Aaron and I took the opportunity to tour the newly formed non-profit Northeast Community Center, which rose from the ashes of the recently shuttered Northeast Family YMCA. After an unsavory experience with the neighborhood highly corporate fitness center that is open all hours of the day, I was pleased to learn that there was a comfortable neighborhood place where I could work out, take classes, and not be subjected to “Popped 40″ dance music and people who work out because they want to, not because they need to.
NECC offers a wide variety of classes from kickboxing to water aerobics, including special programs with seniors, kids, and families in mind. They provide a good selection of workout machines, and I didn’t see people waiting for any of the machines. A reasonably-priced child care center is available on-site, as well as personal trainers, saunas, and a licensed massage therapist. The staff was very friendly.
The hours of operation are reasonable: 5:30am – 9:30pm Monday through Friday, 7am to 5pm on Saturday, and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday. For all of the amenities and unique sense of community it provides, membership is a steal. Single adults are $40/month, and two adults are $55. No sign-up fees or contractual obligations! NECC is currently holding a membership drive — check out their website for more information.
It’s just heartening to know that in an age of corporations taking over our lives, there are still neighborhood-oriented organizations that focus on the health of the community, not on the health of the company’s bank account.