Weighing In

There are people who have religiously worked out at the gym since their teens. I am not one of those people. I have always hated the notion of breaking a sweat in front of other people. And for many years I was able to get by on road running and video tape works outs. (I even worked out to Jane Fonda via cassette tape.) But there comes a time in our lives, and the lives of our metabolisms, where we need professional instruction, personal motivators, and the state-of-the-art equipment to stave off the dreaded middle age spread.

Here's where to go and why.

Equinox

"It's not fitness. It's life."

This award-winning, high end fitness center has a modern and chic design that offers a cosmopolitan vibe to your fitness regimen. This "destination club" has innovative group fitness classes, a luxurious spa, a healthy cafe and juice bar and an exclusive boutique, "The Shop". Just step in the door and you'll feel rejuvenated from the inside out.
The crowd is—Serious about fitness and looking good.
Membership Fee— Darien: Single Club $141/mo, All Access $183/mo. Greenwich: Single Club $155/mo, All Access $183/mo. (1 time initiation fee not included.)
Membership includes all locations— Only with the "All Access" (multiple clubs) membership.
Membership Contract— 12 Month Contract that may be cancelled due to job loss, relocation (25 miles or more) or a medical condition.
Membership includes— 1 "Equifit" (1 hour health & fitness) Assessment, 1 Personal Training Session, Two 7-day Trial Memberships, Two 1-Day Guest Passes.
Classes— Group Fitness classes: Conditioning Classes like, Interval Sculpt, Inside/Out and Ab Blast (to name a few), Yoga (Hatha, Hot Yoga, Kripalu, Vinyasa, Core Vinyasa & Power Vinyasa), Pilates (Bootcamp, Mat, Mat Fusion, & Sculpt), Cardio classes like, Kettle Bell Workout and Luscious Legs & Arm Candy (and many more), Studio Cycling, Conscious Movement (including Barre Studio classes), and Martial Arts.
Swimming Pool— No
Child Care— Yes
Amenities— Both Locations: Personal Trainers, Locker Room, Juice Bar, the Shop, Complimentary Parking, WiFi, Kiehl's Products. Greenwich only: The Spa @ Equinox, Steam Room, Valet Parking, Laundry Service, Private Executive Locker Room, Cabanas, Coat Check, Complimentary Towel Service, and Eucalyptus Towels.

Located in Darien and Greenwich (brand new location).

The Edge Fitness Clubs

The Fairfield location is brand spanking new, state-of-the-art, and big enough that you won't ever have trouble finding a free treadmill.
The crowd is— mostly Moms and college students.
Membership Fee— $19.99/mo (Derby, Fairfield, Milford, Norwalk, Shelton, Stratford); or $339.99- Pay Your Membership in Full and use (all locations, except Greenwich). Greenwich Only: $29.99/mo; or $439.99- Pay Your Membership in Full and use of all locations. Special for the month of February: the initiation fee is only $1.
Membership includes all locations?— All Club Access is an extra $1/mo (does not include Greenwich.)
Membership Contract— 12 month contract.
Membership includes— 1 Personal Training Session, 1 Pilates Session, Group Exercise Classes, and Unlimited Tanning .
Classes—  Private Pilates studio, TRX, The Barre Method, and over 600 group exercise classes in Spinning, Zumba, Kickboxing, Yoga, NIA and more.
Swimming Pool— No
Child Care— Yes
Amenities— Personal Trainers, Locker Room, Complimentary Parking, and Tanning.

Located in Fairfield, Greenwich and Norwalk

Intensity and Fitness Clubs

This first class 10,000 square foot facility is brand new, sleek and stylish. Including 7 Nova cushioned Tennis Courts with instruction, matchplay and tournaments. Your kids will love their Junior Fitness Programs like Hip Hop, Skills & Drills, Yoga, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Tumbling plus their Junior Tennis Program. Their Intensity Kids programs offer tennis and various summer camp programs like Swim Camp.
The crowd is— Serious about fitness for the whole family.
Membership Fee— $200 savings with the Winter Membership Special: 20% off your 1st month's membership and only a $20 initiation fee. Expires 4/20/12.
Membership Contract— 12 month contract.
Membership includes— 2  Sessions of: Personal Training or Pilates Reformer (Tier 1) or Thai/Traditional Massage or TRX Training, plus One 1/2-hour On-Court Tennis Evaluation, 1 Tennis Clinic, Full use of state-of-the-art equipment, All Group Exercise Classes, Scheduled Ball Machine Sessions: Monday-Friday from  5-8AM, Tennis Court Time: Monday-Friday from 5-8AM and walk-on court time throughout the summer.
Classes— Group exercise classes such as BodyPump, The Method, Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, PowerUP!, Spin, Core Board, Cardio Kickboxing and more.
Swimming Pool— No
Child Care— Yes
Amenities— Locker room facilities, Private Saunas, Steam Rooms, Fresh Towel Service, SPRINT room (a 4 lane 100' track for work on speed, agility, strength and conditioning), Treatment Rooms for massage, and a Juice Bar.

Located in Norwalk

NY Sports Club

With over 150 clubs in NY, NJ, CT, MA, PA, DC, VA, MD they have personal fitness down to a science.
The crowd is— No fuss, no muss simply there to work out.
Membership Fee— Special Try out: $30 for 30 days. Passport Membership: (all clubs access) $89/mo + $59.12 initiation fee (12 month contract) or $89/mo + $118 initiation fee (month-to-month). Core Membership: (single club membership +$9.50/visit to another club) $69/mo +$59.12 initiation fee (12 month contract) or $69/mo + $118 initiation fee (month-to-month).
Membership includes all locations?— Passport Membership includes all locations.
Membership Contract— 12 month contract or month-to-month depending on membership package.
Membership includes— All group exercise classes and access to all equipment.
Classes—Group exercise classes for Cardio, Conditioning, Yoga, Pilates Mat, Small Group Classes like BeyondBarre, Pilates Reformer, Power Pilates Tower, and Spin, Sports Clubs for Kids programs, Squash, Basketball.
Swimming Pool— Yes (at Stamford's Commerce Rd location only)
Child Care— Yes
Amenities— Locker Room, Parking, Sauna, Steam Room, Towel Service, Personal Trainers.

Located in Greenwich, Stamford, Westport (and many more).

Planet Fitness

This gym is exactly as advertised: tons of equipment so get on with your workout. You need to know what you are doing here as there are no personal trainers available to get you started. The prices are dirt cheap and if you know your way around a treadmill and the weight machines this gym will be perfect for you.
The crowd is— Non-judgmental just get on with getting fit. No one's preening in a mirror here.
Membership Fee— Black Card: $19.99/mo (no initiation fee) offer expires 2/29/12. Regular: $10/mo +$49 initiation fee.
Membership includes all locations?— Yes with the "Black Card" membership.
Membership Contract— 12 month contract.
Membership includes— Black Card: use of all locations, Unlimited Guest Privileges (you may bring 1 friend to the gym with you every time you come), Unlimited Tanning, Unlimited use of Massage Chairs, 1/2 price cooler drinks, Unlimited Fitness Training. Regular membership: Unlimited Fitness Training.
Classes— No
Swimming Pool— No
Child Care— No
Amenities— Locker Room, Tanning, Massage Chairs.

Located in Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford (and many more)

Saugatuck Rowing Club & Fitness Center

It's hard not to feel serene in this light drenched health-club with views of the mighty Saugatuck River. You'll make full use of their high end exercise equipment, group classes, nutrition counseling (!) and fabulous personal trainers. They also offer Jr. Programs for kids 12-18 years old. In addition to the Rowing Club they have a Running Club where they offer weekly guided runs, treadmill workouts, running mechanics and more. Fun! A totally unique experience.
The crowd is— Fit and Friendly
Membership Fee— based on different membership levels, please contact the Club for more information.
Classes—Pilates Mat, Vinyasa Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Spin, Body Sculpting, Ab Class, Winter Conditioning, Cardio Blaast, H.I.T., Jump Rope & Bootcamp Training.
Swimming Pool— No
Child Care— No
Amenities— Personal Training, Rowing Instruction, Digital lock cherry-wood lockers, Steam Rooms, Showers, Massage Services, Complimentary Towels, and Toiletries, Jr. Summer Programs.

Located in Westport

Southport Racquet Club

Check out the spectacular, complete remodel of the club. In addition to their 4 international Squash courts, this is a full-fledged, state-of-the-art fitness center. Our favorite class is "3-2-1". It's a 30 minute fast paced interval class. Get in, get sweaty, get out.
The crowd is— Social, all ages.
Membership Fee— Fitness Center: $86/month + $75 initiation fee. Or pre-pay for the year and get the 12th month free.
Membership Contract— No contract, 30 days notice to cancel.
Membership includes— 1 Personal Training Session, Over 70/week Group Fitness Classes with no extra fees, Full use of the state-of-the-art fitness center with Cardio equipment, Free-Weights, and a Nitro Nautilus circuit.
Classes— Group Fitness Classes like Balance & Power, Barre Essential, Yoga, BodyCore, BodyPump, Body Sculpt, Bootcamp, Boxing Conditioning, Spinning, Qigong & Tai Chi, Pilates Sculpt, 3-2-1, TRX, Zumba and more!
Swimming Pool— No
Child Care— Yes
Amenities— Locker Room facilities, Squash lessons, clinics, "ladders, and tournaments, Personal Trainers, Massage Services, Steam Rooms, Complimentary Towels.

Located in Southport

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