World Gym is a popular gym chain with more than 40,000 locations in the United States and franchises across the world. With so many locations available, chances are good there is one near you. As parents, convenience is an important consideration, but just as important – do they provide childcare?
World Gym fitness clubs are franchises, which means that management decisions are made by the owner of your local location rather than being the same at every location. This means that, while some locations do offer childcare, there is no consistent schedule or cost structure throughout the brand. Contact your local gym for specific information.
Keep reading for more information about World Gym and its childcare offerings as well as other options for childcare while you work out.
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Does World Gym provide childcare or kid care?
Having childcare available at a gym can be instrumental for many families, allowing for stay-at-home parents or those who are working through the regular workday to have access to a gym at a convenient time without having to worry about childcare.
There are World Gym locations throughout the country, but only a few offer the option of onsite child care and each location sets its own rules and regulations. In order to find out the costs, the hours, and the ages accepted, it is important that you check out the location website or call the franchise to get more information.
There are very few World Gym locations in major cities and many of those do not offer childcare, but the ones that do differ vastly in their offerings, what times they are open, and how much it costs among other things.
Examples of World Gym Childcare Options
| Location | Age Range | Cost | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mishawaka, IN | 2 months+ | - Included with a premium membership - $2 per child (2 hour maximum) | Mon-Fri 9 am - 1 pm 4 pm - 8 pm Sat 9 am - 1 pm |
| Texas City, TX | 1 - 12 years | $10 per month per child | Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 11:30 am 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm |
| Leonardtown, MD | 1 - 13 years | - Included with VIP membership - $5 per child | Mon-Fri 9 am - 12 pm 4 pm - 8 pm Sat 9 am - 12 pm |
| Kalispell, MT | Babies - 10 years | - $15 per month per child - $4 per hour | Mon-Fri 8 am - 2 pm 4 pm - 8 pm Sat 9 am - 2 pm |
What kind of childcare does World Gym typically offer?
Not every gym provides childcare so here’s what you need to know about the kind of childcare that World Gym locations offer.
World Gym locations that do offer childcare typically have drop-in daycares. These are daycares that are available for when parents are participating in an activity or working out, using the gym facilities. Parents typically have to remain on the premises while their child is in care and can be easily reached as needed.
These are not usually state-regulated since the parents are on the property, but many gyms choose to employ high-quality staff members to run their childcare. The daycare rooms are filled with appropriate toys and entertainment for children of various ages and provide a safe environment while you go work out.
What are the hours for World Gym childcare?
Parents wanting to work out have very different needs, based on their family and schedule. A stay-at-home mom and a working mom will often need different time frames so World Gym tries to meet the needs of both.
Each of the World Gym locations we contacted had two set time blocks for weekday childcare. There is usually a morning block and an afternoon/early evening block to help accommodate the needs of families. These are set by each facility and it is important to contact your location for the exact time.
Most locations seem to provide a 3-4 hour window for childcare Monday through Friday.
For example, the Texas City, Texas location offers childcare from 8:30 to 11:30 am then from 4:30 to 8:30 pm Monday through Friday. They do not offer childcare over the weekends.
In contrast, the location in Kalispell, Montana offers a longer window in the morning, starting from 8 am until 2 pm then from 4 to 8 pm in the evening. They also offer childcare on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 2 pm.
What age for World Gym childcare?
Many new parents wonder if they’re able to leave their newborns or young, diapered children at the gym’s childcare center while they are taking a class or getting in a workout.
The minimum age to attend the Kid’s Club or childcare for the many of the World Gym locations we contacted is one year old. However, at least two different locations allow babies as young as 2 months old to be left in their care. The maximum age is usually around 10 or 11 but some say they will allow an older child to be left there as well.
In Mishawaka, Indiana, the minimum age you can leave your child is 2 months old. This is also one of the centers that does not have a set age limit, meaning you can even leave a 13- or 14-year-old there as well. Just make sure to send them with some form of entertainment since the toys and books available are more geared towards younger children.
The age cut-off is different for each location. In Kalispell, Montana the cut-off for older children is around 10 years old. It is important to clarify with the gym what the age requirements are for that specific location.
How much is World Gym childcare?
Many families live on a budget and child care is part of that, even if only at the gym. Gym daycares can cost more, but World Gym’s daycares are on the more affordable side.
Some World Gym franchises include the cost of childcare in their membership plan while others operate either on a drop-in schedule or you pay by the month. The most expensive we came across so far is $15 a month per kid for unlimited access. Some charge as little as $2 per child so be sure to contact your specific location to get the most up-to-date information on pricing.
The World Gym in Kalispell, Montana has two options for childcare. The first is unlimited access to childcare for $15 a month per child. There is also another option of dropping off your children for the cost of $4 an hour per child.
A World Gym in Mishawaka, Indiana includes childcare with their premium membership but charges $2 per child, with a 2 hour maximum for those with a basic membership. The Texas City, Texas World Gym charges $10 per child per month for unlimited uses.
Is World Gym childcare worth it?
Many parents wonder if the childcare at their gym is worth it, especially if extra costs are involved.
The childcare at World Gym can be worth it since all the locations that provide childcare have a separate kids’ area or room with at least one adult supervising children. These rooms are equipped with books, toys, and a TV to help them pass the time. Some rooms will have small slides, play kitchens and one even had the space for a bounce house!
Each franchise operates independently from each other so each facility will have a different setup based on what the space looks like as well as what the staff desires to do. How they choose adults to run that particular center will also vary based on if there are state regulations. For your specific location, please call the front desk for more information!
Overall, many parents see a great value in providing childcare with a gym membership. This is what one parent had to say in the reviews about the Kalispell, Montana location, “It’s the best babysitting deal in the country much less the county.”
If you want to learn more, I have put together a huge list of which gyms have childcare and which ones don’t!
