AH Spectrum Club? Concorde? (Alamo, Terrell: sales, how much, houses)

[googie2525]

I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences, good or bad, with the Spectrum Club (the one in Alamo Heights specifically) or the Concorde Fitness Club? I'm wanting to swing by these joints and get rates, tour the place, etc. but after getting the hard sale in the past from Bally/Gold's Gym, I was hoping someone could shoot me their rates, and if they are in line with others gyms, before I check them out. Thanks.

I love the Alamo Heights Spectrum. I am paying about $60 a month, including tax, for the plan that includes a pedometer and the Virgin Health Zone tracking and website (ask about the program - it's pretty cool), plus I have a great trainer. They have just opened the indoor pool, and the outdoor aquatic complex, which is going to have a kiddie pool area with slides and stuff as well as a big hot tub, will be open by Memorial Day, they say.

We belonged to the Concord when I was little. I think it's overpriced for what you get, but it's very social, if you're in to that sort of thing. I am not sure how much it costs, though I think it's over a hundred dollars a month.

I also like the other Spectrums, though there is a big difference between a shiny new club like the Alamo Heights location or the Prue Road location and an older location like Hill Country Village. The HCV location was the original, and you can tell, because as the club expanded, the club became sort of oddly laid out and warren-like because they had to take over adjoining space that wasn't originally a health club. The newer clubs were purpose-built, and are very open and airy.

That's not to say I don't like and use the HCV location (it's on the way home from work), but it's not as user-friendly as the AH or Prue locations.

I've never been to the "big" Spectrum at Rogers Ranch. It's, as far as I know, comparatively priced with the Concord and has features like a spa and a cafe. If you belong to the regular Spectrums, you cannot attend the Rogers Ranch location, but you can attend all the others.

I hate Bally's. I was an original member of the Quarry location, and they tumbled downhill very quickly. I got sick of the hard sells, the pushy staff, and the rude members. However, my dad still goes there because he got some sort of great deal where he pays literally ten or fifteen dollars a month, and he's not as picky as I am about where I work out.

[Latinocowboy]

I go to the Spectrum over by Bandera. No complaints here.

[wCat]

I haven't had personal experience with the Bally's here, but I'm hearing the same complaints about pushy sales that bothered me when I was a member elsewhere. Other than that....the Bally's at the Quarry is just plain weird. I gives me the creeps to see all those people on treadmills and bikes on display for the whole world to watch outside....especially at night! You might as well be on the cable access! very strange!

I can't speak for the Concorde other than I hear it's pricey and not really superior to others for the price. On the other hand I hear great things about the new Spectrum in Terrell Hills/AH. I'm considering joining myself. I was told it's best to visit in person as they are better able to communicate what kind of plan you want/need.

[TexasNick]

I pay $50 at the Spectrum located on New Guilbeau. I workout at 1:00pm and I AM THE ONLY ONE THERE. LOL. Kinda cool, though.

[NurseDana]

Anyone a member at Lifetime Fitness? I heard that they were building a new one.

[Latinocowboy]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

I pay $50 at the Spectrum located on New Guilbeau. I workout at 1:00pm and I AM THE ONLY ONE THERE. LOL. Kinda cool, though.

Sometimes I got there because it's closer, but I mostly go to Bandera because it has that "new car" smell.

[TXRose]

The new Lifetime Fitness will be located at the Rim near La Cantera.

Lifetime Fitness is very expensive, I found. They have multiple tiers of membership, and I found out that to get to use all of the goodies, like the yoga classes, the rock-climbing wall, etc., you had to have the top membership, which was around $125 a month. Spectrum doesn't charge extra for anything but special group classes like salsa dancing, or for private training like pilates.

Plus, there's currently only one Lifetime location. I like that I can drop in at Spectrums all over town. I housesat for a friend in Sonoma Ranch last weekend, and it was really great and convenient to be able to go work out even though I was on the opposite side of town from my home club.

[mommieof2bratz]

I go the Spectrum off Bandera as well. I pay like $81/mo, but that includes me being able to take my kid with me. I like it, plus the rewards you get with the pedometer are a motivating factor for me.