Downtown Calgary Gyms

[kermitology]

Hi all,

My membership has expired at the U of C and I always found it kind of inconvenient to go there, but it was close to my work. I just got a new job downtown and I live downtown so I'm looking for something...downtown.

Anyone have experience with any of the clubs downtown and know prices? The only one I an find any info on is the YMCA, which is $567 per year.

Help me CP!

[Wookie]

I'd imagine the YMCA is packed! Like all the other ones in town. Although with the membership you can get the one that lets you into any YMCA.. So that's a bonus.

There is the WHC on Mcleod, doesn't look bad
There is the WHC in the Bay Downtown which I think is expensive

There is Heavens Fitness which is on 11th ave where that Electric Ave building used to be.. I might get a membership there if I get a job I'm hoping to in the next month.

Ummm..

Not sure of any others.. But I don't really pay attention I just am familiar with ones that I've used or know people who use.

There is another one in a building downtown.. Bankers Hall? Whichever it is it's really expensive.

Where do you live?

[JiriHrdina]

I went to Fountain Park in Gulf Canada Square for about 5 years, only stopped because I stopped work downtown which meant I had to pay for parking to go there.

But it was affordable, not very busy and very well maintained. Best gym I have ever been a member of.

[Tyler]

Im moving back to Calgary soon.

Are there any Fitness centres in the Mackenzie Towne/130th area?

[cSpooge]

I go to the YWCA on the very north end of mcleod. Its right next to the cicel

[CMPunk]

Talismen Ceter

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Talismen Ceter

hmmm..

I was heading there the other day, I sometimes use the last 1.5 hours to drop it as it's only 4 bucks. As I was driving there I was noticing all the large condo developments around and thinking about how that will make it so much more busy.

I can only use the pool there during the last hour and a half because it's dead.. I don't think I'd be able to put up with the reg. hour traffic as well as the large member increase from all those condo towers...

nice place though

[redforever]

There is also the 5th Ave. Athletic Club, quite reasonable too.

[HockeyPuck]

I have a membership at WHC Bay club - IIRC, it's about $70/month and you can use your membership at any other WHC in town. Kinda nice that way.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

There are a lot of offices towers with gyms in them too.... Bow Valley Center has one, as do Husky, Watermark, and 5th Ave Place.

Y Eau Claire is insanely busy during peak hours, and has somewhat of a meat market atmosphere.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

There are a lot of offices towers with gyms in them too.... Bow Valley Center has one, as do Husky, Watermark, and 5th Ave Place.

Y Eau Claire is insanely busy during peak hours, and has somewhat of a meat market atmosphere.

Hmmm... Tell me more

[kevman]

New years bump?

Anyways, is anyone a member of the Western Canadian Place Fitness Centre? Thoughts/opinions? How busy does it get at lunch? Does it have a good variety of equipment? Good friendly vibe?

On a related note, who works out at lunch? What is your opinion on it?

Thanks.

[burn_baby_burn]

Don't the gyms in Calgary let you try them out for free? If thats the case, take your gym bag and see what its like.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Don't the gyms in Calgary let you try them out for free? If thats the case, take your gym bag and see what its like.

If you don't mind the two hour high-pressure sales pitch afterwards.

[Tron_fdc]

I've tried gyms all over the city, and I keep going back to Talisman. There really is no other facility that offers as much as they do.....free classes, 2 tracks, multiple gyms, plenty of equipment (that actually gets serviced) and a ton of swim lanes.

And yes, it gets packed this time of year, always does. Give it a month though, and it thins out. I go at lunch sometimes as well, and it's NEVER busy.

[Tron_fdc]

Oh, and LOADS of good looking girls. The eye candy is pretty amazing there......especially when that ripped class is going on.

[mykalberta]

I am a Men's Plus member at YMCA, likely not worth the cost for most, but I justify it.

I have been tempted to try Golds Gym in Eau Claire due to the cost of the YMCA.

When I had my summer job down here a 6-7 years ago, I was a member of the WHC, I prefer the YMCA for the gym, but the WHC is much better for the "*" factor.

Also, have to agree with the Talisman for the "*" factor as well. Its a nice place to go, I found it very humid and its not on my walk into work so I wouldnt give up my downtown membership for it but if eye candy is what you are looking for, that is the place.

[MaxPower]

Originally Posted by troutman

If you don't mind the two hour high-pressure sales pitch afterwards.

Yep, I'll never go to another WHC again for this reason. I couldn't just sign up without having to sit through a 45 minute discussion with some tool about my goals, also filling out forms so they have my goals on file for some reason.

[burn_this_city]

I'd just give him some crappy canned answers when asked about my goals. I want to get fit. I'd like to be healthy. Nothing even remotely specific..

Our free gym at work is the best. Its dead during work hours and everything is clean and modern.

[Pagal4321]

Good god.....gym's are packed right now. Tried to go to my gym last night and there was a lineup of 10 cars waiting for spots....
Guess I'll be avoiding the gym until February.