Baltimore area gyms: good ones outside of the downtown core? (Dundalk: home, safe neighborhood)

[lanhvtnymd]

I'm considering Lifebridge (actually in Pikesville) and Bare Hills Racquet and Fitness Club. I heard Lifebridge is 90+ a month....so, um, yeah....not looking to spend that much?

I just dropped Planet Fitness because it's too out of the way. Already know about their 10 a month "deal".

[KLynch10]

Gyms in Baltimore are pretty expensive. Probably because square feet, property taxes, and personal property taxes on businesses are all much more expensive in the city.

[KodeBlue]

I like the MAC in Timonium. Mainly because of the basketball court.

[SunnyTXsmile]

I've been a member of many of the Baltimore gyms, typically 3 or 4 at one time (I can be a bit obsessive).

I liked Gold's Gym in Dundalk for cardio equipment because they have a Cardio Cinema (makes that boring time on a treadmill / bike just fly by while watching a movie without TV breaks such as they have in gyms with regular TVs). Also, I never had a wait for a machine. Ever. Even during peak hours. Surprisingly clean, and nothing like I expected a Gold's to be.

I liked Bally's in White Marsh (now LA Fitness, but haven't been there since it changed hands), for their fitness classes, racquetball, and usually non-crowded, though overly chlorinated, pool (felt like I had it all to myself). I had a lot of friends that went there, so that made it fun, too.

I liked Merritt Athletic in Canton for their indoor / outdoor (depending on the season) salt water pool that's always warm. Personal trainers can be very flaky there, though.

I liked The Maryland Athletic Club in Harbor East for their salt water pool, as well, though, the gym is a little small for me.

I was a guest at The Maryland Athletic Club in Timonium. My cousin loves it there. Very family-friendly, but too far out for me.

I've heard great things about Life Bridge Fitness, but have never been there since it's too far from my home and office.

I didn't care for...

The Bally's in Dundalk, was just too tiny and their indoor pool was even smaller, not even a full lap.

The Brick Bodies in Nottingham, also tiny and no pool (although, they do give you access to a local university pool to swim in, should you want to drive all the way to Towson to get that part of your workout in).

The Gold's in Parkville, poor lighting and pool was always under construction.

Good luck!

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

The Y on 33rd street is pretty new and has a great staff and equipment. Gets a little crowded during peak hours. I've been there for years. I think it's $50 per month for a single person, less if you are a student or under 25. My wife and I pay $78 for a family membership.

[timlee]

I am curious:

(1) How big is their swimming pool? 25-yard or 50-meter long?

(2) Since they have been there years, are they still pretty new?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by HandsUpThumbsDown

The Y on 33rd street is pretty new and has a great staff and equipment. Gets a little crowded during peak hours. I've been there for years. I think it's $50 per month for a single person, less if you are a student or under 25. My wife and I pay $78 for a family membership.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by timlee

I am curious:

(1) How big is their swimming pool? 25-yard or 50-meter long?

(2) Since they have been there years, are they still pretty new?

Thanks!

1) I think the pool is 25m.
2) The building is about 7 years old. It's new by Baltimore standards .

[nurider2002]

Everybody has different requirements for what they want in a gym. What exacty are you looking for?
I have belonged to the Merritt in Owings Mills, Meritt in Canton, the DAC and currently Golds in Owings Mills. Each had it's positive's and minus's. Now days, I'm interested in a non crowded gym that I can get in and out of without waiting for equipment, is convenient and cheap. Gold's fits the bill. If I were interested in using a personal trainer or, taking many different classes, having a pool, steam room etc, Gold's would not be the place. Life Bridge is nice but it can be crowded and it's not cheap. I've heard only negatives on Planet Fitness.

[jrh0341]

I love merritt in canton, but mostly because its close, clean, and has all the equipment I would need. I would have gone with Golds off the bat if there was one close. Ive never been dissapoointed with one. I'm just kind of basic though, gie me a good wide selection of free weights and machines, and enough cardio equipment that you don't have to wait in line to get one, and Im good.

Never been in a planet fitness not do I ever intend to from what ive seen of their market strategy. It seems like they arent too friendly to vigorous workouts. All their websites pics seem like a ton of machines, no squat racks, and no power equipment. Any place with soothing purple paint, no heavy equipment and a no grunting policy can keep their discount plan.

[bmorefella]

Originally Posted by lanhvtnymd

I'm considering Lifebridge (actually in Pikesville) and Bare Hills Racquet and Fitness Club. I heard Lifebridge is 90+ a month....so, um, yeah....not looking to spend that much?

I just dropped Planet Fitness because it's too out of the way. Already know about their 10 a month "deal".

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish community center in Northwest Baltimore is very nice and if it matters in a safe neighborhood directly across from the cities police academy!