CBC Gym vs. LifeQuest: The Real Cost of Convenience and Comfort

 

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What do you look for in a gym? Maybe it’s a low membership fee? Convenience? Or perhaps the amenities? As a Columbia Basin College student, I know how important it is to find a gym that fits all these criteria. Having a gym that fits your schedule and needs makes reaching your fitness goals more realistic. Two gyms that I highly recommend is the CBC gym, located on campus, and LifeQuest, located on road 68 in Pasco. Both gyms have their strengths and weaknesses, and deciding on which gym is better really depends on what you are looking for.

Cost/ Membership Pricing

Is money tight or are you on a budget? The Gym at CBC is included with tuition, so anyone that is registered at CBC can use the gym at no extra cost. Not having to pay a monthly membership fee sounds great since many students, like myself, do not work. LifeQuest, on the other hand, has a monthly membership fee of $59 for a single person. Although the price is pretty average for a gym around Tri-cities, not a lot of students have room for that extra monthly expense. One thing to think about, though, is that even though LifeQuest has a membership fee, that fee comes with a lot of perks. The membership includes full access to the pool, sauna, courts, tanning bed, group workouts like yoga among other types of classes, and of course all the equipment. Although the gym at CBC is free, paying a $59 monthly membership fee for the extra things LifeQuest has to offer doesn’t sound bad.

 

Facilities/ Equipment/ Amenities

            When it comes to the equipment, there are big differences between the two gyms. The CBC gym is designed for students, so while the equipment is high quality, the selection is limited. There are not multiples of every workout machine, though there are usually several treadmills and a few ellipticals available. which means you might have to wait your turn if the gym is busy. Although the equipment might be limited, the gym has four courts that the students can use when there are no classes in session. The courts can be used to play pickleball, basketball, indoor soccer, or for personal workouts that the students find online and they want to follow along.

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LifeQuest, on the other hand, is a much larger gym with more equipment. There are multiple cardio areas, a weightlifting section and specialty machine that the CBC gym does not have. LifeQuest also has extra facilities like a pool, sauna, a tanning room, and even childcare for parents (though daycare comes at an extra cost). LifeQuest also offers courts to their members where they can play soccer and basketball. One of my personal favorite features at LifeQuest is the women’s section, which gives female members a more private space to workout without sacrificing the quality of the equipment. For students who want a simple and convenient gym, the CBC gym is a great option, but for those who want more variety and amenities, LifeQuest offers more.

Flexibility/ Convenience

Are you on a time crunch? Maybe need specific hours to be able to get a workout in? The CBC gym is great if you’re already on campus and want to get a quick workout in. No matter where your class is, the gym is just a walking distance away. You can stop by before class, in between classes or even after your class. And the best part, they have plenty of individual showers, making it easy to clean up, get ready and head straight to your next plans. A downside is the limited schedule the gym at CBC has. During most of the school year, the CBC gym is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m to 7 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. If you need earlier or later hours, LifeQuest might be a better option. Their doors open Monday through Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., giving you much more flexibility to work out when it works for you. For students whose only have time between classes, the CBC gym is convenient, but for those with busy hobs or families, LifeQuest hours may be more practical.

How about the convenience of both gyms? Both gyms have plenty of individual bathrooms with showers where one can shower and get ready in. This is nice to have because you’re not worried that someone might walk in on you showering or changing. LifeQuest has a women’s locker room and a males locker room. This makes it not only convenient but also private. There is no worry that someone might see you changing by accident. LifeQuest also has lockers that you can rent out. There is a $6 monthly charge that gets added to your account and to the convenience of not having to drag your

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belongings back and forth is worth it. Additionally, LifeQuest offers childcare for parents. This allows for parents, who find it difficult to find babysitters, to be able to droop off their children and have a stress free workout. All ages of children are welcomed. There are three age-appropriate sections where the children can hangout and partake in activities in. They have rock climbing, video games, air hockey for the big kids and a small indoor playground area for the smaller kids. The babies are usually being cuddled by the staff members. The gym having free group classes is also a convenience, you don’t have to go to another location to get a different type of workout in.

Conclusion

            In the end, choosing what between CBC gym and LifeQuest gym really depends on what you are looking for in a gym, what is the most important to you. If you are a student with a tight budget and do not need a big selection of equipment, The CBC gym is a perfect choice, since the membership is already included in the tuition. IF you are looking more professional equipment, longer hours and extra amenities like childcare, group classes or a pool, LifeQuest is the better choice. Although it has a membership fee, it is well worth it. Both gyms offer great opportunities to stay healthy, but the better gym ultimately relies on your personal needs.