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Fit for Royalty Selecting a gym is a lot like buying a pair of jeans. Some people buy based on the hottest designers and care about being seen. Others aren’t nearly as picky about branding or style – as long as they get a perfect fit and look good. Athletic types who compete in triathlons need fitness centers with spin classes, pools and treadmills. Others choose their gyms based on location and childcare facilities, while still more just want the cheapest, no-contract deal they can find. One of the great things about living in the Metroplex is that there is literally something for everyone. That includes gyms and fitness facilities. Hardcore fitness addicts, weekend warriors and those of us who just want to stay in shape without spending too much money have plenty of options from which to choose. In the spirit of competition, we’ve ranked the area’s 10 best fitness centers for you. We approached this challenge in a purely subjective way, but we tried to give some clues about what works, what doesn’t and who’s got the best amenities in town. Most facilities can’t match up to the glitz, glamour and advantages of Life Time Fitness gym or Cooper Fitness Center, but when you start considering price (most of us do, after all), it becomes more of an issue of finding the right club at the right cost. Some things that we considered important were ventilation, an updated and a diverse assortment of machines, a decent mix of classes, staffers who act like they care when you walk in the door and, of course, cleanliness. So grab your gym bag, charge up that iPod and lace up your athletic shoes – it’s time to hit the gym. Best Overall Fitness Center LA Fitness At press time, this privately owned chain operated 19 locations in the Metroplex. By the time your read this that number will likely increase, as LA Fitness continues to roll out its aggressive expansion plans in North Texas. The two-story clubs are popping up everywhere, and they’re stocked with plenty of state-of-the-art equipment. Amenities are numerous: heated lap pools, basketball and racquetball courts and on-site cafés. The staffs are friendly, the kids clubs spacious and inviting, and perhaps most impressive of all, no contracts are required. The vibe is upbeat, the design is light and airy, and the price is right. Another plus is the user-friendly Web site that makes it easy to manage your account or set up an appointment with a personal trainer. As long as the chain doesn’t grow too fast and lose its customer service focus, LA Fitness is hands-down the one to beat.
Best Overall Value Express Fitness This gym wins hands down for the best bang for your buck – if your needs are simple. Memberships can be had for a mere $12.99 with the right arrangement. You might expect bare bones for that price, but the reception was warm, and the facility offers plenty of updated equipment in a well-ventilated, spacious setting. The flat-screen TVs were well placed, and the 30-minute circuit machines had not one, but three rows across, which comes in handy in case someone is ahead of you taking their sweet time on their reps. Those looking for plenty of locations, a pool, spin classes or racquetball courts need not apply.
Best Family-Friendly Center Life Time Fitness All the bells and whistles are available at this top-of-the-line chain, which has six clubs in the Metroplex. It’s the most family-friendly place around, offering a well-designed childcare center, access to the indoor and outdoor waterparks and slides, and discounts on camps and swim classes. Adults get plenty of activities as well: hundreds of top-notch cardio and weight machines, sport courts and rock climbing caverns, full range of classes, spa and salon services (at an extra cost) and a café. The clubs are spacious and inviting with friendly staffs. It’s the kind of place you never have to leave, everything is right there. The only barrier is cost – a family membership runs about $110 plus childcare, while an individual pays $59.99 – but if money isn’t a factor, this is the place to be.
Best High-End Experience Cooper Fitness Center Dallas’ elite and well-heeled are frequent members of the center, which is housed on the 30-acre campus of the Cooper Aerobics Center on Preston Road in North Dallas. The center’s namesake, Dr. Kenneth Cooper, is known as the “Father of Aerobics” in more of a physiological way than a Jane Fonda way. The fitness center has indoor and outdoor walking and jogging trails, master-level swimming programs, plenty of top-quality equipment and all of the amenities you might expect for $157 a month. The big bonus is that membership is good at the Dallas location and in McKinney at the Cooper Aerobics Center at Craig Ranch, which opened last year.
Best of the Rest Bally’s Total Fitness The gyms are a flashback to 10 years ago, with plenty of older equipment to support that theory. They cover all of the nuts and bolts, and one location visited even offered martial arts for adults and children and a Pilates studio at an extra cost. The kids’ club lacks any of the pizzazz or technology that most kids have grown to expect. The membership person called in her manager for the final sales push – very car-buying-esque – but the manager turned out to be friendly and knowledgeable about the chain’s future. In case you missed the news, Bally’s filed for bankruptcy protection July 31 and is planning a reorganization. That means big changes may come (design-wise and otherwise), especially locally, but how many self-gratifying gym rats are willing to wait for what might happen?
24 Hour Fitness As big chains go, 24 Hour Fitness delivers the goods: lots of machines, a good mix of classes, decent childcare facilities, a pool, courts and friendly front desk people. The towels at the Sport location have seen – and smelled – better days, and the locker rooms are clean but not immaculate. Our biggest beef is the air quality. When you have cardio on the upstairs level, it can be helpful to add some fans or crank up the air a little. This is one of the most affordable gyms around, has numerous of locations and for the money, it delivers.
Lady of America This gym didn’t score well on the first impression. A very loud aerobics class was taking place directly in front of the entrance, and it was difficult to hear the woman talking at the front desk. This is a ladies-only gym (as the name might imply), but one would still feel conspicuous with a setup like that. The shoebox-sized gym was extremely clean, and had a small smattering of machines and a popular list of classes. They have plenty of locations in the area, which is a plus, but rates were higher than expected and included a 12-month commitment at signing.
Curves This fitness club has a reputation for attracting moms and grandmothers (not that there’s anything wrong with that). The clientele didn’t disappoint, but there were some surprises as well. The interior was warm and inviting, and women were serious about their workouts, which were all focused in the center of the room. The ladies move through a series of 14 stations and cardio pads while a CD prompts them to change stations at an interval pace. Curves has individual changing rooms, and a private area for monthly measurements and weigh-ins that help keep everyone on track with their fitness goals. No childcare is provided, but the host said kids can sit to the side quietly and color while the 30-minute workouts take place. It’s clear that Curves isn’t your typical club. It doesn’t offer any perks – courts, pool, sauna, café – but if you’re looking to step into a fitness routine that’s easy to navigate, this is the place for you.
Gold’s Gym The Gold’s Gym of yore (serious muscle-heads need only apply) is undergoing some serious updates. Most locations are recently renovated or newly opened, and feature things like a cardio theater and a decent listing of classes. Gold’s touts itself as the largest co-ed gym chain in the world, although there aren’t a ton of locations in the Metroplex. The front desk people seemed warm and inviting, and the price can be right, especially if you hit a just-opening sale.
YMCA Families coming together at the local YMCA is a novel idea, but the monthly dues aren’t reasonable for all. An individual membership runs $43 for the two Plano locations, or you can add another $10 per month for access to all Y locations in Dallas (except downtown). Tally in $12 per month for childcare, and you’re left with a hefty withdrawal. It’s a better deal if you have older kids because membership covers two activities (such as soccer or baseball) a year, meaning you don’t have to pay fees like non-members do. On the positive side, the facilities are well-equipped, clean and have a full roster of classes. Most of us like the idea of being part of a community-driven organization, but not at that price. |
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