It’s Fun to Stay at the YMCA
I caught flack for my post about my teen son wanting to join the YMCA, and me not being supportive. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not against him working out. I don’t insist his interests are in line with mine. I don’t fear he’ll get man boobs as an old man if he stops pumping iron.
I simply didn’t want to foot the bill for a family membership if he was the only family member interested in joining. Especially since his interests are sometimes fleeting.
Fast forward to today – my son’s mom enjoys lifting, and she joined the gym with him. He’s now a card-carrying member of the YMCA.
How are things going for him? Great!
Our local YMCA has an awesome program for teens. They measure your height and weight, and type it all into their highly-networked system. Then when my son goes to use the weight machines, he simply types his number on a keypad and the machine tells him what height to set the bar or bench, and how much to lift!
Apparently, Big Brother’s a macho man.
(I wonder if the weight machine screen also gives him motivational pics of micro-bikini clad girls. Kidding!)
My son works out with a teen buddy of his, and it’s a great chance for them to bond. The YMCA has enough rules and regulations that he won’t over-exert himself, the lifting won’t stunt his growth, and he can’t do free weights that might seriously injure him.
After a week, his biceps are already getting bigger. Okay, maybe not that much bigger. He already had some guns from wrestling. But he’s definitely pumped to be working out.
And when he wants to get really big? He’ll just type in the member ID code for Arnold Schwarzenegger, and get a workout to make the Governator proud.
When my son leaves the YMCA after a workout, he already tells them: “I’ll be back.”
The best part? He can enjoy the YMCA without dressing like the Village people!
Village People, YMCA, youtube video
Photo by keenduck, some rights reserved.
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Comment by Mindy/Single Mom Says...
| January 12th, 2010
I think it’s great your son wants to work out and be healthy. Sounds like the Y has a great program too!
Mindy/Single Mom Says…´s last blog ..Here it Comes
Comment by debra
| January 12th, 2010
I love our Y membership! They provide so many different programs for both my son and I, including his after school care program and daycamp during school holidays. It’s the perfect solution for this single parent home; he gets to go to karate and I get to work out, or even go outside on the nearby network of trails for a run. I was pleased to discover, too, that at least in Atlanta, they now have a membership for one adult and child(ren) as a cheaper option than the full family membership.
Comment by Nicki
| January 12th, 2010
If only I had his motivation…or free time. Well, I wish him well. And all those work out endorphins can only help improve familial relations, right?
Nicki´s last blog ..Goal assessment…Tuesday?
Comment by Heather
| January 12th, 2010
HOnestly, I didn’t see anythign wrong with you not wanting to foot the bill, since he was going to be the only one going. Nothing wrong with wanting to save some money! I’m glad that his mom is going with him though! :)
Heather´s last blog ..Not Me Monday!
Comment by Vinomom
| January 12th, 2010
I really wish we had a Y near us. They have so many great programs. I don’t even know if there is one in Maryland at all. I’ve never seen one. I belonged when I was a teenager though!
Vinomom´s last blog ..I’m Venting and I’m not Editing, either.
Comment by mama llama
| January 12th, 2010
Ah, the song…thanks, I needed that!!
I’m glad he can do something like that with his mom as well. Kids need to see both parents as active, healthy individuals. But you already have established different patterns of activities with him.
Be well, Dads.
mama llama´s last blog ..A strong male figure
Comment by Cece
| January 12th, 2010
Never heard of such high tech weight lifting machines! Maybe because of the Govenator..you have amped up stuff? I do not think our Governor here is New Mexico lifts at all. LOL. Loved the post!
Me? I will be riding my bike in the Moab Century in September…just signed up yesterday while I am recovering from shoulder surgery…. and that felt sooooooo good to do!
Cece
Cece´s last blog ..Every Day, See the World With New Eyes!
Comment by Elizabeth
| January 12th, 2010
I notice no one has yet commented on the video. No slam at them at all, but the Village People had some different reasons for liking the YMCA back in the day. Let me just say that it’s incredible how that song has been co-opted by suburbia.
Elizabeth´s last blog ..The light at the heart of love
Comment by Sandra
| January 12th, 2010
I can understand you not wanting to foot the YMCA bill. The membership in my area is expensive, and not only is my gym half the price, but has many locations.
I did win a swim pass good for 25 times at the Y. I was going to give it away but I think I will use it.
Sandra´s last blog ..A Bittersweet Ending
Comment by Big City Dad
| January 12th, 2010
Glad he got to join. Lifting, while boring to some, is a great way to learn discipline and patience. There are no overnight results so it’s something he’ll have to work at. Setting goals and working toward them is obviously a great thing for a young boy. It will also help in in wrestling and any other sports he does (including cycling).
Big City Dad´s last blog ..Death in the Family
Comment by dadshouse
| January 12th, 2010
Elizabeth – ha! It is pretty funny, isn’t it? Macho Man, In the Navy, YMCA. As teens growing up in the 70s, my friends and I knew what the Village People were alluding to. But we didn’t care. It’s all so over the top.
That said, the Wiki page for the song says the lead singer and songwriter was straight – and he wrote this song in homage to the Y providing urban black youths a healthy place to hang out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y.M.C.A._%28song%29
I bet if you play this song right now, you’ll make giant Y, M, C, and A letters over your head during the chorus. Yes? (grin)
Comment by T
| January 12th, 2010
What a cool program they have there! I think its awesome that they want to be healthy and strong. Good influence and genes from both parents.
And now you have me singing that blasted song! Thanks David!
T´s last blog ..From Within, Without: A Film about Homeopathy
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| January 12th, 2010
Good for both of you! (Maybe you can join him from time to time, and then work out a little singing duo as well. Very YMCA.)
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Why must we marry?
Comment by Keith Wilcox
| January 12th, 2010
I hate gyms. I think I’ve said that before :-) Sweaty, stinky, and full of really weird people. Between the flabby guys pretending their fat is actually muscle, and the hamsters on the treadmills, it’s all just a circus. My running shoes are three years old and have holes in them and all I do is do a bajillion pushups and crunches at home. Still, I’m pretty sure I’d PT most of those people to exhaustion. I just think gyms are only worth while if you live in a shoebox and don’t have room to do push ups and pull ups. Still, find a tree to dangle from — same thing.
The funniest people at gyms are the ones who take themselves seriously. They get really concentrated on their little treadmill and grimace with every effort. HAHAHAHHA. Cynical? Yeah, no doubt :-)
I’m really not a terrible guy, I just have a thing against gyms. Although, I do love the YMCA because they have swimming pools and other resources at a reasonable price. They also have a proud history that is worth supporting. So, because it’s the YMCA, I’ll say Yay!
Keith Wilcox´s last blog ..Little Miss Who? Sat on Her What? Eating What?
Comment by Danielle
| January 12th, 2010
A boy after my own heart, or bicep. I am jealous that they have machines out there that do all of that crap. I guess that we are a little behind the times here in COLO.
Danielle´s last blog ..*Notice* Wine and hair color don’t mix and cost me too much money!
Comment by Cat
| January 12th, 2010
I read your blog regularly but don’t comment much. I’m moved to now because of some dealings with my ex and his family. I just want to say how incredibly lucky your ex-wife and your children are to have an ex/dad whose top priority is his kids and being a good man for their sake. I hope they appreciate you, whether you’re paying for the Y membership or not!
Cat´s last blog ..Drowning
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| January 13th, 2010
That song just never gets old! hehehe
I’m glad things worked out for all. (Although I’m not sure how things are going for the Village People.)
Cathouse Teri´s last blog ..From Andy Rooney?
Comment by notasoccermom
| January 13th, 2010
Hey! don’t knock the Village people, Their music makes sporting events worth attending. And crowds of family members from 8 to 80 all know what to do when they hear that song! Talk about generation bridge!
I think it is awesome that your son wants to work out- if even to check out the babes… and that YMCA near you seems to have the perfect set-up for a mind-changing teen.
notasoccermom´s last blog ..Although I love this Place
Comment by Mark
| January 13th, 2010
Sounds like all worked out in the end (pun intended).
Mark´s last blog ..Near Life Experinces – Awakening From Our Slumber