- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
BU Fitness & Recreation Center
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Gyms Active Life Swimming Pools Gyms, Swimming Pools [Edit]
915 Commonwealth AveBoston, MA 02215
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
(617) 353-2748
- Nearest Transit:
-
Saint Paul St - Outbound (Green Line)
Commonwealth Ave @ Agganis Way (193, 57, 57A)
Commonwealth Ave @ Buick St (193, 57, 57A)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
19 reviews for BU Fitness & Recreation Center
19 reviews in English
-
Review from Amy B.
Boston, MA
3/11/2009
I go to BU, and I know how lucky I am to have a beautiful facility like this to work out at, included in tuition ( I can't bring myself to say free, because I'm sure I am paying for it indirectly...) Anyways, the cardio equipment is well maintained- it does get very busy weekday evenings but usually after a few minutes you can find the open machine that you desire. None of the machines have TV's in them but there you can get audio for the TVs that are hanging from the ceiling. Most people bring Ipods though, of course. Some of the elliptical machines overlook the pool- it can be fun to watch the diving teams do crazy jumps.
I have taken two classes here Squash and Aqua Aerobics. I loved Squash- our instructor was great- I'm not that talented but I can now play jokingly with some friends and it's a great way to burn calories. And seriously, how many other colleges have racquetball and squash courts?
My Aqua class takes place in the Rec. pool, not the big one where the meets are. The class really helped tone my up- especially my arms. We do crazy things like run against the lazy river while listening to pop music from two years ago, but the time goes by fast and I like the results.
During the weekend there must be lots of classes for kids, because the place becomes overrun with adorable toddlers and kids running around.
If you get thirty the smoothies at the little food place on the 1st floor are very good- they have a 100ish calorie mango one that I like, that's made with splenda. -
Review from Monica R.
3/20/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This has everything you want. Only thing I think thats a bit odd is that there is a NO cell phone rule. Really? How can you even enforce that?
The indoor track will give you ankle tendonitis. I've known several BU students who have gotten AT because of the track, including myself. I suggest staying away from it. -
Review from Susan R.
2/18/2011 78 Check-ins Here
I have been in a lot of competing gyms... WOW!, Healthworks, Planet Fitness, Mike's Gym, BSC...
and not one of them comes close to the awesomeness of this gym.
you have to be affiliated with BU (faculty staff student alumni) to even get a membership... and the fact that I pay $40+/month to go to a gym full of undergrads that go for free kinda makes my eye twitch.... but for $40+/month you get things like an indoor track- a gazzillion cardio machines that get replaced every 3 years or so, a GIGANTIC pool, and 4 weight areas.
classes aren't included in the membership, which is crazy. I can understand that undergrads taking a class for credit should have to pay extra (since they don't pay for a membership at all)
but i would like to see the paying members offered some basic classes for free. spinning, cardio kickboxing, zumba... ya know?
it would garner 5 stars- but this place gets SO busy during peak hours that you have to wait for cardio machines.
go before 8am and its a ghost town. -
Review from Francesca R.
8/5/2008
The may be the best thing about getting my master's at BU. Here are the facts:
--Free for full-time students and for a very low price (much lower than any other gyms in the area, and better) available to part-time students, faculty, and alumni.
--You can bring up to two guests at $10 each on weekends and holidays ($20 the rest of the time)
--Free day lockers or yearly lockers in the rest rooms for yearly rent
--Shower facilities with soap, hair dryer
--Giant swimming pool with tons of lanes. Also the lazy river which I've never used but does sound pretty cool.
--Family friendly, with lots of classes, that lazy river we talked about, and private changing rooms
--Rock climbing wall
--Elevated, open track which looks down on the second floor
--several basketball/raquetball courts
--Enough cardio and weight stuff for everybody. Even at the crazy busiest times I've never had to wait.
--Staff that are helpful and actually read and respond to your feedback. I've submitted a couple of comment slips and noticed changes that pertain to them (a certain machine got fixed, they added more of this cardio machine that was really popular, etc).
--Given the hoochies I've seen on the B line and strutting up and down Comm Ave, I give props to the undergrads that when they come here there are very few egos around. Rarely is there a grunting muscleman or a scantily clad, heavily made up coed to be seen. The other reviewers called it - the energy here is really about just working out hard and as its own reward. -
Review from Shawn F.
Boston, MA
7/10/2008
You pretty much can't get better than this. BU finally didn't cheap out on its students and steal their money. This place is a few years old now and still looks brand new. I would have to give credit to the people who are in charge of maintenance at Fitrec. I am sure BU had some underlying incentive to build this place, probably to recruit athletes, but all the students benefit from that anyway.
The cardio and weight lifting facilities are great and you can find pretty much anything you need. During busy times, there may be a wait, but what can you expect from a school of 16000. There is equipment on multiple floors and also oddly enough in some hallways. There is also a beautiful elevated track overlooking the basketball courts.
Fitrec has a nice spacious swimming pool and the famous lazy river. I still haven't met anyone that has gone in the lazy river, but people talk about it a lot. There are also raquetball courts, ping pong tables, smoothie bar, plenty of classes to sign up for, and probably more that I forgot.
The main reason I go here is to play basketball. There are a total of 7 basketball courts. 4 courts on the upper level and 3 courts on the lower level. During the weekend nights, these can be packed and you can wait for a while before stepping on the court. Not a huge fan of some of the people that play at fitrec. Some of them think they are Kobe Bryant and believe they can dominate, but really they just end up throwing up air balls and bricks. I sometimes feel bad for these people. So misguided.
Anyway, this is a great place to work out and have some fun. Don't feel intimidated when you just start to work out. Everyone had to start somewhere. -
Review from peggy c.
Brookline, MA
3/4/2009
I am in no way affiliated with BU, but I used to live down the street so i started taking a couple of classes there to kill time, and I have to say, I heart the gym. Sure, in the women's locker room you might hear some random chick spazzing about how she hasn't worn a bra for EVA and what not, but it's clean, pretty and got just about everything that you might want to do.
The classes are very reasonably priced (even for us non affiliated ppl) and there's quite a variety (swimming, climbing, raquet sports, you name it, chances are they've got it) to choose from for the PMs and some weekends. The quality of instruction for the classes vary quite a bit and is no where near uniform, but I've always had fun so I'm not complaining.Listed in: Looking good
-
Review from Rui W.
5/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been playing badminton here on Sundays for 4 years now. The courts are decent although some time the sun light came in the large window make you miss the shots.
-
Review from Jonathan K.
Brighton, MA
7/28/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great gym, but a bit pricey and can be crowded at times. Members should make sure to take advantage of everything the gym has to offer, especially in the mornings.
This gym is massive. There are five floors and more recreation rooms than I can even mention. I've been using it for four years and still haven't seen all of it.
Despite being big, clean and glamourous, it can still get very crowded. From what I can tell these are a few trends:
Basketball courts
Free most of the day, packed after 6pm. There are more courts in the basement, but those are also used for indoor soccer, ping pong and some classes.
Squash and Racquetball
Busy after 6pm, but watch out for classes. There are a ton of regulars who don't mind playing red robin style.
Weight Room
Busy on Fridays, and Mondays after work. Less congested in the summer.
Cardio Machines
Plenty of them! The ones in front of windows and TVs get taken pretty quickly.
Pool
Check the schedule carefully since it's a bit weird. Less busy in the mornings, afternoons and just before closing. -
Review from Liz D.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
3/7/2010
I really only go here for my dance body conditioning class, which I feel the need to heartily recommend...The instructors alternate each week. One is really focused on kicking your ass into shape, and the other is more focused on form.
Very different styles, but I can always count on an hour and a half that leaves me relaxed, slightly more informed about anatomy, and in better shape. Sometimes I'm also left massaging cramps in my hip flexors as I walk up the stairs, but nothing some stretching and ibuprofen can't take care of. Facilities are nice, although it looks like the ground floor level gets packed sometimes. -
Review from Kelly A.
4/14/2011
Fitrec rules. I actually went to grad school at BU, but this facility opened the year after I left, so I never got to take advantage of it. Before now, that is! I was looking for swim classes for my daughter, and not only did I discover that Fitrec offered classes for all age groups, but they even offered them at a discount for BU alum! Score! When we started the Parent-Tot A class, our little lady was about 10 months old, and the class spanned two months or so. She adored it and became very comfortable in the water. I am thrilled that they're offering more classes this summer, because I can't wait to enroll her in Parent-Tot B. As for the facility, it really is fabulous. Everything is clean and well-maintained.
-
Review from Tim T.
5/9/2008 2 photos
The best gym I've ever been too! So many events going on. So many classes! It really is amazing! If you go when its crowded, IE at peek times, you are not going to enjoy it too much. I go during the day or early morning and it is fine. During BU holidays, the place is virtually empty and you can have machines to yourself!
-
Review from A T.
Boston, MA
2/25/2008
OMG! I don't know what I'd do without this gym - seriously. It is a motivation in itself for me. They have plenty of machines and weights for every friggin' person. Yeah, sometimes the crowd gets a little too much (what Sarah said), but I'm willing to risk it. They have a track on the top floor, several basketball courts (which can be conveniently changed to badminton courts or for indoor soccer). Ummm, what else - ping pong tables, nice sofas, awesome swimming pools, a lazy river (hell yeah!)... I could go on (oh, and racquetball too). Overall, total positive energy so you have no reason to slack off your gym routine. Definitely very cheap if you are connected to BU in any way possible!
-
Review from al m.
Cambridge, MA
1/12/2009
If you are a member of the "BU Community," then you know that there's essentially no such thing as the BU Community. So you might as well take advantage of the few perks available to you....
If you're not an undergrad, the social environment at FitRec is tiresome-- you'll hear a lot about the next kegger in Allston, etc. But you can't beat the facility itself. Everything everyone else has said is true.
My only gripe is the shortage of lockers and the sub-par locker room facilities. Inexplicably, there are few actual lockers, and the changing room is tiny and pitiful for a gym of this size. Its possible the BU brass--always deeply skeptical of students-- didnt want to worry about it being trashed by students, or its just a design oversight.
Final note: if youre into hoops, the gym itsef is a godsend. Great courts--if you're willing to play with marginally-skilled undergrads. -
Review from Sarah A.
3/26/2006
This is a great facility for the BU Community. If you are in any way affiliated with BU: Student, Faculty, Staff, or Alumni (yes, that's right even Alumni can join), get a membership! Of course it's free for students, faculty and staff pay $40 a month and alumni pay $50. Much cheaper than any other gym in the area. There was a lot of overcrowding here in January (New Year's resolutions perhaps?) but now things have quieted down. I could go on about the atmosphere: you walk in and you just feel energized and want to work out. It's all good.
Listed in: BU Essentials
-
Review from Alyssa J P.
Brighton, MA
2/28/2010
What's not to like about FitRec? I get in for free as a student, they have all the cardio equipment I could ever want (although they get busy at times), weight machines, free weights, elevated track, lots of classes, a climbing wall (which I should really try one of these days), and if that doesn't win you over, it has a HOT TUB. Seriously.
-
Review from Vivek A.
Boston, MA
8/5/2008
A lazy river, swimming pool, racquetball/squash courts, 2 weight lifting areas, ellipticals out the wazoo!!, 7 court gyms, and classes. The building itself looks great too. With a gym like this, there really is no reason to not work out. Like the others said, I'm glad BU wasn't cheap and went all out with this facility.
I've also taken racquetball and sailing (managed by the same people) and my instructors have been great all around. Also those lessons were quite cheap (ill admit I am a student though) for 7 2.5 hr long sessions with court time/sailboat included. I'd be hard pressed to even find the facilities (let alone instructors) anywhere else. -
Review from Daniel L.
Boston College, MA
11/7/2010
Definitely the best fitness facility I've ever been in, and I've been a member at many gyms. They have everything and then some, and the place is spotless. Just thinking about this place makes me want to go workout! The pools and Jacuzzi are really really nice.
-
Review from Steve S.
Boston, MA
8/30/2005
The usually stingy BU spared no expense on this state of the art recreational facility for its students. Seven basketball courts, squash and raquetball, an elevated track, two pools and a rock wall are just part of what this building has to offer. They are very tight about security so don't try to just walk in; they've become quite proud of confiscating IDs from people who shouldn't be using them. You may be able to sign in as a guest to take a quick tour, but the equipment is pretty much off limit to the general public.
-
Review from Jigar R.
Somerville, MA
1/5/2010
best gym ever! BSC cannot even come close to this EVER
