Clinton joins neighborhood Y in Harlem

Clinton

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Former President Bill Clinton has accepted a free, "honorary" membership at the Harlem YMCA.

The offer to join the Harlem Y, which is 10 blocks north of Clinton's new office building, came in March. Clinton accepted the offer in April, said Sharon Forbes, the club's communications director.

"We are part of the neighborhood," Forbes said. "We wanted to give him a place to relax."

Clinton accepted the family membership for himself and his daughter, Chelsea, but Forbes said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton would respond on her own because she holds a public office. A normal family membership at the club costs $800 per year. Typically, children older than 18 must buy their own memberships, but an exception has been made for Chelsea, Forbes said.

The Clintons are the only famous family who have been given the free membership, Forbes said.

The Harlem Y recently upgraded its equipment, adding new weights to its free weights room. The center also includes a gym, indoor pool, steam room and sauna.

Clinton is expected next month to move into an 8,300-square-foot office on the top floor of a Harlem building.