As a new Charles River member, but long time YMCA member, I have a lot to compare it to…read more The Wang YMCA has a large basketball court, the East Boston YMCA has beautiful studios... and the Charles River YMCA has Paula. Paula teaches step, and some other boot camp type classes. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be coming quite so often. She is upbeat, high energy, and just an all around great teacher. The free workout area? Tiny. The machine area? Small. Paula's Step Class? I'll stay an hour and half later at work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to go to her classes. You should, too!

I joined this Y for two main reasons: 1) get a cardiac workout on their ellipticals and do some…read moreweights 2) proximity to where I live. I found this Y to be ideal for the following reasons: a) clean - I noticed frequent wipe down of equipment by staff, b) all equipment were well-maintained and functional, c) equipment always available when I needed them - I usually went during non-peak hours, d) adequate parking, e) friendly staff, f) small but clean mens' locker room, f) affordable monthly rates. They seemed to have hourly aerobic/zumba classes, which appear to be well-populated, although I didn't take any. Membership also allows access to their smaller Great Plain Ave facility that has an indoor pool. For full disclosure, I took a few months off as I was concerned with they dod not have a mandatory mask policy. I reached out to their management, and received a prompt response in the form of a phone call. They were sympathetic to my concerns, and simply following the CoVid guidance from the town of Needham. In summary, this a hidden gem/gym in Needham. If you are not a major league body builder, this is a great place for a workout

I was told that I was "not a gym person"- well turns out Koko club is just the kind of gym that I…read moreneeded to change that thought! Coaching to get started! Easy to use! Flexible hours! I appreciate how the preplanned and digital workouts take all the guess work and so many excuses out of my workouts. I just show up and do what the program says. It's like having a personal trainer and I am continually surprised at what I can do! I love that I am becoming a "koko gym person" and have begun my journey to a stronger healthier me!

Member since May 2016, too lazy to do the math at this point. Not nearly as long as Bruce though…read moreand the other "Koko Millionaires"! Another update (#4!) is in order, on changes from 1/1/2017. You can bore yourself with the details of the other reviews below from the beginning. - Rejoice! They added more stools and step ladders for shorties like me. - More strength training machines: now 7 total! - Still the same # of cardio machines (again tricky for the transition if you want to do the full circuit and it's a full house, but this isn't where the real "value" your gym membership fee goes anyway) - All treadmills have upgraded to the smart screen. - There are some hardware issues though with heavy volume usage (regular wear and tear). The first elliptical metal button under the rubber is partially exposed for "reset" so I usually try to avoid that one... - Many more "add-on" offerings (free and additional cost), "Monthly Finishers", Challenges, Local Business Partnerships, Products (MyZone & Protein supplements), Running Clinics, Holiday Hold 'Em Accountability Group (member suggestion) etc... - They are fairly flexible and open to helping the members. For Black Friday they ran a special called "Orange Friday" where you can purchase 12 months of gym membership for an upfront fee equal to 10 months at once (variable based on when you joined and initial rate). So for me it would have been $990 and save $198. There were some technical glitches with the sign up form so I missed out 2x when it was fixed. However, the owner, Paul reached out to me directly and still honored the promotion even though it meant having to extend it to more than just the usual first 10 members! All of my friends still balk at the monthly fee when I tell them the lack of other amenities (shower, pool, group fitness classes included with cost these are an extra $12+ per session depending on what). To be honest it's not very clear which classes are free, free with donation or cost an amount in the emails so I've never done any of the group fitness ones yet. I suppose value is subjective. It has changed my perspective that exercise is one of the most miserable activities to incorporating it as an essential part of my routine. I'll be honest I don't think I've ever bought in "mentally" to commit to seriously changing my lifestyle (diet choices long term) in tandem with the physical exercise. So I'm sure that is detracting from my total body transformation. I don't want to make "excuses"; but I've also had some personal health issues dealing with pancreatitis and graves disease resulting in 2 medical leaves ($10/month fee rather than full price to keep your online account active) for a few months and now most recently hypothyroid. When I came back the second time, there were some fumbles in terms of communication with the gym billing and system administrator forgetting manually release the "hold" on my account. I was extremely peeved that it seemingly uploaded my data, but none of it was showing up on my online account. Even though my credit card was charged and the transaction cleared WEEKS ago. So it was like I was doing the same exercise repeatedly 3x! I followed up several times via email and eventually had to resort to calling the gym to have them make some other calls to the back office before it was resolved. Anyway, aside from that major annoyance, it has been mostly smooth sailing. You can see that my progress is NOT linear and it's unique for each member. There were a few instances where I had to seemingly (re)start from square one, but hey I still keep coming back. Halfway to blue lanyard and 37% to becoming a Koko millionaire...!

360 Degrees Fitness & Wellness in Needham, MA Offers TRX, kickboxing, yoga, Spinsanity, barre and…read moremuch more! No matter what your fitness goals are, they have the perfect class for you. Awesome gym with great trainers. They keep track of your progress very closely and keep updating the work routine for maximum impact. The trainers are helpful and motivate you to do your best. They discuss and resolve any problems being faced by you and educate you regarding the various workouts they recommend according to your body and objectives. The best thing about them is that they make sure that you are getting results for your time. The environment is always clean in each work out room and bathrooms. Highly recommended I'm so happy and proud of the results and 3 of my close friends have seen the same.

A hidden gem - 360 Degrees is a beautiful and exceptionally clean gym. Full shower, lockers, juice…read morebar and lounge. They office everything you could possibly look for...group classes, private training, massage, acupuncture, nutrition counseling, wellness coaching, life coaching...the list goes on! Class offerings include TRX, kickboxing, yoga, spinsanity, barre and much more! I have tried the Blitz class, spinning, yoga, and Insanity. I enjoyed all of them. Armani, the owner and Master Personal Training is amazing. I train with him several times a week. He truly cares about the health of his clients and is devoted to helping them reach their goals. Definitely suggest checking them out!

Fantastic coaching and a welcoming community! Pricing is competitive as well. Can't recommend…read morehighly enough!

I cannot say enough good things about this gym, and the community Kerrie and Steve have created!!…read moreThe coaches and clients equally motivate me to show up and move, even those days when I really don't want to workout. The coaches are knowledgeable, and the workouts are different every class - which makes it fun to learn new things. But I think what I like the most is how every movement you learn is functional! The coaches break down each movement for you to understand the HOW and WHY.

B5 Personal Training is great. I've trained clients out of several different gyms in my fitness…read morecareer, but B5 is different. It's the just the right size for a friendly upbeat atmosphere that you don't find in the big box gyms. That's what makes it special. All of the clients and the trainers lover being here. There's no drama and no nonsense. Just great people helping other people be their best. This intangible has boosted my bottom line, because my retention rates are more solid than ever.

I've been going to B5 for 2 years and training with Broc for that time and have been so happy with…read morethe results! He keeps me motivated and works with me on personalized goals and training plans to meet them. The gym itself is well equipped, clean, spacious, and accessible. But, my favorite thing about the gym is the culture. The community there with the other trainers and clients becomes so welcoming and familiar that I actually look forward to working out! Go figure! Lastly, when they say "personal training," they mean it. Broc really cares about my success - checking in on me between sessions and celebrating when I hit milestones. Being someone who is not a natural athlete, it's made me push further than I thought I could!

I really like the vibe at Beacon Hill Athletic Club. It's low-key, mellow, and has everything I…read moreneed without feeling overwhelming. There are plenty of cardio options, classes, a spin studio, free weights, and a large selection of Hoist weight machines. It's actually the only fitness center I've been to in the area that has Hoist equipment. I'm still getting used to the machines, but so far, I like them. There's also a decent-sized stretching area and about 10 TV screens throughout the gym. I believe you can tune into the TV audio, although I haven't ventured down that path yet--I'm usually watching something on my phone or listening to music. The front desk staff is always friendly, and check-in is quick and easy. There are water fountains as well as bottled water available for purchase. The locker room is clean. While it's on the smaller side, they do have either a steam room or sauna--I'm honestly not sure which! There are a couple of showers and all the standard locker room amenities. One thing I like is that every locker has its own key attached to a stretchy wrist cord, so there's no need to bring a lock. In fact, you can't use your own. Crowds have been minimal during the summer, which has been great. I'm curious to see how busy it gets once summer ends and school is back in session. So far, Beacon Hill Athletic Club gets a 10/10 from me. Great atmosphere, solid equipment, friendly staff, and an easygoing feel. Highly recommend!

I've been a member of Beacon Hill Athletic Club (Wellesley) for three years, and the only reason I…read morecontinue to go is because it's convenient and there aren't many easy alternatives nearby. The biggest issue is that the equipment is badly outdated. Walking into the gym feels like stepping into the 1980s. The machines are old, the overall facility feels tired, and it is long overdue for a serious investment and refresh. The locker rooms are in a similar state, very dated and in clear need of renovation. To be fair, the club is clean. Extremely clean. In fact, the staff often seem more concerned with cleaning equipment than allowing members to use it. The constant wiping down and fussing over machines can feel excessive and, at times, genuinely strange. The atmosphere is also disappointing. Peter appears to have a group of favorite members and regularly has loud, bro-style conversations with them across the gym. These conversations often include inappropriate language that feels unprofessional in a fitness club setting. Another staff member, a younger guy, is consistently rude and seems to think the gym's sound system exists solely for his benefit. When he's working, members are subjected to some truly awful reggae playlists. Peter's music choices aren't much better, with a steady diet of jazz and 70s music that feels completely disconnected from what most people would expect in a modern gym. The overall impression is that the gym is run around the preferences of the staff rather than the members. Whether it's the music, the conversations, or the way the floor is managed, there seems to be very little thought given to creating an environment that is motivating and enjoyable for the people actually paying to work out there. The one saving grace is the woman who works at the front desk. She is consistently friendly, welcoming, professional, and genuinely customer-focused. She treats members with respect and clearly understands what good customer service looks like. Ironically, she also seems to have the best taste in music. Unfortunately, it's uncomfortable to watch how some of the other staff, particularly Peter, treat her. She deserves far better than the dismissive attitude she often appears to receive. For a club that charges premium membership fees, the facilities, atmosphere, and management approach simply don't measure up.

A couple of years ago, while working in the area, my manager talked to me about spinning; he was a…read morefan and having spoken to him about my fitness goals, he thought that it would be a good idea. I accepted and off we went to Gstarfit. It was only a short ride from the office an after parking, we walked in and I got to meet the owner/founder Gregg. Gregg is unlike anyone I've met in the fitness profession. He comes off as a hard ass but is, in fact just intense. And nice. After a short chat with him about his gym and how they operate, I could immediately tell that he knew his stuff and had quite a bit of experience in the field. He essentially created Gstarfit around his stylish vision of what a gym should and could be like. Gone are the neon-lit, depression concrete walls that you find everyone and instead you'll find a lot of wood in the decor, some mirrors and some pretty stylish furniture. It gives the whole place a very original look unlike anything I've seen in gyms. And while the place isn't huge, it definitely does the job. It has multiple room including one that is dedicated to spinning and which features about twenty or so bikes. Decor aside, the gym itself is clean and there's all kinds of equipment available for anyone looking to do either cardio or lifting. Pretty standard and nothing out of the ordinary there. They also offer classes, anywhere from 1 to 6. It varies depending on the day of the week and the schedule is quite inconsistant. They only offer one class on Tuesdays somehow, but six on Mondays? Must be a staffing thing. Speaking of which, they have trainers available for private instructing if necessary. Last but not least is their rates, which vary from $50 (students) to $150 per month for the a-list tier which gives you the right to reserve a bike for spin class. While more expensive than your average gym... well... this isn't your average gym. It is a lot more intimate and they give you a lot more personal attention there. I would have totally remained as a member there had I not changed jobs - honestly, if you can afford it, you should definitely check it out, especially if you work or live in the area, or happen to drive on 95/128 near Dedham/Needham/Waltham/Newton.

As an independent contractor, I couldn't be happier!!! Gregg opened his studio doors to me when I…read morewasn't sure what to do after closing my own space on Needham Street. I feel completely at home at GstarFit gym, and the comradrie amongst the other elite trainers is amazing! Thank you so much for having me as a guest member Gregg you are the best!

I love this gym. I joined in July and i go all types of day and night.. usually in the am though…read more Even on crowded days its not that crowded. Showers are clean as i shower there more than home now. I love the steam room. All machines and benches are in good shape. Only thing they are missing is a kitchen as they still don't have that yet like they mentioned would take over that spot soon. Also, the mannequins in the front can go its weird..they need a better little intro setup there but its minor. WiFi is decent ...i notice drops in the locker room more than out on the floor. The trainers and staff are all pretty laid back and chill. The JP shakes are nice too.

Rocky start. Stolen wallet. Stolen gym clothes. Front desk IDs every time. Trainer missed…read moresession. On to week three.

Gym:4 Spa:4 (only because of the sitting area)…read moreLocker rooms:4 I couldn't find a pool, I've only gone to this location twice so that deducts a lot of points! However the location is convenient when in Boston. Overall the listed amenities are a 4 but there fitness extras were lacking.

I am extremely disappointed in Lifetime. I have been going for years and was excited to learn that…read morethey added a cold plunge. I have looked around for it and was disgusted to learn that the cold plunge is only accessible for men. This is extremely unacceptable and I hope they make a change.

I have been working with Eric at PEX for over five years. I've become stronger, leaner and…read moreincreased percentage muscle mass significantly overtime.. Eric understands training, nutrition, ideal body composition, and balances this with my own personal goals. His physiotherapy background also makes him an excellent trainer to work with me each passing year.

Having worked with Eric for 5 years, including through hip replacement surgery, I cannot imagine a…read morebetter trainer. He always brings his "A" game and helps me push through a workout that leaves me feeling better leaving than when I arrived at Pex.