What will it cost to join the South Orange YMCA?

MONROE - South Orange YMCA officials have established initial individual and family membership rates. Monthly rates will be $35 per person; and $55 for families. “We’re not there to compete (with other businesses); we’re there to serve families,” said Ira Besdansky, the Y’s chief executive officer. “In this bad economy, it’s hard to come up with $600. But $55 per month…that’s less than what you pay for cable. Our focus, our primary market is families.” While Besdansky welcomes individuals to join, he doesn’t necessarily expect them to pull away from their established workout/exercise locations. “We’re different,” he said. “For us, it’s the mom and dad and kids. Maybe the dad is on the treadmill and in the same room the mom is on another piece of equipment. While they’re doing that, the teenage daughter is able to shoot some hoops while the nine-year-old son is able to do strength training on youth-sized training equipment. And the whole family can take Zumba. All for one monthly price.”