[teamhog]

LA Fitness is brand new... There's also Malibu Fitness in Farmington. BlueSky has gyms in Newington and Simsbury...

We're joining LA Fitness later this month.... They one out over the others because they have a pool. The others don't. My daughter swims in her high school team.

[kidyankee764]

Just wanted to add to this thread since it's a bit dated:

I joined Planet Fitness at the Rinks in Shelton (River Rd) and it's by far, the best gym I've been to. Huge loft for cardio, big floorspace, the cardio loft overlooks the rinks, lots of flat panel TVs. I've been a member now for a month and have met some great people there. My wife goes there too and while they do not have daycare, there is a TON for kids to do while you work out (if they can go off by themselves). There is laser tag, duckpin bowling, outdoor driving range, ice skating (when not being used by hockey teams) and an arcade.

Oh yeah - the guys who work there aren't meatheads either. They are just regular kids who lack the lunk.

[MikefromCT]

Hi Jett,

I'm actually a member of NY sports club in W Hartford, their website boasts that they do have a babysitting/ kids playroom and offer programs for kids, so it might be worth a look. It's located in downtown West hartford so if you move there it wouldn't be far at all. If you're looking at Farmington it's one town to the west - and I wouldn't rule out living because it's a very nice town (and that gym wouldn't be too far.) Same thing with Simsbury, which has a Big Sky Fitness complex on Hopmeadow Street, which is one of the main drags in town. A few co-worker friends of mine go there and have said it's great.

Any of these three towns should suit your needs in terms of getting to meet people, but Farmington and simsbury are more rural in character if that's what your'e looking for. In any event, all three of these towns have excellent schools on all levels, and all have neighborhoods with young families.
Hope that helps,

[Slipperman]

Originally Posted by jett254

I'll check out all of those. I'd like to find a nice gym, especially because we'll be using the child care for our 3 year old and because I do classes like spinning and want a place with a decent schedule of classes.

Thanks for all the help!

then you might want to check out HealthTrax in Newington, Avon, Glastonbury. very family friendly and they keep the gym in good shape..

[CTbrooktrout]

Does anyone have experience with negotiating the gyms such as LA Fitness or Healthtrax? Their rates seem to be 400-1000% more than the smaller gyms, say WOW in Glastonbury for example. Sure they are nicer and may offer more services but if you're just going there for a quick workout, are they willing to say come down to 250-300% above a smaller competitor's price?

[evopuma]

I think they just opened an LA Fitness on the turnpike in Newington.

Some health clubs offer discount memberships to people with certain health insurances. I know Aetna members get discounts at certain gyms.