Fitness Center Recommendations? (Madison, Baraboo, Portage: insurance, to live, price)

[SoftPillow]

I'm moving to the area at the end of June, and will initially be residing north of Madison, in Portage. However, because my job is in Madison, I figured finding a fitness center of some kind in the city would be much easier than finding one in Portage!

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I looked into UW's Fitness Center program, but the cost is rather high - $150 for the first month, then $96 each month after (with some discounted rates if you pre-pay several months at a time). Here, where I'm moving from, a month's time is $38 at the hospital-affiliated fitness center. I don't think it includes as much as UW's program, though.

Here's what I am looking for:

• Access to personal training services: it'd be nice if it was included, but I'm cool with that being an extra cost. Really, I'd be needing a trainer periodically, rather than every time I go.

• Atmosphere: I'm rather uncomfortable in the 'gym rat' atmosphere. What I like about my current fitness center is that the clientele come from all walks of life - we have seniors, young people, and in-betweens. There are some power lifters and such there, too, but it's a nice cross-section. I'd like to find that, too.

• Nutrition Counseling: I'd like to hook up with a place that has a registered dietician on staff for nutritional counseling, but if that isn't possible it's not a deal breaker.

My workplace is off Beltline, around the Alliant Energy Center, so ideally I'd like to be convenient to a route to/from the northern towns (Portage, Baraboo, etc.) but if it's a stellar place that offers what I want at a price I can afford, I'll go anywhere for it.

I'd even consider places like Anytime Fitness or whatnot, but since those are franchises I'm not sure how one location ranks against another.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

[ranger17]

Princeton Club has 2 locations in Madison, one east and one west (both near the malls). While i wasnt a member i used their locations for physical therapy and was quite impressed actually. These are large centers with a lot of customers, but also a lot to offer.
I think the benefit to the smaller Anytime Fitness spots are that they are franchises, so if you traveled frequently you'd have the ability to work out on the road. But you wont find pools, tracks, etc there.

But Princeton Clubs likely will have the most to offer you, especially based on potential transit directions to and from home/work

[FryGuy]

Originally Posted by ranger17

Princeton Club has 2 locations in Madison, one east and one west (both near the malls). While i wasnt a member i used their locations for physical therapy and was quite impressed actually. These are large centers with a lot of customers, but also a lot to offer.
I think the benefit to the smaller Anytime Fitness spots are that they are franchises, so if you traveled frequently you'd have the ability to work out on the road. But you wont find pools, tracks, etc there.

But Princeton Clubs likely will have the most to offer you, especially based on potential transit directions to and from home/work

I am a member of Princeton club and love it, it has everything you are looking for. There are nutrition Evals, they have personal trainers, there are classes. It is an enormous club.
That being said, it doesn't seem too terribly convenient for you. I am a firm believer that a gym should be somewhere between work and home, otherwise you won't go. I don't think the PC is. Anytime doesn't have all the amenities, but I bet it would be more convenient.

[ranger17]

Originally Posted by FryGuy

I am a member of Princeton club and love it, it has everything you are looking for. There are nutrition Evals, they have personal trainers, there are classes. It is an enormous club.
That being said, it doesn't seem too terribly convenient for you. I am a firm believer that a gym should be somewhere between work and home, otherwise you won't go. I don't think the PC is. Anytime doesn't have all the amenities, but I bet it would be more convenient.

my main thought on suggesting PC was based on other threads the OP is part of, that to get to their work on the south side of Madison in effect they'll be driving past one of the PC sites each day (OP is looking to live up near Portage/Baraboo), so while a weekend workout may not be convenient, it could be on weekdays. But you are correct, if it's a special trip just to get to the gym, that can become an easy excuse on why not to go.

[FryGuy]

I was confused on the geography. If he would be driving by every day for work, then Princeton is perfect.

[JoshB]

I know Portage has "The Ridge" health club, and Anytime Fitness. Baraboo has Snap Fitness, when I lived in Baraboo I was a member at Snap Fitness and wasn't impressed. I've heard ok things about Princeton Club. If you decided to reside in Columbus you could do Prairie Athletic Club, they've always had great rankings and I've always heard awesome things about them.

[SoftPillow]

Thanks for all the feedback. Sounds like I have some research to do when I arrive in town! (In three weeks! Yikes!)

[Megan1967]

Just another vote for the Princeton Club. I know the Eastside location isn't as spiffy as the Westside location, but it is still very good in terms of the equipment available.

Unlike most other clubs in the area, there is no fee to join and most classes are included in the basic monthly fee.

Don't forget to see if your insurance will cover part of the cost of your fitness club membershiop whichever one you choose.