When I was younger, it didn't matter so much, but the biggest factor for me now is location- it has to be very close to home. I have only been a member at YMCA, U of C, and World Health, so can't speak on the others.
World Health has a 24 hour facility on Macleod that may attract many shift workers, along with numerous locations across the city that all have essentially the same equipment. A negative might be the pushy sales people (you'll get this everywhere but the YMCA though) when you sign up. Also, I don't believe there are any steam rooms, jacuzzi's or saunas at world health, but I might be remembering incorrectly. The cardio equipment were not typically equipped with personal tvs when I was a member, but that might have changed. They experience your standard level of busyness?? in the evening hours- not too bad.
The YMCA is a decent membership to have as the facilities offer considerably more than just work out equipment- pools, gymnasiums, team sports, daycare, etc. The biggest negative are the bloody kids, making it arguably the busiest gym in the city. Once again, when I was a member, most of the cardio equipment did not have personalized tvs etc, but that may have changed by now. The membership process is simple, not pushy and offers two tiers- membership and membership plus. Membership plus is basically a nicer change room without annoying kids, has a few chairs, and a jacuzzi. The regular change room in DT has a steam room, but I don't think the one in crowfoot does.
Goodlife seems to be a popular choice now, which is where I am considering moving over to, now that World Health membership is done.
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