The Right Fit: Philly Gyms for Every Kind of Gym-Goer
The Training Station in Northern Liberties
Luxe Locker Rooms
Where: Sporting Club at the Bellevue, 224 South Broad Street, eighth floor, Philadelphia, 215-985-9876.
Why: The fully loaded locker rooms feature saunas, whirlpools, tanning booths, and enough free bath products to keep you out of CVS for months.
Other perks: Boxing and racquetball facilities, a pool, a pro shop, and a spa where members get 10 percent off services.
Insider tip: Keep your eyes peeled for celebs—both the local (Ed Rendell) and Hollywood (Bradley Cooper, Colin Farrell) varieties.
Serious Runners
Where: The Training Station, 1033 North 2nd Street, third floor, Philadelphia, 215-964-9558.
Why: Owner Phil Clark, a professional runner, stocked his gym with his favorite toys, including über-fast four-minute-mile treadmills.
Other perks: Cross-train on a high-tech rowing machine that mimics Schuylkill-like conditions.
Insider tip: Call ahead, and Clark will help you find the best fit at the on-site shoe boutique.
Killer Classes
Where: Newtown Athletic Club, 120 Pheasant Run, Newtown, 215-968-0600.
Why: Just try getting bored with 180 classes a week at your disposal—everything from yoga to dance to martial arts.
Other perks: Two indoor pools, a three-lane indoor track, and a Pilates studio with 12 reformers. Look forward to a $6 million outdoor complex with four pools and a lazy river, set for completion in spring 2013.
Insider tip: Drop Junior at the gym’s Kids Club for free child care while you primp at the on-site Urban Allure Salon & Spa.
Kids in Tow
Where: ACAC, 1130 McDermott Drive, West Chester, 610-431-7000.
Why: Kids can have at it in their own 40,000-square-foot wing, complete with a game room, moon bounces and a two-story climbing structure.
Other perks: An indoor basketball court, an outdoor water park with slides, and lots of aquatics classes.
Insider tip: ACAC’s new smartphone app provides instant access to class schedules and club hours.
Crowd Pleaser
Where: City Fitness, 200 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, and 2201 South Street, Philadelphia; 215-923-4114.
Why: The winner of our reader poll, and it’s to see why: Huge facilities make for plenty of equipment to go around—which means very little wait time even at peak hours.
Other perks: The on-site juice bar slings no-sugar-added shakes; month-to-month memberships make commitment-phobes happy.
Insider tip: Have a flexible schedule? You can sign up for an off-peak membership with limited gym hours for only $19.99 a month.
>> This article first appeared in the 2012 Be Well Philly print magazine. To order a free copy, go here.
