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Best Of Toronto
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There is no doubt about it... joining a gym is a great way to achieve your fitness and health goals. Whether you're looking for a snazzy boutique style fitness facility or simply want to go for a work-out at your local community center... you're in luck! There are a ton of places to start your workout in the city. Here are a few of our favourite spots.
 Adelaide Club
100 King Street West
First Canadian Place
(416) 367-9957
http://www.adelaideclub.com
If you’re looking for the gym where all the business boys and gals head for during their lunch break and after work this is the place… and a pretty impressive place at that. After a couple million in renovations the Adelaide Club is looking pretty slick. The fitness spot is well stocked with plenty of free weights and up-to-date cardio and weight resistance machines. Not into doing it alone? Well you’re in luck because every imaginable class is available in the studios. After your work out you can chill-out, even have a beer, in the comfy lounge.
Berkeley Gym
128 Berkeley Street
(416) 203-3510
http://www.berkeleygym.com
Downtown east offers up the Berkeley Gym with a seriously cool industrial feel. Sexy exposed brick walls, hardwood floors and exposed ductwork make you feel like you are working out in Soho… or on a movie set. There are free weights here and there throughout the gym but the real focus here is the cardio area. Treadmills, Stairmasters and many more. Even more impressive is the spinning studio which will ensure you sweat off pretty much everything you want.
 Extreme Fitness
Various locations throughout Toronto
http://www.extremefitness.info
Extreme Fitness seems to migrated from the suburbs and has started popping up with impressive clubs throughout downtown Toronto. In fact many would argue they are giving GoodLife a good run for their money. The vibe at each of the Extreme locations is young and hip with dance music pumping through the speakers. The gyms have all underwent a make-over so the equipment in most cases is brand spanking new. The only downside here is the initial pressure to indulge in personal training sessions.
*Most impressive Extreme Fitness in downtown Toronto: It’s a toss-up between the Danforth location at Pape and the brand new Yonge and Dundas location.
 Faculty Of Physical Education And Health
University Of Toronto
55 Harbord Street
(416) 978-3436
http://www.ac-fpeh.com
You don’t have to be a U of T student or even part of the University alumni to work out at this campus facility… although you do have to be 19 or older. Point blank this is an absolutely amazing facility. Remember, this is the place that shapes and trains many of the city’s premiere athletes. Inside you will find everything and anything you ever dreamed of using to help you get in shape. Endless equipment for weight training, cardio machines, a golf cage, squash courts, indoor tracks and so much more. Most impressive is probably the eight-lane Olympic sized pool. You must be 18 or older to enter the gym.
 GoodLife Fitness
Various locations throughout Toronto
http://www.goodlifefitness.ca
At last count there were 13 different GoodLife fitness clubs in downtown Toronto. That’s not including the numerous facilities located on the outskirts of the city. If you have even thought of working out you have definitely heard of this club that started out as a small gym in London, Ontario. GoodLife has pretty much taken over fitness in this country and is probably most known for their trademark (and highly effective) classes including: BodyFlow, BodyPump and BodyStep. Facilities and rate vary slightly from location to location but overall the chains stays pretty consistent and delivers what you need for a good work out.
*Most impressive GoodLife in downtown Toronto: The fabulous Union Station location.
 Kingwest Fitness
171 East Liberty Street
Unit # 275
(416) 533-5464
http://www.kingwestfitness.com
King West Fitness is the favored choice of most Toronto west-enders. The good thing is despite its crazy popularity you never have the feeling that the club is too busy. That’s because it’s massive…there is an impressive 2,300 square feet of cardio equipment alone. Nothing confusing here either. The fitness facility is split into three major areas: cardio, weight training and studio space for spinning, yoga and other classes. Factory size windows keep it bright and lively while local art hangs on the walls helping the club it’s cool and casual atmosphere.
 Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
750 Spadina Avenue
(416) 924-6211
http://www.milesnadaljcc.ca
Located at the southwest corner of Bloor street and Spadina Avenue, the fitness facility at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre offers fitness programs that are open to all. The basement work-out room is filled with top-notch weights, the gym is available to shoot some hoops and elsewhere you will find cardio equipment galore. Of course our favourite thing about this massive Annex fitness centre is the impressive five-lane saltwater pool. Keep in mind the Centre is more than a gym it’s a fully functioning community centre that also offers educational and social programs year round.
 Ryerson Recreation and Athletics Centre
40 Gould Street
(416) 979-5096
http://www.ryerson.ca/sportsandrec
Right off Church street in the heart of the Ryerson University campus you will find the underground work-out facility commonly known as the RAC. Visitors simply descend down into the ground through the historical façade. Memberships are obviously available to students and alumni but anyone is welcome to sign up for a membership. The facility features large fully stocked cardio rooms, an endless selection of free weights and weight machines, squash courts, dance studios and 6 different gymnasiums. The 25 yard pool is usually quiet and a beautiful place to go for a few laps.
 YMCA (Metro)
20 Grosvenor Street
(416) 928-9622
http://www.ymcatoronto.org
One of the most affordable spots in the city to work out is the downtown YMCA which can be found just off Young Street. The YMCA’s four floors are packed with free weights and tons of cardio machines. For those who want to go for a dip… this is one of the few gyms in the city that feature a swimming pool. There is a long list of instructional classes available although truth be told they can get a bit packed. Downtown location not doing it for you? You can also check out one of the other Y’s within the GTA: North York, Scarborough and the west end location at College Street and Dovercourt Road. Loved by some and hated by some the infamous Y has all the staples and a little bit more.
 Yorkville Club
87 Avenue Road
Hazelton Lanes
(416) 961-8400
http://www.theyorkvilleclub.com
An absolutely beautiful club for anyone in the Yorkville area. The prices here will be a little extreme for some but if you can swing it’s definitely the most attractive club in the city. The Yorkville Club offers classes, classes and more classes. Not into group training? You can work-out solo on a nice variety of weight training and cardio machines. Sweat fanatics will love the numerous cardio machines overlook Avenue Road… never fear boredom when you have this much people watching to do. Added bonuses such as: concierge service, shiatsu, acupuncture and other luxuries are all also available on site.
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