Frugal Family Focuses on Fitness in 2012

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great motivators for the whole family to get fit and stay healthy in 2012. Getting the family involved in a local YMCA is a great way to get started. Its’ mission statement lists three objectives: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

For nearly 160 years, YMCAs have been strengthening communities by bringing together people of all ages, races and incomes to promote and live a healthy lifestyle. Over the years, the Y has grown to include some of the finest exercise facilities in the country, but its goals, programs and classes go beyond physical conditioning. By staying on the pulse of its particular community’s needs, the Y offers a delightful, mind-boggling number of innovative choices in strengthening body and mind.

Although there are more than five deals worth mentioning here, I thought I would start with the following selections. I promise you will want to learn more—and there are a lot more!

The Northwest Family YMCA, located next to the West Cobb Library near Stilesboro Road and Mars Hill Road is a beautiful, state-of the-art facility rivaling any “luxury” fitness club. This non-profit’s awesome facility, like all of the Ys, has new lower joining fees and is the most convenient location if you live west of the :

Deal #1: $99-Multiple person memberships: Two Adults, Family, Senior Family

Deal #2: $69-Single person memberships: Adult, Young Adult, Senior Adult

Deal #3: $24-Teen memberships: Ages 13 to 17

Deal #4: Get a 7-Day Free YMCA Pass. http://www.ymcapass.com/mainCoupon.htm (non-members only, restrictions apply)

Deal #5: Financial Assistance—The YMCA strives to offer memberships to anyone who may not have the income to pay full membership fees. For more information on its financial assistance program and outreach programs go to www.ymca.net  and click on “For Social Responsibility." To learn the qualifying criteria for assistance and if funds are available, contact the appropriate YMCA in your area.

The Northwest Family YMCA also offers:

• Programs that include fine arts, dance, kids and family, sports, wellness and swim lessons. Printed class schedules for group exercise (including Pilates and Zumba!), group cycling, rock climbing wall, gym and pool.

• Child care, kids’ day camps and special events

For more infor, rates, directions and calendar go to http://www.ymcapass.com/nfy.shtm

Address: 1700 Dennis Kemp Ln., Kennesaw 30152 Phone: 770-423-9622 Fax: 770-424-9242 

Other Cobb County YMCA locations:

McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA: 1055 East Piedmont Rd., Marietta 30062 Phone: 770-977-5991 Fax: (70-578-2793 http://www.ymcaatlanta.org/mcy.shtml

Northeast Cobb Family YMCA: 3010 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta 30062 Phone: 678-569-9622 Fax: 678-507-9622 http://www.ymcaatlanta.org/ncy.shtml

This column is dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family's bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money.

You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box. Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together.