Almaden Valley Athletic Club

AVAC Swim School is the best! My five children all have learned too swim there; Not only is the facility wonderful, but the instructors are sensitive, love children, and very attentive. My children over 10 years, have taken hundreds of lessons at AVAC! I recommend AVAC SWIM SCHOOL highly! to the person who bad mouthed the program at AVAc, you must just be a jealous competitor, as nothing you say is truthful; I in 10 years have ever experienced a lesson that was not too perfection!

Posted 09/07/09 | Report Abuse

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My little girl who is only 3 is now terrified of the pool. She used to love swimming with mommy and daddy and after her first and last lesson at AVAC she shakes and cries if we want her to get onto the top step of the pool. the instructor ignored her and just tossed her into the water when we told them she had not yet put her head under water and then when she freaked out they just left her on the step and IGNORED HER! They didn't listen to any of our requests to not have toys (she get's too attached to things). It was a nightmare. Do NOT take your kids there unless you go watch a class with the instructor that will be teaching your child first. Even after make sure they don't sub out the teacher (which happened to us). AVAC gave us our money back but hwo are they going to give us back a little girl who used to love the water?

Posted 07/20/09 | Report Abuse

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I like the school but it is EXPENSIVE!! Most teachers are great but I feel students sometimes don't make enough progress based on the teacher, their interaction with teachers etc. The classes have at most 4 kids in same age range & at similar swim level. They are pretty gentle with kids who are scared of water. The front desk staff are friendly and polite. So are the deck supervisors who always updates you on your child's progress.

Posted 03/29/09 | Report Abuse

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The gym's great. The only grouse I have is that parking can sometimes be a pain. There is swim school next door. Between 3 and 5 the swim school families park their SUVs in the AVAC parking lot even though they have been explicitly given a written policy asking them not to. The AVAC management does little to implement the policy. On a couple of occasions, I have had to drive away without working out because I could find a spot to park.

Posted 03/12/09 | Report Abuse

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I was a member of AVAC for approximately one year. My locker was broken into and my personal items, including my clothes were stolen and the club did absolutely nothing to assist me despite statements that they would. I spoke with the General Manager, Sue Davis, when it happened. She informed me that it had happened in the past and that she would review the security tape and get back to me. She was quick to add that the contract provides that they are not responsible for any stolen items but that in the past they had taken care of it "under certain circumstances." She said she would get back to me later that day. No response. I faxed her the police report and then left a voicemail message asking her to call me. No response. A week later I sent a letter asking her to call me. No response. I cancelled my membership and still have not had the courtesy of a call from the club to even tell me they weren't going to assist me in any manner.

The fact that this has happened on prior occasions and they do not warn their patrons is disturbing. Clearly there is a lack of security here. The club forces you to use their locking system and I encourage anyone considering joining the club to see just how flimsy these locks are. It is a small tongue that engages and is easily popped open. My locker was robbed during prime time gym hours and the thief was able to pop the locker with no one in the locker room noticing. Why doesnt the gym tell people this has been a problem in the past?

Aside from dangerousness of this place, the cardio equipment and weights are old and out of date. Coupling this with the 75.00 per month fee I was paying and the initiation fee they charged you can certainly find a better, safer and more cost effective gym.

Do not use this gym.

Posted 11/20/08 | Report Abuse

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AVAC has something for everyone from small youngsters,to seniors, and every age in between. Group fitness classes, fitness center, stretching area, and a well run pilates program with private instruction, and groupr classes
.AVAC has the finest childrens swim lessons, in the valley. It is a first class, and well run club. I RECOMMEND AVAC to anyone, it is fabulous!
The club is impecably clean, the staff and management are great, very friendly! The new bath area, and spas are amazing!
The new Zumba classes are the most fun I have ever had in a class. The new equipment added in January is wonderful. I can not say enough about the way the owners continually upgrade the facility annually with new equipment, remodels and obviously they re-invest into the club. I hear from other members the owners have done this for over 30 years! The senior wellness program offers many activities to a large senior membership, trips, cooking series, socials, and movies.The tennis at AVAC is also great with 11 lighted courts, and a low member to court ratio; many USTA teams, a very active program.

Posted 01/30/08 | Report Abuse

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If you want your kids to be strong swimmers for life, then this is the place. Yes, the lessons are expensive. Yes, the children sometimes progress slowly. But if you hang in there, trust their well-researched techniques, and allow your child to progress all the way to the Flying Fish level (or beyond) you will be in awe of your child's swimming ability. Are there cheaper places? Yes. Do the children that swim at other places have the great, strong form swimmers at AVAC learn? No. The indoor pool is nicely heated and there is a nice "viewing" gallery for parents. Lessons are offered year-round. The club can be VERY crowded, and occasionally my children don't like a particular teacher (you can't pick the teacher) but the club has accomodated our occasional request to change classes due to a bad match. My kids will be strong swimmers for life, thanks to AVAC (and lots of time and money!)

Posted 10/09/07 | Report Abuse

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AVAC offers lessons year round. The facilities are clean and wall managed. Some teachers my kids like better than others, but you can not choose teachers. Lesson are offered at varying times, but you can not make up missed lessons. They have a well defined curriculum, but sometimes the kids seem to progress very slowly

PROS: clean, well managed, indoor lessons
CONS: pricey, no make up lessons, no choosing teachers

Posted 07/24/06 | Report Abuse

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My husband has been going to this club for a few years and my kids and I just recently joined on a full facility family membership. The club is large enough to offer a variety of classes and services, and yet it is still small enough to feel like a small supportive community with the common goal of fitness. My kids love the tennis team and the tennis instructors at AVAC. The staff is very friendly. The bathrooms have been recently remodeled and are cleaned constantly. What is not to like about this club?

Posted 07/13/06 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Can't say I would go back to swim lessons there. Out of the 3 kids only one made any progress at all and that was marginal. And at the prices they charge I truly expected more out of them.

If you want to hear my stories let me know and I'll tell you. But they are not worth it as far as I'm concerned.

Posted 07/13/06 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I finally joined AVAC. I always knew it was going to eventually happen, and it did. I was a member at the Right Stuff for seven years and only payed $9.00 a month, but they had dirty bathrooms and broken televisions. I pay $65 a month for AVA (ouch), but the bathrooms are clean and all the equipment works. They offer spinning classes which is the primary reason why I joined. If you will use the gym on a consistent basis, then AVAC is the right place. If you tend to only go every once in a while then I wouldn't waste the money.

Posted 07/13/06 | Report Abuse

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Am a member here and go month to month to train for triathlons, swim, etc. It is very inexpensive and I can upgrade to a family membership at any time for reduced rates. Either way, I receive guest passes for my wife and friends. The facility is in top shape and the staff is great...highly recommend

PROS: hours, staff, facility is clean
CONS: none

Posted 07/09/06 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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My kids have taken many lessons at AVAC for both tennis and swimming. They have a very large indoor pool for swimming all year round. The kids lessons are very reasonably priced. They also have a snack bar, an outdoor pool and lots of tennis courts. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

Posted 05/29/06 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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