I feel a bit weird reviewing this gym. Sort of like I'm cheating on my long-time favourite, Virgin…read moreActive. The fact of the matter is however, I no longer work in the city. So making a special trip in for Virgin seems a little extreme. Moreover, at just $23 a fortnight, North Melbourne Recreation is a darn sight cheaper than the big V. Joining North Melbourne Rec gives you access to a surprising number of different facilities for that weeny price too... the basketball stadium (home court of the Melbourne Tigers), tennis courts, Carlton baths, North Melbourne swimming pool and of course, the gym. I generally go during off-peak hours so I can't comment on how busy it gets, but I've been impressed at how smoothly things seems to run during the more in-demand times. For those who are so inclined, it's probably also worth noting that as this is the home ground for the Melbourne Tigers (basketball) AND the North Melbourne Kangaroos (AFL) you often aren't short of eye candy. What it's really about for me though, is that it's clean, new and supervised. The latter being important for those of us who may have a nasty habit of passing out on occasion!

the NMRC has loads to offer almost everyone, from pool to gym and even basketball and netball…read morecourts! Personally I am a fan of the pool! There is the usual 25m lap pool divided up in to fast, medium and slow but the big star of the North Melbourne pool isn't the lap pool. it is the three other, interconnected pools. Starting at a baby pool, which must only be a few centimeters deep and is totally covered by a shade cloth. This is connected by a small pebble path to a toddler pool, with steps and 'beach entry' so the little ones can approach it with ease. For those who don't know, a 'beach entry' is just a gentle sloping ramp from the side down to the bottom of the pool so it almost feels like a beach, if you ignore the lack of sand. The toddler pool is only partially covered by a shade cloth, so parents can get a tan as well as playing with the little ones. Next is the main pool, also connected by a pebble path to the toddler pool (I don't know why i found that so cool, maybe it was just the burble of the water or the more natural feel) The main pool is where all the action is! Like the toddler pool, it has steps and a 'beach entry' and steps. It has a few little ledges to sit on and for children to play, In the middle is a huge water umbrella to make sure you stay cool on the 40+ days. All in all this is a great pool for all ages!

Can't sleep? Why not go to the gym to work up that desire for a nap!…read more Found opposite Barkly Square - known for its concentration of deep fried foodery places - Doherty's Gym can often be found with a muscle-bound hulk-esque person moving through the doors. Because of this it took me quite a while to actually go in. a few laps past the windows to look in to see the equipment they have available and the membership prices. One night I couldn't sleep - one of the hot sticky nights that sleep just doesn't want to come - so I thought to myself that now is the best possible time to go and try it out. The gym layout is styled on those west coast US gyms you see in the movies. With more equipment than you can imagine - weight training, cardio fitness, boxing and more - I just wanted to run on the treadmill for a few hours. Afterwards the fully stocked Pro Shop for all your training supplement requirements,and what's better is the coffee shop found even closer than you'd expect. Now I guess I'll never sleep. The membership is not the cheapest if you're a "every now and then" kinda gym user but if it's a 4-6 day a week thing this is definitely for you.

Amazing gym. -it has all the equipment you need…read more -amazing staff and services. - it has a community/ family vibe to it. - direct debit is only $15 a week. -open 24 hours a day....every day. -has a room dedicated to boxing. Need more? Go in, check it out and say hello.

This gym is close to home and it's very affordable $25 a fortnight and all classes are included…read more The gym equipment is mediocre at best, it is mostly outdated, and there are no free barbells and weights. Only set dumbells and set barbell weights available. Positives! The trainers are fantastic, the staff are all lovely and hospitable. They do have a good selection of kettlebells and also recently introduced Les Mills classes. The class sizes are also sparsely attended therefore it often feels like your getting a PT session. The regular attendees are also very amicable. Overall, friendly, affordable and great if u live in the vicinity. Oh! What I dislike is that , staff do not move the smokers further away from the entrance. Occasionally u can smell the tobacco from within the workout spaces

Was nearby and affordable. The instructor in group fitness classes pay individual attention to your…read moretechnique and push you harder every week. They really monitor your growth and help build strength and endurance. I enjoyed kick-boxing the most with Gigi. Totally worth the money!

OH GOD MY LEGS. Kaya…read morehas been kicking my ass for the past month and this is the only sentence I can utter after one of their killer pilates reformer classes. Kaya is part of that new breed of gym where you really feel like you should be dressed up when you go in - it's just that beautiful. Hardwood floors, geometric architecture, you could confuse this gym with a trendy new Northside cafe. I am addicted to their pilates reformer classes. They are touch but achievable and you honestly feel stronger the next day. They also host Barre classes, boxing classes and a variety of different yoga classes in temperature controlled rooms. One of the coolest things about Kaya (at least in my eyes) is the electronic lockers. At my last gym, I was given a beaten-up key to a grotty locker, but here the lockers are ready for you to input your very own 4-number code. Easy. Simple. Secure. If you work/live in the city and are looking for a decent gym, look no further.

Looking for a space to get your health kick on? Look no further then Kaya. With their range of…read moreclasses, people pop in and out straight from work and the daily grind, and into workout clothes for a session to get themselves back in order. Its a health club. You wouldn't come here for the gym, even though they have what you need here. But the classes? Oh yes. You may look into some of the rooms and think to yourself, what the heck are these machines? Why that is Reformer Pilates. Get on one and find out for yourself, cause it'll be your new friend. This session made me remember that I had a core. Who knew? And after those 45 minutes of intense not expecting to get sweaty -but I did, I was most definitely sore the next day. And I loved that. Yoga has always been my go-to. Nidra yoga with Ashleigh here is something everyone should do to get in touch with your inner peace. Its so soothing, almost like a grown up nap time. But it's so so much better than that, like mind out of body stuff. Plus, it's much more rewarding. Yin and meditation was with Derek; yin yoga really focuses on getting to know one pose and learning what is comfortable for you. Being someone who normally does vinyasa, yin is calming, and it's good to stretch yourself in one pose. I walked out feeling like a pigeon pose champ. The barre class. Holy cow, for anyone looking for that dancer-type body, this one's for you. I had zero idea of what I signed up for, except for Google pictures and making up some concept in my mind. The Monday night session with Kirby kicked my butt, well my legs actually. It was so different from what I imagined it'd be like, and a lot more strenuous. I was that person taking little intermittent breaks just to compose myself. Yep, not ashamed, I just was not used to that intensity in a workout. For days following this, my legs felt like straight up jello. Kirby was great, she was extremely motivating and fun, and mixes it up. Matt, the Membership Advisor, is a sweetheart and the perfect go-to person for enquiries and help. I mean, everyone is nice and friendly at Kaya, but Matt was welcoming as well. The location is ideal, convenient for any city folk as it's the top of the emporium and it feels like a sanctuary sitting up there. What better way to sweat yourself back into shape then on top of a mall?

Great club, top line equipment, friendly social interactions, recommend if you are local or passing…read morethrough.

Full disclosure: I'm approaching 40 years old and haven't been a member of a gym in my life…read more That's a lie. I was a member of a rival gym a couple of years ago. When I joined up I was given an introductory personal training session in which I was reminded how unfit I was and sent packing with a detailed report on my woeful state of health. Or that's how it felt. Totally demoralising and I never went back. That was the background to my contact with Virgin Active (Bourke St.), following a new determination to get fit. It loomed in the background as I perused their site and filled in the contact form. So much so that I shared it with them when they called me back the same day. And again when I had a tour. But my experience with Virgin was nothing like what I experienced elsewhere. It was positive, inclusive, accommodating. They looked to take their cues from me and support my goals rather than impose their own standards. I could talk about the equipment (loads of it), the space (masses of it), or the range of activities (pool/spa/sauna? Check. Indoor rock climbing? Check.) I could mention the cleanliness of the venue or friendliness of the staff. But what it comes down to here is care. Is this a warehouse full of keep fit stuff or does it house a culture of care? It's the latter. Virgin Active have my ongoing business because at each stage they have proven themselves to care about who I am, where I'm at and what I'm aiming for. And that's valuable.

Firstly: Whoa…read more Secondly: Seriously. Whoa. Bodhi and Ride is a stunning new fitness centre in the heart of Port Melbourne specialising in Hot Yoga, Ride45 (spin class) and meditation. I popped in for a Ride45 this morning after being told "it's nothing like any spin class you've done before." Truer words were never spoken. I walked in to the 'Spin Chamber' and felt like I was in an epic Los Angeles nightclub. Impressive LED lighting, candles, thumping Beyonce and a bunch of gorgeous gals excited for what was ahead. You might think a Ride45 class is just going to be a great cardio workout plus a bit of action for your legs. WRONG. During the class we lifted weights, did tricep push-ups, an ab workout and even semi-squats all while pedalling our little hearts out. Yes, you will need to have some skill in multi-tasking. Throughout all this the music is so loud and practically coursing through your veins that you can't think about anything else - especially the fact that you've got sweat pouring down your face and you are pedalling so hard that you feel like you might take off. The instructor was so damn adorable that I want to be friends with her. She was charming, encouraging but not overbearing and pushy like so many instructors can be. I cannot recommend Bodhi and Ride enough. Simply gorgeous studios and motivating classes. They've definitely got a repeat customer out of me and I live on the other side of the city!

If what you want from your gym is classes focusing on every fitness fad of the last decade and a…read moredizzying array of personal training choices, this is not the gym for you. There's very limited group and personal training options. However, if you're like me and you just want access to quality equipment to do your own thing without spending too much Zap is great. They have an impressive selection of modern cardio and weights equipment. Most of the cardio equipment even has built in internet access! The cleanliness standards are good and the gym is rarely crowded. Access passes for this gym work at all the other Zap Fitness gyms around the country, which include quite a few in Melbourne. The gym is accessible 24/7 with your access pass but there isn't staff there all the time, so check the website for staffed hours if you are heading in to sign up or to talk to a staff member about something.

Bad customer service. The management of the gym aren't bothered listening to customers, are…read moreuncaring, and ignore any problems you raise with them. They are good at rolling out slick looking new gyms, but don't seem to have had much experience actually running gyms on a day to day basis so when a problem occurs they are quite clueless about how to deal with it.

This is one of the better Anytime Fitness gyms that I've been to - have been to 3 others…read more Having just recently opened, the space is new with lots of natural light. Feels bigger than the other Anytime gyms. Lots of new equipment, about a dozen cardio machines, machine weights, free weights and Olympic lifts. The place is well looked after - clean bathrooms & showers, plants are watered etc. There's also a few little things that sets it apart: - a guest entrance so non-members don't get *beeped* at that they've tailgated someone inside - as if getting up the motivation to visit a gym isn't traumatic enough already. - Disposable sanitising wipes for the equipment so it's super easy to clean up after your work out - "jukebox" on the wall so you can line up your most motivating workout beats, not just a radio with annoying ads - fans that you can turn on and off without having to ask for staff assistance Weekday morning staff is awesome, weekend morning staff very casual. Have not been in the evening. Rated 4 stars as the class offerings are limited at the moment, but overall, the thoughtful touches that makes it a little easier to not flake out on going to gym.

You would be forgiven for thinking that this gym does not belong to a chain group called Fitness…read moreFirst. I was gifted a corporate gym membership; of which sadly had to be returned after six months of use. Although in saying this, I was fortunate to enjoy two casual classes two weeks ago as the company I used to work for had failed to cancel my membership here. An abundant bonus. The classes are exceptional, and so are the instructors - especially Brandon on a Friday afternoon when you join him at 5:30pm for Body Attack, and with him again at 6:30pm for Body Balance - two fantastic Les Mills workouts, and he is a great start to the weekend. The reception staff defy the service you would normally receive from chain stores - they actually know your name and thus greet you by your name the moment they see you before handing in your membership card to be swiped. And when you misplace your card; it is usually immediately ready to re-collect. The launch classes of new releases on the Les Mills workouts are always so much fun. There is a different theme for each new release where you might have to dress up in halloween clothes for instance, and sometimes instructors run special classes for fundraising purposes where you cannot get in without a gold coin donation. Something Brandon did on one of his Friday afternoon Body Attack classes which went for a marathon 90 minutes once; instead of the normal 60 minutes which is intense enough.

This gym is great! It has everything you need! Gym gear, weights training, stretch room, lots of…read moreprograms that come included with your membership! Sauna, steam, relaxation room! It's just great. It has recently undergone improvement in the toilets and upgraded, which has been fantastic! The weight training has lots of equipment, so no matter how busy you can improvise with something else or you wont be waiting long for the next available! I have used a personal trainer here, however found that to be a little to pricey! Apart from that, all is good! A great gym and great location!