The Luxury of Working Out
When choosing a healthclub, you want all the perks: Pool, sauna, steam room, 24 hour availability, towel service, training area, cardio floor, working machines, locker room attendants, massage therapists, and a manager on duty at all times. It’s hard to find the perfect gym where you can go and release your stress, and pamper yourself for an hour of your time. Depending on your budget or needs, you might have just chosen your gym because it's closest to your house, one that you know you will always go to with no excuses. There are so many top rated gyms in America, I’ve narrowed it down to 10, so cross your fingers that you live near one of them.
1. Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, OR
Working at Nike has its perks— not only are they a globally known brand, but they have a fitness headquarter center that was rated one of the country’s best gyms. I mean, it is Nike, would you expect any less? And boy does working at Nike has its perks! Not only is it opened to their 8,000 employees, it's opened for their immediate families, and Nike retirees.
Located at the Nike World Headquarters is the Lance Armstrong Fitness Center, the Bo Jackson and Nike Sports Centers, and the Ronaldo Athletic Field - just to name a few on campus. There’s a110,000-square-foot combine with weights, cardio, an indoor track, pools, a 34-foot climbing wall, fitness studios, spas, physical therapists and even on staff masseurs.
And I didn’t even get to the outdoor facilities: Tennis courts, track, basketball courts, and regulation soccer fields. I’d say this pretty much crosses off everything you’re looking for in a fitness center.
2. Exos: formerly known as Athletes’ Performance in Phoenix, AZ
This Adidas sponsored facility serves professional and amateur athletes dedicated to improving their performance capabilities. The 31,000 sq. ft. facility is divided into areas designated for training and recovery.
The entire training area can be opened up to accommodate seamless integration of indoor and outdoor training methods. Indoor services include: Physical therapists, pro performance training, high school and youth performance training (ages 11-18), adult training programs, and nutrition advice.
The exterior facilities include: Batting cages, a pitching mound, outdoor covered training area, a 3-lane 60 meter track, 60-yard turf football field, covered half-court basketball, and a 25 meter lane pool. That's a lot to say in one breath.
3. Peak Performance in New York, NY
Voted by Men’s Health Magazine one of the best gyms in America. “We believe you don’t need more machines from your gym---you need more know-how.”--Which I think is one of the most caring and smartest quotes I’ve read based on fitness. That quote really made me believe in them and want to work with them as my gym. Yes they want to sell and provide a service, but they actually care about their members' overall well being. That’s a true gym. Their services include: Soft tissue therapy, muscle activation technique, active release technique, locker rentals, showers, juice bar, changing facilities, laundry service, and full time maintenance. This gym is owned by well known personal trainers Joe Dowdell and Jay Wright who’ve become well known to top celebrities over the years. I mean I would feel like a celebrity just working and learning from these incredible guys in this 10,000 sq. ft. facility as it is.
4. Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning in Woburn, MA
In 1996 Mike Boyle co-founded with Bob Hanson the Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning center. It's one of the first for-profit strength and conditioning companies in the world. Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning exists for one reason: To provide performance enhancement training for athletes of all levels. Athletes training here range from junior high school students to All Stars in almost every major professional sport. Elite athletes come far and wide to train at this 2,000-plus sq. ft. facility not to mention its 70-plus feet of concrete wall space for medicine ball drills.
5. The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers in New York, NY
Not only is this facility rated the best sports club in NYC, it's the only USA Triathlon Certified Training Center in the Northeast. With over 100 group fitness classes every week, plus additional yoga and barre classes offered in the Mind Body Studio, members are never bored. I don't even know where to begin with all the amenities here:
6-lane, 25-Yard Indoor Swimming Pool
1/4 Mile Indoor Running Track
Cycle Studio with Over 30 Bikes
11,000 Sq. Ft. Rock Climbing Wall
Indoor Sand Volleyball Court (only one in NYC)
Boxing Ring & Circuit
3 Indoor Basketball Courts
2 Hudson River Sundecks
Over 40 Personal Trainers
20,000 Sq. Ft. Cardio Facility & Strength Training Equipment
Triathlon Training
Over 100 Fitness Classes Weekly
35 Yoga & Barre Classes Weekly
6. Jackson’s MMA in Albuquerque, NM
One of most prestigious premier Mixed Martial Arts schools in the country, Jackson’s MMA features a pro boxing ring, and cage, where you can learn wrestling, kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai skills by the great Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn.
7. David Barton Gym in Miami Beach, FL
David Barton Gym wants you to forget the outside world while you're there. They're all about envisioning and getting your heart racing as soon as you walk in. You may get a "flashy, clubby" vibe but that's exactly what they're aiming for: Not your average living room. Their motto is #lookbetternaked, which is clever and down right blunt, I mean isn't that most people's goals? Amenities at the Miami location consist of:
Entrance Reflecting Pool
Valet Parking
Live DJ'S
Private Training Studio
Cutting Edge Strength Training Equipment
Cardio Conditioning
Body Building & Figure Training
Weight Loss
Free Weights
Personal Training
Sports Conditioning
8. Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym in Syosset, NY
Bev Francis and Steve Weinberger have built Bev Francis’ Powerhouse Gym into one of the premier training facilities in the world. This is truly the "East Coast Mecca of bodybuilding." The walls are all lined with photos and jerseys of famous bodybuilders, professional athletes, and the celebrity clientele. Since its first envision, this facility has grown over the last 30 years to 30,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art weight room, cardio center, boxing ring, MMA studio, juice bar, and group fitness classes.
9. Drive 495 in New York, NY
“A stronger body means a better game,” that’s the Drive495 motto. Drive495 prides itself on its highly qualified trainers, high-end atmosphere, and hands on management. A very specific gym in its class, Its mission is to prove its influence as the best golf training facility in the country. The most impressive feature at this facitlity is the giant screen golf simulators that allow members to "play" their favorite courses like Pebble Beach or Spyglass Hill all from the comfort of the gym.
10. Gold's Gym in Various Locations
Another top listed gym in America by Fitness Magazine for having exceptional availability of free weights, expert personal trainers, and innovative strength-building group exercise classes. Founder Joe Gold first opened up Gold's Gym in 1965 where he believed "strength comes in many forms." He began a tradition of commitment, passion, and dedication, which are all still practiced to this day. Amenities for most locations are:
Cardio Cinema
Group Exercise Studio
Kids Club
Personal Training
Functional Training
Cycle Studio
Sources:
31 Best Gyms in America. The Active Times. By: The Editors 12/13/2013.
http://www.theactivetimes.com/31-best-gyms-america-0
The 21 Most Innovative Gyms in America. Greatist. By: Jordan Shakesaft. 2/13/2012
http://greatist.com/fitness/21-most-innovative-gyms-us
Gym Info:
The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers | Pier 60 - 20th St. & Hudson River Park | New York City | 212.336.6000 | sportscenter@chelseapiers.com
Peak Performance | 54 West 21st Street 8th Fl | New York City | 212.229.3670
Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning | 29 Draper Street | Woburn, MA 01801 | 781.938.1330| info@bodybyboyle.com
Exos formerly Athletes Performance | 2629 East Rose Garden Lane | Phoenix, AZ 85050 | 480.449.9000
Jackson's MMA | 5505 Acoma St. Ste. SE | Albuquerque, NM 87108| 505.881.7911
David Barton Gym | 26th St. & Miami Beach Drive, Unit C1B | Miami Beach, FL 33140 | 305.534.1660
Bev Franis Powerhouse Gym | 235 Robbins Lane | Syosset, NY 11791 | 516.933.1111
Drive 495 | 495 Broadway (between Spring and Broome) | New York City | 212.334.9537
Nike World Headquarters | SW Bowerman Drive | Beaverton, OR 97005 | 503.671.6453