[jett254]

Hi,

We may be moving to the Hartford area from Chicago. My husband would be working in downtown Hartford and we would look to purchase a home in Avon, Simsbury or Farmington (based on area that people have suggested here, we have a 3 year old son and are interested in areas with the best schools).

My questions are:

(1) What are the nicest gyms/health clubs in the Hartford area? We love our gym here in Chicago and would love to find a place with great child card as well as newer equipment (hopefully with individual TVs) as well as good Spinning and Pilates classes.

(2) Can anyone recommend some area pre-schools that I can look into?

(3) Are there certain neighborhoods or subdivisions within Avon/Simsbury/Farmington that have a lot of young families. I'm a stay at home mom and am hoping to find some nice new friends for me and my son since we're leaving so many behind.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[JayCT]

There is a new New York Sports Center in Blue Back Square in west hartford that looks pretty nice. Not sure it has everything you are looking for but you could check it out. Jay

[kidyankee764]

I am a member of New York Sports Club in Norwalk and it's excellent. It can get expensive but you do get much more than if you were a member of a smaller gym. I have also been a guest at LA Fitness many times and the facilities there are almost better then NYSC - but at a higher price. I believe there is one in South Windsor and Bristol. I'm not sure where the nearest NYSC would be to Avon or Simsbury.

Good luck!

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I'm not sure where the nearest NYSC would be to Avon or Simsbury.

Good luck!

That would be the Blue Back Square one in West Hartford. It is the only NYSC in central Connecticut. Jay

[uconn99]

There is a L.A. Fitness in Bristol and South Windsor.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by uconn99

There is a L.A. Fitness in Bristol and South Windsor.

There's also one in Hamden. The reason that I bring this up is it was the victim of serial burglars:

WTNH.com, Connecticut News and Weather - LA Fitness theft in three towns, in three hours

[skytrekker]

I go to Body Fit in Manchester- it was 'State of the Art' when it opened in 1993-
well that was a long time ago- and its become sort of grungy- but has lots of space- machines, benches for free weights, treadmills, bikes etc---- cost? $10 a month plus tax--oh yes it is air conditioned-part of the time.

call me cheap----

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

I go to Body Fit in Manchester- it was 'State of the Art' when it opened in 1993-
well that was a long time ago- and its become sort of grungy- but has lots of space- machines, benches for free weights, treadmills, bikes etc---- cost? $10 a month plus tax--oh yes it is air conditioned-part of the time.

call me cheap----

I used to belong to Planet Fitness and it was about the same price - nothing wrong with that. The pluses at NYSC and LA Fitness aren't too worth it anyway. Some equipment is newer but they all do the same thing! I just go there because most of my friends are there, and it's nice to have a few workout buddies.

OP - I asked my GF who lived in that area for a little while. She went to BigSky - she went to the one in Newington, but there's also one in Simsbury and a new one being built in New Britain. I can't say myself how it actually is, but my GF said it was one of the best gyms she's ever been to, and apparently they have friendly staff. I guess they've been ranked among the best so I'd check it out if I were you.

Big Sky - Welcome

[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!

[uconn99]

L.A. Fitness has child care and a bunch fo classes.