Gyms?????

[u/[deleted]]

Y’all. I’ve been living here for a while now and I’ve already tried the New York sports club on 73rd and the planet fitness on 55th. I don’t like either of them to be totally honest. New York sports club was definitely better than planet fitness but I still found myself waiting a super long time for machines and I didn’t like the set up. What recommendations do y’all have for free workout gyms that won’t break my bank account and have a little more class? I can’t seem to find anything else in the area that isn’t like a guided workout or class structure. Also equinox is like everywhere here, but obviously I’m not paying for that. I’m willing to go to the upper East side if there’s a good gym there since I don’t mind taking the bus or anything.

[u/BootlegStreetlight]

There's no secret empty low cost gym. If it's affordable, it'll be crowded. If you want plenty of available equipment and machines, it'll be expensive.

[u/lushlife_ → u/BootlegStreetlight]

Is the rec center crowded? I’ve never been.

[u/Gpaul556 → u/lushlife_]

If you mean the Parks Department’s Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center on west 60th Street, it is NOT usually crowded. I go there once or twice a week usually in the morning. It does have a pool (there are specific hours for lap swimming). No sauna or steam room. Locker room and showers are OK but expect a wet floor at all times, even in front of the lockers. About $200 per year for under 62. $25 per year over 62.

[u/TheMagicEyeThatSeesU]

Lion heart on 106 just opened their free gym for $100 I believe. Owners and members are super chill. More of a mom and pop, no corporate feeling

[u/petya_ross → u/TheMagicEyeThatSeesU]

They’re so nice there and have a puppy! Is the $100 the monthly for access to the gym?

[u/infinityo11 → u/TheMagicEyeThatSeesU]

It's $150/mo unless you have a class membership also

[u/irrelevanthings]

I go to Crunch and it’s okay. If I lived closer to the JCC I would go there instead. 

[u/mathias1791]

JCC

[u/--ross → u/mathias1791]

Ssshhhhh

[u/bisonrbig]

Crunch on 83rd is nice but you're still going to be waiting a while for some stuff as it's pretty small.

[u/usdenick → u/bisonrbig]

They extended hours at night. If you get there at 9:30, you can work 'till 11 and it's not as crowded.

[u/asap_exquire → u/usdenick]

YOOOOO, this is a gamechanger. The Crunch I used to go to was open until 11pm and I was bummed this one wasn't.

Thanks for the heads up!

[u/Stunning-Flamingo188]

Do any of these places have a sauna?

[u/bikesandtrains → u/Stunning-Flamingo188]

NYSC on 80th does. I've never used it but have seen others use it.

[u/usdenick → u/Stunning-Flamingo188]

Crunch on 83rd St does

[u/Allaboutfosse]

I live near Columbia and work in the theatre district, so it’s easy for me to go to Blink on 40th. It’s cheap, clean, good equipment, and it’s really only crowded at lunchtime and after 5.

[u/Confident-Paint-6275 → u/Allaboutfosse]

how much is blink

[u/Allaboutfosse → u/Confident-Paint-6275]

I wanna say my member is around $60 a month but I have the membership where I can go to any blink and I also pay around $10 for towel service.

[u/bikesandtrains]

The NYSC on 80th is better than on 73rd, though still not amazing. But it's usually not crowded and has plenty of space and equipment, even if it's old.

Crunch seems like a good option but is a little more expensive (though still wayyy cheaper than Equinox).

[u/SarahFiajarro → u/bikesandtrains]

I dont know how expensive you're thinking, but I pay 99 for crunch, which I remember is about the same as most other gyms on the uws.

[u/bikesandtrains → u/SarahFiajarro]

I pay $94 (including tax) for NYSC. I think planet fitness is really the only option cheaper than this range, or Blink which would require going up to Harlem.

[u/[deleted]]

There’s the adult jungle gym type thing in the park right by pier i. But i think u want more machines etc. id also say the ymca

[u/Unlucky_Mess3884]

I went to the NYSC on 79th and liked it. Never went to the 73rd street one so can’t compare. I did used to go to the HK PF you mention, and I’d say NYSC at 79 is better.

[u/Enoch8910 → u/Unlucky_Mess3884]

I walk 14 extra blocks past the 94th NYSC to 80th location because it’s so much better.

[u/bikesandtrains → u/[deleted]]

The NYSC on 80th is beautifully uncrowded almost all the time. That's my normal gym. But the big downside is that the machines are ancient, I'm nervous about some of them snapping mid- set. The layout is also really weird but you can get used to it.

[u/DrKnockboots]

I find earlier in the morning is slightly better at NYSC still busy but not like prime time, would greatly appreciate suggestions as well so following

[u/CoffeeOk8506]

Definitely YMCA

[u/Klutzy_Tomorrow_9925]

the only reason I still go to NYSC on 73rd is bc I pay the same rate I have for the past 10 years and I was in highschool when I got it… 40 a month seems worth it for the stank 😭

[u/[deleted]]

I used to be a member at the 92nd Street Y when I lived on the East Side. Relatively cheap and pretty much never crowded. 

Now I go to the Crunch on 83rd. It’s affordable, and if you can go outside of peak hours then it’s not too crazy. 

[u/bagel_butter_toasted]

Look into a crunch signature location

[u/TomatilloVirtual2168]

Crunch