Microsoft benefits - Redmond
Hi I am a new hire at Microsoft...as part of our benefits program, we can choose between a membership at the PRO sports club and the $800 reimbursement (pre tax money)... Wanted to learn more about caveats, advantages and disadvantages of both....my needs are around getting fit and losing weight..
Depends on what you’re looking for and how far you’re willing to drive. Regardless which option you pick, whatever the cost is will count as income for you in your w2. You’ll pay taxes for it. Pro club is very close to Microsoft (especially during traffic, it doesn’t take too long to get there) but more expensive. It’s around $1800 per year so you’ll pay an extra $600 or so in taxes. It’s a fancy club, has all sorts of sports, huge gym, cardio machines, tennis, pool, various group activities, family/kids stuff, chiro, physical therapy, various weight loss programs, etc. 24 hour is further (one in Redmond, the other in Bellevue downtown), but you can get a 2 year membership for $700 from Costco so roughly $100 per year in taxes. Gives you access to all 24 hour fitness gyms in the US (if you get the more expensive membership) and those have basketball courts, pool, weight training gym, cardio but not much else as far as other sports. They do have group classes, personal trainers, towel service, but nothing more (e.g. no in house chiropractor) I did pro club first year and 24 hour second year
I was pro club die hard from 99 to about 2010. It's just gotten to b such a hassle to get there, park, slog all the way to locker room, etc....it's 10 mins from car to cardio/weights. I switched to 24 hr fitness this year and like it a lot. They have a pool that I can actually get lap time in without 2 other peopple in the lane. The Pro Club does.pamper u a bit more and are super clean. If u want the basics, 24 hr works.
Try the pro club this year and see if you like it. You can change it next year. When I started I was young, single, didn’t know a lot of people so it was a good place to go and work out and relax.
I just switched from pro club to a climbing gym, and I may go back and forth a few more times, depending on what I want to do that year. Pro club is really nice, but so is $800. Find some activity that interests you. If you're not sure, then try the pro club. You can do so many things there and reach out broader the next year.
There is a weight loss program called Omeda that is free through our insurance. I don't live in Seattle so the only option is the $800. It's a cool perk to keep me active with new equipment each year.