GREAT Fitness Center with Childcare

I also live in the Nokomis neighborhood and we use the YMCA. There are several branches that are about a 15 minute drive for me. I work at the Eagan location (Southwest), so that's the one that we use the most. I've had my kids in their drop-in childcare program since my oldest was about 2 months old (she's 2.5 now). I've been happy with the care at all of the branches we've visited, but the program at Southwest is my favorite. They have a separate area for infants, great ratios, and plenty of fun activities for the toddler and preschool crowd. I think they do a fabulous job of keeping the program area clean and safe for the little ones.

Hi S., There's a new yoga studio called Blooma in Edina, not too hard to get to from your area. Child care available (for your three girls, it'd be $5). The studio is gorgeous ... many classes have child care, although some fill up faster than others. A good one to try is Yoga for You on Friday afternoons, 2pm, or Yoga for You on Mondays at 11a. You might also try one of the Postnatal classes, since your youngest is only 7mo. www.Blooma.com Hope that helps!! ~jenni

The Midtown YWCA is great!

D.

The Bally's at The Hub shopping center on 66th Street offers good child care. Although this is a smaller/basic Bally's it was recently remodeled in late 2006; the main woman who staffs their basic childcare room (kept clean, but it's not as fancy as some of the larger Bally's sites) has been there for years and you only need to call an hour before you arrive to reserve childcare.

I love the midtown YWCA. I've been taking my kids to the babysitting room for about 4 1/2 years now, and they also love it. We see a lot of people from our community there as well. You can make your appt. with babysitting one week in advance or sooner. Good luck!

i go to lifetime fitness - i don't know about their centers in your area but they have lots all over and the 2 near me are clean and the kids LOVE the childcare!

www.lifetimefitness.com is their website.

I used the Lifetime in Plymouth last summer & was not impressed with the childcare. While clean & impressive (space, toys, computers), I often found the childcare workers talking to one another & not helping with the children. My 2 yr old who never has been leery of childcare (daycare, preschool, nurseries), would get weepy every time we went. I spoke with the director, & she was very helpful, but I still decided to quit my membership.

I would check out your local YMCA. I belong to one here in St Paul and really love it. The staff really get to know the kids and that is important to me. I've been going since my daughter was 3 months old, so don't worry about your youngest being too young.

We live in the Nokomis area as well and we use the Midtown YWCA. They have great swim classes, plenty of open swim in the "leisure" (kids) pool, handy childcare - you only need to sign up for it the day before, a nice big track that you can push strollers on during designated times, a fun Fit Kids Gym, tumbling & yoga classes, etc. Very family friendly place!