Fitcorp

A phone call between Mario and myself:
Mario: «So what’re you up to tonight?»
Me: «I’m going to Fitcorp.»
«What??»
“Fitcorp.”
… «Spell it.»
«F, as in ‘fit’…»
«Oh, FITcorp.»
«Yeah. What do you think I said?»
«Think of a few words that rhyme with ‘fit’ and then take a wild guess.»
Fitcorp had a table at the very fun, very entertaining Passport @ Kendall Square event, and in between mouthfuls of pasta and chocolate chip cookies, I stopped by and asked about gym membership options. They were running a promotion or two, but Dustin (the trainer manning the table) urged me to spin the wheel and see if I’d win. Of course, I never win anything. But wouldn’t you know it, I won two free weeks! Not to mention one free workout session with Dustin.
Basically, this gym is like many other gyms, but this one has marketing. The promotion they were running was Oct, Nov, and Dec for $ 20 a month, plus $ 50 sign-​up for a grand total of $ 110 for three months. Not bad, huh. Only my two free weeks started in mid-​October so if I signed up for it I’d basically be paying for an October that I never «used,» right? Wrong! The promo was adjusted and now I don’t have to pay for October! Sweeeeet.
Facilities are very good. They’ve got those treadmills that have TVs hooked up, and there are headphone jacks so you can plug in and watch TV as you run. Free weights and machines abound, and although it’s not the largest gym around, the layout is pretty good. There are a lot of daily use lockers, so if you have a lock you can put your stuff in there and take your lock with you when you leave. The showers even have three soap dispensers — shampoo, conditioner, and body wash! Awesome. I also found a blow drier (for the metro in you) and an ironing board. Wow.
My first day there, Dustin sat me down for an interview and asked me what my goals were. What did I want? «I want to get in shape.» That didn’t fly — he wanted SPECIFICS, because «getting in shape» is very subjective, whereas if you have a target weight or size, he can help you better. He then put me through a kind of agility test, and based on all the info he put together a workout for me and devoted one hour to working me through it. Thanks Dustin!
I go to the gym at odd hours, so I’ve never seen a crowd there. I like this place, and since my two free weeks are almost up, I’m pretty sure I’m gonna join. It’s a five-​minute walk from my house, they have everything I need, and Dustin is a good trainer. I’m holding off on that last star, because I do indeed have a goal — can this gym push me enough to reach it? We’ll see.

It’s fairly quiet, a little crowded. The equipment is good, the place is very clean, and the trainers are helpful but don’t try to do pressure sales of extras.
And it’s right near my work, so I actually go.

I have nothing but positive things to say about this place. Its small sure, but they utilize the space incredibly well. My company subsides my fee otherwise I might not go to the gym — period. Not just fitcorp but any gym. As soon as I walked in and asked about the gym they asked me what my goals were — a good start. Then they immediately came from around the desk and offered a tour of the gym if I had time — another good point. the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful — especially if you are wondering how to use a certain piece of equipment or advice. I have lost about 20 pounds working out at this place, in my own time. The only drawback is the lack of proper matting in the classroom — I am trying to mix up my fitness hence I am now trying MMA exercises. They have a heavy bag and medicine balls which really work well, but there are no mats thick enough to do shoulder rolls on. That being said, I have not actually approached the management about this point, because everything else I have ever wanted from a fitness establishment is right there in front of you. I have never had to wait for a machine, I have never had to wait for a free weight. This place is really great. The classes are free with membership — and they give you free towels. Also, I have been to several gyms in the Greater Boston area, and I have never found men’s changing facilities so clean. Just my two cents.

The gym is small, but has everything you need. It’s usually empty when I go, and I rarely have to compete for equipment. It’s really personal and everyone that works there at least recognizes my face.
The price is good, the location works for me. You can also go to other fitcorp locations when it is closed on sunday.
I haven’t gone to any of the classes, but they look well attended.
Being so close to home, it’s amazing to go for a friday workout (before the party). After 6, it is deserted. I work out then sit in the sauna for 20 minutes. It’s a great way to unwind before for the night.

I joined this fitcorp because my employer subsidies the fee. There was a lot of red tape to cut though in setting up my membership. It took two weeks, and trips between fitcorp franchises to set it all up. Then when I started up, they promised a consultation with a personal trainer. So I met with Evan to talk about my fitness goals, etc… and he said that he’d have a routine for me in about a week. A week later I went in to talk to Evan, and we had the EXACT same conversation that we did the week before. He asked me about my fitness goals and said that in about a week he’d have a routine for me. So about 5 weeks after initially signing up, I finally got my workout in.
All that said, now that I’m in the flow of things there and I have my routine, i really like it. It’s not too crowded, the facilities are very clean, they play good music, and they have all the equipment i would want (except for a pool… I like to splash around sometimes). The staff (although lacking in number at times) is knowledgeable and friendly with all things not associated with administration. Finally, the clientelle is a good mix of men and women, all ages and levels of fitness, so it’s a very comfortable environment in which to work out.

I’m with Mags 100% on this one. If the gym wasn’t right next to work, I probably couldn’t be bothered to go to one. Being with Fitcorp is a really low maintenance relationship. The gym is always clean, the staff and members are friendly (but everyone give you your space, I’m not here to chat). This branch has very good hours (every day except for Sunday). My co-​workers are crazy for the Spin classes, I’ve been to yoga and pilates a few times and both are pretty nice classes. The staff doesn’t push on you too hard, and aren’t out accosting people on the street to join (BSC looking at you).
Nothing but positives for this gym. Worth it if you live or work in the area.

it’s the gym near work. so i go because it’s convenient. it’s small. usually not super busy when i go, but i think i go during off-​peak hours. the staff is really nice, but if it weren’t right near my job (and our company didn’t have a corporate fitness program w/​them), i probably would work out somewhere else (see my review of the original mike’s gym)
there’s not alot of room to do things like free weights or any real stretching if there is a class in session because there are only 2 rooms total: the room w/​all the equipment (treadmills, elliptical, nautilus machines, free weights, etc) and the classroom.
what’s nice: free towels, variety of classes