BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I have been thinking about swimming, I just need to quit putting off joining Urban Active.

Do it! Swimming and UA are both awesome.

There's a decent contingent of tri-people at Trees Hall doing Masters Swimming Mon, Tues, Thurs from 6-7am. I think a few ride in.

There are also evening practices at Trees, not sure how many triathletes participate, though.

Im training for triathlons and am up at Urban Active every Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sat/Sun. Im there from 9-11 on during the week, mid-day on Saturdays and mornings on Sundays and its usually pretty dead. A couple things to note about UA for anyone looking:

-I would avoid that place like the plague between 6-8am and 3-8pm

-The pool is short and hot

-They dont do the best job of keeping things clean and in working order

If you can get past those things then you'd probably like UA. There will be days that you have to wait 10 minutes to get in the pool though which sucks because the locker room is freezing and you're soaking wet from showering off. You also might have to share a lane which isnt a big deal to me unless I get stuck sharing a lane with someone who seems more intent on making as much wake as possible instead of actually swimming. I guess thats just getting me prepared for OWS though? I LOVE the cardio movie room as I can go in there and knock out my runs without even thinking about it because I tend to get fixated in the movie, unless its something terrible like those Queen Latifa Beauty Shop movies.

edit: Can you become a non-student member of the Pitt athletic facilities?

Kyle, I don't think you can. Pretty sure the Pete and other Pitt gyms are student-only. I still have my id and wouldn't even be able to go since I'm not registered for classes there anymore.

You can join the Pitt Master's swimming club and use the pit pool at some specified times -with a coach I think. You don't need any other connection to Pitt to do it.

http://staff.psc.edu/scott/tpa.htm

When It's warmer the triathletes swim in the river - and they very generously let anyone swim with them. Sarah has posted about that on here a bunch.

Oliver Bath House is a city pool on the southside . $30 per year puts city residents in the pools. Unfortunately, they won't let you buy a 2012 pass until the outdoor pools open.

Anyone want to describe where and what the Kingsley Center and UA are? Where are they? Cost? Hours?

Well that sucks. My work pays for my gym membership but the condition is it has to be an actual gym. A membership to a yoga or spin place, for example, wouldnt qualify and Im pretty sure a membership to Tree's will not qualify either.

I was hoping to find a gym with better swim facilities that UA as it really sucks how short their pool is. Rumor is that Duquesne is closing their pool this year so that cuts that out of the equation as well.

The Kingsley Center is in East Liberty, at East Liberty Blvd and Broad Street. As an association, they do many things, but their membership plans include full gym/pool/other stuff benefits. The Major Taylor Cycling Club is associated with the Kingsley Center, I think.

UA is a fitness center located in Bakery Square. It is very shiny, and I suspect lots of beautiful people workout there.

Does anyone here swim at Kingsley? In the commercial they show a quick sweep of the pool and it looks pretty damn nice. Is there really only one lane though?

Kingsley and UA are just a few blocks from one another. Kingsley has straightforward membership pricing. I've never worked out there, but I've been inside a few times and the building is nice and filled with light. Here's a video that shows no less than 6 lanes in the pool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSnikLeBbk8&feature=related.

Kingsley used to be located in a dumpy bank building near the E Liberty Busway stop - at the end of the block where Kelly's and Pizza Sola are. The new building is beautiful. Probably there are more families and kids @ Kingsley, but I've only been to UA once on a guest pass. Both places seem clean and nice.

Some of the East End YMCAs have been upgraded. If you don't need a pool and are on a budget, the Homewood YMCA is pretty nice, although its been a couple of years since I went there with any regularity.

Yeah, Kingsley is very family-friendly. We've considered joining to use the pool in the winter, and we know several families who do have memberships and use the pool year 'round.

my partner does laps at Kingsley... I think she has mentioned that sometimes there are only a couple lanes open depending on programming.

yo I'm a swimmer! I joined Pitt Masters immediately when I moved to Pittsburgh last fall, and it's SUPER GREAT!!! USMS is awesome!! There is an enormous range of swimmers from recent division A swimming alumni to people just getting started, and everyone is super nice. If you want to show up to try it out, it's $5. Come tonight, 5:30 PM!!

On that note, I am always up for group swimming!! Especially on the weekend.

Maybe I'll see you tonight!!

Awesome! I didn't realize that the Pitt Masters was open to anyone. I'll definitely check it out!

I'll be at UA tonight about 9 to swim if anyone else is going.