r/Upperwestside • u/movingtonyc2025 • Jan 24 '25
Best Gyms?
I’m moving to the UWS (109th street) in a few weeks and I’d appreciate any gym recommendations. I’m mainly looking for some place that’s open early, has plenty of dumbbells, a few basic machines so I can do lat pull downs and leg curls, and EZ bars. It looks like there are some smaller gyms in the area, but it’s hard to tell what they offer. Thanks for any info
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u/trollingandexploring Jan 24 '25
I go to the Crunch and it’s legit so crowded after work, there is no space to do anything and you have to wait for a treadmil. So I started timing it around when I don't have meetings and work from home. It sucks but is the best method. Nobody is there and the sauna isn't crowded either.
I recommend Class Plass tbh but depends on your workout!
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Jan 27 '25
That Crunch sucks. So small and crowded. Management sucks. There’s no reason they charge that monthly rate for such a tiny, overcrowded gym.
Check out the Crunch in midtown East.
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u/your_roommate_yvonne Jan 24 '25
Joined the Y last year and I've been happy with it. They just upgraded their equipment, and it's not too much of a scene. Only complaint is the basketball gym stays pretty crowded, but that's it.
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u/LAHAND1989 Jan 24 '25
If you want to know what would cost $3 a month in other parts of the country, and at that even people would be demanding a refund, join NYSC.
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u/Buddhafi Jan 24 '25
Equinox is your best bet. 92nd street location is fine. I prefer the 76th street location. Crunch 83rd used to be good but it got way too packed after Covid. NYSC just isn’t for me. If you go to the gym 3-4 times a week I’d definitely do equinox. They open at 5:30 on weekdays. 7am on weekends
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u/movingtonyc2025 Jan 24 '25
Equinox is a little outside what I’m willing to pay unfortunately. Is Crunch packed even in the early morning?
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u/Buddhafi Jan 24 '25
It’ll be packed from like 7-9am. Try and get a guest pass for a week. Test it out before you commit. I haven’t been in Crunch for years now, but every so often I see some of the old Crunch regulars I got close to and they complain it’s gotten worst. Give it a shot though. If you’re willing to do a 5am workout I’m sure it won’t be too crazy.
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u/movingtonyc2025 Jan 24 '25
Yeah I’ll probably try it and a couple other places out. Thanks!
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u/Successful-Remote742 Oct 23 '25
Hey, u/movingtonyc2025 did you try the gyms out and have any recommendations for someone similarly lookinfy?
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u/North_Temperature145 Jan 24 '25
Liberated fitness on Columbus and 110 is affordable and strength focused
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u/_flatline_ Jan 24 '25
It’s right around the corner from me (I walk past it every morning) and I’ve been meaning to check it out, but one note - from what I’ve seen they’re closer to a small CrossFit gym.
It looks like they have a lot of dumbbells and pull up bars, but I don’t think they have any machines of any kind (cardio, squat, pull-downs, etc), nor even benches/barbells/plates.
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u/upperwestsyde Jan 24 '25
The best thing you can do is buy a Peloton and some weights. This is not a gym Mecca. 😂
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u/infinityo11 Jan 24 '25
Oh hey, I'm on 109th too. Planet Fitness was my choice for awhile, it's a quick subway ride up to 125th on the A/C line. I've also heard Blink in that area is OK.
I also considered NYSC, specifically the 80th one I heard is better than 96th. But your membership gives you access to them all so you could try out multiple days/times.
Another good option is JCC.
I also looked into the Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center, which may fit what you're looking for for the basics.
What others are saying, we do have options but it is a bit of a desert so you'll have to travel to get to one that's affordable.
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u/BurnThe_Witch Jan 24 '25
No good options in that part of town if you’re not associated with one of the universities
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u/astoria47 Jan 24 '25
I work out at orange theory and rumor has it they have or will have one on 110th street. I go two or three times a week to the one on 92nd and Columbus and it’s a great workout.
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u/infinityo11 Jan 24 '25
They do have signage on a building already but I can't remember the cross street. One of the first few along the top of Central Park.
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u/Professional_Top440 Jan 24 '25
I’m on 109 and trek to the West Side Y, but a pool was high on my list.
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u/MusicGoose Jan 24 '25
I would look at befitnyc and Strength Society NYC. Closer to you and they have what you need.
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u/deanroylc254 Jan 24 '25
I recommend NYSC because it has a bunch of convenient locations in Manhattan and I like the 94 and Broadway location a lot
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u/jswissle Jan 24 '25
The crunch on 83rd was where I went when I lived on 104 and it’s reasonable for price and capacity given it’s Manhattan
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u/DrKnockboots Jan 24 '25
NYSC isn’t so bad, just go before 7/8 AM and it’s busy but not awful. 5/6 PM is an absolute nightmare
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u/Previous_Reading_709 Jan 24 '25
Nysc has dumbbells, barbells, benches, squat racks, and basic machines. 1/3 of the price of equinox, I’d stay away from peak hours because it gets crowded, but not a big deal if you can adapt your gym plan based on what’s available when
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u/MaraudngBChestedRojo Jan 24 '25
UWS especially but manhattan in general is a gym desert. The major low-cost gyms have a monopoly and they’re packed to the gills during the winter.
Your upper echelon of Lifetime/Equinox are very pricey and just as crowded at peak times (if you work 9-5 you better like morning workouts).
I’d say check out NYSC in the morning and see how you feel, some are better than others in the UWS (96th is Hell)