When your family wants to find a place to get active, lots of different factors play a role. Maybe you’re a new mom trying to get back in shape after baby, so child care is important. Perhaps you’re a working parent looking for a way to spend more time with your family while also meeting your own needs for exercise and relaxation. Or maybe you’re a family of athletes, looking for a place that can keep up with your many interests.
Franklin Athletic Club makes an effort to welcome families at any stage. Little kids can go to the child care area and enjoy bouncing on the inflatables or sometimes playing at the outdoor playground while mom and dad work out. School age kids can take swim, tennis, kickboxing or any number of other classes. And kids over 12 and teens can take group exercise classes or use the fitness equipment with a parent.
“For the most part, we allow children at any age to use the pool – it’s open for members and their children to swim at any time,” says Crystal Love, sales director for Franklin Athletic Club. Families can use the courts together, for tennis, racquetball or basketball. “We allow children to go with their families pretty much any time if the courts are open,” Love says.
The club works well for busy families because of its versatility, says Kelly Dott, sales representative. With so many activities in one space – along with an on-site restaurant, hair salon and massage facility – families can check lots of things off their lists in a relaxing atmosphere. “You can do it all in one space — you’re not driving around to classes and practices here and there,” she says. “Mom can get a tennis lesson in and the kids can take a swim lesson, all at the same time.”
Of course, even the most tight-knit families need a break from time to time. At Franklin, once or twice a month they’ll have “kids night out” where children can stay at the facility, have a pizza supper, play on the inflatables and do fun activities, while the parents can go out for a date night.
Would-be members can see if Franklin Athletic Club is right for them at an open house from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Visitors can check out a class, decorate pumpkins, tour the club in a “not so scary” haunted house theme, or try their skills in the Pistons Academy three-point and free-throw contests. There will be memberships specials and class discounts.
“It’s a chance for everyone to see the entire facility,” Love says.
