I'm thinking that since I've had a gym pet peeves thread, we might as well have a gym favourites thread...

So what do I like about my gym?
- the fact that the membership fee is included in my tuition fees (it's at my school)
- the convenient location (AT school and AT work, since I work on campus)
- the variety of drop in fitness classes, with great instructors and different levels
- the fact that they got some new equipment which is much more inviting
- that there is a "small gym" - just a room with several machines, which can be more comfortable during peak hours only so many people can workout there at the same time
- the clean towels I get each time, even though I have to pay extra for that (I'd hate to have to bring my own and/or keep one in the locker - yuck!)
- that there is a swimming pool as well

That's all I can think of at the moment.

I like that it is close to my work.
It is not fancy, but has everything I need to get the job done.
It has a nice enuf shower area to get ready for work.
It opens at 5:45 a.m. and only the regulars are there, it's not crowded.
It's way cheap - $9 a month...

Well, my life right now, I don't live close enough to a gym to go to one...but when I did go to a gym, I liked the chance to have 'me' time...being a mom and all.

- my gym is also a univeristy gym and is free for all students (and faculty and staff)
- my bf gets a discounted membership there because he is my "domestic partner"
- there is an indoor track (LOVE the indoor track, or I would never run when it was cold or hot out!) (but there are no treadmills, that's the tradeoff)
- it isn't very crowded in the mornings (all the college students wake up late!)
- it's nearly empty in the summer!
- the classes they offer are relatively cheap (like $135 for 11 weeks of 3 days/week pilates)

My gym is old though, and has none of the perks of a commercial gym. No towels (bring your own), etc, and the shower is three shower heads sticking out of the wall into a large tiled room (no private stalls here!). The A/C kind of sucks too. Oh well, it's free, so beggars can't be choosers!

1. They have a reservation system for cardio equip: internet, call them, ask at the front desk or there's several computerized kiosks around the gym, but there's rarely a need to reserve something
2. They provide towels (free) and "gym wet wipes"
3. Separate whirlpool/sauna/steam rooms in each locker room
4. Shampoo & conditioner provided in the showers
5. 3 Locations - I can go wherever
6. Parking garage downtown which members can use anytime (downtown is a night spot with very limited/expensive parking)
7. Indoor pool at one location, outdoor pool at another (with lanes for laps & an open area for floating around etc)
8. Lots of equipment, machines & free weights - you almost never have to wait in line
9. Mini TV's on most of the cardio equip with a place for headphones to plug in.

Downside to all this great stuff: it's bloody expensive (about $85/mo) Get what you pay for I guess.

OH - the place I went to had shampoo/soap in the showers, too. And towels. I liked that a LOT. Very considerate. And they had baskets with tampons/pads/trial size hairspray...things that a woman my need from time to time. I liked that, too. It's the little things we appreciate to let us know they care...or justify charging an arm and a leg

None of that foo-foo stuff at my 'basics' gym.......

I LOVE my gym.
1. Free childcare. They have outdoor play, and arcade, indoor play area, art stations, and it is CLEAN and run by great people.

2. It is for women only. The machines are designed specifically for our smaller frames but it isn't a "wimpy" gym. There is a fabulous free weight area with lots of equipment with weights for women of all stages.

3. Free personal trainers. All you have to do is make an appointment and they work with you to design a program. You can schedule as often as you like to have them coach you through the routine.

4. Clean pool, shower, hot tub, sauna, dressing areas. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair dryers all provided.

5. A variety of classes that are scheduled all day long - there is always at least one that I can make.

6. Lots of special programs like workshops with nutrtionists/dietitians with a follow up with personal appointments, they have nurses come in once a year for free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, things like that.

7. The staff are of all different shapes, sizes, ages which somehow makes for a less intimidating atmosphere.

8. They sponsor challenges throughout the year and give prizes to the winners. Things like attending a certain number of aerobic classes within a certain time frame, they did one to see who could do the most pull/chin ups - there was a training period and prizes were awarded for the most, most improved, etc. It is all a lot of fun.

9. They have worked out deals with several retailers in the area. Just show your membership card and you get a discount on purchases/services.

10. They are building a new location that will be 35,000 square feet and include a coffee/snack bar, an olympic sized indoor pool, tons of amenities and services. I can't wait!

I could really go on and on. I love the place, the staff, and the services. It is great.

jawsmom - How much do you pay for all that? Sounds nice.
I just got a notice from Ballys wanting me to come back. I use to go there for years along time ago. The price is right and it is closer to my house...and way nicer than my 'guys gym'

Don't belong to a gym right now. I'm doing Curves instead until after the baby arrives, then I may consider a gym...price dependant. Cheaper to work out at home.

But on my old gym, it was with my apartment complex, and therefore only cost $125/yr. for the entire family. So first, I loved the price. Secondly, the fact that it had an indoor pool. The sauna, hot tub, the fact that it wasn't crowded since it was residents only. And being right next to home was a huge plus.

Oh - get this....We have a gym at our complex but it opens at 10 a.m. Since I love to workout before work and not after, that free gym is not an option for me. I have thought about calling the corp office and complaining, but not sure if it would matter.

One more thing I like about my gym:

The two 'hot' male regulars that entertain us every morning during cardio with stories and sillyness....

Star, would have to agree on the hot males thing. My gym is FULL of hot guys. I don't even care that I look sweaty and gross, they're just fun to look at

I like that there's so many ellipticals at my gym that even at the peak time in the afternoon there's always one for me!

Wish I had free towels and free trainers, etc... But it works.

Star, the gym I go to has varying prices depending on how long a contract you sign. They have a month to month, 1 year, and a 2 year. I signed the two year contract which is 42.00 a month. If you pay up front you get 10% off of that price, so that is what I did. So, ultimately, I paid 37.00 a month.

My gym has over 20 locations around the town - I can go to any one of them. It is about 35$/month for each of us for first 2 yeras and about 20$ afterwards. That is Can $.

What I like:
Child day care 2$ for 90 min which is OK but not great - my kids are old enough now to stay home with their sister. Also, gym has TV which shows you the day care - so you can keep an eye on what your child is doing
Very big gym with all the equipment you need
Some locations are open 24x7, mine opens at 6 in the morning and closes at 10 at night
Tons of free classes
3 month 90$ once a week yoga or pilates classes
Tanning studio (I am not using it but nice to have )
Womens only sections - great for us as my hubby and I and our oldest daughter can go together but we can use womens only area and meet afterwards in the common area
Protein shake bars
You can buy towel for 1$ as well as shampoo too
Some locations have swimming pools, however they are only 15 m long, also, some have sauna
Every member can have personal training once every 6 weeks as well as once every six weeks evaluation of results
They take girls at age 14 in - so my teen daughter is a member too
Young guys there are just cool - one was hitting on me last time - nothing makes workout as good as young man's attention

I guess that's it...