(no subject)

[girl-anon.livejournal.com]

anyone here a member of the healthworks gym in porter square? can you tell me about it? cost to join, facilities etc...im no seasoned gym vet but i just want somewhere i can exercise now that the weather is getting colder...

Comments

[mwerble.livejournal.com]

They're having a promotion this week http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=message_preview&fn=Key&type=tracking&id=cdbeuodvdvfcxnteezzmruorcwgibnk&link=brtrxkbywdnnypesaipfprcmyjjabgi

I got that link in an email they sent me, so email me if it doesn't work and I'll forward you the mail itself.

Not a member myself, though

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

It's a beautiful facility and you get what you pay for: clean, large, tons of machines, attentive staff, whirlpool/sauna/steam room, lots of classes, opens early and closes late. It is pretty spendy at around $80/month for a full access membership. You can knock the price down some by accepting slightly restricted hours or, even better, by being a student.

If you are comfortable with a co-ed environment or are driven enough to work out even in a no-frills environment, there are plenty of decent places around that are much cheaper. I like Healthworks though because the amenities keep me going.

[kelmit.livejournal.com]

I was going to say the exact same thing.

If you join Healthworks you should definitely take advantage of their classes.

Oh, and a Healthworks membership gives you a discount at the Kennedy School pool down the street.

[aspasia02.livejournal.com]

do the classes cost extra, or are they included in the membership?

And does anyone know how much the student discount knocks off the total?

[jadia.livejournal.com]

The student discount helps _immensely_ with the joining fee ($200 -> $50, I believe?). I think the student discount on rates/month is on the order of $5-$10, I don't remember exactly. Classes are all included in the monthly fee. Towel service is an additional $10/month ($12/month for 2 towels), and permanent locker service is $10/month. Temporary lockers for while you're at the gym are free.

[kelmit.livejournal.com]

they're included in the membership.

Student discount (with restricted hours) was to $55ish

If you refer friends, you get $5 off per month per friend

Locker is $10/month

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

The student rate is now $62/month, I think. The student restrictions are, you can't go before 8am or between 4-8pm. But you can go anytime Friday-Sunday. Also, as others have pointed out, you knock $5 off your monthly fee for every person you refer, as long as they're a member.

You can ask about waiving the one-time "membership fee" by signing up for a year of EFT payments - it might be a promo and I waited for that. Classes are all included. For the record, I haaaaate gyms. Hate hate hate. I like reading. But I loooove Healthworks.

[kelmit.livejournal.com]

oh, and the student hours are NEVER crowded

[sasha-bee.livejournal.com]

i totally agree. it's a great gym. i switched to hw from wellbridge in harvard square and i think it's twice the gym for almost half the money. love it!!!

[snowwand.livejournal.com]

Do you know how much a weekend only membership costs?

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

I don't think they have weekend-only. They have daytime-only but not sure about other restrictions. You can call them at (617) 497-4454.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I am! Been a member since May and I love it, love it, love it. Ask me anything you want to know. I pay about $75/month although that goes down if you recruit other people and they stay joined, and the machines are all clean, usually working, and my trainer is amazing.

it's spendy

[cthulhia]

if I weren't already a member for 5+ years, I doubt I would consider joining at the current price. I joined when I first moved here, due to it being the most conveniently located gym that wouldn't handcuff me into a multi-year membership commitment.

I have little to compare it with, but, apparently, we pay top dollar simply to have *most* of the machines working on any given day. Some classes are part of the main price (but most of the classes are during lunch or peak hours, which is probably NOT student hours if student hours are "never crowded"). Everything else is a la carte, including the smaller classes, the trainers, the massages, etc.

Re: it's spendy

[rawrin.livejournal.com]

And don't forget the tampons in the little baskets. And the fantastic staff.

[elements.livejournal.com]

I love it. I just rejoined after having quit several years ago when I was unemployed. I couldn't make myself go to the gym associated with my work, no matter how almost-free it is, but I view a trip to HW as a spa/treat for myself after a stressful day, not a chore. Especially when there are no sleazy people making me feel crappy about my body image, and when the reward for working out is a soak in the hot tub.

[punkaccountant.livejournal.com]

Healthworks=amazing. It's expensive costs actually motivates me to go to the gym more frequently so I don't lose out on my investment. IMHO, I don't think it's worth it to go during non-peak hours because you miss some great classes. But that's just me. ALSO, when you sign up, ask if Healthworks has a discount program with the company you work for--I get $7 off my monthly dues beacuse of a partnership with my job. If you have health insurance after several months of gym membership, you can apply for a refund of afew hundred dollars ( most insurance companies now offer a fitness credit)

[flexagon]

Bally's is about a block away and a fraction of the cost (and doesn't exclude people based on their gender)... it's not the best gym in the world but it's adequate.

I love Healthworks

[pstripe.livejournal.com]

It's the only thing in my life that I don't complain about. Most of the things there are pink or purple. It's clean, civil and friendly. There actually are some men there sometimes. Though they aren't allowed to join the gym, they have several male trainers and instructors. Also, the repairmen tend to be men, which I think is really funny. I've stayed with the club through many relocations, belonging to the Salem, Brookline and Cambridge clubs. It's a splurge, but worth it. And they do offer deals from time to time, as well as discounts off local stores with your membership card, and discounts, as many folks said, when you sign up friends. I think my restricted membership rate is at $45 now. That's about 5 friends over the years. They also take into consideration how long you've been a member when raising the dues, which happens yearly. They have nice shower products in the showers, lotion, cotton balls, q-tips, hairdryers, fem products and sweat towels available for daily use. Not to mention hot-tub/whirl pool, sauna and steam room. They're also environmentally aware, advocating for recycling. They are receptive to comments and questions, usually responding back directly by phone or email. It's alright!