I live in the center of the northernmost metropolis/capital city in Northernmost Europe (First person to guess where wins a sticker!). There is nothing reasonably priced and it is where smiles go to die. Gyms are overpriced and don't like children.
The Trussville YMCA is the exact opposite. This is the most pleasant place I've ever been. It's happier than Disneyland, but almost as big, and you don't have to drag your kids from one ride to the next because there is top-notch, world-class child care in the building. More on that later.
They boast several pools (one covered in the Winter months), racquetball, tennis courts, basketball courts, giant cardio hall full of so many machines there are a few I don't even recognize, two massive weight rooms (one for the motivated and one for the addicts), a suspended track for walking/running, teen programs, yoga, pilates, zumba, water aerobics, TRX, boot camp, preschool, elder programs, child care, steam rooms, whirlpools, great locker rooms, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Classes - I'm a 7-days-a-week pilates, yoga, zumba girl. The instructors are some of the best and I've done a lot of Pilates and yoga all over the world. They get you in and out in an hour but maintain integrity and step it up from generic "gym yoga" or "gym Pilates". No one is calling it in here. I was terrified of Zumba until I was pelted with encouragement by instructors, administrators, and nice strangers alike. Did I mention the people are really, really nice here? Yvonne (Pilates and yoga), Rene (Pilates and yoga), Vivian (yoga), and Rhonda (Zumba!) are my favorites. I will go twice a day just to see them all.
Now the most important part. And listen close parents, skeptics and weary alike: You can not put a price on the loving, caring, teaching wonderland that is the child care at the Trussville Y. You just can't. I would pay top dollar for the care my one year old receives. He's not used to being left with strangers. But he shrieks with joy when we arrive here and fusses when we leave. The women who run this little slice of immaculately clean heaven are no less than angels who handle all of the children with more love and care than you'll find in Granny's pecan pie. I've seen child care in plenty of places, and this is better than private day care. They are like unicorns: much sought after but mythical. Except these people actually exist. There are also really good toys and supplies for the kids.
All of this for an insanely low cost. As a visitor for several months at a time, I can highly endorse the Y as being a real hub of community and wellness. My favorite place to be when I'm in Birmingham! read more