The Best Fitness Clubs in Toronto

I'll never forget, a friend of mine who worked out in a "real" gym, and he came to visit and we took him to a Baileys (it was the 80's)...he walks in, looks around and says, "there's no 'eye of the tiger' in this gym." : - )
Eye of the tiger, Rock.

Where is the review for the good old YMCA? You'd be surprised at what you get, not to mention your fee goes toward a (relatively) good cause.

Used to have a membership at King West Fitness. The AC was a big problem there and it was often too hot or humid. The place was almost always empty and that got boring after a while. I used to wonder how they were staying in business, it's been a year, so maybe they're busier now.

I have a Goodlife membership now and while it's crowded, I prefer it.

Going to vote for Berkeley Gym at Queen & Berkeley: www.berkeleygym.com

Some folks live east of Yonge, you know.

what about Trainers Fitness at Bathurst & Bloor? it's practically Average Joe's from Dodgeball, but it's dirt cheap and is popular with the students in the neighbourhood.

It was a mistake to leave out the YMCA, west and central. They aren't community centres, rather full on gyms with better facilities than many clubs.

The YMCA Central has a great pool. Although UofT's pool is my ultimate favourite to swim in.

I'd rather see a ranking/comparison of more affordable places rather than the chi-chi boutique gyms that cost $70+ a month.

99 Sudbury rocks! I love it!

I belong to the King West Club. It's a good basic gym but definitely no-frills.

- There are eight shower stalls in the men's locker room but only four of them have doors with all kinds of sludge and scum on them.

- The floor in the locker room is painted concrete. Slippery when wet and potentially dangerous.

- At any given time at least one cardio machine is out of order.

- the spinning bikes were crammed into the cardio area making the whole area feel cramped. It's hard to get to some of the machines without climbing over people.

- Full-sized lockers are in short supply. I usually have to cram my stuff in one of the small lockers.

- The sauna is kind of gross. I suppose it's hard to keep the wooden benches clean but they must be able to do something to make it more hygeinic, no?

- The entire place could use a good cleaning, especially the locker rooms.

But as I said, it's a good gym all in all. Not expensive, has everything you need for a workout, and free classes.

Yeah. The YMCA at college/yonge deserves to be up there.
The guys there are so supportive. They always come up to you in the locker room to pat your bum and tell you how good you look.

Since you omitted community centres but referred to it, I'll put in my two cents about the Miles Nadal JCC:

It's a pretty good club, especially if you're willing to pay more - beyond the basic fee - for extras such as permanent locker (no need to carry your gym bag around all day), laundry service (no need to take your smelly gym clothes home to wash either) and towel service.

I've been a member for a few years, recently researched other, less expensive clubs closer to home and decided to stay with the JCC.

Things I like:
They're non-profit so at any time I could see their financial statements. With some of the other clubs I'd wonder what I'm paying for. When I belonged to Fitness One at Yonge and Charles, I knew exactly what my $15/month WASN'T paying for (good ventilation, proper cleaning, just to name two). I like the non-profit business model.

I like that they're established and aren't going anywhere and no one can "buy them out", compromising quality and interrupting their business.

I like the value I get and the instructors that work there.

I'd like to see more weights and more barbells especially, but I do fine with what's there, as do the big, muscular guys who look like powerlifting competitors. Someone told me that the JCC has plans to enlarge their weight room.

bubba

Holy expensive clubs for rich white people, Batman. I thought I was reading Toronto Life for a second.

Diesel Fitness is now closed:

http://blogto.com/sports_play/2008/03/diesel_fitness_to_close/

I would never sign up for any of these clubs. Exercise is no doubt essential, but I cannot justify paying $60 a month and up for membership. The dumbbells in my community centre weigh the same as the dumbbells in these fancy gyms. I think the added 'service' and extra amenities (a juice bar?) only cater to a very select group of people. I wish this was a more comprehensive guide.