Interview #1 Thomas

Thomas: 20 year old baseball player; Navy ROTC midshipman....

Name some reasons why you workout at the YMCA:
-working out is important to me to stay in the best physical shape I can; weights are important for lifting; cardio is important for athletes in training; group fitness classes; access to pools, basketball/raquetball courts; yoga classes are important for me to stay limber.

How is the community atmosphere at the Y?
-atmosphere is friendly; don't feel pressured or awkward there; meet a lot of people; socialize with people you normally wouldn't because you both clearly have something in common.

What is the main reason you use the Y?
-my parents pay for it

How long have you been a member?
-only a year or so

Would you have utilized the YMCA earlier in life if you could have?
-no because I would have only been able to use the basketball courts or the pool; the YMCA is good for teens and up.

Why do you believe the YMCA is so successful above another regular gym?
-It is Christian based so there are good influences and good people; a lot of options for working out and other activities.

What is it like in a men's locker room?
-older men or men coming and going to work use it most; older men utilize the showers; it seems that men 60 and up tend to linger more and lock their things away in the lockers.

Do you think there is a certain dress that people wear while working out?
-Depends on gender and age. Older men with high school kids aren't as much into fashion, they usually wear sweat pants and old holey T-shirts; men in their 20s and 30s seem to have the coordinated bright colored outfits; after the holidays is when you should expect to see people wearing better outfits because they got them for Christmas for their New Year's Resolution to get in shape.