Health and Fitness in Boston

Finishing a long, strenuous run up the hills and down the sidewalks in Boston spurs both a feeling of exhaustion and accomplishment. For the first few weeks, that is. After a while, the same old run with a few changes in the path can become boring and tedious. Soon after, exercising does not seem to have the same glamour as it had a few weeks ago. Variety, especially in exercise, is important to keep interested and motivated.

Everyone works out with different goals in mind: improved cardiovascular system, weight loss, greater strength, and even stress relief. Luckily, exercise comes in many forms so that we are not a slave to the daily run. In order to try new, exciting, trendy, complete body work outs, joining a health club is the best option. Boston's health clubs are ideal for almost anyone because there are many to choose from, and it is relatively easy to find one for any fitness goal.

Choosing a health club is an important decision, and it should be based on individual needs. The best strategy is to tour different clubs and look out for good rates, discounts, or deals.

This month, we are featuring ten gyms that set the standard for variety and quality in exercise programs in Boston. We also included a list of over 30 health clubs in the greater Boston and surrounding areas to choose from.

FEATURED CLUBS

Beacon Hill Athletic Club (720-3553) 3 Hancock St.
This club offers a variety of weights and cardiovascular equipment in a friendly atmosphere. Plus, there are 50 classes per week in aerobics, yoga, tai chi, karate, and cardio-boxing. After a workout, relax in the sauna and steam room, or use the massage services that are available. Located conveniently downtown, this club is easily accessible by red line (Charles Street stop) or green line (Government Center). On average, the starting fee is $99 with an additional $49 per month.

Gold's Gym (536-6066) 71 Landsdowne St., Kenmore Square
This co-ed club also offers an exclusive women's gym at the same location. The amount of fitness equipment seems unlimited with a full range of weights and cardiovascular machines. Although Gold's Gym specializes in weight training, they also offer 35 classes per week in aerobics, step, yoga, and spinning. A sauna and juice bar complete this club, and it is located near Fenway, a short distance from the Kenmore stop on the green line. Normally, the initiation fee is $199 with a monthly fee of $39.99. However, this month there is a promotion, so the start up fee is only $99.

Metropolitan Club (536-3006) 209 Columbus Ave.
The Metropolitan Club is one of the largest gyms in Boston. Besides the various weights and cardiovascular machines available, this club is well known for its classes. Some of the most popular classes are yoga, stretch, ballet, tai chi, spinning, pilates, and work with weights, among others. Although there are no sports courts, the Metropolitan Club has a partnership with the YWCA, which allows members to use the pool and take aqua-aerobics classes. The starting fee is $75 with an additional $55 monthly charge, and it is located near the Back Bay station on the orange line.

Boston Athletic Club (269-4300) 653 Summer St.
"Complete" is the perfect word to describe the Boston Athletic Club. This club offers a 20 yard 4 lane pool, weight rooms, cardiovascular machines, and court sports. There are also classes in aerobics, step, yoga, and karate to name a few. Personal trainers are available for almost any fitness goal, including marathon training. This club is complete with nutritional counseling, physical therapy, a sauna, massage services, a beauty salon, juice bar, and restaurant on the premises. Child care is offered as well, and children can have gym time and swim lessons. Summer St. can be reached by bus, and fees depend on health insurance.

Boston Racquet Club (482-8881) 10 Post Office Square
This club, which has a very personal atmosphere, offers much more than a traditional gym. Besides the fitness rooms that are equipped with cardiovascular machines and weights, there are 8 squash courts, racquetball courts, and a track on the roof. There are a limited number of members, so there is never a wait for machines. Other amenities include a Jacuzzi, steam room, and massage and physical therapy. The starting fee is $625 with quarterly dues of $345 ($420 for squash and fitness). Ask for corporate deals, or try the BucksBack program--workout three times a week for eight weeks and get reimbursed 25% of the starter fee. Workout clothes and laundry services are also available. This club is located in the Financial District near Government Center and State Street.

Boston Sports Club (536-1247) 561 Boylston St., (624-9600) 1 Bulfinch Pl., (731-4177) 15 Gorham St.
This club is ideal for those who seek a large, personal gym without crowding. Extensive cardiovascular equipment, 2 free-weight rooms, nautilus, Cybex, and Icarian make up most of the gym. However, there are sports courts available at the Allston location. In addition, there are 43 classes offered per week in step, spinning, boxing, karate, and yoga among others. The Back Bay location is accessible by the green and red lines, and it attracts a mix of business people and Back Bay residents.

Bally Total Fitness (868-5100) 1815 Massachusetts Ave.
Bally Total Fitness is one of the largest gyms in the greater Boston area, and it boasts the widest selection of equipment. This club offers almost everything: aerobics classes, personal training, indoor pools, hundreds of nautilus and cardiovascular machines, running tracks, and racquetball courts. On top of that, there is a Jacuzzi and a private women's gym as well. Fees range depending on membership and can be as little as $5 down and $30-45 per month. This club is located in Porter Square and is accessible by the red line.

Cambridge Racquet and Fitness Club (491-8989) 215 1st St.
This is perhaps one of the most well-rounded fitness clubs in the area. Chosen as Boston's Best Racquet Club in 1998, this club boasts 4 racquetball and 4 sports courts. Also, there are knowledgeable personal trainers who help with programs in weights, cardiovascular, and nautilus. Tai-box, studio-cycle, pilates, yoga, resistance training, and in-line skating are just a few of the 35 classes offered per week. Extra features include a sauna, steam room, massage and physical therapy, juice bar, restaurant, and free parking. The initiation fee is $99 with an additional $57 per month. This club is conveniently located next to the red line's Kendall Square stop.

Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women (731-3030) 920 Commonwealth Ave.
With four locations--Brookline, Cambridge, Salem, and Boston--this is an excellent choice for women. In addition to the comprehensive range of equipment, each club offers approximately 100 classes per week, such as tai quon do, dancing, boxing, and special classes for mothers-to-be. Amenities include a whirlpool, sauna, steam room, massage therapy, shiatsu, and all members have free access to the YWCA pool. All locations are convenient with T access and parking at each. With all of these benefits, the price is very reasonable: starting fee is $100-$200 (depending on membership) and $39-$65 monthly. The diversity of classes and the atmosphere devoted to women's health makes this a fabulous choice.

Wellbridge Health and Fitness Center (254-1711) 1079 Commonwealth Ave., Brookline and (439-9600) 695 Atlantic Ave., South Station
This club offers extensive weight and cardiovascular equipment and classes at both Boston locations as well as in Cambridge and Newton. There are 60 classes per week including cardio-kick-box, muscle conditioning, and water exercises in an indoor pool. The staff helps create a fitness program complete with nutritional counseling. What makes this club unique is that they also offer medically-based programs tailored to specific health requirements. Prices vary depending on specific programs, and both Boston and Brookline locations are accessible by the T.

Key to the abbreviations:

Free weights: FW
Cardiovascular machines: CV
Aerobics Classes: AER
Sports Courts: SC
Spin Classes: SP
Cardio-boxing: CB
Yoga: Y
Pool: P
Personal Training: PT
Child Care: CH

Boston

Boston Body (262-3333) 364 Boylston St.
FW, CV, AER, CB, Y, PT
Extra: Pilates method of body conditioning

Boston Fitness for Women (523-3098) 27 School St.
FW, CV, AER, CB, Y, PT

Boston Marriott Copley Place Health Club (236-5800) 110 Huntington Ave.
FW, CV, P, PT
Extra: Sauna, massages

Boston Young Men's Christian Union (482-1122) 48 Boylston St.
FW, CV

Charles River Park Health and Swim Club (742-2927) Charles River Park Hotel
FW, CV, AER, SC, SP, CB, Y, P, PT
Extra: Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, physical therapy

Charles River Park Tennis Club (742-8922) Charles River Park
SC, PT
Extra: Tournaments, 5 or 6 pros

City Gym and Aerobic Center (536-4008) 542 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Sq.
FW, CV, AER, CB

Fitness International (330-8766) One International Place
FW, CV, AER, SC, SP, CB, PT
Extra: Sauna and Steam Room

Mike's Gym (338-6210) 88 Union Pk.
FW, CV, AER, SP, CB, Y, PT
Extra: Jacuzzi, steam room

Rowes Wharf Health Club & Spa (439-3914) 70 Rowes Wharf
FW, CV, Y, P, PT
Extra: Water aerobics, Spa, massages, manicures/pedicures, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room

Tennis and Racquet Club (536-4630) 939 Boylston St.
FW, CV, SC, PT, CH*
Extra: Court tennis, party bar, fencing, sauna, steam room, massage
*Available on weekends only

Universe Gym (424-7677) 265 Huntington Ave.
FW, CV, PT

Boston Body Works Studio (723-8090) 12 Joy St.
Wait List for Pilates method of body conditioning

Candela Spa (426-6999) 28 Arlington St.
FW, CV, AER, Y, P, PT
Extra: Pilates method of body conditioning, full-service day spa

Dynamic Yoga (983-8353)
Y

The Yoga Studio (523-7138) 74 Joy St.
Y

The Sky Club (426-1212) 1 Devonshire Pl.
FW, CV, AER, SP, CB, Y, P, PT
Extra: Sauna, steam room, whirlpool

Cambridge

The Kendall Club (864-0280) 101 Main St.
FW, CV, PT
Extra: Sauna, juice bar

Brookline

Fitness Connection (566-2828) 310 Harvard St.
FW, CV, CB, PT

Fitness Unlimited for Women (232-7440) 62 Harvard St.
FW, CV, AER, CB, Y, PT
Extra: Sauna, steam room, tanning, pilates method of body conditioning

Clubs with various locations

YMCA (536-7800) Central branch, Huntington Ave., Allston/Brighton, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Roxbury, South Cove/Chinatown, W. Roxbury/Roslindale
FW, CV, AER, CB, Y, SC, P, PT, CH

Fitcorp (262-2050) 133 Federal St., Boston. Government Center/Beacon Hill, Longwood Medical Area, Prudential Center/Back Bay
FW, CV, AER, SP, CB, Y, SC*, PT
Extra: Dry heat sauna
*Available only at Waltham location

World Gym (569-2020) E. Boston, (628-4272) Somerville, ( 508-850-0006 ) Walpole
FW, CV, AER, SP, CB, Y, CH
Extra: Won awards for best spin program in the nation. Tanning, steam room, full service salon

Outside the City

No Frills Aerobics (625-2700) Somerville
AER

Somerville Boxing Club (628-3066) Somerville
CB

Somerville Aerobic Center (628-4272) Somerville
AER

BKS Iyengar Yoga Center of Boston (666-9551) Somerville
Y

Mt. Auburn Club (923-2255) Watertown
FW, CV, AER, SP, Y, SC, P, PT, CH
Extra: Aquatic aerobics

Healthpoint ( 781-522-2222 ) Waltham
FW, CV, AER, SP, CB, Y, SC, P, PT, CH
Extra: Largest gym in New England

Waltham Athletic Club ( 781-899-5000 ) Waltham
FW, CV, AER, CB, Y, SC, P, PT, CH*
Extra: Hot tub, sauna, steam room, children's program
*Limited availability

Fitness Club for Women ( 781-235-3638 ) Wellesley
FW, CV, AER, SP, CB, Y, PT, CH
Extra: Nutritionist


Fitness Etcetera for Women (325-0030) West Roxbury
FW, CV, AER, Y, SC, PT, CH
Extra: Nutrition center, sauna, steam room

Lambert's Fitness Center for Women (265-1994) Dorchester
FW, CV, AER, SP, CB, PT, CH

Dedham Health and Athletic Club ( 781-326-2900 ) Dedham
FW, CV, AER, SP, CB, Y, SC, P, PT, CH

-updated and edited by Ashley Ginter

back>>