davis_square | Gyms and Massage question

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cemeterygates.livejournal.com posting in

1. What gyms are available in the Davis and Porter areas? I am not interested in Healthworks (not a fan of their gender-specific facilities, reverse sexism is sooo fifteen years ago), but I'm otherwise open to any suggestions.

2. I also need somewhere to get a decently priced professional massage in the area. Suggestions?

Thank you!

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adrian-turtle.livejournal.com

Bally's has really disturbing marketing practices. I joined a few years ago, because I wanted to go to the same gym where my housemates (who had joined Bally's in another city) and several of my other friends worked out. When you start checking out Bally's membership policies and pricing, you should remember that they are owned by a CASINO franchise. They make a lot of their money by gambling and deception, more than by providing a service.

There are some good things to say about Bally's. If you like a big, relatively impersonal, health club, it might suit you. (They're not going to weigh you, or push you to do anything. They'll mostly ignore you, when they're not pushing you to buy supplements or renew your membership.) The location in Porter Square is right by the T, and has a pool and sauna. Consider location, and who else belongs to a particular gym...having a buddy to work out with can be worth a lot.

Their salespeople would be happy to show you around and give you a hard sell, explaining why you need to pay up front for a 3 year contract before you can have their low monthly rates for the rest of your life. Don't buy *anything* yet. Lots of people pay the upfront fee, and then quit before the 3 years are over. Maybe they don't like it, or they get hurt. Maybe they move to where Bally's doesn't have gyms. Someone who bought a membership and isn't using it anymore can transfer it to you. Look on Ebay. You'll probably pay 50-60% what Bally's is charging.