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MammothBobcat251 t1_j5lmv8z wrote

Haven’t been to the Y yet but don’t personally love Vida and have plans to try the Y at some point. Vida isn’t bad it was just always busy when I wanted to lift and I had put together a modest home gym during the pandemic so just don’t want to fight for spots. I also feel I’m not the demographic they are marketing to and the selection of classes and times plus the distance of all of their locations to my home just meant I was going less and less. I’d give Vida a try and not sign up for anything unless you really like it, you could love it.

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endlessly_apollo t1_j5lvxub wrote

And whom is the market demographic?

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MammothBobcat251 t1_j5m36ru wrote

Yeah. And let me also be extra clear, not being the demo being primarily marketed to is not the reason I left it just meant there was no draw for me. It’s also not good or bad that they have a target audience. If they had a location that was more convenient, or I didn’t have my own gym equipment, or they had classes I was interested in I would have stayed. I gave the place a year and found myself going less and less and I’m a huge gym rat. In that time maybe three or four people tried to talk to me and when I tried to use the co-ed steam room I got weirdly stared at by all the men in there.

Coming from a gym where there was a lot of community I just found myself sad about the lack there- but that’s also the transient nature of some of DC at play too.

I think the OP was looking for opinions and I gave mine but I also very clearly stated that they should give it a try and see what they think because I also have friends that love it there. It’s not a bad place it just wasn’t my place.

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MammothBobcat251 t1_j5lwmit wrote

I think a certain demographic of gay men. I say that as a queer woman with a ton of gay male friends who absolutely love it and also based on their advertising and choice of music etc. Not a bad thing but it doesn’t feel fully inclusive in a way I can’t put my finger on and I’ve known a few people who have also felt that way and left. My last gym was a small queer owned gym that was the most inclusive and homey gym I’ve ever belonged to so the difference in vibes was super apparent.

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Cool_Story_Bra t1_j5lzfzu wrote

Annecdotal support for that being the target demographic is my female boss who goes to Vida specifically because “it’s full of gay guys who aren’t trying to hit on me and let me work out in peace”

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