Our garbage gym Lifetime Centreville is ripping out the indoor basketball courts and replacing it with all pickleball

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If OP is so sure that bball courts are a money maker, maybe there's a business opportunity for OP and his/her friends there?

Obviously, Lifetime Fitness has done their research and made the decision that they think will work best for their business model.

Put your money where your mouth is OP and friends! If bball was in such demand, there would be plenty of other gyms opening with just bball courts.

I think people enjoyed having the amenity of the court along with the weights, treadmills and other things at the gym. Which is a place for exercise.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:How come old people can never share? They trashed our economy, trashed our planet, voted for Trump and now they can't share a gym with kids?

The whole vibe is classic Boomer. Totally selfish me me me.

And they will be the first one to harp about kids sitting home on screens. Well, I guess they can't go play basketball or rock climb.

Kids CAN and do play pickleball. It's a very social game, and it doesn't matter how old you are. A 9 yr old who knows how to play can play pickleball with a 67 yr old. That's not going to happen with basketball. Pickleball is a great equalizer. It's good for all ages and can be played at a fast, medium, or slow pace. It is more sensitive to outside weather factors, so it is really better to play inside. Plus, if you haven't realized, pickleball is growing like crazy and apparently it's much more popular with people who pay for gym memberships than basketball. I would agree based on my own interests.

I have yet to play on a "true" pickleball court (been playing pball for 1 yr.). I can only imagine it being a DREAM to have only the correct lines on the court. Where I play now has about 6 different colored lines (it's mainly a basketball gym). It's annoying. People WILL pay for a gym that has true dedicated pickleball courts.

It's not about being "Boomer." You have to face facts -- if you want rock walls and bball courts --- YOU are the one living in the past. The future is pickleball -- for all!

That's great! Why can't you share space with basketball though? Pickleball nets are portable.

Why can't you play at your local park? It's not like there aren't other basketball courts out there.

Pickleball can also be played at the park.

Its dark at 4:30 all winter. Its cold. The outdoor courts are not lit.
There is no one to play with at the park.
Going to play at the gym is a social activity and a place for kids to hang out. Its Centreville, there is not a lot going on.

You want a for profit gym to be a designated teen/kid hang out? That's a good way to drive away paying members. Until the kids pay for their own memberships they aren't going to be the primary customer the gym serves.

Nonsense. There are lots of parents playing with their kids, 20 somethings playing pick-up, etc. All have paid memberships.

The gym has decided they only want senior citizens as their customers. It is what it is.

You're right, and they will attract more by offering a popular new sport. Maybe your family should try it. But your business sense is terrible.

Sport? Are you posting in the wrong thread ? We are talking about pickleball.

As opposed to pickup basketball? Is it half court? 2 on 2? Or are you playing official 5 on 5 full court? Or is it sometimes just shooting hoops? Hanging out also isn't a sport, but you want it to happen at the gym, where sports are played.

LOL, I don't play pickleball or basketball but clearly one is much more...athletic than the other. Come on GMAFB.

You clearly haven't played pickleball and you are relying on tropes to suggest it is easy or not athletic. Those who actually play, know that it is very solid exercise.

LOL if my 82 year old grandmother can play pickle ball (and she does), then it ain’t a sport.

100% this. Same with golf. If the geriatric crowd is playing it, it's not a sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If OP is so sure that bball courts are a money maker, maybe there's a business opportunity for OP and his/her friends there?

Obviously, Lifetime Fitness has done their research and made the decision that they think will work best for their business model.

Put your money where your mouth is OP and friends! If bball was in such demand, there would be plenty of other gyms opening with just bball courts.

NP and I agree. I belong to the Sterling Lifetime and the basketball court is very seldom used except during camps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If OP is so sure that bball courts are a money maker, maybe there's a business opportunity for OP and his/her friends there?

Obviously, Lifetime Fitness has done their research and made the decision that they think will work best for their business model.

Put your money where your mouth is OP and friends! If bball was in such demand, there would be plenty of other gyms opening with just bball courts.

NP and I agree. I belong to the Sterling Lifetime and the basketball court is very seldom used except during camps.

Someone posted in this thread that her DH went there all the time. Maybe its just not used when you are there.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:How come old people can never share? They trashed our economy, trashed our planet, voted for Trump and now they can't share a gym with kids?

The whole vibe is classic Boomer. Totally selfish me me me.

And they will be the first one to harp about kids sitting home on screens. Well, I guess they can't go play basketball or rock climb.

Kids CAN and do play pickleball. It's a very social game, and it doesn't matter how old you are. A 9 yr old who knows how to play can play pickleball with a 67 yr old. That's not going to happen with basketball. Pickleball is a great equalizer. It's good for all ages and can be played at a fast, medium, or slow pace. It is more sensitive to outside weather factors, so it is really better to play inside. Plus, if you haven't realized, pickleball is growing like crazy and apparently it's much more popular with people who pay for gym memberships than basketball. I would agree based on my own interests.

I have yet to play on a "true" pickleball court (been playing pball for 1 yr.). I can only imagine it being a DREAM to have only the correct lines on the court. Where I play now has about 6 different colored lines (it's mainly a basketball gym). It's annoying. People WILL pay for a gym that has true dedicated pickleball courts.

It's not about being "Boomer." You have to face facts -- if you want rock walls and bball courts --- YOU are the one living in the past. The future is pickleball -- for all!

That's great! Why can't you share space with basketball though? Pickleball nets are portable.

Why can't you play at your local park? It's not like there aren't other basketball courts out there.

Pickleball can also be played at the park.

Its dark at 4:30 all winter. Its cold. The outdoor courts are not lit.
There is no one to play with at the park.
Going to play at the gym is a social activity and a place for kids to hang out. Its Centreville, there is not a lot going on.

You want a for profit gym to be a designated teen/kid hang out? That's a good way to drive away paying members. Until the kids pay for their own memberships they aren't going to be the primary customer the gym serves.

Nonsense. There are lots of parents playing with their kids, 20 somethings playing pick-up, etc. All have paid memberships.

The gym has decided they only want senior citizens as their customers. It is what it is.

You're right, and they will attract more by offering a popular new sport. Maybe your family should try it. But your business sense is terrible.

Sport? Are you posting in the wrong thread ? We are talking about pickleball.

As opposed to pickup basketball? Is it half court? 2 on 2? Or are you playing official 5 on 5 full court? Or is it sometimes just shooting hoops? Hanging out also isn't a sport, but you want it to happen at the gym, where sports are played.

LOL, I don't play pickleball or basketball but clearly one is much more...athletic than the other. Come on GMAFB.

How athletic is "hanging out" and why should the gym be used for that purpose? I see a lot of non athletic pursuits at the gym, people leaning on treadmills, flexing in mirrors, walking around, so what? The gym wants more pickleball and less basketball for financial reasons. Maybe the complainers should try it? Beats whining as a sport.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How come old people can never share? They trashed our economy, trashed our planet, voted for Trump and now they can't share a gym with kids?

The whole vibe is classic Boomer. Totally selfish me me me.

And they will be the first one to harp about kids sitting home on screens. Well, I guess they can't go play basketball or rock climb.

Kids CAN and do play pickleball. It's a very social game, and it doesn't matter how old you are. A 9 yr old who knows how to play can play pickleball with a 67 yr old. That's not going to happen with basketball. Pickleball is a great equalizer. It's good for all ages and can be played at a fast, medium, or slow pace. It is more sensitive to outside weather factors, so it is really better to play inside. Plus, if you haven't realized, pickleball is growing like crazy and apparently it's much more popular with people who pay for gym memberships than basketball. I would agree based on my own interests.

I have yet to play on a "true" pickleball court (been playing pball for 1 yr.). I can only imagine it being a DREAM to have only the correct lines on the court. Where I play now has about 6 different colored lines (it's mainly a basketball gym). It's annoying. People WILL pay for a gym that has true dedicated pickleball courts.

It's not about being "Boomer." You have to face facts -- if you want rock walls and bball courts --- YOU are the one living in the past. The future is pickleball -- for all!

That's great! Why can't you share space with basketball though? Pickleball nets are portable.

Why can't you play at your local park? It's not like there aren't other basketball courts out there.

Pickleball can also be played at the park.

Its dark at 4:30 all winter. Its cold. The outdoor courts are not lit.
There is no one to play with at the park.
Going to play at the gym is a social activity and a place for kids to hang out. Its Centreville, there is not a lot going on.

You want a for profit gym to be a designated teen/kid hang out? That's a good way to drive away paying members. Until the kids pay for their own memberships they aren't going to be the primary customer the gym serves.

Nonsense. There are lots of parents playing with their kids, 20 somethings playing pick-up, etc. All have paid memberships.

The gym has decided they only want senior citizens as their customers. It is what it is.

You're right, and they will attract more by offering a popular new sport. Maybe your family should try it. But your business sense is terrible.

Sport? Are you posting in the wrong thread ? We are talking about pickleball.

As opposed to pickup basketball? Is it half court? 2 on 2? Or are you playing official 5 on 5 full court? Or is it sometimes just shooting hoops? Hanging out also isn't a sport, but you want it to happen at the gym, where sports are played.

LOL, I don't play pickleball or basketball but clearly one is much more...athletic than the other. Come on GMAFB.

You clearly haven't played pickleball and you are relying on tropes to suggest it is easy or not athletic. Those who actually play, know that it is very solid exercise.

I don't know what high level pickleball looks like, but I played on vacation with a RABID about it relative, and I beat her. And I am 50 pounds overweight and terrible at all sports. I sprained my ankle once walking our mini poodle.

Are yoga, pilates, and barre sports? What about stretch classes or spin? Because the gym has all those too. Apparently something doesn't have to be a sport or be particularly athletic to be offered at the gym.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How come old people can never share? They trashed our economy, trashed our planet, voted for Trump and now they can't share a gym with kids?

The whole vibe is classic Boomer. Totally selfish me me me.

And they will be the first one to harp about kids sitting home on screens. Well, I guess they can't go play basketball or rock climb.

Kids CAN and do play pickleball. It's a very social game, and it doesn't matter how old you are. A 9 yr old who knows how to play can play pickleball with a 67 yr old. That's not going to happen with basketball. Pickleball is a great equalizer. It's good for all ages and can be played at a fast, medium, or slow pace. It is more sensitive to outside weather factors, so it is really better to play inside. Plus, if you haven't realized, pickleball is growing like crazy and apparently it's much more popular with people who pay for gym memberships than basketball. I would agree based on my own interests.

I have yet to play on a "true" pickleball court (been playing pball for 1 yr.). I can only imagine it being a DREAM to have only the correct lines on the court. Where I play now has about 6 different colored lines (it's mainly a basketball gym). It's annoying. People WILL pay for a gym that has true dedicated pickleball courts.

It's not about being "Boomer." You have to face facts -- if you want rock walls and bball courts --- YOU are the one living in the past. The future is pickleball -- for all!

That's great! Why can't you share space with basketball though? Pickleball nets are portable.

Why can't you play at your local park? It's not like there aren't other basketball courts out there.

Pickleball can also be played at the park.

Its dark at 4:30 all winter. Its cold. The outdoor courts are not lit.
There is no one to play with at the park.
Going to play at the gym is a social activity and a place for kids to hang out. Its Centreville, there is not a lot going on.

You want a for profit gym to be a designated teen/kid hang out? That's a good way to drive away paying members. Until the kids pay for their own memberships they aren't going to be the primary customer the gym serves.

Nonsense. There are lots of parents playing with their kids, 20 somethings playing pick-up, etc. All have paid memberships.

The gym has decided they only want senior citizens as their customers. It is what it is.

You're right, and they will attract more by offering a popular new sport. Maybe your family should try it. But your business sense is terrible.

Sport? Are you posting in the wrong thread ? We are talking about pickleball.

As opposed to pickup basketball? Is it half court? 2 on 2? Or are you playing official 5 on 5 full court? Or is it sometimes just shooting hoops? Hanging out also isn't a sport, but you want it to happen at the gym, where sports are played.

LOL, I don't play pickleball or basketball but clearly one is much more...athletic than the other. Come on GMAFB.

You clearly haven't played pickleball and you are relying on tropes to suggest it is easy or not athletic. Those who actually play, know that it is very solid exercise.

LOL if my 82 year old grandmother can play pickle ball (and she does), then it ain’t a sport.

100% this. Same with golf. If the geriatric crowd is playing it, it's not a sport.

I shouldn't waste my time responding to such a stupid, age-ist statement. But, it's just plain false and ignorant to suggest that when older people have access to an activity, the activity must not be a "sport." Who are you to determine what constitutes a sport or not? For one thing, LeBron James, Tom Brady, Drake and Michael Jordan would disagree with your analysis. Drew Brees, Michael Phelps, Patrick Mahomes, Kevin Durant, Justin Verlander, and Naomi Osaka would also disagree with your assessment.

https://frontofficesports.com/major-league-pickleball-team-values-skyrocket-to-10-million/#:~:text=Team%20co%2Downers%20include%20NFL,stars%20Naomi%20Osaka%20and%20Nick

Even if we put that aside, is swimming "not a sport" because older people do it? By the same analysis, is basketball "not a sport" if wheel-chaired people do it?

You, PPs, are just being stupid. You know full well that a sport is not defined by who does it or how well one does it. Like any activity, a person can play it with more or less vigor. I see plenty of guys "shooting hoops" in a very relaxed fashion... does that mean basketball is not a sport?????.... because some people play it in a gentle relaxed way?

A "sport" is an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

If you have ever played pickleball against people who know how to play (3.5 or better), you would know that there is significant physical exertion and significant skill involved.

You probably don't know what "3.5" even means.

Even Sports Illustrated and ESPN know that pickleball is a "sport."

https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34685315/why-pickleball-hottest-coming-sport-right-now
https://www.si.com/sports-illustrated/2022/12/29/pickleball-fastest-growing-sport-daily-cover

But, sure, let's just go with your analysis, PPs -- since you seem to be the experts on what qualifies as a "sport." Right.... you who have never played it, know everything!

[Anonymous]

Lifetime has figured out that the money is with older people. I say that because I'm at Lifetime Rockville (which is really Potomac). They got rid of babysitting and all childcare during the pandemic and embraced Arora programming which is for senior citizens. It's disappointing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lifetime has figured out that the money is with older people. I say that because I'm at Lifetime Rockville (which is really Potomac). They got rid of babysitting and all childcare during the pandemic and embraced Arora programming which is for senior citizens. It's disappointing.

OMG, pp called it!
First they come for the rock wall, then the birthday parties, then the camps, then the basketballs. Next thing you know the childcare
Room is a rehab joint with penny slots.

[Anonymous]

Its a little sad how defensive that one pickleball guy is about his hobby. Its cool, dude! You do you. Get on with your 3.5 whatever that is self.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its a little sad how defensive that one pickleball guy is about his hobby. Its cool, dude! You do you. Get on with your 3.5 whatever that is self.

It's better than the quips and old age insults from the 2 people who will miss playing basketball and can't handle change.

[Anonymous]

If Lifetime has reshaped their operation, to such a great extent, are they now letting people drop their memberships?

[Anonymous]

Can't you always cancel?

[Anonymous]

Pickleball seems to be controversial everywhere. Wonder why that particular activity seems to cause so much conflict.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its good for people to know that Lifetime isn't interested in their family's business. Why waste your time with them? Take your dollars elsewhere.

What business? Lifetime is packed with kids dropped off for 3-4 hours like its a daycare. Not to workout. Just somewhere an adult has eyes on them. They'll get more business with adults age 45 and up who want to use the facilitates quickly and easily.