Olathe Community Center

The Olathe Community Center opened in the summer of 2014, providing a high quality fitness option for residents of Olathe. The community center offers a wide range of physical fitness options as well as rentable space for events. It is equipped with a weight room, jogging track, multiple basketball courts and an aquatic center suitable for lap swimming as well as recreation. “The basketball court is the best part,” Conor Lewis, senior, said. Lewis is a member at the OCC and goes to play basketball once a week with some of his friends. A membership at the OCC costs about $449 per year for a resident of Olathe. A family package can be purchased as well for families with up to five people for a yearly fee of $735. Monthly rates are also available at $44 per month. “It [the pricing] is pretty comparable to Prairie Life [Fitness],” Lewis said. The OCC is located at 1205 E. Kansas City Rd. and is open weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Planet Fitness

Home of the “Judgment Free Zone,” Planet Fitness offers members a gym in which they can benefit from many services. Planet Fitness has two locations around the Olathe area. The first is in Overland Park at 11320 W. 135th St. and the second is in Shawnee at 13320 W. 62nd Terr. Planet Fitness has two different membership options. The first option is for $10 per month and includes a T-shirt, unlimited access to the member’s home club, and unlimited fitness training. However, for just $20 a month, a member can enjoy unlimited guest privileges at any Planet Fitness location, the use of tanning options, unlimited use of the massage chairs, and many more with the purchase of the Planet Fitness Black Card. “I go to Planet Fitness because the monthly rates are cheap, and I like the fact that there is a ‘Judgement Free Zone,” Carley Eschliman, senior, said. Even though there is no pool for members to enjoy, members can take part in various group exercise classes, tanning options and massages.

24 Hour Fitness

24 Hour Fitness has numerous gym locations all around the United States that are open, unsurprisingly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, almost 365 days The Olathe location, located at 13370 S. Blackfoot Dr., has an assortment of workout machines, workout classes and a sauna for post-workout relaxation. “It is a very comfortable place to get work done,” Megan Pham, sophomore, said. An All Club Sport Basic membership costs $149 up front with a monthly fee of $34.99. A monthly-only option is available for $29.99 per month, however a 24 month commitment is required. 24 Hour Fitness was ranked as one of the best gym chains in America according to the Fitness Website. Pham tries to attend the gym regularly. “I go when I have free time so usually two times a week,” Pham said. A pricing membership quote can be obtained by calling or visiting the Olathe 24 Hour Fitness web page.

YMCA

The YMCA features a wide array of activities for people of all ages. Whether its swim lessons, group exercise classes, or youth sports, the YMCA includes something for anyone and everyone to do. The YMCA serves more than 45 million people in 119 countries, with the closest location being 21400 W. 153rd St. in Olathe. The YMCA offers water fitness classes, a child watch program, a variety of group exercise classes, preschool care and education, swim lessons and personal training opportunities. Elizabeth Burg, senior, has been going to the YMCA since she was a child. “I like all of the different activities that the YMCA offers, such as Zumba,” Burg said. With a YMCA membership, members can enjoy free group exercise and water fitness classes, free kid zone access for children ages 12 weeks to 8 years old, and free senior programs. Even though the YMCA doesn’t offer massage or tanning services, there are plenty of options for members to enjoy. Prices for membership can be obtained by calling the Olathe YMCA or by visiting the Olathe YMCA web page.

Prairie Life Fitness

Originating in Lincoln, Neb., Prairie Life Fitness serves members in nine locations in four states. The fitness center includes over 30,000 members and 1,000 employees across those nine locations. Located at 13655 S. Alden St., Prairie Life Fitness lives up to their slogan “fitness for the entire family” by offering many different programs such as group cycling, racquetball, yoga classes, and personal training options. What might set Prairie Life Fitness apart from other gyms are the massage services, tanning beds, and physical therapy services that are offered.   One doesn’t even need to be a member of Prairie Life Fitness to enjoy a massage there. In addition, nonmembers have access to the steam room, sauna and whirlpool with a paid massage session. Those with a passion for racquetball, or even those looking to improve their racquetball skills, can go to Prairie Life Fitness to take lessons, play in leagues, and compete in tournaments and special events. Charly Leavitt, senior, has been an employee at Prairie Life Fitness since May 2014. “I like working at [Prairie Life Fitness] because the people are really nice there,” Leavitt said. In the aquatics department, Prairie Life Fitness offers swim lessons, swim team, and even aquatic personal training. The youth programs that Prairie Life Fitness offers are free for the children of those with memberships and include sports camps, martial arts, dance, gymnastics, crafts, and cheer leading.