I don't live in a small town, but it is small compared to the ones
around us, and its also in retirement capital, so the average age of
the residents is something like 78yrs old.

With that in mind, we don't have alot of gyms or things geared towards
the younger generations.   The town is made up of golf courses, banks
and medical facilities.  

We have a run down YMCA that is in major need of an overhaul and right
now they are trying to get the approval from the county commissioners
to do some expansion on the property.   But, dispite the rundownness
of it - there is a gym, they have a variety of equipment, some new,
som older, but all in good working order.   I've never gone in to find
even a treadmill that is out of order.

Aside from the Y, there is at least 1 curves that I know of, a few
rehab/personal training storefronts.    

We had a gold's gym that went out of business about 2 yrs ago.

And recently they just opened up a new gym (southside) in a remodelled
grocery store front.   DH and I went for a visit this weekend.    The
facility is great.   Definately more modern and uptodate than the Y
and is drawing a much younger crowd.  The've got lots of cardio
equipment, tons of machines, tons of free weights and even a dedicated
circuit training area.  

The plus side to this gym is all their group classes are included in
the cost of the membership and they cater towards working folks, so
they have alot of evening stuff available.  Whereas the Y charges a
fee to join most of their classes and they are catered to the retired
or non working folks with the majority of their classes being daytime.

The downside is - this new gym is totally nonkid friendly.   DS 10yrs
old would have to be in their kidcare any time we go.   Whereas at the
Y the kids can swim in the pool, which has a lifeguard on duty and is
viewable from the weight room as you workout.   Or if the Gymnasium is
open they can go there and climb the rock wall, or go into the
basketball courts and play basketball.   Also, they now offer a
'preteen fitness' for his age group that after completing a 6 week
training course, they are allowed in the weightroom with the parents
during a workout.  

Then there is costs.   The Y has a family rate, and because DS is in
the afterschool program, they give us a $30/month discount on the
aftercare program if we are members.   Not to mention discounts on all
the sporting programs that DS enjoys being involved in.   Essentially
we get a family rate for $20/month.  

The SS gym is more expensive and their family membership is
ridiculous.   In order to get DH and I even close to the regular Y
rate, we'd have to commit to a 2 yr contract.

So, a better facility with better equipment, nicer atmosphere, more
geared towards our workout interests, but not towards our family
interest, as apposed to a rundown facility with adequate equipment but
much more family friendly and certainly much more cost effective.
(essentially my membership is free, as I do get reimbursement from my
employer, and with this discount on the afterschool care, etc it makes
it a nobrainer to join).

DH was thinnking of switching to the new gym, but I think my logic
explained here has convinced him that its not worth it.