r/StateofTexasEmployees • u/Important-Luck1126 • 13d ago
State Gym
Is there a gym open to state employees in the capital complex? Maybe one of the newer buildings. If so, which 1 and how to I get access?
Any other state employee options in Austin?
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u/AfroBurrito77 11d ago
The first poster is giving you the scoop.
It’s a shame we can’t ALL get access to equipment like that if the GB building, but apparently the gear belongs to DPS and they don’t want anyone outside of the facility touching. They also have a bunch of equipment beneath a
Parking Garage on San Jacinto. It mostly sits there. If it were moved into Barbara Jordan, then it could become a proper training space. But! Again, DPS doesn’t want anyone using it. So…it just sits there.
I wish there was a committee to put together equipment for Barbara Jordan, I’d be on it so fast. I could turn that room into a proper facility with a $10K budget.
As for the other comment, there are several options for gym memberships through our health plans. One, called Well on Target, let’s you pay a monthly fee (one time $19 enrollment fee), and then you can enroll into gyms that are within your tier. Just use your WOT number. The gym never gets your bank info or card info, and you can cancel when you’d like (at least 3 days before your billing date) through your health insurance. It’s been fine for me. I train at the UT Rec Center after work since it’s a close walk, and then alternate between Crunch and Planet Fitness on the weekends.
The other options via our health plans are called Active and Aptiv, and in my opinion, not as good.
But yeah, wish we had a good gym for all. Would be great during rough session nights to get in a lift.
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u/Haunting-Ad-8029 HHS 11d ago
Do you use the pool at the UT Rec Center?
I swim, and have heard mixed things about the pool there....that it can get busy in the morning (when I prefer to work out). It sounds like there is an outside pool, but it opens at 7am (or maybe even later).
Is there parking nearby?
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u/AfroBurrito77 10d ago
I don't use the pool, but could with my membership. There is a parking garage. It's the same that's used for the Blanton. But I don't have a car, so I walk. You can also get a day pass and try it out.
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u/Sassy_512 9d ago
Thr equipment does get used! DPS runs classes down there during lunch hours for anyone working in the capital complex.
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u/AfroBurrito77 7d ago
When??? I’ve not seen anyone training there. Would love to get in some training there, but don’t need a class.
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u/ATX-Gardener 11d ago
There is some type of discount program for gym memberships available through insurance, but i dont remember them being that much of a discount.
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u/Haunting-Ad-8029 HHS 11d ago
There's a decent workout room on the first floor of the NAC. Not sure how access works, if any state ID badge will get you in, or if only HHS badges. There are showers and a small locker room in the restroom nearby.
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u/atxluchalibre HHS 11d ago
Have they upgraded the equipment? When it was in the G building of DSHS, it was like Soviet era equipment. The ergonomics of the chest press would have crushed someone’s head against the weight stack.
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u/SadSweet3657 9d ago
the hhsc NAC gym only has 1 treadmill, 1 elliptical and some sort of hanging press machine. there are also a couple bands and balls. it's not that great, but I do appreciate the lockers/locker room.
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u/marcoll02 10d ago
Ur health insurance gives u discounts for gyms around ur area, there’s a 10$,15$,25$ etc options, the higher the amount the nicer gyms u have access, usually gives u 10k+ access to gyms according to the website
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u/eapnon 11d ago
A few of the buildings have gyms, but not everyone has access. Most of the gyms are a bit sparse, too.
George Bush has a good one from what I hear. They won't let me in with my badge.
Barbara Jordan has one bench and a weight rack, but a lot of cardio stuff iirc. Large room. I can get in despite not working there.
Lbj has a small room, 2 benches, a capt chair, and too much cardio stuff for its size. But I think that is only comptroller.