Best Downtown Fitness Club

[Voodooman]

Hoping I can get some recommendations and price info on some of the various downtown fitness facilities. I've been a member at the YWCA Fitness on Fifth for many years, but the club has closed permanently due to flood damage. It's a real shame as the fees were quite reasonable, and it was never busy and only a couple of blocks from my office.

I know I'll have to spend more somewhere else, but so long as it isn't equivalent to a second mortgage payment, it's fine. I'd like to have an executive level membership that provides lockers, towel service, etc.

The closest options would be WHC on 7th and the Eau Claire Y, but I've heard both are ridiculously busy. I usually like to go around 4PM, which I know is peak time, but some places are better than others. I've heard that the Bow Valley Club and Bankers Hall Club are nice, but the membership fees are a bit steep.

I'd appreciate any insight anyone might have. And please, no DDP Yoga or PX90 suggestions. Once I get home, there's zero chance of me working out. Shockingly, there seems to be some correlation between my laziness when I get home and my lack of fitness.

What about Beltline? It's not as busy as you would think and fees are reasonable. Pop by and ask if you can look around.

Edit: Cost for a month pass is $54.06 or a year is $415.87

[Methanolic]

Apparently the basement of chicken on the way......So I hear

[kipperfan]

Talismen Centre used to be the best (before the floods) but they still only have a single pool open, no steam room, etc. And it is, of course, more in the belt line. As for in the actual downtown core I would say Goodlife Eau Claire might be your best bet. Never close to as busy as the Y or WHC, good equipment, a tad small but still a good enough size and they have steam room, sauna and a hot tub which I like.

And as an aside, not a fan of the overpriced "executive" downtown clubs, I really don't need to pay an extra $100/mth for a nicer looking locker room and free towels.

[zyzz]

World Health Bay Club is probably the best bet. Good Life Eau Claire is smaller and just as busy, with less equipment. Also the washrooms at Eau Claire might be the most disgusting around.

Bay Club is an executive gym so it might be a little more expensive.

[jschick88]

I like the YMCA Eau Claire. I don't find it that busy if you go in the mornings. I have gone at times during the week and after work where you can't get on a treadmill. The membership is around $65.00 a month and includes the use of the pool, steamroom, all exercise floors. You also get a discount if you want to sign up for classes. Yoga, Boxer's workout, crossfit, etc...
http://www.ymcacalgary.org/index.php...au_claire_ymca

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by zyzz

World Health Bay Club is probably the best bet. Good Life Eau Claire is smaller and just as busy, with less equipment. Also the washrooms at Eau Claire might be the most disgusting around.

Bay Club is an executive gym so it might be a little more expensive.

No, I work out there (Goodlife) all the time and have worked out at WH Bay club alot in the recent past and GL isn't just as busy, in fact it isn't even close to as busy, not even in the same realm of busyness I'd go so far as to say. The other stuff you said is pretty accurate though, the mens washroom area in GL is absurd. I talked to the manager when GL took over the gym from Gold's (it was even worse back then) and they said they would "correct the issue" but basically nothing has been done.

Still though, best value in the core for what you're getting IMO (aside from a fully operational Talisman centre).

[zyzz]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

No, I work out there (Goodlife) all the time and have worked out at WH Bay club alot in the recent past and GL isn't just as busy, in fact it isn't even close to as busy, not even in the same realm of busyness I'd go so far as to say. The other stuff you said is pretty accurate though, the mens washroom area in GL is absurd. I talked to the manager when GL took over the gym from Gold's (it was even worse back then) and they said they would "correct the issue" but basically nothing has been done.

Still though, best value in the core for what you're getting IMO (aside from a fully operational Talisman centre).

Guess it all depends on what time you go. I find due to the lack of equipment that it all balances out. Goodlifes free weight area is laughable, one seated bench, one flat bench and two incline benches that also turn into flat benches. Not to mention how tight of a squeeze it is. The change room issue is a big one, the showers are disgusting, the stalls, tiles etc. I've seen cleaner bathrooms at a nightclub.

[Northendzone]

I have heard that the old golds in Mac towne is a great place too work out

[Zarley]

Anytime Fitness has a new location on 8th Ave beside the Ramada, it's not that busy yet and you also get access to the Beltline location.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by zyzz

World Health Bay Club is probably the best bet. Good Life Eau Claire is smaller and just as busy, with less equipment. Also the washrooms at Eau Claire might be the most disgusting around.

Bay Club is an executive gym so it might be a little more expensive.

I noticed your handle. When are you guys going to quit idolizing a narcissistic coke head and steroid junkie?

[Julio]

I hate how all the privately owned clubs don't put on their websites how much a membership is.

[lazypucker]

Let me ask a related question - which health club has the most number of hot chicks?

[Acey]

The Goodlife in that mall at Crowchild/Shaganappi was full of babes, to the point that your workouts actually suffered. I switched gyms because I moved.

[Pontine]

I was waiting for someone to ask about where the hot chicks are haha

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by pylon

I noticed your handle. When are you guys going to quit idolizing a narcissistic coke head and steroid junkie?

explain please?

[SeeGeeWhy]

Hey man, my fiancee and I run a group training, private training and spin studio in Bridgeland that you'd be welcome to come by and check out - Vita Fitness. The first classes in the afternoon run around 4:30pm and there is free parking, so you'd probably be able to maintain your current routine with us.

The membership options vary depending on what you want to do, and we sell class passes for those who don't come as often.

CP members get a deal as well, PM me if you're interested.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Acey

The Goodlife in that mall at Crowchild/Shaganappi was full of babes, to the point that your workouts actually suffered. I switched gyms because I moved.

this is some kind of crazy talk.......

[Olao32]

Depends what you are after. I'm a member the Eau Clair YMCA and head over during lunch time on the weekdays. The facilities are more than adequate in my opinion. They have two free weight sections which keeps the traffic down slightly (one focusing more on light weights/cross-fit type training, and the other for bench and heavier weights). Ample cardio equipment spread throughout the building, a swimming pool, squash courts, fitness classes, gyms for basketball, running track etc. For memberships they have the regular $65/month, or the "Membership-plus" which gives you access to a separate: change room, cardio and weight section downstairs, sauna and hottub. Also provides you with a tote-box where you can keep your gym clothes and shoes, laundry and towel services. That runs you $100/month or so.

I have been over to the Eau Clair Goodlife (formally Golds) a few times. The extra facilities at the YMCA are not a large attraction for me as they are for some so I am focusing on the gym specifically here when I say the free weight section is a joke (as previously mentioned) and the lockers rooms are not on par with the Y. That made my decision easy for me. However; I will say the female talent over at Goodlife is hands down amazing. No comparison.

I think I actually have a couple free passes at YMCA they gave me when I signed up for the plus section. If you are interested in checking it out PM me, I'll leave one at the front desk for you.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Let me ask a related question - which health club has the most number of hot chicks?

Before the flood, Talisman no question.

EC YMCA is lacking. YMCA is very busy at lunch, morning is the best time to go. I have never found it to be busy after work but I normally go in the AM so.

When I was a member previously, the WH Bay Club has alot of roid junkies and bar workers. Also very high pressure personal training push.

Also there is a WH at Nose Hill mall which is only a short CTrain ride north if you think the ones downtown are too busy for you.