Aiyoku, A Cardio Lounge

20070310_cardio2.jpgIt's Thursday night and I'm on my way to Liberty Village for the opening of a new boutique gym. These types of specialized gyms are popping up all over the city looking to bring in people who don't particularly like the environment Goodlife or YMCA offers. As I walk into the basement of the Carpet Factory building, I'm asked to sign a wavier before entering. It seems there is a television crew filming the opening party. I'm a little surprised to find this out and sign it, believing that I'll keep myself out of sight during my stay.

A full-size museum-made reproduction of a Chinese Terracotta warrior greets me as I walk in. To the left is a small lounge. Along one wall is an internet bar and the other is a tea station that features specialty teas. The décor is of an Asian influence; bamboo floors, antique bronze knockers and dragon handles.

20070310_cardio1.jpgThe space opens to the cardio and class areas. Aiyoku is a cardio lounge; there are no free weights or machines. State of the art Precor machines line a wall made to resemble a bamboo forest. I wandered around the new treadmills, elliptical trainers and stationary bikes taking in the new design and functions. The treadmills haven't even been run on yet and I want to be the one to pop that cherry. Each machine has its own widescreen television and DVD. Patrons will have access to the club's library of television series. This gym has some of the best-looking showers I've seen anywhere; glass enclosed with a rain style head that sits within a chocolate hardwood room. Members receive hot/cold towel service and access to lockers.

The intimate nature of the club allows for interactive classes that use audio and visual cues to simulate an actual activity. These aren't your standard studio classes. For example, Dragon Boat is where you use a body bar to simulate paddling in a dragon boat race. At Base Camp Everest you run on the treadmill with a backpack strapped on. To simulate climbing the mountain the treadmill's incline adjusts throughout the class. The Aiyoku Drums class sounds like the most fun. Utilizing Kodo music, participants use dumbbells to mimic the movements of the Kodo drummers in this high-energy workout.

Aiyoku only has 500 available memberships. The pricing is flexible and you can choose between pay as you go sessions or an unlimited monthly plan. The gym focuses on providing Liberty Village with a unique workout space.

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Aiyoku Cardio Lounge
77 Mowat Avenue, Suite 001
416-516-8999

images: Tim Shore

Reader Reviews and Comments

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sounds very exotic. and I love to visit this new gym!
unfortunately currently I live in Japan. so I won't be able to have this new experience for a whlie..
I thought Japa goes pretty much a head of current trends in many area. but I've never heard of anything like this before.
I am very excited to join this gym when I get back to Toronto!

Posted by: Nancy T at March 13, 2007 11:57 AM

sounds very exotic. and I love to visit this new gym!
unfortunately currently I live in Japan. so I won't be able to have this new experience for a whlie..
I thought Japa goes pretty much a head of current trends in many area. but I've never heard of anything like this before.
I am very excited to join this gym when I get back to Toronto!

Posted by: Nancy T at March 13, 2007 11:58 AM

There's no "Eye of the Tiger" in this gym.
"Hey, Yo, Paully, don't touch the Ming Dynasty statues"

Posted by: Steve at March 13, 2007 2:02 PM

I've got my fingers crossed that there's a sweet spot in the market for a lower-end version of this concept with less luxe/exclusivity but retaining the cardio-only approach. Imagine if they went franchise and blanketed the city... friendlier health for all?

Posted by: Greg Smith at March 13, 2007 4:21 PM

This sounds really interesting... would love to see more photos of the design. Is there a web.site? I Googled but was not able to find one.


I agree with the previous comment about this being a great concept and would love to see more of these pop up around the city. I'm sure that there are many that would benefit from an all cardio gym, with accessible rates, of course.

Posted by: design_doll at March 13, 2007 11:21 PM

Hi

I'm working on getting the contact information keep tight and I'll update this post.

Greg
There is a cardio only space in the Financial district. Drop me an email at anita at blogto dot come and I'll send you the exact name and address. I'll have to write it down tomorrow on my way by it.

This is definitely a trend going on, you'll be sure to see more of this small er places show up.

Posted by: Anita at March 13, 2007 11:41 PM

The cardio-only place in the financial district is Cardio-Go.

I don't belong, but I work in the office tower it's attached to, and they're having a promotion right now so I've been hearing a lot about it.

Posted by: BC at March 14, 2007 1:17 PM

thanks bc

www.cardiogo.ca
There website doesn't work right now. that irks me.

I don't place much important on the design and looks of a space, but this place is just damn ugly.

Posted by: Anita at March 16, 2007 12:48 PM

Hi Heather,

Here it is! Send it around to those you think would like to see it.

Mich

Posted by: Heather at March 21, 2007 1:10 PM

Dave!

Congratulations! Wayne and I are moving Downtown!!! This place is so cool, very Asian inspired! Maybe that is why they live so long! I love it! I can not stand FREE WEIGHTS anyways...and anything attached to a PLASMA...that is the way to go...Love the Greater ( Asian statue! )...thank God he is not wearing a tank top!

See ya soon!

Virginia Munden

Posted by: Virginia and Wayne Munden at March 28, 2007 8:38 AM

Garbage.Where are the Weights? Andy Dick wouldnt even want to work out here.

Weight training get's your body into fat-burning mode to maximize your ability to maintain and build lean muscle tissue (Tones you up)

With your metabolism in high boost, your cardio workout will be much more effective. Remember - For every one pound of lean muscle you add, your body will burn 30-50 additional calories per day.

Grab your IPod and hit the road/park

Wonder how htis place will do with King Fitness around the corner and Goodlife soon to be opening

Posted by: Giraff� at March 28, 2007 2:19 PM

check out 99sudbury.ca for a gym in the Queen west area.

Posted by: Diego at April 2, 2007 3:00 PM

I am a member of this gym, and I think it is the best gym in Toronto. They do have hand weights and a circuit resistance training program, so you are not just doing cardio. The classes are fantastic and incredibly creative but also traditional; the yoga class is the best I've ever experienced. The price is incredible for membership, and you never have to deal with sweaty machines or a million people; it is such a personal, nurturing atmosphere and the staff go out of their way to make your workout incredible. The gym is not for everyone; if you are highly into all of the weight machines and complicated equipment of traditional gyms, this is not the place for you. But as a woman, I love the spa-like stunning atmosphere, the pampering, the high end equipment and personal LCD screens/DVD players, and all of the other details that make me actually look forward to going to the gym at the end of a long day.

Posted by: Heather at October 29, 2007 12:31 PM

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