1.YMCA: Membership
Buy your family member or friend a membership to their local YMCA. Here is basic information on memberships to YMCA locations throughout our region. We highly recommend calling the location to learn more about the membership application process.
Membership to the YMCA of Greater Dayton can be used at 11 branches throughout the greater Dayton area.
Membership options include the following: One membership costs $49 plus taxes per month for an adult, and $69 plus taxes per month for a family, with a maximum joiner’s fee of $100. There also is a youth membership option, which costs $20 per month plus tax with a $25 joiner’s fee. These membership and joiner’s fees are the maximum amount that may be paid, although the YMCA of Greater Dayton does offer lower fees based on household income levels.
Stop into any YMCA of Greater Dayton location for more detailed pricing information and to purchase a membership. Also, ask your YMCA of Greater Dayton branch about a new promotion it will run from Wednesday, Dec. 26, through Monday, Dec. 31, in which you can save on the joiner’s fee, and the sooner you join, the more you will save.
For more information, call your YMCA of Greater Dayton branch location, or the YMCA of Greater Dayton’s metro office at 937-223-5201.
Purchase a membership to The Springfield Family YMCA, which has one location in Springfield.
Membership options include the following: Youth membership costs $12.51 per month including taxes. An adult membership costs $40.03 per month including taxes. A family membership costs $58.03 per month with taxes. A single parent family membership option costs $45.41 per month with taxes. A married couple with no children membership costs $49.90 per month with taxes. The joiner’s fee varies, typically ranging from $25 to $50 based on the membership type. Reduced fees are available, based on national poverty levels.
For more information and to purchase a membership, stop by The Springfield Family YMCA, go to www.springfield-ymca.com, or call 937-323-3781. Ask about corporate membership options and other payment programs.
Buy a membership to the Miami County YMCA, which provides access to the Piqua Branch in Piqua and the Robinson Branch in Troy.
Membership options include the following: Youth membership costs about $14 per month, an adult membership costs about $33 a month, and a family membership costs about $54 a month. These prices include taxes. The joiner's fee, typically $25 for a youth membership, $75 for an adult membership and $100 for a family membership, is being waived now through Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Financial assistance is available for individuals who qualify. Go to either branch to buy a membership.
For more information, call the Piqua Branch at 937-773-9622 or the Robinson Branch at 937-440-9622, or go to www.miamicountyymca.net.
A membership to the Great Miami Valley YMCA includes access to six branches located in Butler County.
The membership options include: an individual membership for $48 per month plus taxes; a family membership for $73 per month plus taxes; a two-adult membership for $67 per month plus taxes; an individual plus dependents membership for $57 per month plus taxes; and a family household membership for those with three or more adults in a household plus children for $95 per month plus taxes. There is a $50 activation fee for all memberships. Those who join in December will get membership for free for January. Dicounted rates are available based on income levels.
Stop by any branch to purchase a membership.
Call your local branch, or go to www.gmvymca.org for more information.
Countryside YMCA
Membership to the Countryside YMCA includes access to two branches in Warren County.
Membership options include: a family membership for $75 per month; adult membership for $55 per month; young adult membership for $40.50 per month; senior family membership for $67.50 per month; and senior adult membership for $49.50 per month. These prices include taxes. A joiner's fee for each membership ranges in price from $100 to $180. Financial assistance is available based on income.
You can start your membership process over the phone or online, but you will eventually need to come to a branch to complete it.
For more information, call the Lebanon branch at 513-932-1424 or the Landen branch at 513-583-5580, or go to www.countrysideymca.org.
2. Ohio River Road Runners Club: Membership
Purchase the gift of a membership to the Ohio River Road Runners Club, a group that supports the local running community and offers running events and training opportunities throughout the year in and around Dayton.
Dues cost $25 for one year, plus $5 for each additional family member; or $65 for three years, plus $10 for each additional family member.
Perks of being a member include: free entry to most of the more than 30 club events throughout the year; an annual calendar of races; a 10 percent discount on purchases from Endurance Sports in Dayton; a 10 percent discount at Runners Plus in Dayton; and a $5 discount off the entry fee to the Dayton River Corridor Classic Half Marathon. Membership is open to the public, although it is not necessary to run in the group’s events; however, non-members have to pay a fee to run in many of the club’s races for which members don’t have to pay.
To register for a membership online, go to orrrc.org, click on "Membership Info" and then click on "Register Online." To register by mail, go to orrrc.org, click on "Membership Info," and print and mail the membership form and your payment to Jill Csillag, ATTN: ORRRC Membership, 357 Tanglewood Drive, Beavercreek, OH 45440.
For more information, go to orrrc.org.
3. Urban Krag Climbing Center: First time visit
Buy a family member or friend a first time visit to the Urban Krag Climbing Center in Dayton.
This center has “8,000 square feet of textured and sculpted vertical terrain with heights ranging from 28 to 56 feet,” and an “inclined bouldering wall” for advanced and beginner climbers, according to its website.
The first time a person comes to the center, he or she needs to complete a belay certification, which is a safety instruction session about protocols and procedures, costing a one-time charge of $15. Belaying is a process of securing a climber using a rope to hold his or her weight in case he or she falls. At the climbing center, people 14 and older need to complete a belay certification; those under 14 need a person who is belay certified to belay for them. Experienced climbers who can demonstrate their ability to safely belay can take a belay test for $3. Belay certifications are available on demand, Tuesday through Sunday from opening to two hours before closing, and appointments are not needed.
In addition to becoming certified, a first-time visit includes these charges: a daily pass for $12, shoes for $4 and a harness for $3, plus tax.
If you want to buy this as a gift, you can call the center and pay for a gift certificate using your credit card over the phone, and it will be mailed to you. You also can stop into the center to purchase a gift certificate. Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards, cash, and personal in-state checks with proper ID are acceptable methods of payment at the gym, while debit cards are not.
For more information, go to urbankrag.com, or call 937-224-5724.
4. Harmony Farm: Gift card
Buy a gift card from Harmony Farm in Tipp City, a 120 acre, organic farm that provides services related to the healing arts, as well as retreats, and educational workshops and classes.
To buy the gift card for any dollar amount, you can stop by the farm, or order online or by phone. Credit card, debit card, check and cash are all acceptable forms of payment.
The gift card can be used for any of the services offered at Harmony Farm. These include body work (such as massage therapy), body treatments (such as an organic facial), classes (such yoga and tai chi), and a retreat (which can be half day, full day or over night, where consumers have access to body work services and a hot tub, along with a catered meal).
For more information, go to www.harmonyfarmonline.com, or call 937-667-8311.
5. Always Ballroom Dance Studio: Gift certificate
Buy your loved one a gift certificate to Always Ballroom Dance Studio in Dayton. There are three gift certificate options.
- Buy a gift certificate for two private dance lessons and one group class for $89.
- Purchase a gift certificate for three private lessons, one group class and one admission to a party for $189. The business hosts a party from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday nights; these events include dancing and music, and give people an opportunity to practice what they have learned in class.
- Buy a gift certificate for four private lessons, two group classes and one admission to a party for $249.
Each of these can be used by one individual or one couple. Each class is 45 minutes. You can pay for a gift certificate over the phone using your credit card, or you can stop into the studio to pay with cash, credit card, check or debit card.
For more information, go to www.alwaysballroom.com, or call 937-256-2626.
6. Perfect North Slopes: Gift card
Purchase a gift card from Perfect North Slopes, a ski area located in Lawrenceburg, Ind., west of Cincinnati.
The gift card can be applied to lift tickets, rentals, lessons, tubing tickets, food and Loft Shop merchandise, and in the Repair Shop. Gift cards are valid indefinitely, and a maintenance fee will be applied April 1, after every 12 months of not using the card.
To buy a gift card, go to www.perfectnorth.com/gift_cards.php. Gift cards also can be purchased in person at the lodge by cash or credit card, or over the phone with a credit card. Gift cards that are mailed include a service fee. You can order a gift card to be mailed to your or the recipient. If you are purchasing a gift card for the holidays, order it by Monday, Dec. 17, if it will mailed outside of the greater Cincinnati area, and by Wednesday, Dec. 19, if it will be mailed in the greater Cincinnati area.
For more information, go to www.perfectnorth.com, or call 513-381-7517 or 812-537-3754.
7. Nike Factory Store, Cincinnati Premium Outlets: Running shoes
Give the gift of new running shoes from the Nike Factory Store at Cincinnati Premium Outlets.
The Nike Air Max Moto+ 9 Shield comes in both men’s and women’s versions. The shoes are water repellent, so you can run in rain, sleet and snow, and they have reflective overlays, making them visible during low light running.
The suggested retail price for the shoes is $105. The factory store sells the men’s shoes for $79.99 and the women’s shoes for $84.99.
For more information, call 513-539-4645.
8. Best Buy: Personal fitness device
Buy your family member or friend one or more personal fitness devices from Best Buy. Call your local Best Buy to make sure these products are in stock before heading out. Best Buy is offering free shipping on online orders and free in-store pickup, now through Monday, Dec. 24.
- The FitBit Zip measures steps taken, distance traveled and calories burned during a workout and allows you to set goals, share progress and earn badges. You also can log your food intake, weight and more on Fitbit's website or using apps. It costs $59.99, plus tax.
- The FitBit One measures workouts and tracks goals, and it monitors sleep to help you examine the efficiency of your rest periods. The device costs $99.99, plus tax.
- The Jawbone Up Wristband tracks motion, steps, distance, speed, calories, and more, and syncs with iPhones. The price is $129.99, plus tax.
- The Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by TomTom with Sensor measures time, distance, pace, and calories burned, and the built-in GPS allows you to track pace and elevation changes, along with other route data. It also has a personal coach feature that reminds you to run and remembers your personal records, a stopwatch, a backlit display, and PC connectivity. This costs $169.99, plus tax.
Go to bestbuy.com for more information.
9. Books & Co.: Health and fitness books
Give the gift of a health and fitness book to your loved one. Sharon Kelly Roth, director of public relations for Books & Co. at The Greene Town Center in Beavercreek, recommends these selections, both sold at the store or online at Amazon.com.
- Purchase "Ultra Simple 9-Minute Workouts" by Alex A. Lluch, for $16.95. Lluch, one of America's best-selling authors on the topic of diet and fitness, presents fast, effective nine-minute workouts that can be done easily nearly anywhere, Roth said.
- Buy "Ballet Beautiful: Transform Your Body and Gain the Strength, Grace, and Focus of a Ballet Dancer" by Mary Helen Bowers, for $20. This book is right for an individual who admires the body of ballet dancers and wants to achieve that same look, according to Roth. It includes detailed exercises and food suggestions, she said.
For more information, call 937-429-2169.
10. Jungle Jim’s International Market: Food basket
Purchase the gift of a healthy food basket from Jungle Jim's International Market. It is recommended that you order the basket over the phone or online in advance. Here are two healthy basket options.
- Snack on an assortment of natural and organic treats, along with fresh and organic fruits, by purchasing the Snack Attack With Fruit basket, containing 20 main items, plus 12 Yummy Earth Candy Drops. This basket costs $89.99, and is available in stores and online.
- Purchase the 9-Piece Small Pleasures (Organic) basket, filled with a fresh selection of organic apples, pears and citrus. All of the fruit is hand selected from Jungle Jim International Market's organic produce department. This basket costs $22.99, and is available in stores and online.
For more information, call 513-674-6040, or go to www.junglejims.com.
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