Like many people in 2020, finding a place to work out safely has been very difficult. I had no idea…read morewhat to do as an extrovert who loves Group Fitness classes, because it helps me get a little bit more energy. That's where my summer Y membership came into place. I ended up utilizing the outdoor spin classes at this location frequently, and cannot say enough good things about Chuck, the fitness instructor. As far as I know, there are a few other outdoor classes, but the spin classes are my jam. I love Chuck's energy, the music, and the fact that I get a super hard ride in once a week. I believe he teaches three classes per week, but the Sunday class is my favorite. So grateful that the YMCA has provided us with a safe way to get our fitness on. Thank you!

By far my favorite YMCA in Durham. While the American Tobacco Campus lacks a swimming pool, steam…read moreroom and sauna, it makes up for it in the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff, cleanliness of the lockers and equipment and it's the least crowded Y I've been to in the area. I most often visit the gym between 9:30-12:00pm, and there is never more then a handful of clients during those hours at this Y. Mostly professionals that work at Tobacco Campus, people are quiet and stick to themselves. Also, note that this location is also only open on weekdays, conducive to professionals! I've never had a Y attendant be more attentive to me, one of the staff asked me if I was doing okay during my workout routine and offered helpful suggestions. Their quality of equipment is on par with the Lakewood facilities but is more updated with the NikeFit application on the treadmills and built in fans (you also have a beautiful waterfall view!). They also have a private bike room (not a glass room like the downtown Y) and a couple private workout classrooms for classes. My only qualms about this Y are that parking can be rough to find and there's a two hour limit on the street and in the deck. In addition, the water pressure in the woman's bathroom is like a deep-tissue massage. It's not bad, but startled me at first and I could see people having an issue with that. Since this location is only open during weekdays and not late, it's definitely more geared towards the local work crowd. Last, the lockers in the woman's room are much smaller then your typical YMCA lockers, so bring a small gym back or just try to shove it all in. I switch off my YMCA's since I work, live and socialize near three different locations, but I was very happy to discover this mostly hidden branch. Be sure to check it out if you're looking for a quiet atmosphere and a place where there will always be open equipment. Also, they've got coffee for you on your way out, how much better can it get?! Elite Note: If you feel like running outdoors, the ATT starts on the other side of the highway and goes for 22 miles!

I'm currently coming here for shoulder PT. I'm super impressed with my therapist, but not so much…read morewith the other staff. They haven't been the nicest or easiest to work with. Some how I got scheduled for a couple of pool sessions by accident. However I wasn't able to cancel it online. I had to call which was a headache. I had to jump through so many hoops!

Great facility! The staff is lovely and if you go during any time, most time is quiet the people…read moreare nice and friendly and willing to help you out on the machines... There's also personal trainers if you need one of those and there's TVs that you can hook up and listen to your phone. All the machines are great and the classes are great too.

Pretty obvious that Desmond doesn't care about the gym. Lot of busted old equipment, nothing is…read moreever cleaned, he never runs the AC, toilets aren't even secured to the floor, and good luck drying off your hands after washing them.

I've been going here from some time now, and it's been a very good experience. I mainly do…read moreweightlifting there, and since there's over 10 racks there, I've never had an issue finding a spot to lift. During the middle of the day, it's fairly empty, so there's maybe only 1-3 other people there during off-peak hours. Even in peak times, I see everyone working in with each other without any hassle. Desmond recently gave the place a really nice renovation with some new racks, so it's looking good there. Even before then, the gym's got all the equipment I need to get my workout done and then some. I always feel welcome here, and Desmond greets me by name anytime he sees me come in. If you just want to lift and don't need classes/training, the $20/mo is absolutely a great deal.

Great place to work out ! The environment is welcoming and the staff is great. Kenneth an employee…read moreat the guess road location is the most helpful employe one time I left behind something very very important he saved the day and had it sitting at the front desk.

Small to midsize planet fitness. Definitely clean and friendly staff. Not overly crowded early on…read moreSaturday morning.

"Decent gym in strip mall on Hillsborough Rd, Durham"…read more My regular gym has been closed for renovations, so I've been coming here for a few weeks now. A one-month guest membership was only $60, and it was super-fast to sign up. As the other reviewer said, it's not a "high-end" fitness center, but it's certainly acceptable. They had some group exercise classes, but I didn't really look into those. Median age of people I've seen there (~6:30-7:30am) I'd guess is ~35-40 years old. Positives: + Active but not crowded. Never empty, but never hard to get a piece of equipment at the times I come. + Extensive equipment I used was mostly reasonably new and/ or well-maintained. LOTS of treadmills, tons of both machine and free weights, areas for aerobics/ stretching, etc. + Curtained individual showers, even for the men, with soap provided. + Clientele and staff are friendly but not chatty-- perfect combination. Potential negatives: - It's a bit dark inside-- not so much from lack of lights but from the paint. Not in a bad way, but just not really bright like at other gyms. Perhaps some people prefer that... - They play the music too loud. I don't mind their choices, and it's not painful or anything, but I'd rather listen to my own music on my iPod than their selection, and it's played loud enough to make it hard to ignore their music. Things not provided: - Must bring your own lock for lockers - Must bring your own towels. Synopsis: Perfectly happy with this place as a fill-in for my regular gym. If they had a pool, I'd even consider it as a possible replacement. A-OK.

I emailed a trainer several times about possible one on one training and he was like whatever and…read morenever responded. If you just opened a gym, wouldn't you be trying to get new business?

O2 Fitness in Durham NC did not disappoint…read more The facility is very clean, extremely spacious, well-maintained, and fully stocked with top-tier equipment. Whether you're into heavy lifting, functional training, or cardio, they have everything you need. The staff is friendly, professional, and genuinely helpful -- you can tell they actually care about members and creating a great gym culture. The atmosphere is motivating without being intimidating, which makes it perfect for both beginners and serious lifters. Locker room was clean and the layout was spacious. To all my fellow Iron Addicts... If you're serious about your fitness and want a gym that delivers on quality, O2 Fitness is absolutely worth it. Highly recommend!

Spacious, well-equipped, clean and perfectly maintained. Many classes for those who like them.read more

I love this studio! It is in such a great location. It is near a harris teeter, panera, burger…read morebach, and a lot of other really good food places and stores. I decided to try barre because I am not a fan of high impact workouts. Don't be fooled by the minimal movements - these classes are no joke. But, the instructor was so friendly and encouraging the whole time and I didn't feel embarrassed or out of place. The studio is clean and everyone is very energetic and welcoming! It really is a fun and positive environment.

I was really excited when the new Pure Barre Durham opened in the new Shops at Erwin Mill shopping…read morecenter. I've checked out other barre places around the Triangle, and this one was right by my house! The class is exactly what you'd expect from a Pure Barre class (scripted, a routine you would know). You enter the studio, sign in, and set up inside the room. Barre socks are a must, so bring some with you. There are bathrooms both outside and inside of the actual room, and only one wall has a mirror - so you aren't forced in front of one if you don't want it. Both classes I took started late, which is annoying, but it was the first week they were open. I definitely think it takes more than once class to feel the workout - you'll spend the whole first class just understanding what's going on, so if you have the opportunity, a class package is the way to go. I purchased the 4 classes for $40 newcomers special (14 days to use). Unfortunately some of the days the studio was closed due to snow, but the owners were more than accommodating about adding a few days back onto the pass to cover it. However, it was nearly impossible to get into a class! Even a full week ahead of time, I could not get into a class or on a wait-list - AT ALL (I'm talking the entire weekend was full). So despite the owner's accommodation with adding a few days on to the package, I was only able to use two classes anyway. My suggestion: If you have time to take class during the off-peak hours (mid-day? I have no idea) then it's worth it, but otherwise, any kind of package that can expire might not be worth your money. This might be due to the fact that they just opened a few weeks ago, so hopefully as they hammer out a better schedule, include more classes, etc. this won't be an issue.

The Method is the cleanest and coziest gym i have been to. The team did a great job to have…read moreeverything sanitized all-the-time and keep everyone healthy. Other than training facilities, there are nice paintings and personalized music playlist. I started my training with Corey in the middle of the pandemic (Dec, 2020). Corey is the most knowledgeable trainer in both strength building and nutrition planning I have ever met. Corey has been tracking my progress and adapt the programs as my fitness goal changes. After 102 workouts, I feel much stronger and healthier. Amazing gym! Amazing trainer! Truly recommended.

I've been working out with Trey (one of the personal trainers) for about 10 sessions so far and…read moreI've had a very positive experience (well, there was some muscle soreness but that was a good thing!). Maitland's Method might not be on your radar for personal fitness because it's not one of those big conglomerate gyms, but you should definitely consider it. Just to give you a summary: - This gym is primarily for personal training but you get access to some of the equipment as a regular client - They offer individual and partner training sessions (partner sessions are half the price which makes it very affordable) - Emphasis on strength and resistance training - Lots of very solid equipment and free weights Maitland and his team have a long history of strength training -- check out the wall of bodybuilding trophies and photos when you walk through the entrance. Among their trainers are bodybuilding champions and an ex-NFL linesman. You don't need to be an aspiring bodybuilder to appreciate the workout routine. There's a diverse mix of clients -- men, women, young, and old. Each trainer follows Maitland's method (hence the name) which has been refined over many years. Still learning about the method but so far so good! The trainers help you throughout the routine, keep a log of your exercises, and help you build fitness plans (for inside and outside the gym). For someone like me that forgets to count reps, this place is a godsend. My workout has become much more focused and efficient. I use to be able to waste hours at the gym when I was younger but now I recognize the importance of getting the most out of the time as possible. The extra cost for personal training has been well worth it! Trey has been especially friendly and effective. At nearly 7' tall and built like a football player (no surprise he use to play for the Colts) he might seem a little intimidating but he's actually probably one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. The exercises have been safe and I've been able to blend my new routine with soccer and running. He's helping prepare me for a marathon and build muscle at the same time (which will hopefully help prevent injury).

Good location and lots of equipment. Staff are friendly. However, why does the men's bathroom…read moreconstantly smell like sulfur or fart? Something wrong with the sewer pipes??

I drove quite a distance to this Planet Fitness site in order to check out the club and see the…read moreequipment. I made the assumption that they would let me try out the place once gratis. Not so fast! They said they don't have a complementary anything but can sell me a twenty-four hour day pass for twenty dollars! I thought that was exorbitant and turned around and left. I find this mercenary. I would have paid ten dollars for twenty-four hours but twenty is too much. I will check out other gyms in town because of this.

I was at the Diet and Fitness Center (DFC) for over 6 weeks. I had come to DFC with medical…read moreconcerns and had been very overweight. DFC helped me to lose a lot of weight. This was really important to me and therefore I think my stay was, overall, a success. DFC is a great program on paper (lots of quality people, good food, not a fad diet place at all), but having spent a pretty long time there, I now feel that the program itself has some serious issues which cannot be ignored. There shortcomings involved the staff, including the Director (Dr. Sha), facilities, and even fellow patients. DFC patients plan all of their daily meals based on their recommended calorie intake. So, the meals served at DFC are key ingredients in your potential success. Imagine my surprise when I encountered the incompetence of the cafeteria staff who served us our calorie-controlled DFC meals! There were, routinely, foul-ups of the portions or the foods we had calculated following DFC protocols. Sometimes food offered on the menu was out-of-stock, sometimes the wrong quantities were given, sometimes the cafeteria servers did not know what to do. I pointed out these concerns to the staff but pretty much nothing got fixed. It was distressing. The gym facilities include a variety of workout machines and a salt-water pool. The salt-water was a nice surprise, which I enjoyed. The gym machines (which are heavily used), however were not the most modern or up-to-date. I work out at a gym where I live in the midwest and I was surprised to see that several pieces of equipment are more modern than what DFC has. In addition, I had reported a hygiene problem concerning the presence of little black flies in the showers in the mens' locker room to staff, including to Dr. Sha, but even after several weeks, the flies were still there. While many DFC patients are serious about losing weight and provide a supportive group atmosphere, others can become a little frustrated and try to undermine other patients' success. I, unfortunately, encountered this situation more than once. For instance, after I had started to lose significant amounts of weight, other program participants asked me to my face "why" I was at DFC and whether I belonged there. I replied that I had the same reason for being at DFC as they did, namely to develop healthy lifestyle patterns and improve my health. Many of the staff at DFC are really good, and contribute to a strong program with excellent support for those trying to lose weight. The nutrition department staff, for instance, serve as solid resources for any questions about food and are highly motivated. There are, however, shortcomings at DFC about which people need to be aware. Housing Tip: DFC does not provide housing, so one has to shop around for housing in Durham. Trinity Commons is right nearby DFC, but you over-pay for being able to walk to DFC. Other accommodations in Durham offer more things for the same, or lower, price, and also provide daily shuttles to DFC.

A good, medically reviewed program but not for everyone…read more First let me say that the staff are very professional and the program is medically sound. Not a fad diet program. That said, the program may be frustrating for those who are younger, are a bit more physically active already, or not as overweight. The number of exercise classes could be increased to provide more options for those seeking a more challenging or intense work out. There are some good ones(boot camp, cardio circuit etc.) The lectures are helpful-especially regarding nutrition/portions/restaurant meals but if you are there for more then 2 weeks the classes repeat and it would be nice to have a greater number of offerings. Classes geared to the specific needs of younger clients would also be welcome. I found that I had a lot of down time and would have liked more structure. If you are not someone who will say "I have 3 hours of free time-I guess I should get on the treadmill or go swim some laps" you'll end up not doing much. Also-I understand that it is a temporary situation but sharing the facility with the Duke health and fitness center was annoying at times. For a younger person it gave the impression that you were in an assisted living/ retirement community. Not exactly a high energy vibe. Food is better then one might expect but there was always a off putting order in the dinning room that reminded me of hospital or other institutional kitchens. I'm not sure how to prevent that(more ventilation?) but it was really bothersome. Again, the program worked and I did lose lbs while there, and its a program that is realistic for maintaining at home, but if you're going to spend a lot of money and take time off it would be nice to have a more current and energizing feel. The atmosphere seemed more like a nursing home at times(why are there tables w/ jigsaw puzzles?)The class could be updated and expanded. Also-avoid staying at the Trinity Commons. While they are lovely units and conveniently located the manger seemed too aggressive and was uncomfortable to be around.