Did you set a New Year’s resolution to get in shape? Or perhaps you want to be a self-care role model for your little ones by getting active a few times each week? Whatever your reason for exercising, it can be difficult to find the time to get your sweat on if you have little ones at home—especially if you want something a little more intense than a mommy-and-me fitness class.
The solution? Becoming a member at a fitness center that offers child care in Dallas-Fort Worth. So we compiled a list of the gyms and boutique studios in our area—and asked Pilates instructor and mom Morgan Palmer Bolton to give us some of her top recommendations (noted with an asterisk*)—for where to get your fitness fix with child care.
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You know that feeling when lunges around the house just won’t cut it as your fitness fix anymore? You want, you need someone else to tell you what to do for the next hour? Momma doesn’t want to make any decisions right now—she just wants to sweat-slash-flush the body and mind, and have an hour away from the kid(s) and everyone else for that matter.
Turns out, you still have to decide what to do with your littles to get your self-improvement time in. You have to preplan. Waking up at an ungodly hour? Partner coming home at a different time? How motherhood tests one’s skills in logistics!
For overall wellness, you need committed time in thought and action on how your physical body is functioning. Not currently setting aside at least one dedicated hour a week for movement? It may take time to sort out optimal operating rhythms for your family, but thankfully, there are solutions.
So here are some spots around Dallas-Fort Worth that help solve a piece of the child care versus fitness dilemma. (This is by no means an exhaustive list. Email us at editorial@dfwchild.com to let us know of a fitness center you love that offers child care while you work out.)
BOUTIQUE FITNESS CENTERS WITH CHILD CARE
These are franchises and stand-alone operations that teach a singular, often branded, movement technique. Because many of these fitness centers cater to women, some have created a child care option to get you in the class. Policies and child care offerings will likely vary by location. A quick call will help you out.
*Barre3
The barre technique is a great blend of movement that combines cardio, strength conditioning and mindfulness. Think of it as Pilates, yoga and ballet all in one. A franchise originally out of Portland, Barre3 can be found in DFW at three locations, all of which offer child care. When booking your own fitness classes online or through the app, look on the schedule too for Play Lounge offered at the same time as your class (only offered simultaneously with select classes).
Cost: $7.50 per child at the Coppell location; $7 per child at the Frisco location; $8 per child at the Richardson location
Studio Hours: Hours vary by location; check the schedule online or via the app.
Child Care Hours: Play Lounge sessions are typically held in the mornings and early afternoons Monday–Saturday, though the exact schedule varies by location. Check the schedule for your location online or via the app.
Locations:
120 S. Denton Tap Road, Coppell; 972/393-7300
1387 W. Campbell Road, Richardson; 214/484-1653
8855 Coleman Blvd., Frisco; 972/668-4764
Learn more at barre3.com.
MVEMENT
A luxury health and wellness center in Dallas, MVEMENT offers 155-plus fitness classes each week, an open gym and a med spa. The center also offers primary care and preventative medical care as part of its Rx services. Medical services are open to the public, but members receive 10–20% discounts on clinic and spa services. To help support parents who use the facilities, whether for fitness or health care, it offers Mini MVEMENT, a state-licensed child care for ages 3 months and older.
While you exercise, your kiddos will engage in music, crafts, games and sensory exploration in the indoor and outdoor play spaces. Children younger than 3 months may accompany their parents in any of MVEMENT’s studios, as long as the infant is secured in a car seat or stroller.
Cost: Effective Feb. 1: Mini Monthly Membership: $80 for first child; $20 for each additional child. Mini MVEMENT drop-in day pass: $20 for first child; $12 each additional child.
Note: Use special code DFWCHILD to receive 20% off Mini MVEMENT memberships and drop-ins. Offer valid Feb. 1–Dec. 1, 2024, in-person, over the phone or via email to info@mvement.com.
Mini MVEMENT Rx Drop-in: $5 per child.
MVEMENT Hours: Monday–Thursday 5:30am–8pm; Friday 5:30am–7pm; Saturday 8am–1pm; Sunday 9:30am–1pm
MVEMENT Rx Hours: Monday–Tuesday 9am–6pm; Wednesday–Thursday 7am-7pm; Friday 7am–6pm; Saturday 8am–1pm
Mini MVEMENT Hours: Monday–Friday 9am to close; Saturday 8am–1pm
Location: 7560 Greenville Ave., Dallas; 214/214-6831
Learn more at mvement.com.
*Samatone Yoga
Samatone Yoga is an inclusive studio in Dallas offering Vinyasa flow with breath, alignment and internal tone (a soft hum that quiets the nervous system), along with infrared and heated classes.
Their Future Yogee Haven playroom includes toys, videos, games and books. Access is available for up to 2 hours at a time, and all the babysitters undergo background checks. To take advantage of their child care space, you’ll need to reserve a spot prior to your class participation. The policies take about a minute to review.
Cost: Prices start at $10 for one visit with packs of 1, 5, or 10 visits available.
Studio Hours: The studio is open daily; see website for specific class schedule.
Child Care Hours: Child care is typically offered daily, during all classes, but it’s a good idea to call when booking your class to confirm availability.
Location: 15203 Knoll Trail Drive, #112, Dallas; 972/934-3905
Learn more at samatoneyoga.com.
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BIG BOX FITNESS CENTERS WITH CHILD CARE
In the age of at-home workouts solutions, it’s easy to forget that bigger gyms and fitness centers may offer child care.
Fitness Connection
With 15 locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Fitness Connection offers high-end fitness equipment along with boutique-style classes like Zumba, spin, HIIT, yoga and Pilates. While parents exercise, their kids ages 3–11 take advantage of the Kids Club, where they can play, watch movies, use tablets, or work on homework or crafts while under the care of friendly, trained staff for up to 2 hours per day.
Cost: Kids Club is included in the FC-Plus membership package.
Gym Hours: Most DFW locations are open Monday–Friday 5am–10pm and Saturday–Sunday 7am–7pm. The Watauga and Mesquite locations are open a little earlier and later on weekdays.
Child Care Hours: Most DFW locations’ Kids Clubs are open Monday–Thursday 4–8pm and Saturday 9am–1pm. The Watauga, Mesquite and Fort Worth Kids Clubs are also open Monday–Friday 8am–12pm.
Learn more at fitnessconnection.com.
Texas Family Fitness
A local chain with 11 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas Family Fitness offers an open gym area with standard equipment, personal training and classes like Pilates, yoga and strength training. To support parents who use the facilities, it offers Kids Club, available for little ones ages 12 and younger. The Kids Club at each location has different activities, including a separate area for younger kiddos, games, movies (at select locations), indoor jungle gyms and even a rock climbing wall.
Cost: Exact prices vary by location. While some locations include Kids Club in certain membership levels, most locations offer a monthly Kids Club membership for $10-$15 for the first child; $5-$10 for each additional child.
Gym Hours: Monday–Friday 5am–10pm; Saturday 7am–7pm; Sunday 8am–7pm
Child Care Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–12pm and 4–8pm; Friday 9am–12pm; Saturday 8am–12pm
Learn more at texasfamilyfitness.com/kids-club.
*Life Time
Offerings may vary by location, of which there are about a dozen in Dallas-Fort Worth, but the child care and kids fitness class offerings at Life Time fitness centers are many. Parents can drop off their kids 3 months to 11 years to the Kids Play Area for up to 2.5 hours each day.
Plus, kids as young as 3 years can take fitness classes themselves, including LifeBarre, Shred, Warrior Sculpt, Tennis, Squash, Rock Wall Climbing, Basketball, Swimming (fees apply for some programs). Want to sweat with your tween? Kids ages 12 and older can participate in adult classes with you! These gyms even hold themed kids-only and tween events and Parents Night Outs.
Cost: Junior Membership, which ranges from $30–$50 per month per child depending on location, is required for all childrens’ programs and child care. This is in addition to your adult membership.
Gym Hours: Hours vary by location; check website for details.
Child Care Hours: Hours vary by location; check website for details.
Learn more at lifetime.life.
*YMCA
There is a reason the Y has been a fixture in communities for generations. Their family-friendly programming will foster positive associations for your kiddos with a healthy lifestyle. In addition to full- and part-time early learning and child care programs, many YMCAs offer Child Watch, a free, drop-in program while parents workout, and parents must stay on premises. Typically kids can stay to play in Child Watch for 1.5–2 hours. Find the YMCA nearest you for their specific offerings and which age range your location accepts.
Cost: Child Watch is included with a paid membership.
Gym Hours: Hours vary by location; see your location’s website for its schedule.
Child Care Hours: Hours vary by location; see your location’s website for its schedule.
Learn more at ymca.org.
CITY RECREATION CENTERS WITH CHILD CARE
Note that this is not an exhaustive list, but these municipal rec centers stood out to us for their offerings. Reach out to your local recreation center to see if yours offers on-site child care during open hours.
Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center
This recently renovated community facility features a fitness area filled with exercise equipment, along with personal training and special classes for an extra fee. While parents are getting their sweat on, little ones can be dropped off at the Kid Zone.
The Kid Zone is a bright, colorful space where kiddos, ages 6 months to 9 years, are supervised by rec center staff while parents work out. The space features climbers, play structures and a large indoor slide. Reservations are required (must be made at least one day in advance) and can be made online or by calling the rec center.
Cost: Kid Zone is free for members.
Facility Hours: Monday–Friday 5:30am–9pm; Saturday 7am–5pm; Sunday 1–4pm
Child Care Hours: Monday–Thursday 9–11am and 4–8pm; Saturday 7:45–10:30am
Location: 14050 Heartside Place, Farmers Branch; 972/247-4607
Learn more at farmersbranchtx.gov.
Frisco Athletic Center
This family-focused fitness center has something for everyone, even child care your littlest loves. While you’re taking advantage of the variety of amenities Frisco Athletic Center has to offer, your kiddo ages 8 weeks to 11 years can head to the Play Depot for fun and socialization for up to 2 hours per day.
The Play Depot includes separate rooms for infants (8 weeks to walkers), toddlers (walkers to age 3), pre-K (ages 3-5) and big kids (ages 6-11).
Cost: Children ages 3 and older must be on a Family Membership (starting at $700 annually for residents) or purchase a day pass ($11 per child). Children ages 2 and younger don’t need a day pass.
Facility Hours: Monday–Friday 5am–9pm; Saturday 6:30am–6pm; Sunday 8:30am–6pm
Child Care Hours: Monday–Thursday 8am–12:30pm and 4–7pm; Friday–Saturday 8am–12:30pm
Location: 5828 Nancy Jane Lane, Frisco; 972/292-6600
Learn more at friscotexas.gov.
Wylie Rec Center
In addition to its variety of activities and amenities, Wylie Rec Center offers child care for parents who are participating in Open Play (basketball, pickleball, climbing wall or badminton), fitness classes or registered activities. Drop-in child care is available for ages 6 months to 6 years on a first-come, first-served basis with limited availability. Kiddos are allowed to stay in the child care area for up to 2 hours.
Cost: Drop-in child care is free for parents/guardians who are Rec Pass holders. Grandparents and other caregivers (like your little one’s babysitter) who have a Rec Pass can also take advantage of the child care services when they’re watching your kiddos for an added fee of $4 per child per visit or by purchasing a 10-visit punch card ($20 for rec pass holders; $30 for non-rec pass holders).
Facility Hours: Monday–Thursday 5am–9pm; Friday 5am–5pm; Saturday 8am–8pm; Sunday 1–5pm
Child Care Hours: Monday–Thursday 7am–12:30pm and 4–9pm; Friday 7am–12:30pm; Saturday 8am–1pm
Location: 300 Country Club Road, Building 200, Wylie; 972/516-6340
Learn more at wylietexas.gov.
One-on-One Instruction
Personal trainers and private session settings may be a solid choice in this situation. Often, if your child is of an age where they can entertain themselves quietly with a book or iPad for an hour, your trainer may allow them to tag along. Be aware it may be hard for your little to sit on their hands with all the cool stuff in the fitness space to play with.
And remember: You must ask before showing up out of courtesy and from a liability standpoint, and business owners have the right to refuse. However, particularly during off-peak hours, many of us are OK with your little sitting in the corner as we work with you individually, especially during an emergency child care situation (all assuming your kid is not ill).
Health Care Groups
Pre/postnatal and Mommy and Me classes are alive and well through healthcare providers getting in on the wellness game. This is ideal if you are looking to meet other moms to create community, particularly while your kids are very little. Check out Texas Health Resources or Baylor’s fitness and wellness classes around North Texas.
Additional Considerations
Not all child care services are created equal—services at your choice of workout destination can range from simple babysitting services to experienced and educated providers. You may wish to ask if the location runs detailed background checks and if they can accommodate children with specific needs. Think about your comfort level and that of your child while considering your options.
Many studios hold early morning and late evening classes. If you are craving a specific format and your favorite spot doesn’t offer a class at a time that you need, search competitors to see if they have a class time that does work for you.
Most studios and gyms allow minors to join your workout once they are 13- or 14-years-old. Consider this for your older kids, or for the future!
This article was originally published in January 2020, updated in 2024.
Morgan Palmer Bolton has taught Pilates and fitness since 2008 for major industry leaders in New York, London and Dallas, including Equinox, Flywheel Sports, Physique 57 and Barrecore in the UK. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University and is a PMA-CPT certified Pilates instructor. She is currently teaching classical Pilates at Pilates Methodology in Uptown Dallas. You can reach Morgan through her website abeautifulstep.com and Instagram @abeautifulstep.
