Calgary Health Clubs/Gyms Question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

underGRADFlame · 07-27-2006, 01:18 PM

Alright I've desided its time to head back to the gym and get my fat @ss back into shape. My question is whats the best place to go? What are memberships going for these days? I used to be a memeber at WHC in edgmont, liked that but thought Id see what else is out there. Any suggestions/horror stories/info the CP Nation can share?

ken0042 · 07-27-2006, 01:31 PM

Horror Story- Fitness Plus in Braeside.

In 1994 I signed up for a several year membership. 2 weeks into it I found I had to move back to Winnipeg. I had given them $200 down on the membership, so I figured I'd go in, talk to them, tell them what happened, and they would be reasonable. I fully expected to lose my $200 deposit, but for them to get $200 for 2 weeks of me using the gym was good in my books. Nope, they hounded me, they sent the most aggressive collection people after me that I had ever seen.

I also have had to contest the credit bureau report they put out on me- bad debt is supposed to hang around for 7 years on your report. In 2002 I looked at my credit report and saw they had renewed the debt in 1999 by saying I had made a $20 payment at that point; extending the debt reporting for another 7 years. Took me weeks to get that straightened out.

Yes, I backed out of a deal. And I expected to have to pay a penalty. But to have them hound me for the rest of my life?

J pold · 07-27-2006, 01:33 PM

I don’t know if you are in school or not, but I go to Mount Royal and the facility there is fantastic lots of space rarely do you have to wait for machines or benches and well there is a lot of workout for the eyes…if you know what I mean, as far as fees go, you pay for them in tuition so you mine as well go and get a membership

If not, I have to been to a few places in the south, the Shawnessy YMCA and the FLC both are good, but the Y gets really bust especially at night…I am not sure how the rates there go though…

the_only_turek_fan · 07-27-2006, 01:37 PM

Gym memberships are expensive, especially the Edgemont Club. If you are interested in doing more of a cardio work out then invest in a good pair of running shoes and run outside. If you live in the NW like I suspect, Nose Hill Park is a great place to run as well as bike.

I think you can run outside for about 335 of the 365 days of the year. Maybe more. There are just a few days when you just can't go outside because it is too cold. Those days are around Christmas time.

Just my 0.02.

underGRADFlame · 07-27-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Gym memberships are expensive, especially the Edgemont Club. If you are interested in doing more of a cardio work out then invest in a good pair of running shoes and run outside. If you live in the NW like I suspect, Nose Hill Park is a great place to run as well as bike.

I think you can run outside for about 335 of the 365 days of the year. Maybe more. There are just a few days when you just can't go outside because it is too cold. Those days are around Christmas time.

Just my 0.02.

Running isin't much of a option for me as my knees are pretty f'd up and my doctor has recommended I dont do it. I want a place where I can get a routine made up aswell, cause just going in and doing some cardio and then some weights without having a clue is a waste of time.

troutman · 07-27-2006, 02:32 PM

Great facility:

http://www.calgarywestside.com/bs_home.html

Westside is Calgary’s finest and most exciting recreation complex. Based on a lifestyle and wellness concept, there is something for everyone.

Julio · 07-27-2006, 07:53 PM

Talisman Centre...centrally located, pretty good rates, if you are a night owl you can go there in the later evening really cheap...if you are at a larger company they might have a corporate rate ($500 a year).

tvp2003 · 07-27-2006, 08:20 PM

Go somewhere close/convenient for you... if you don't end up using it because you don't want to make the trip, it'll be a waste of money regardless of where you sign up.

I'd also avoid the DT health clubs unless you work down there already (otherwise, parking can be a pain).

FireFly · 07-27-2006, 09:27 PM

I go to Gold's in the NW and love it, but I get a corporate rate and pay about $30/month. I think without that it'd be about $50/month.

Bobblehead · 07-27-2006, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

I go to Gold's in the NW and love it, but I get a corporate rate and pay about $30/month. I think without that it'd be about $50/month.

I go to the Golds in the NE. I like that it isn't busy (yet).

brownie · 10-11-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I go to the Golds in the NE. I like that it isn't busy (yet).

Is that the new one by the old IKEA??I was looking at joining that as well,now that the weather is gettign crappy.Its about 50 bucks a month???Do you have to pay for the whole year???Any other benefits??Are the flames games on there??Thanks for any info.

Tron_fdc · 10-11-2006, 11:25 AM

Talisman center or Westside would be my recommendations. Both have large facilities, tracks, and a lot of variety for classes (if you're into that type of thing).

If your knees are shot try the ripped class at Talisman. Not a lot of running, but it's billed as a 2500 calorie burn per session. Plus there's a gym filled with women in tight spandex.....

Crazy Flamer · 10-11-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Talisman center or Westside would be my recommendations. Both have large facilities, tracks, and a lot of variety for classes (if you're into that type of thing).

If your knees are shot try the ripped class at Talisman. Not a lot of running, but it's billed as a 2500 calorie burn per session. Plus there's a gym filled with women in tight spandex.....

2500 calorie burn per session??!!

That's like running for 4 hours straight!

Engine09 · 10-11-2006, 11:45 AM

The best money I ever spent was $400 for a used treadmill out of the Bargain Finder and $30 for some free weights. I do a 1 hour workout at home while watching hockey and it takes me 5 mins to shower and start making supper.

You don't need a lot of space, my treadmill sits in the corner and I roll it out in front of the TV when I use it.

SeeGeeWhy · 10-11-2006, 01:24 PM

I hear the Bowflex is actually a decent piece of home equipment if you have the space.

Talisman is great, but their public locker rooms are terrible.

Getting a membership at the Eau Claire YMCA will give you access to every YMCA gym in the city, plus a few out of town locations. Y gyms are pretty good but can be busy.

Mike Myles has a good gym downtown, too.

Bobblehead · 10-11-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownie

Is that the new one by the old IKEA??I was looking at joining that as well,now that the weather is gettign crappy.Its about 50 bucks a month???Do you have to pay for the whole year???Any other benefits??Are the flames games on there??Thanks for any info.

I don't pay enywhere near that - I signed up before it was even completed. As for what you pay and how long - I know there are different plans. If you want to see what is involved, I can see about getting you some passes. (I don't get a direct kickback, but I think I remember tham saying if I bring in someone who joins that my rate will be locked (currently it can go up after the first year - I refused to be locked in for longer than that)).

I used to go to World Health in Sunridge, but got annoyed over a few things the equipment was often busy/ broken, the change rooms got flooded at least once a month, the promised me a sweatchirt when I renewed, and then renegged, and so on. At this one I'm paying a bit less (but like I said, it was the rate they offered before completion), the cardio machines have never been totally full. There is an indoor 1/2 BBall court if that is your thing. A huge screen on one end you can watch, or each piece of cardio equip has its own LCD TV. They even have an octagon cage, but I've never been there while it was being used. Weekends the place is pretty empty, but even weekdays after work it isn't crowded.

Winsor_Pilates · 10-11-2006, 02:08 PM

Westside is really nice but a bit expensive. $600+/yr

Anyone know of a gym that offers student discounts?
I usually go at the Uni, but would like to find an alternative for days when I'm not in school.

Shazam · 10-11-2006, 03:05 PM

Talisman offers student discounts. The pool area is one of the best in Calgary, due to all the hot chicks running around in bikinis.

The Eau Claire YMCA has the best locker rooms by far.

I was a member of the NW Gold's Gym. Loved it. They're open till midnight, and they didn't give me any grief when I stopped my membership. Tons of equipment. Locker rooms are too small though - I've been there a few times where I swear I got the last available locker.

Rhettzky · 10-11-2006, 03:23 PM

I worked out at the City of Calgary Gym's for a while. The best part about having a City pass is you can go to any gym in the city. For me it worked out perfect because I lived close to Kilarney Gym and worked downtown where they have another gym. The gym downtown's equipment was really old and it was pretty poorly maintained but Kilarney was awesome. They have a pool, hot tub, sauna and the equipment is all really new. So if working out in a few different locations is appealing to you then I'd look at a few of the city's gym facilities close to you.

Here's a map of all the Athletic and Aquatic facilities...

http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server....%20Centres.htm

...as well as fees...

http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server....ssion+Fees.htm

The fee's work out to about $33 bucks a month annually but if you have a GF or even a roommate you can work out a year pass which can get it as low as $20 a month.

Ayrahb · 10-11-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J pold

I don’t know if you are in school or not, but I go to Mount Royal and the facility there is fantastic lots of space rarely do you have to wait for machines or benches and well there is a lot of workout for the eyes…if you know what I mean, as far as fees go, you pay for them in tuition so you mine as well go and get a membership

If not, I have to been to a few places in the south, the Shawnessy YMCA and the FLC both are good, but the Y gets really bust especially at night…I am not sure how the rates there go though…

I seem to remember Mt. Royal being one of the cheapest, too. It is also open to the public.