![]() The Town Sports family of Sports Clubs are a solid option for any exerciser, with reliable machines and decent-to-great classes depending on the location. Who’s it for: Frequent fliers and functional training devotees Photo: NYSC New York, Boston, Washington, and Philadelphia Sports Clubs As for some much-needed panache? You can be the judge of that. More recently, they've launched a meal-plan program, and, in 2014, the company launched a yearlong partnership with celeb fitness trainer Jillian Michaels, who helped them add 12 new moves and circuits. (This one pictured is one of the most luxe we found.) A decade ago the founder's pro-life comments outraged members and franchise owners, and un-trendy Curves has been rehabbing its image ever since. (“Coaches” are scant.)Ĭenters, of which there are more than 3,000 nationwide, are often an empty room that have a school-classroom or church-basement feel. (Though there are locations in cosmopolitan cities.) Curves has just one 30-minute strength-training and cardio workout, done exclusively on circuit machines, and set to an audio tape that cues you to move the next machine. You probably know Curves as a women’s-only, mirror-free fitness center that appeals to your mall-walking Aunt Helen and track-suit-wearing granny in Tiny Town, USA. Also, locations may be closed on Sundays, especially in Manhattan. A great perk: Upon signing up, members can take advantage of complimentary assessments to make a plan they can stick to and track progress.Ī warning: A 2010 lawsuit accused the brand of sending fake past-due notices to former members to get them to renew, and Bally gym-goers have found it next to impossible to cancel their memberships. Now with 60 locations, it offers a slew of group classes and some gyms have pools, steam rooms, and saunas. Who's it for: Fitness history buffs and goal settersīally was once the biggest fitness club in the country before struggling financially for several years and selling off many of its gyms, and it comes with even more fitness history-it took over workout icon Jack LaLanne's chain of gyms. Various locations, rates start at $29/month Photo: Bally Total Fitness Bally Total Fitness Perhaps tellingly, we had some trouble connecting to someone about membership options, and the automated message involved a super-long promotion for $100 in free dining, and often ended with a dead dial tone. One Brooklyn member posted on her gym's Facebook page to say that "roaches have been around so long.they could do Zumba!" Another ex-member created a blog called LucilleRobbers during her five-year battle to have her membership canceled. Many members headed to Consumer Affairs to post about unauthorized charges, contract issues, and filthy facilities. Online chatter surrounding Lucille Roberts isn't all positive, however. They have over 50 varieties of classes like Caribbean Dance and Chick Boxing, and workout support goes beyond the cardio machine lineup to an online community, where experts post recipes, workout tips, success stories, and more. Lucille Roberts founded the first of the 45 locations in 1969, right near Macy's in New York, for women who felt vulnerable in coed gyms, and the no-guys-allowed brand is still dedicated to helping members worry more about their fitness routine than their hair and makeup. Who's it for: Heavy lifters/bodybuilders, movie buffs Various locations, about $45–$60/month Gold’s Gym Express locations charge $9.99/month ![]() The class selection is decent, with some top instructors (like Natalie Uhling and Keoni Hudoba, who've since moved on), and cool partnerships like Nike Training Club, and, of course, some (not all) clubs really are open 24-7, for those who like to get sweaty at 3 a.m. There are three levels of membership, Sport, Super-Sport, and Ultra-Sport, that come with access to different amenities and services, but even at the lowest level, the perks are surprising for the price: many of the clubs have indoor pools for swimming laps, saunas, and steam rooms. ![]() (Soho’s includes lots of exposed brick, for example.) Its home base is in California, but 24-Hour Fitness is a massive operation, with more than 400 clubs in 18 states, each designed to fit its location and members. ![]()
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