As a CWRU student, my two obvious gym options are Veale and 121. Being the broke graduate student…read morethat I am, paying $40/year for a locker sounds MUCH better to me than even the discounted rate students will get for 121 starting this fall. If you are interested in classes then 121 might be the right option. But if you're looking for a good place to workout on your own or with a friend, Veale absolutely fits the bill. The cardio room has plenty of equipment, as does the weight room. There are two pools, a track, and a rock climbing wall as well. And did I mention membership is free for CWRU students and faculty? Just swipe your card. The locker rooms have daily (free) lockers and the paid assigned lockers, as well as showers and hair dryers. They also provide towels (though don't expect soft and fluffy in this department...but they get the job done). I have to say that I am super excited for the extended hours in the fall. Also, many people don't know this but 121 will actually be managing Veale maintenance. What that means for equipment and cleanliness remains to be seen, but I'm certain it will be positive. Overall, if you don't need a "cool" fancy gym and just want a good place to workout, Veale is a great option. I should also say that I workout in the weight room three mornings a week and never feel uncomfortable at all. I've been to gyms where the guys don't always respect the gals who are working out at the same time. Not so here. The athletes, army dudes, and everyday gym junkies have always been nothing but polite. Way to round out a positive review. EDIT: So, 121 is now managing Veale and there are some pretty nice changes going on, i.e. love that they got rid of the yucky drop ceiling in the weight room! Looking forward to seeing all of the changes as they shape up.

The Veale Center is (as of this writing in 2019) a super clean and functional Field House on the…read morecampus of Case Western University. The facility is located in the labyrinth of the school campus and University Hospitals, so use your favorite nav app to get there and use the parking garage. Plan on about a 5 minute walk from your car to the venue.

An awesome outdoor community pool. Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, the Thornton Park…read morePool has dedicated times and areas for patrons of all ages. In the mornings, there's adult lap swim times (set up for 25Y lengths), and in the afternoons the play pool, lazy river, and water slide open up. Swim lessons are offered periodically, and you're sure to hear a game of Marco Polo happening during open swim. Park in the same lot you would to get to the ice rink and other venues inside the Community Center, and walk directly towards the gate to get access to the pool. All this obviously comes at a price, and depending on whether you're a resident of Shaker Heights or not, there are pricing packages for individual day passes and season passes. Inquire inside the Community Center for more information and to purchase a pass. They use special wristbands to delineate your age and access so its easier for lifeguards to know who's cleared to lap swim - safety first! I come mainly to lap swim and while I love that they're open until 8PM, it's not the most optimal pool for training. They don't have the large time clocks to do swim sets, and when I come earlier on the weekends I'm often competing with the other regulars to share a lane. My biggest qualm is the lack of flags demarcating the last 5Y of each end of a lap which are helpful when swimming backstroke. At least the lanelines are colored differently though. There are ample lounge chairs and canopied areas for families to set up camp. If tanning is your game, you can easily find a spot on the deck for that too. I haven't been able to find lockers during my time here but there are separate men and women's bathrooms easily accessible adjacent to the lifeguard's lounge area. They have kickboards available to borrow nearby as well.

This is a fun family place to hang out, let the kid swim and catch up on work. It's become apart…read moreof our summer routine.

It might not seem like much, but Lincoln Park is almost the perfect park in almost the perfect…read moreCleveland neighborhood: Tremont. It's a large rectangle with (mostly) symmetrically pathways diagonal and across, but not through. It's all grass, and there are dozens of trees (and hundreds of squirrels), but aside from the children's playground in the southeast quadrant and the gazebo in the very center, there's not much variation. You can probably play a game of soccer/football/ultimate/kill the carrier in the northern part, where the trees are sparsest, but it isn't really a playing-sports park. No, Lincoln Park is more of a let's-visit-the-park kind of park. Maybe a poet's park? It's somewhere to walk and contemplate. I've done hours and hours of walking here, often in the snow, although I wish those hours had added up to at least days, if not weeks. One of my only regrets (of things under my control) from my year of living in Cleveland is that I didn't spend as much time in Tremont as I wanted to. The park really is lovely. It was way underutilized back then, but even though it was often nearly or totally empty, it didn't feel unloved. It's a proud old park in a proud old neighborhood of a proud old city. Whenever you're ready to enjoy it, it will be waiting silently for you. I really love it.

Very nice park, it's small, but cute and a great place to take a nice stroll through the…read moreneighborhood after grabbing a coffee from one of the nearby shops, or waiting for a reservation at a nearby restaurant. It is a very nice and well kept park in terms of cleanliness, but I will say the only reason why this review isn't 5 stars is because the homeless population is a bit overwhelming at times. I have physically seen people talking to themselves or digging through the trashcan at this park. I really wish there was some way the park or the police perhaps could assist these people who regularly attend the park. Other than those factors, it is very nice! I also enjoy the Farmer's Market on Tuesdays during the summer!

I was a member until this Friday, and this was because of the double standards the senior staff has…read morefor one another at the workout room. There are those that goes in there to socialize rather than to workout, or to sit down on the machinery to text on their smart phones than to use them. I have been going there for six months and no issues until I stop wearing my veteran's hat and showing my Yarmulke and while coming in singing Jewish Prayers as I have explained to the staff. This is why I left because I felt discriminated and marginalized for being Jewish. Therefore, I don't recommend this place.

I absolutely love the Hillcrest YMCA. The staff is so relaxed and welcoming. The facility meets the…read morebasic requirements for lifting and cardio. I have never had issues with patrons. The building Is a little small but it makes it easy to navigate. Furthermore the staff listen to your suggestions and does what they can to make it happen.

Life Time Fitness is a huge lifestyle gym and health center in Beachwood. It can't even be compared…read moreto any local gym, it's far superior. During my initial visit my tour guide referred to it being like a county club. Right on - upscale and relaxing vacay vibes. I have only remained a member for a few months due to life events and health circumstances. I was always very enthusiastic about visiting Life Time! AMENITIES: The club is very clean and every part of the experience is well designed. Everything you need is there. For instance, you'll get all toiletries and towels for your shower or sauna visits. The club well serves a variety of guest groups catering to their unique needs. Parents can use childcare service. Millennials can utilize pickleball courts. Retired folks can partake in a fun Arora aquatic program. There are numerous amenities: full salon, cafe, co-working cafe, indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, steam room, pickleball courts, rock climbing, Pilates studio, personal training, yoga studio, chiropractor, cold plunge, outdoor bar, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, workout area, cryo, and a lot more. You almost need a lifetime to explore them all! It was an immediate "yes" for me in terms of joining. The gym is very spacious, you never feel constrained at any times of the day. My favorite amenities are the outdoor pool and Club Lounge (co-working space). The outdoor pool is Olympic size pool with comfy lounge chairs and lounges. There is zero entry part and swimming lanes. Robust Arora program (open to any ages) offers fun water aerobics activities. The classes are so high energy! The pool was even open into October this year. Loved the pool! Co-working space offered me a lot of flexibility working from the gym and taking a break to enjoy the amenities. The internet speed is excellent! CLASSES: Classes can be conveniently accessed via Life Time mobile application. Sign-up is easy. Timings are suitable for various schedules. EVENTS: Life Time hosts plenty of events for members creating a communal feel - karaoke, swim nights, and even tequila tasting. Some feature a DJ and cool decor. While most events are free, you'll pay for drinks. PRICING: Prices match the amenities. I paid almost $200 per month for a single membership. Not everything is included in your membership (Pilates for instance), but most things are. You get some discounts (such as the salon, the cafe, and personal training) during your first month. It's definitely a pricey investment but also self-investment. CANCELLATIONS: Membership cancellation is very easy. I was able to cancel my membership via the app. I was sad to cancel my membership but life is lifing. You also have an option to pause your membership and partake in online workouts. DOWNSIDES: To be honest in my review, few issues exist at Life Time: - Concierges are not always pleasant. I had this experience, my guest did, and other members mentioned it to me too. The service is very dismissive. You will constantly get referred to the app, attentiveness is rarely a thing. - Cafe prices are outrageous and far higher than at any other health cafes. I recently paid over $40 for a power bowl (Shoyu-Sesame), protein balls, and a smoothie (Açaí Bliss). It's convenient to have a cafe onsite, but prices are wild for the portions and mediocre quality. - Open hours for the amenities are ever changing and unclear. It's hard to figure out when the pools are open or when cafe outdoors is available. Employees I've asked about the open hours were equally puzzled. This doesn't well serve busy individuals with demanding schedules and need to pre-plan. - The parking lot is very dim at night. While the area feels extremely safe, it's still not the best time in the evening. - Onboarding process is rather chaotic. I found myself asking basic questions about creating a pass card, locker use, open hours, and sign-up processes. I was constantly referred to the app which didn't have most of these answers. Overall, I truly enjoyed the amenities at Life Time. I will definitely rejoin when my personal circumstances change. I highly recommend dropping in for a day pass to experience Life Time or formally joining. You won't find a better gym around!

PHOTOS attached below…read more I visited for a yoga class in January 2021. A former co-worker who teaches yoga classes there, she may not teach there anymore since the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, invited me to take her yoga class so the class was free for me. I believe the gym offers a free week trial of classes or just one free class for prospective new members. YOGA -- I attended a vinyasa flow yoga class and I can't remember the specific name of the class but it was in-between a beginner's class and an intermediate class. I enjoyed the class because the instructor (Elizabeth) gave good directions/cues between movements. We did the typic upward and downward faving dog poses GYM -- The gym is HUGE and has a lot of weight machines to use plus dumbbells, bikes, and treadmills. You can get all your strength and cardio needs at this gym. I think they have a pool too. CAFE -- The small cafe is a convenient option to grab a quick bite post-workout. They sell smoothies, sandwiches, snacks, etc. After the yoga class, I ordered a small breakfast sandwich with egg and bacon and it tasted good. It wasn't too salty and it was just a typical breakfast sandwich. I also ordered a bottled SUJA green juice which was refreshing. I won't join this gym because it's too far from where I live but if you live on the east side of Cleveland then this gym is a good option. **** - 36/150 total reviews in 2023 - 587 total overall Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 19 March 2023

Star 1: Friendly staff, and always well staffed. Several PTs available also…read more Star 2: Great open layout, with many options for traditional and 'modern' exercises, with a decent pool. Star 3: Cardio Theater, in addition to an indoor track and a plethora of cardio machines on the first and second floor Star 4: Even at peak hours, you can still get your workouts finished without being flustered Other pluses: good juice bar, saunas, several class options, plenty of parking Minor Nays: Closes at 7pm on the weekend, and at 11pm on weekdays.

I've been a member for a LONG time. I like the machines. I like the track. I like the proximity to…read moremy home. I stopped in today after a months-long absence. I hoped to resume the Silver Sneakers class. Still too crowded. Still too hot. Still TOO BORING. The teacher even had to say SMILE to the class, but the blank faces continued. Just not fun. I noticed also that the rug is torn near the machines, soap was missing from some of the bathroom dispensers. It's dark in sections of the first floor. Why don't people wipe off the machines after using them? Upgrade! Update!