Kaiser Permanente and gyms

[birdmove]

We moved here from Washington State in Sept. We had beloned to a gym there called Visionquest. I had joined when I was 49 as I wanted to lose weight and get in shape. It worked well, as I lost about 50 pounds and got to where I could do over an hour of cardio and tthen hit the weights. Just turned 58 this month and had hoped to join a gym here. We stopped at the Aloha Gym in Hilo off of Railroad Ave yesterday to check it out. The nice lady working there asked if we may have Kaiser Permanente medical insurance (which we do). She pointed out that they have a program that, if I pay $100 to the gym per year for my membership, they will pay the rest. Since each individual membership would cost $300, that's quite an attractive deal.If my wife and I join that would save us $400 per year.

It's a win-win situation, as I am much healthier due to working out. My blood pressure is great (unlike my older brother who takes meds for this), I never get sick it seems. They get healthier customers which saves them money in the long run.

The only drawback is, one would need to join in January, as it works on the calender year. Join in Jan. and pay $100, you're good through Dec. 31st. Join in March, you still have to pay $100 and it's good through Dec 31st.

I bring this up for two reasons. First, I consider it good news. Second, I had no idea they had this program.Some gym memberships are quite high here and that was stopping me from joining. It may be that this is available at all or most of the local gyms, I'm not sure. We intend to join at Aloha starting Jan 1st.

Jon

Jon in Keaau/HPP

[cconne]

Penn's also honors the Kaiser benefit. I'm a recent Kaiser member
, and I've been told the benefit has changed to only a few $$ per month of the monthly fee is covered. You might want to make sure that the person at Aloha Gym knew what they are talking about. The chart below is from the Kaiser "ChooseHealthy" website/facility locator:

Aloha Fitness Club
215 Railroad Ave Ste B2
Hilo HI 96720
808-933-1544

Initiation Fee Discount: 10%;
Membership Dues Discount: 10%;
Personal Trainer Package Rate Discount: Best Available Public Rate;
Personal Trainer Session Fee Discount: Best Available Public Rate

Penn Training & Fitness
639 Kinoole St
Hilo HI 96720
808-961-6989
Initiation Fee Discount: 10%;
Membership Dues Discount: 10%;
Personal Trainer Package Rate Discount: 10%;
Personal Trainer Session Fee Discount: Best Available Public Rate

Here's a one-star review of Aloha Gym from Yelp:
<<Okay, so I don't have a membership here nor will I EVER get one. Even though they are offering 2 years of membership for $300.... Those cheap prices are offered for a reason. My man and I drove around in circles trying to find this place over by Home Depot. It turns out they are one of the units in an extremely large warehouse. It's like working out in a garage. They have fans but it's not a gym-friendly atmosphere. Go to Spencer's, they don't have a/c either (if you want a/c, go to Penn's but they're pricy.... Maybe b/c of the a/c?) but they have classes that you attend for free as long as you have a membership, options for a personal trainer, plenty of cardio machines, and weights.... Not to mention, Spencer's is double the size of Aloha!>>

I go to Penn for the a/c, for the good variety of equipment, and for the nice atmosphere. I don't like Spencer's either, even if they had a/c. Penn's is just the best. Unfortunately it is more expensive - but that's how they afford the a/c, the good location and the nice equipment.

Good luck with your search!
Carol in HPP

[birdmove]

Thanks for the info Carol. We'll check into it.

Jon

Jon in Keaau/HPP

[Carey]

The University has the Student Life Center, which probably is one of the more affordable & modern facility here. The membership is included in the student fees, and is limited to students & faculty (HCC students can pay $78/semester for use of the facility). It would be worthwhile to see if Kaiser would pay for an Exercise Sci (phys ed) class & the student service fee....
Photo link:
http://hilo.hawaii.edu/rec/center/Studen...allery.php
Rec Center home link:
http://hilo.hawaii.edu/rec/center/