UNC Wellness (Cary) or YMCA (Carpenter Firestation)? (HOA, daycare)

[Myfairlazy]

I'm having a hard time deciding on a gym to join where I am. I don't like to deal with crowds and want to go in the morning before work. I just want to do my own thing, lift weights, use the tracks and maybe do laps in a pool. Thanks!

[primetime00]

If you want to do laps in the pool anytime, then you'll want UNC. The YMCA only has an outdoor pool.

- YMCA has better classes (less crowded)
- YMCA has better daycare
- YMCA has a better basketball court
- UNC has better pool
- UNC seems generally less crowded
- YMCA is generally cheaper (although both are expensive)

We had a hard time deciding too. Both places will give you free passes for a few days so that you can try it out.
We chose neither in the end just because both seemed pricey for what you get.

[TarHeelNick]

Originally Posted by primetime00

If you want to do laps in the pool anytime, then you'll want UNC. The YMCA only has an outdoor pool.

- YMCA has better classes (less crowded)
- YMCA has better daycare
- YMCA has a better basketball court
- UNC has better pool
- UNC seems generally less crowded
- YMCA is generally cheaper (although both are expensive)

We had a hard time deciding too. Both places will give you free passes for a few days so that you can try it out.
We chose neither in the end just because both seemed pricey for what you get.

That is true only for the NW Cary Y (which what the OP is referring to). If you are a member of that Y you are automatically a member of all of the YMCA Triangle branches (and for that matter, every Y in NC and VA). The Taylor Y on Cary Pkwy has a large indoor pool. As does the Finley Y off 540/Strickland.

[panachecary]

You cannot workout at the Y on Sunday mornings as it is a part of the adjoining church.

[Myfairlazy]

Did you end up joining another gym in the area?

[primetime00]

No, there are plenty of cheaper gyms, but we needed daycare while we used the gym. So places like Anytime Fitness wouldn't work.

Our HOA provides workout classes, and we own a treadmill, so we pretty much just do that.

[Dire Wolf]

Is one easier for you to go to than the other? For me, convenience is really crucial for gym.

[2Ki2Win]

I was a member of UNC and quit to join the YMCA earlier this year. To me the real advantage of the Y is the membership cost. The quality and quantity of group fitness classes was much better and UNC, everything else is roughly equal. I saw no real difference in how crowded the rooms were - the rooms were just smaller at UNC.