Would you become a member of something like this?
 

basically i'm already in the market for a new gym membership since I just moved to the area, they're beating the rates of the actual gyms by a considerable amount (by 2$ a month, + about 30% of the initial registration fee)

the place is huge (12 acres as you can see)

Basically it's a Kroc Center, it's 28$ a month, it seems like a healthy place to go. My hangup is wondering if i'm going to feel out of place being that it's marketed with the whole Salvation Army/Chapel, biblical theme going on with it. I'm not a religious person, I'm moral, but I've never liked the thought of those kinds of institutions.

*shrug* anyone know more about these kinds of places with 1st hand experience?

the whole site is http://kroccda.org

I would avoid it like the clap.

Does Michael Jackson own the place?

Didn't the YMCA system start out as something like this?

Since it's a better price than anything else around, and I'm frugal as heck, I'd ask for a tour of the facilities before deciding to discount it completely. The description gives me a bit of the creeps, though.

m hm.

Sounds a little cult-y.

yeah I just went and gave it a quick walk through. I didn't see anything that set off any warning bells for me personally, but I noticed a lot, and I mean a lot of people there, I found some stuff saying they had over 6000 signups and something like 650 people projected to use the facility per day.

They open at 5am, I'm kinda social-phobic when I'm all in "self improvement mode" so I think I might go check it out then before it gets busy. Probably doesn't start getting busy until 7 to 8ish, and honestly, despite it's size, I consider this to be a mostly rural area, so the 6000 number surprised me.

A little?

Shauk, if I were you, I'd pay the extra $2 a month and steer as far away from this place as you can.

I think you should go for it...

http://coolbeans.com/bunkssm.jpg

Heaven's Gate'd!

...

I think the facilities would be fine, perhaps even better... (churchy-people being generous) but it comes at the cost of having to deal with White Jesus.

so you're saying the salvation army is a cult? ;p

Like, that dude with the lil red bucket in the santa outfit every year in front of walmart is a cultist?

lol

it's not just the 2$ the difference is also 129$ reg fee vs 50$

oh don't get me started on those selfish bastards

just avoid the kool-aid......

but but... i just wanna use their machines and get sweaty and stuff ;p

And they want you to.
For you must be strong when the ship comes to take you all home...

I dunno....

Who would be a better spotter than Jesus?

I noticed they cite positive life changing experiences through spiritual discovery and community service (those are just 2 of all listed).

Do you want to be bombarded with religious messages from other members, posters, etc. in the club?

Do you intend to sign up or be pressured to become involved in community service they choose instead of what you choose?

I don't know if they fall under the term "cult", but they have a definite agenda, and specific message hidden in treadmills and lap pools.

Personally, no, I would never join something like this. I'm paying to use equipment, I don't want an unsolicted opinion with a helping of guilt on the side.

Wow. You guys are being incredibly harsh. You're joking about the cult stuff, right? You have to be...

They likely use the money generated by the memberships to fund their well-known efforts with disaster relief, soup kitchens, prisoner rehabilitation, drug rehabilitation, fighting human traficking, and elderly services.

The Salvation Army isn't a cult. It is a Christian organization based on charity for the homeless and destitute which started in England in 1852.
History on their website
Wiki about the Salvation Army

The gym Shauk describes here sounds like it's just an extension of their youth and children's athletic and camp programs. I'd probably join the gym as well.

I should kill this thread. There's only room for one cult around here, the Cult of TFP!

Where's a picture of Ian Astbury when you need one?

seriously?..shauk.. for 2 measly bucks? id rather you bought one less CD a month for your DJ gigs than get involved in a cult-like atmosphere.

sorry but it wreaks of brain-wash to me. careful they dont marry you off to a child bride, or worse give you up as sacrifice for the Leader to give you butt-hurt

So um, guys, I went and walked around and it looked like a normal place, with normal people.

Did I really sound the ridiculous in my opening post? cuz I mean the whole "zomg cult" reaction seems pretty comedic to me.

I wasn't even trying to imply that it's a cult, it's a just a community center that happens to have the support of a religious entity. Other things that have the support of said entities... homeless shelters, food banks, charities...

I guess it's kinda like public schools and the government, you know the money is coming from somewhere but did you drop out of school because you detested the administration?

*shrug*

I kinda feel stupid for making the thread now.

If you're willing to tolerate some attempts by well meaning members to convert you, then it's probably not a bad place. I would probably give the place a shot if it really was just a gym I was looking for. If I were looking to use the place as a gym and for social interaction, I'd look elsewhere.

My fanatical fear of all things Jesus would prevent me from feeling safe attending such a gym, and I personally believe Jesus would've worked out at 24 Hour Fitness.

Your mileage may vary, though I do think your only uncomfortable encounters will be the showers and the misguided attempts at conversion by other members, not the staff.

I was a member of the YMCA for many years, never got approached to be converted to Christianity.

I don't see why the Salvation Army is any different. They ask for donations, not conversions.

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/4...notwantdog.jpg

Seriously though, you want as few barriers to you working out as possible. Especially since you say you are "social-phobic when I'm all in 'self improvement mode,'" if the awkward atmosphere makes you miss just ONE workout a month, then the $2 you saved is pointless.

By the way, go back to the other facility you are considering, and tell them you like them, but you're thinking of going elsewhere due to startup cost--unless you've already done heavy negotiating, I bet they knock some off, gyms are worse than used car lots.

And that's why I go to Snap Fitness 24-hour gym instead of Jesus Camp. That lady still gives me nightmares. Snap is only $39/month for a single membership and no one pays any attention to you if you don't want them to. There's one in that town. I'd check it out.

Somebody with working hands.

No, you didn't sound ridiculous.

But I'll be sure to include [sarcasm] tags from now on so posters know when I'm joking.

so yeah, I've been a member for a month or so now.

Not a single piece of propaganda, no missionaries, no pamphlets, etc...

in fact the whole check in process involves swiping a barcode on my keychain and proceeding to do whatever I want.


I'm down 10 lbs too.

I think those of you who gave the "omg cult advice" could take this as a lesson to reel it in a bit and get a grip :)

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear you've enjoyed your experience.

My sister was a member at a Kroc Center here in San Diego and she loved it. She loved how cheap it was and all the activities she could do with the membership. She took swimming classes as well as used the gym there. I say try it out.

Seems people worry about a lot of things that never materialize. Worry is you using your imagination to imagine things you don't want to happen. They rarely do actually happen.

This.