From Health magazine
Choosing a gym can feel a bit like choosing a spouse: You want it all, you deserve it all. And once you sign on the dotted line, it had better be a rewarding, motivating, and healthy relationship!
So, consider us your health-club matchmakers. In a world where every gym promises to be your be-all and end-all, it’s hard to tell which major gym and health-club chains actually live up to the hype.
We’ve assembled a panel of expert trainers, nutritionists, and practice mavens to find out which clubs offer you the most—from healthy, clean environments to the best, safest exercise equipment, from personal training to classes that will keep you motivated, plus food and drink to help you reach your goals. Read on for your perfect match.
1. Equinox Fitness Clubs
Let us count the ways this stellar club wowed our experts, notching 14 perfect 10s. Every detail counts here: rigorous cleanliness; impressive, extensive equipment (from kettlebells to nearly a dozen varieties of cardio machines); and impressively trained staff—all leading to safe, healthy (and fun) workouts.
“The range of specializations among the staff gives them a perfect 10,” says fitness expert Kim Lyons, who was also impressed by Equinox’s fantastic class offerings. “An excellent variety with a unique touch taught by knowledgeable trainers earns them a double thumbs-up!” she adds. Equinox’s mind-body classes (such as their new Buddha Camp, a boot-camp-style workout that incorporates elements of yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates) earns a perfect score from judge Kristin McGee. “They really think outside the box,” she says.
We love: PowerNAP+, a midday movement class that culminates in a short snooze to “improve mood, enhance mental concentration, and reverse information overload.” Brilliant and progressive.
Next: Life Time Fitness
Comments (14)
These Fitness clubs I really like they are enjoyable place and good for body fitness.
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http://www.easy16.com/top-workout-tips-maximum-gain/
For a great workout, you have to try a CrossFit gym. These are old-school with barbells, pullups and rowing machines, but you train under the watchful eye of a certified instructor, and everyone particpates in the same “Workout of the Day” so it’s easy to compare notes and encouragement with one another.
This is the first gym I have ever belonged to and I’ve lost 30 pounds and added conditioning I never expected to have…and I’m 51 years old.
I agree with the recommendation for CrossFit (www.crossfit.com). If you’re looking for a gym with lots of amenities, machines, spa-like, etc., it’s not for you. But if you’re looking for a workout that anyone at any level can do, it’s fantastic.
I’m just really excited LA Fitness was not on this list. I had multiple trainers stand me up for appointments and I felt like the equipment was terribly old. I mean, should it be rusty? Also my trainers were pretty fat. Not obese, but you can’t look like me and try to teach me how to look like Jillian Michaels. They are so focused on trying to get you “memberized” they forget they have to provide service and support once they start draining your bank account.
I agree with you that Equinox is number one, It is really the best in NYC but, number 5, New York Sports Clubs, is terrible not as good as you think. Maybe the one’s that I go to are bad. The machines are not clean, it’s always messy especially after lunch time and the employees don’t bother to put the weights back. The employees are friendly to clients but later on you’ll realized they are trying to make you buy workout sessions. The price is good but I would rather have a clean/organize environment.
america’s healthiest gym isnt it really ironic tht nobodys there
america healthiest gym isnt it ironic how nobodys there
I actually am a trainer/manager at one of the gyms on the list, and I think my gym does a great job with helping the most people we can. Personally I love doing Crossfit workouts and try to go to one as often as possible…it’s the best workout style I’ve ever found…I wish I could do it at my club
TSI in NY (NY Sports Club) has gone way downhill in the past two years. They hire awful, beginner instructors, the staff is really unhelpful and the clubs are not clean. I personally watched a front desk person empty out the comment box and throw them all away because a couple of members had complained about the cleaning staff.
If anyone is out near the Eastern Shore, we have a club “Commitment Fitness 24Hr Gym” It is a wonderful place, super clean and fun with super friendly staff. The smoothie bar is great for after your workout!!! The equipment is the best with a great variety. I have been a member for over 3 years and it just keeps getting better…Great Job.
http://www.commitmentfitness.com
I would like to say that I am thrilled that Curves made it on the list as top gyms, however that the description left out a lot of things. Curves has also come out with a program called Curves Smart, a computerized personal training program that comes with a kiosk each member can check into at the end of their workouts to see what muscles they worked and which ones they need to work harder. We also offer free memberships to members who have certain medicare insurance plans. As an owner I am excited about the free Weight Management Classes our club has to offer and I have seen the great results that women have seen from attending these classes!!
I was a member of Curves in Mill Hall, Pennsyvlania for 4 years. I joined one week after it opened.I I enjoyed going to Curves but I did not lose any weight, I actually gained, but I still enjoyed going and working out. It made me feel good. I decided my membership with Curves must not have been very important. My dues were paid up to January, 2009. After I was told the beginning of December around the 8th or so that Curves was closing,I assumed it would be closing and with Christmas coming I had a lot to do so I did not go any more that month. The middle of January, I was talking to another woman who belonged to Curves and she told me they had called her and told her that Curves had never closed. I called Curves and spoke with a lady who said she was the manger and asked her why I was not notified that Curves was remaining open under new ownership. She told me that anyone who was a regular knew this (I thought I was a regular) because they came to Curves and saw it posted on the window at Curves. Well, since I assumed it was closed, I did not go and look at the window to see it was posted there. I told the manager that I felt everyone should have been notified that was a member of Curves in writing or should have been called or notified someway. I didn’t feel this was any way to run a business, especially when I found out they did call only certain people to inform them that Curves was still open. I do not feel that was the proper way to run a business. Also they had already taken my money for my dues out for February and I was not even aware that it was open. Therefore, when my membership was up in June, I did not renew it. By the way two days after I called, it was advertised in the newspaper and on the radio. Thank you.
CURVES is number one in my workout book. They have so much to offer the members and SERVICE wow !!!!
i joined a cross-fit gym last week. It is by far the best excercise program i have ever experienced. You have everything from your beginners up to your champion weight lifters. No one is made to feel less than anyone else and a matching jogging suit is not required. The excercises are challenging but fun.