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New California Family Fitness


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#1 Cinnadog

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Posted 04 April 2006 - 09:53 PM

Has anyone joined the new California Family Fitness? What do you think of it?

We joined, and so far we like it a lot. I never thought I would like exercising on machines (gerbils on an exercise wheel come to mind), but I must admit, it is quite pleasant to exercise and watch t.v. at the same time. The machines are new and everything is very clean, which is important to me. Also, CFF does not have the feel of some of the more hard-core health clubs with a lot of sweaty, buff weightlifter guys (sorry, cybertrano!) There are people of all shapes, sizes, and ages...

The 3 heated pools look fantastic, but I haven't yet braved the rain to try them out.

The one disappointment so far is that the Kids' area has many fewer classes and organized activities than we were led to believe when we joined. I'm told they will be beefing up these offerings in the near future... we'll see.

One pet peeve: every time you walk by a staffperson, they chirp, "Enjoy your workout!!" I can't figure out why that is beginning to grate on me so much, but I wish they'd come up with at least a few alternative phrases-- perhaps some more realistic greetings that don't pretend that I relish my time on the elliptical machine as I might a luxury spa treatment...

#2 Steve Heard

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Posted 04 April 2006 - 11:11 PM

So far, I really like it.

Likes:
Every conceivable piece of equipment available
Enough equipment that it's never been overcrowded

Dislikes:
Was led to believe that there would always be staff on hand for help with equipment, tips, instruction (not so)
Not enough classes
They lock up the group classroom when no classes scheduled, which prevents people who want to workout or hangout there from doing so
Too many fans and too much air blowing
They limit the number of channels available on TV each night. Weird.

Wish list:
Assigned lockers
Towels
Laundry Service
A regular jujutsu or grappling class

Added bonus: My wife loves it, and has gotten into working out with me. She might become a gym rat. Now, if only I could get my daughters to come regularly...

Steve Heard

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#3 Chad Vander Veen

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 06:27 AM

It seems expensive, more than twice 24 Hour from what I've heard. Though it's probably also twice as nice as 24 Hour.

#4 Steve Heard

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 07:47 AM

I've never been to 24hr, but I know someone who switched, and she tells me it is 10 times as nice. It is large, has all modern equipment, a kids club (babysitting), 3 or 4 racquetball courts, two basketball courts, a spin room, circuit trainging room, group fitness room, women only room, dozens of treadmills, elipticals, bikes and other equipment, weight machines, free weights, ab machines, stretching area, sauna, 3 pools, snack bar, and TV's everywhere, including locker rooms and lots mounted on the machines.

Steve Heard

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EXP Realty

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Owner - MyFolsom.com

916 718 9577 


#5 Chad Vander Veen

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 07:55 AM

QUOTE(stevethedad @ Apr 5 2006, 08:47 AM) View Post

I've never been to 24hr, but I know someone who switched, and she tells me it is 10 times as nice. It is large, has all modern equipment, a kids club (babysitting), 3 or 4 racquetball courts, two basketball courts, a spin room, circuit trainging room, group fitness room, women only room, dozens of treadmills, elipticals, bikes and other equipment, weight machines, free weights, ab machines, stretching area, sauna, 3 pools, snack bar, and TV's everywhere, including locker rooms and lots mounted on the machines.


Wow! Makes 24 sound like a Mexican prison.

#6 Orangetj

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 08:00 AM

I was thinking Turkish prison, but there's no need to quibble over details.

#7 cw68

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 08:30 AM

QUOTE(c_vanderveen @ Apr 5 2006, 07:27 AM) View Post

It seems expensive, more than twice 24 Hour from what I've heard. Though it's probably also twice as nice as 24 Hour.

I haven't checked out CFF because we belong to Broadstone (tennis), but have checked out 24 Hour in the past. If you have kids it gets really expensive with the child care. Really expensive.

#8 Sandman

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 08:45 AM

So what are you all paying at CFF including any up front fees?

I'm only paying $39/month for my wife and I at 24hr. When my 2yr old son gets a little older I may consider heading over to CFF but right now I am happy with 24hr.

#9 asbestoshills

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 08:49 AM

Cal Fit is nice, but they need to work out the kids area...It gets too crowded to conveniently checkin/out your kiddies and there are hardly any scheduled activities during the time most people bring the kiddies..
Also, the women's bathroom has a curved entrance without a mirror so I have seen many collisions or near misses just trying to get in the bathroom....The women's area is too warm, about 10 degrees more than the rest of the gym...There is no one out there cleaning the machines; maybe because they have the do-it-yourself sprays and towels..However, some people still don't clean...
I noticed the same thing with the tv channels....v. weird...Maybe I will just call about that....In the summer the pool area doesn't have any canopies and it looks like maybe they did that on purpose so people won't lounge from sunrise to sunset......

Edited by asbestoshills, 05 April 2006 - 08:49 AM.

Americans, don't just come in one color or race.

#10 Sandman

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 08:53 AM

QUOTE(cw68 @ Apr 5 2006, 09:30 AM) View Post

I haven't checked out CFF because we belong to Broadstone (tennis), but have checked out 24 Hour in the past. If you have kids it gets really expensive with the child care. Really expensive.


Its like $2/child. Compared to what I fork out on regular daycare a month that is a drop in the bucket.

#11 Cinnadog

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 09:10 AM

We and several other families that we know pay just over $100 per month -- I can't recall the exact amount. That includes all family members, all classes, childcare, etc. There is no upfront fee -- just the monthly fee. Members are guaranteed that their fees will never be raised.

How do CFF fees compare to Broadstone?

As for 24 hr. fitness, it is significantly cheaper, but I just could never work out there. It is too crowded and has too many hard-body young people types. It's just not a comfortable environment for me. --I'm willing to pay extra for a place that I will feel comfortable going to!

#12 cw68

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 09:12 AM

QUOTE(Sandman @ Apr 5 2006, 09:53 AM) View Post

Its like $2/child. Compared to what I fork out on regular daycare a month that is a drop in the bucket.

$2 per child, per visit. $4 per visit, 4 times per week, 52 weeks each year, divided by 12 months and it adds $70 per month to the cost of the membership. And that's not when my husband goes and takes the kids. The childcare the club provides is my only childcare, so I really notice the cost.

Unlimited childcare is included with our Broadstone membership. It's expensive ($154 for a family membership), but my husband uses the courts multiple times per week when the weather is nice and meets friends at other Sparetime clubs, too. Their childcare center is awesome, the pools rock and the club is really, really nice. It's the thing we splurge on and is a good value.

As the poster above mentions, it can be cheaper than what we pay. You can get a non-court membership cheaper.

Edited by cw68, 05 April 2006 - 09:13 AM.


#13 gingerkid

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Posted 05 April 2006 - 11:06 AM

We moved from Broadstone to Calfit. We're saving $$. When we joined Broadstone, the family rate was good because there were six of us and two needed to be in Kids Club. Calfit lets age 12 and up actually work out, so I can enjoy a good workout with my kids instead of having to exclude them or worry about them. Calfit has a per kid charge, so now that a couple of ours have moved out, we save money.

I don't like their lack of towels!!
“Hippies, hippies... they want to save the world but all they do is smoke pot and play frisbee!” Eric Cartman

#14 jenjen

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Posted 06 April 2006 - 07:47 PM

I love the new gym. The locker room is nice and I love not having to carry a lock. I'd been going to the CFF in Orangevale, so this seems like real luxury. There is so much to do, and I've always been able to get on whatever piece of cardio equipment that I want. So far I've liked all the classes I've taken. I just need it to get a little less busy! My son who is 2.5 gets really nervous and clingy when there are too many kids in the daycare. It is just so wild in there. I agree with the above posters that they need to get the kids club a little more organized.

I've been really happy with it. This weekend my goal is to search the garage for my old racketball racket.

It's really helped to beat the rainy weather blues!

Jen


#15 folsom4us

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Posted 06 April 2006 - 08:44 PM


We love the new CFF. I once belonged to 24 hr, but they lost me years ago for so many reasons. My kids absolutely love the child care. They beg me to go to the gym (which I need ). My kids are playing dodge ball, basketball, musical chairs and parachute games. They are always entertained and kept busy plus they see kids from school.
I have seen staff cleaning seats/equipment on several occasions. I'm sure the staff is busy getting everyone familar with the equipment and maybe they will be more accessable later.




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