Save on Memberships to Fitness Centers

Staff and faculty receive discount rates to gyms

Kathryn Williford with sons, Logan, left, and Cole. Photo by Jack Frederick.
Kathryn Williford with sons, Logan, left, and Cole. Photo by Jack Frederick.

Kathryn Williford enrolled in a membership at the A.E. Finley YMCA so that she and her husband, Derek, could take their sons, Logan, 3, and Cole, 7, to the outdoor pool.

But she soon realized how much more the family could enjoy, including soccer and basketball leagues,
a summer camp and childcare area, where her children could play under supervision while she and her husband exercised.

鈥淚t鈥檚 obviously helpful if you have fitness goals you鈥檙e trying to attain or specific health goals, but it鈥檚 also helpful as a family,鈥 said Williford, a nurse manager at Duke Primary Care Brier Creek Family Medicine. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great community resource to meet people, get involved with different events and they have tons of classes, regardless of what you鈥檙e interested in.鈥

Using the 鈥 discount through , Duke鈥檚 employee wellness program, staff and faculty save on memberships to fitness facilities, including O2 Fitness, YMCA of the Triangle, Life Time Fitness, and more. Campus facilities such as Wilson and Brodie and the Duke Health & Fitness Center are part of the program, too.

鈥淥ne of the big benefits is that there are so many options for gyms people can join,鈥 said Stacy Rankin, LIVE FOR LIFE鈥檚 fitness program manager. 鈥淣o matter where you live in the local area, you鈥檙e going to have a gym close by through Duke Fitness Club, so it鈥檚 definitely convenient.鈥

In addition, all employees save on Wellbeats, which costs $5 per month. The on-demand fitness provider has nearly 300 online classes that range from one to 50 minutes. Classes are divided into 22 channels including circuit and strength training, yoga, Pilates and more.

LIVE FOR LIFE manages the enrollment process to Wellbeats and facilitics in the program. Once you join,
LIVE FOR LIFE coordinates convenient and secure payroll deduction for membership fees, which vary depending on the facility.

Williford, like all staff and faculty who join a branch in the YMCA of the Triangle, received a waived enrollment fee for membership.

About a year ago, Williford started working with a personal trainer for an extra fee at the A.E. Finley YMCA
to help her strengthen muscles and lessen knee and lower back pain. She has gained body strength and settled into a fitness routine.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really helped my confidence level walking into the gym,鈥 Williford said. 鈥淓ven if I鈥檓 going on my own, I know what to do and how to work the machines and focus on different muscle groups.鈥

Learn about Duke Fitness Club at or call 919-684-3136, select option 1.

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