When did Y memberships get so expensive?

[Nikia]

My husband and I looked into what it would cost to join the local Y. It would come to $838.75/year. There is financial assitance from the United Way but it only says that applications will be evaluated on an individual basis. I thought that the YMCA was supposed to be a non profit organization, not a country club (I know that I am exaggerating). It seems that it would exclude anyone who is remotely poor. As far as how their financial assitance, it sounds like a route to possibly discriminate against potential members.

[alarimer]

1. I think they have changed a lot

More of a health club type thing and less of a place where poor kids can hang out and stay out of trouble.

[Road Scholar]

2. Wow! I was just making some notes for my children and

grandchildren. One of my fondest memories was my 3rd grade teacher buying a membership for me. She said it was from "anonymous" to me and two other little rag tag boys from the projects. Membership back then (50's) was $5.

[datasuspect]

3. it's cheaper in the ghetto

suburban/fancy pants YMCAs are notorious for that . . . plus some of them don't even have rooms anymore.

[hfojvt]

4. I wonder "WHY" did Y memberships get so expensive?

I think a gym membership in Iowa was only $20 a month. Might have been more for a couple. I thought about joining, but did not like the 12 mile commute. Driving through the two towns made that a half hour or so each way.

[hippywife]

5. They do subsidize

memberships for the poor every year, up to the entire cost, and quite a few of them. People who can afford to pay the full membership fee helps them sponsor the poor.

[Nikia]

7. I suppose that it is like college in that respect

I suppose that they keep statistics somewhere on who they give aid to. The fact that it didn't list any income requirements, only that it would be evaluated on an individual basis made me suspicious though. I know that a Y provides lots of programs and has a facility to upkeep but a high price gives the impression that perhaps they are charging more to keep poor people out. By that reasoning, I thought that perhaps they principally give aid to people to people like their target audience who have fallen on hard times like medical bills or recent job loss. If that is not the case though, I'm glad that they do give oppurtunities to the poor to use their programs and facilities.

[hippywife]

8. I worked at one

4 summers ago as a temp doing their bookkeeping and payroll. They do subsidize as many as they can, at least this one did.

[Scooter24]

6. sheesh.. you could possibly get a health club membership

for that price.

I go to LA Fitness and pay $33/mo. And I can use any LA Fitness facility in my state.

Some Y's however are trying to compete with these gyms and are very beautiful facilities, thus costing as much.

Edit- Just checked my local Y, it costs $52/mo. per adult. wow!

[Nikia]

9. That's why I was suprised

Around here, for profit health clubs are usually cheaper.
This Y does offer more programs and activites than these health clubs, but I still was suprised.

[Scooter24]

10. Yeah.

I notice that the Y usually tends to be a good choice if you have teens or younger children. They have loads of leagues and sports tailored for them.

My club, in contrast, has events and classes tailored to adults and seniors. I know for a fact that the spinning class is intense haha.