-04-08 12:04 PM
How about taking long walks at Shoreline Park, Douglas Preserve, kids can climb the fallen trunks of trees at Douglas, play equipment at Tucker's Grove, Stowe Park, walks on the beach, all for free. Los Banos pool ?
COMMENT 68013	2010-04-08 01:45 PM
It really depends on the age of your children, and what you are looking for. If you want classes, such as tennis, swim, and martial arts for your kids, as well as spring and summer camps, COAC, has the most offerings for kids in town. So, I think COAC is the best when you have children who like being active. If you have younger children, and are just looking for a great swimming pool, and a more affordable option, check out Hidden Oaks swimming pool. You can buy monthly memberships during the summer. And they also have a small playground area, sand area, and badmitton court. Wendy Ferrady also teaches swim classes here, and hosts a noncompetetive swim team for kids.
COMMENT 68086P	2010-04-08 06:13 PM
We pay $178 for two adults at Cathedral Oaks. They seem to have a lot of activities for kids.
COMMENT 202270	2011-08-09 07:50 PM
For a family, the SB Athletic Club is definitely NOT the place to go. Kids are only allowed in on weekend mornings. Plus, they nickel and dime you for every little thing (child care, lockers, certain classes, etc.) and the staff is turning over like crazy since SIMA took over. We were members for years and quit in frustration this year. We joined the YMCA for less than half the price and couldn't be happier.