I'll admit it. I am a gym rat twelve months out of the year. You can catch me working out on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Day, my birthday, and every unimportant day in between. The gym is my happy place. It has not always been this way though and I know how hard it can be to get into a workout routine. I've always been an active person, but my first three pregnancies made me pretty lazy. After the third, I decided enough was enough and we joined our local YMCA. After running two half marathons, fitness became important to me again. I spent my fourth pregnancy hitting the gym instead of the couch and continued my cardio and yoga routines four times a week. I noticed a huge difference in my energy levels and my post partum recovery. Aside from the health benefits, my "gym time" has always been 1-2 hours that has been JUST for me. I drop the kids off at childcare and get a short break to focus on myself. As my kids have gotten older, it's become less about taking the break, and more about sticking to my routine because I actually WANT to be there. You can even catch me enjoying a book on the stair mill (two birds, one stone!) or getting up to date on my emails or Macaroni Kid website. Now that I've started the routine and ingrained it in myself, stopping it is much harder than starting it ever was! So I'm here to tell you that it is possible and you can do it!
In order to help you on the path to keeping your New Year's resolution, I have made a "cheat sheet" of family-friendly gyms in the Folsom and El Dorado Hills area. Some simply have childcare and a low price and others include activities that the kids can enjoy (hello pool and splash pad!). The great thing about our area is that many people are very health-focused and so we have a wealth of options to choose from when it comes to sports clubs. Read on for a short list (if you have any to add, please do so in the comments!)...
California Family Fitness (700 Oak Avenue Pkwy, Folsom)
(Editor's Note: I have to start with the one I have been a proud member of for the last three-and-a-half years!)
- Two stories of cardio machines, strength training equipment, and free weights
- Free group exercise classes
- BodyFit and personal training offered
- Racquetball, Basketball & Volleyball Courts, Sauna, Steam Room, Tanning Beds
- Childcare for kids ages 3 months - 4 years (no reservations required) and Kids Klub for kids ages 4-12, open M-F, 8AM-9PM and Saturday-Sunday, 8AM-7PM with no midday closures.
- Splash pad with water slide, wave pool, regular pool, and lap pool for the summer months (swim lessons offered)
- Monthly Parents Nights Out (ages 4 - 12)
- Two stories of cardio machines, strength training equipment, and free weights
- Free group exercise classes
- Personal training offered
- Playcenter for kids ages six weeks - six years and Kids Club for ages 7+. Hours vary, check website for details
- Special fitness classes for kids
- Parents Nights Out (ages 3-12)
- Adjacent to Radiant Yoga; free access to the Sports Club childcare during Radiant Yoga classes for members ONLY
- Family pool and lane pool (swim lessons offered)
- Complimentary workout towels
- On site cafe
Urban Sprawl Fitness (1117 Windfield Way, #100, El Dorado Hills)
- 20,000 square feet of cardio machines, strength training machines, and free weights
- Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts classes offered
- Personal training offered
- Lil' Sprawlers Childcare open M-Th, 4-8PM
- Youth Classes
- Massage Therapy
Snap Fitness (2222 Francisco Dr. #290, El Dorado Hills)
- Cybex strength and cardio equipment and free weights
- Facility is open 24 hours a day
- Free group classes
- Personal training and nutrition services available for an additional fee
- Childcare available for ages 6 months - 11 years, M-Sat 8AM-12PM and M-Th 4-7:30PM
- Lower cost (compared to other gyms in the area)
- A women-only, classes-only based gym
- Kaia FIT is a core-strengthening program focusing on muscle confusion workouts, nutritional guidance, and support from certified coaches
- Childcare provided during the Tuesday and Thursday 9AM classes for an additional $5 fee
Broadstone Racquet Club (820 Halidon Way, Folsom)
- Two stories of cardio machines, strength training equipment, and free weights
- Free group exercise classes
- Personal training offered
- Playcenter for kids ages 6 weeks - six years and Kids' Club for ages 7+. Hours vary, check website for details
- Youth sports classes
- Kids' Nights Out (ages 2-12)
- Birthday Parties, Team Parties, and Special Events
- Jr. Tennis Programs
- Member Only Events (wine tastings, summer BBQs, Ice Cream Socials, Holiday Parties, etc.)
- Two pools and a kids wading pool (swim lessons offered)
- Complimentary workout towels
24 Hour Fitness (1006 Riley St. Folsom)
- Cardio Machines, strength training equipment, and free weights
- Kids Club for kids ages 6 months - 11 years open M-Th, 8:30AM-8:30PM, Friday, 8:30AM-4:30PM, and Sat/Sun, 8AM-12PM for additional fees
- Free group exercise classes
- Personal training offered
- Complimentary workout towels
- Indoor lap pool
- Juice bar
Fitness 19 (9580 Oak Avenue, Folsom)
- One story of cardio machines, strength training equipment, and free weights
- Kids Room for kids ages 3 months - 11 years old, open M-F, 8:45AM-1PM and Saturday, 9AM-1PM
- Personal training offered
- Lower cost (compared to other gyms in the area)
The Daily Method (2766 E Bidwell St. Folsom)
- Combines pilates, yoga, and ballet bar training in group fitness classes
- Fun workout that tones while focusing on proper muscle alignment
- Non-impact, weight-bearing exercises focusing on core strengthening for a full body workout
- Childcare available during certain classes for additional fee
In-Shape (4242 Sports Club Dr. Shingle Springs)
- 35,000 square foot gym on 10 acres in the Sierra Foothills, making it the largest health spa and fitness facility in El Dorado County
- Cardio machines, strength training equipment, and free weights
- Free group exercise and cycling classes
- Personal training offered
- Racquetball, Outdoor Pool, Sauna, Tennis Court, Tanning, Swim Lessons
- Kids Club available for kids ages 6 months - 11 years, open M-F 8AM-1PM/3-8PM and Saturday, 8AM-1PM
