When you think of the best gyms in Sioux Falls, GreatLIFE is usually the first answer that pops up in your head. But with membership prices far greater than cheaper options such as Crunch or Planet Fitness, what makes it worth the extra cost?

With the cheapest membership option being $54.99 a month, GreatLIFE can seem expensive compared to other fitness centers in the area, but that is because it is much more than just a gym. A variety of areas are dedicated to fitness sectors outside of weightlifting and cardio, which are the typical commodities of a gym. Other gyms offer much cheaper prices, such as Crunch ($9.99 per month) and Planet Fitness ($15 per month), so current and future GreatLIFE members should look into utilizing the other options offered to get the most bang for their buck. Here are some key elements that separate GreatLIFE from other gyms in the area.

Swimming:

A great way to improve physical fitness without putting too much pressure on the joints is swimming. Key benefits include enhanced cardiovascular health, improved flexibility, full body muscle growth and improved sleep. Swimming can be a great replacement for running or walking if your knees, ankles or hips cause discomfort and/or wear and tear on your body. GreatLIFE’s availability of pools has allowed member Tina Jennen to continue to stay active, even after crushing her ankle in a major car crash a few years ago. “Swimming is so low impact, and I can really exert myself in ways I can’t anymore,” said Jennen. There are four GreatLIFE pools available for use, located at Woodlake, Willow Run, Avera McKennan and EmBe. Lap swim is available at all aforementioned locations besides Willow Run and must be reserved online using the GreatLIFE app. The Avera McKennan location also has a warm water therapy pool, which can be used to combat chronic pain, injuries and post-surgery recoveries.

Sports fields/courts:

Yes, GreatLIFE offers more than just basketball. While there are four basketball courts across all locations in the area, there are also three tennis courts (Woodlake), four pickleball courts (Woodlake and Avera McKennan) and a bowling alley (GreatLIFE Suburban Lanes). Tennis courts are rented out for $12 an hour per person for singles, $6 an hour per person for doubles and private lessons are offered by GreatLIFE staff for $80 an hour. Bowling is included with the membership fee, and free lessons are available as well. GreatLIFE Suburban Lanes offers 10 alleys, with bumpers included if desired. Designated pickleball times are posted on the GreatLIFE website and are played on the basketball courts, with different courts for different skill levels. If interested in other sports, turf is available at three locations (Harrisburg, D1 and Woodlake) and lessons are given out specifically for sports training at D1. The influx of opportunities offered separate GreatLIFE from other fitness locations in the area, making it the best purchase for people who go to the gym for more than just muscle growth.

Classes:

If a little boost is needed to further somebody’s fitness journey, multiple locations throughout the Sioux Falls area offer classes. Some classes are free, and others are offered at differing price ranges, usually between $5-$20. Certain classes include Pilates, Kickboxing, HIIT, Yoga and cycling.

Recovery essentials:

What is the point of working out if the body does not have time to recover and heal? While often overlooked by gym-goers, taking time to stretch and recover can help muscles grow back faster and stronger after a workout. GreatLIFE offers many forms of recovery to help improve performance, with many locations offering a sauna, which can help remove toxins from the skin as well as improve mental health and stress levels. Other options include a steam room (Avera McKennan), hot tubs and cold showers. Yoga rooms are a common item in most GreatLIFE locations, too, equipped with bands, Bosu balls, yoga mats and mirrors. Stretching and mobility work are vital for injury prevention, athletic performance, and joint health. Massages are also offered at the Woodlake and Avera McKennan locations for an additional price. If looking to maximize recovery, the Harrisburg location has recently partnered with EFS Recovery to bring members advanced forms of recovery with modern, high-tech equipment. They now have hydromassage beds, Hypervolt massage units, vibrating foam rollers/spheres and Normatec compression boots, along with the popular contrast room, which features both a sauna and two cold plunge tanks. Harrisburg Team Lead Derrick Kruetzfeldt argues that advanced forms of recovery top simple stretches such as touching your toes. “[With] the Hydro massage beds and hyperbolts, you’re getting a different part of the muscle that you’re not necessarily stretching; you’re just loosening up and getting better,” said Kruetzfeldt. “We’re reaching deep tissues and we’re restricting blood flow. It’s doing a lot of different things within circulatory systems.”