Cranford Pool and Fitness Center, the Best Bargain in Union County, NJ

Cranford Pool and Fitness Center is one of Union County's best kept secrets. If you compare this facility with what other local facilities offer offer you will be amazed at how little it costs to join. If you join for the whole year you will have access to all of the facilities when ever they are open. All of the facilities sounds like a come on but believe me when I say there is a lot to be had for your money here. In the summer there are two large pool areas.

The one on Centennial avenue is about two blocks from Garden State Parkway, the other is off of Orange Avenue, over by Kennlworth. The one on the south side boasts the fitness center and a sauna inside next to the indoor pool. The indoor pool is where the kids summer swim team practices and holds many of their swim meets. That same indoor pool building houses the fitness center, the locker rooms, babysitting facilities and the party room, they also offer day camp in the summer. Like I said they have a lot to offer. The facility on the North side is a summer facility, there is the pool, the tennis courts, the volley ball courts, the playgrounds over by the toddler pool and the locker rooms.

There are lessons available for every stage of swimming taught by qualified instructors who enjoy what they do. Most of the instructors came up through the lessons themselves and swam for the summer or both the summer and winter swim team. The summer swim team is a great way for your child to gain more confidence in the water after he has completed all of his lessons. It is a chance for socialization and a place to belong when school is not in session. The summer team is more casual and more social them the winter swim team. The swim team kids all know each other and hang together when ever they get a chance, right through high school. They are a good crew of kids who take both their sport and their studies seriously.

The winter team is a bit more serious and the coaches are more goal oriented. Their head coach is Olympic Swim Coach certified and has worked with several swimmers who have made it to Nationals and gone on to the Olympics. Try outs are held every fall and, for the younger swimmers, it is not very hard to make the team. The practises are rigorous and become more so as the children grow older and more mature.

What's not to like. The babysitting room is for Moms who want to work out or swim during the day. The cost is nominal and it is an easy, if short escape for Mom to maintain her sanity. Dads can work out in the gym too and everyone can get into the swim. There are summer only memberships available that limit your access to the outdoor pools. If you are looking for a great 'stay-cation' in Union County NJ, check out the Cranford Pool and Fitness Center.

This is a link to your summer of fitness and fun in Union County. http://www.cranford.com/pool/

Though summer membership for 2009 is closed, the annual year round membership may still be open.