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Healthworks Fitness Centers For Women - Porter Square
Rating Details »
Categories: Gyms, Trainers, Massage, Acupuncture [Edit]
35 White StreetPorter Square Shopping Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 497-4454
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 5:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri. 5:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Accepts Insurance:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
65 reviews for Healthworks Fitness Centers For Women - Porter Square
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
9/18/2007
2 photos
11/18/2009
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Updated - 7/22/2009
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2/10/2007
One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
If I could give six stars, I would. I thought I would never find a replacement for my beloved Berkeley YMCA... but this place is awesome. Great classes, supportive/encouraging atmosphere, clean locker rooms, workout towels galore, hot tub (wow, a dream come true in winter), and, as has been mentioned, nice smelling soap in the showers.
As has also been mentioned, there is somewhat of a naked culture in the locker room of this gym. Nothing like the Bay Club of San Francisco, near North Beach. Damn. I was embarrassed to be alive in that gym. Sometimes all that skin can be a bit much for the eyes.
Now for a shout out to my favorite classes and instructors:
Spinning - Jon (great music and themes for the workouts - I have never once glanced at my watch to check time - and let's face it ladies, he's hot) and Tara (she knows ALL THE WORDS to the music she plays, and if you look closely you can see her singing through the workout)
Urban Rebounding - Channing (plays great mixes, really gets into the routines, and even throws in some creative dance moves... people, what can beat bouncing on your very own trampoline for 45 minutes??) check it out: http://www.urbanreboun...
Bosu Challenge - Sean (it's like bootcamp in there - sometimes I have dreams of
"teh-nih-eigh-sev-si-fi-foh-
three-two-one-two-
three-foh-fi-si-sev-eigh-nih-teh")
Yoga - Armajit (it's gentle yoga... because I'm still working on touching my toes)
Lauren T. is a great personal trainer. I've never had the same workout twice with her. How does she remember all these cool exercises? Magic.
So basically the only thing that's missing from Healthworks Porter Square is a cardio striptease class. I've become obsessed with this idea since I found it on the L.A. Crunch Fitness website.
I have mixed feelings about this location.
* I love where it's located.
* I like that they have newer treadmills! You can track your runs and save them on a USB, ecc.
* They have great express (30 min) classes.
* You must walk a few flights to get to the gym itself, from the lobby, you've already started your workout!
There are a few things I dislike about it too...
- It's a waaay busier location than the other one I frequent, so it can be hard to find a spot to stretch or a machine, especially directly after work.
- They have different sign up rules (online?!) at this location which means it's harder to get into classes.
- The sign up sheets are either used religiously by members, or totally ignored. Making use of machines iffy, at best.
I love the space and the classes that they provide. Clean showers! Lots of space in the locker room. Space to spread out and do your hair and makeup (if that's your thing) after you work out and clean yourself up.
Healthworks is a great gym, nobody can deny that. They have TONS of machines (I have never had to wait) with a private tv screen for almost all of them, a full schedule of great classes, lots of weight machines, tons of free weights, a wonderful locker room with a sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi, showers with great organic products, on site child care, very friendly staff, etc, etc.
So why only 4 stars? The price! I'm poor and couldn't afford it for long. I got a special deal when joining and I ended up paying about $80 per month. If I made more money, this would be the premiere gym, but I'm poor and bitter, haha, just kidding!
This is a great gym. I took a tour over a year ago intending to just get a couple freebie weeks and then not go back, but I had to join that same day when I saw the Easter baskets full of tampons. It's a pleasant environment, in the way that better Starbucks franchises are pleasant, but I'm thinking of ending my membership.
When I joined, I was 20lbs heavier (though not in a bad way at all!) and l enjoyed running on the elliptical and steaming in the tub. Now I'm dancing more and I feel like what is the point of exercising in a mindless and repetitive way? Because jogging an hour every day or whatever isn't something that will change you in any deep way; you'll just reinforce bad posture, bad form, and ultimately get better at jogging but not at anything else. Of course, I understand that for the majority of sedentary office-bound Americans a gym membership is a good thing. But in Europe they eat richer foods than us and they don't have a gym on every block, yet they aren't a continent of fatties and they don't obsess over diets and exercise routines, and that's how I'd rather live.
I use my 3 gyms (Brookline, Cambridge, and Boston for $100, towels included) to do Pilates in the empty studios and to stretch. Sometimes I hang in the whirlpool in Brookline or Cambridge, not Boston because I think their swimsuit policy is kind of prudish and I don't carry my bathing suit around in my purse. I LOVE the vinyasa yoga classes that Sara Schumann teaches on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I really believe she is the BEST yoga teacher in the Boston area. And I've been doing yoga since I was 8, so I think that's high praise. Healthworks should give her a big fat bonus and give her an hour and a half for her classes instead of the measly 75 minutes they allot, because for months now I've only kept my membership to take her class twice a week. The fourth star of this review is all Sara.
Also, if you take some reformer Pilates with one of their instructors then you can use the reformer at the Cambridge gym unsupervised, whenever you want, as long as nobody is doing a training session there. This is a great deal, and I'm ambivalent about whether to even spread it around because that means less reformer time for me. But, unlike the rooms of Pilates equipment at Boston and Brookline, there is just one reformer and it's tucked away in the little area where they do intakes. So you get to hear all about how new members feel about their bodies, their pregnancies, their diseases, their extra weight while you are doing your footwork and straps and stretches.
I'll still pay by the day for Sara's yoga classes, and maybe stick around to play a bit after, but that's really all Healthworks is worth to me. And the air conditioning, since I don't have that at my house. They got me into a 1-year contract when I'd already been a member for several months, and it's a $200 cancellation fee, but that still might be the best option.
I have belonged to Healthworks for over a year. When I first joined I mentioned to one of the vice-presidents that the ceilings in the studios were filthy and very dusty. She agreed and said she was working on having them cleaned. Six months later I met with her and again stressed what a bad impression it makes to have the hvac venting and such covered with dust. The ceilings are painted purple so the dirt shows up. Again I was assured that the it was going to be taken care of. Considering that we are all getting pretty germ-a-phobic with the swine flu, it really seems to me that dusting the ceilings is a no-brainer. I am using Yelp as a means to vent and hopefully get the message across to the club to clean-up.
I still love Healthworks, and let me update you on more reasons I discovered e.g. personal TRAINer, MASSAGE, and BOXing class, and MORE workshops (push up, weight loss, strength training, treadmill interval training) I joined on so far.
PERSONAL TRAINING
I train with Julie Costa (4 an-hour-long sessions so far) and she motivates you via smiles, words of affirmation, and emails. She will check in by email and in person to see if how your work-out is going.
Most importantly, she will break down difficult goals (general fitness, push up, pull up, weight loss, endurance etc) into smaller digestible potion size.
She will incorporate your questions, curiosity, request into the training session, which she plans/types ahead. I appreciate that she is adaptive, organized, friendly, and she cares about your progress (I made a lot of progress with her guidance).
She introduced me to free weights, cable, bosu, smith machine, push-up, resistance band, expanding the whole repertoire.
When she encourages you to challenge your limit, she shows authority as a trainer, but at the same time, she will be caring, and will pay attention to what you are feeling - whether fatigued, pain, sore, tired, or too easy.
She makes the work-out so much accessible and enjoyable. She introduces a lot of work-out tools, seamlessly, and make the work-out feel like play rather than work, and she makes Healthworks like a playground rather than a gym.
She has a magic of smile, and she is fully present and engaged during the session.
She is strong (you can see her toned muscle) and will inspire you.
MASSAGE
I got two 90-min personalized massages from Whitney Hurlbert.
I had chronic tension/pain in neck and calves, and I never got massages before this
After just 2 sessions, I felt my muscles melt away, and I walked as if in cloud. My legs never felt like that before. Her deep tissue massage on my legs was a lifesaver. (She worked so hard, so I almost worried that she might get sore herself from it.)
She is quiet, gentle, and attentive to details and your feedback.
After massage session, she told me what she figured out about my body (where I have tense spots, and how many etc) and she showed me various ways I can take care of myself at home (various ways of stretching and massaging muscles - using rollers, door, wall, hands etc), spending extra of her time afterwards. They were very helpful and effective. I appreciate all these, because knowledge is empowering.
(The first massage for a new member is 20% off, and if you book the next one on the same day of your massage, you get 10% off. This way you can get 10% off for ever. But add 15-20% for tip)
They give you robe and big towel for free if you have a massage appointment.
BOXING - teanna
You will strengthen your body in a sweeping breathtaking captivating hour. Teanna is charismatic, and will motivate and encourage you. What an interesting person she is - see her interview article http://graphics.boston...
RECENT WORKSHOPS (30 min) - big YAY to Tom and Lonni!!
Strength Training Principles - Tom : he spent 90 mintues! answering our questions until we understood everything he brought to share. Demonstrated various ways of push-up (elliptical, staggered, wave-like, how to ever start the push-up etc) - various ways to tweak an exercise routine to constantly challenge and "shock" your body into the next level of development. How to keep track of your exercise (via exercise journal e.g.)
Volleyball Skills and Drills with Stephanie - this one was a lot of fun. Some personal trainers showed up to enjoy, and it just tells what a friendly and collaborative atmosphere they have among the trainers.
Squats- Variations and Progressions with Lonni - showed many specific progressive steps to make squats more challenging.
Weight Loss Mechanics with Lonni - spent 1 hour (supposed to be 30 min) to explain further. (Her audience were curious and eager scientists..)
Lonni also conducted postural assessment, to look at your posture and tell which muscles are tight or weak. Very helpful!
if you can enjoy a few classes weekly - that alone is worth the price. (dance class elsewhere in Cambridge ~$10 or more
Contact Moriah for introduction, she will show you around, and she might give you some coupons to try out the gym and classes. I tried free 3-day pass and loved the gym. I got a student discount and 15% off and 5 free intro personal training for having made 1 year commitment.
This place is super friendly and supportive. When I was going to indoor cycling class, Emily at reception bought me a bottle of water from her own pocket, because from her own experience she knew I would be dying for water in that class - how sweet of her!
Here, you can find a work out buddy and make friends too. How satisfying! :D
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/24/2009
I have another gym access at my school, so the main motivation for me to join this gym (HW) was to… Read more »
If I wanted to, I'd tell you about how wonderful it is to work out with only women...bending in any which way I want without worrying about any floating eyes, or watching every single person clean off their machine after using it, or telling you how awesome most of the instructors are - pushing me to sweat all the weekly stress out. No, I'm not going to tell you about all the great things about Healthworks because I am absolutely furious with the company. I expect crappy gyms to pull fast ones on their clientele but I had enough respect for Healthworks to not think they'd lose my respect so quickly.
Issue #1 = Cancellation Policy.
They say its 60 days (something they neglect to highlight when they are getting you to send on the dotted line), but it is really 90 days because you pay for your last month up front. So, if I lose my job or am just having a hard month -- like most of us are lately, then I have to wait a third of a year before ending my gym obligation. Pure bs. Plus they treat you like a loser when you quit. As if wanting to exercise outside, without instruction makes you a bad person.
Healthworks, you're an amazing gym. It's sad that you piss off so many of your customers by trying to squeeze that last 200 bucks out of them. L.A.M.E.
Issue #2 = signing up for machines.
Signing up for machines ruins going to the gym. If you go during rush hour, just expect to have some awkward run in with another HW'r about using a machine. It sucks when someone is on your machine and it sucks when someone kicks you off your machine. I hate it...honestly. There needs to be a better system. Plus, a 30 minute time limit is barely a workout. L.A.M.E.
Healthworks, way to make a quick and relaxing trip to the gym about as fun as getting on the redline at 830am. sweaty, pushy, and pulls out the worst in people. ugh.
I love this gym, so so much. I used to have a membership here, but unfortunately couldn't afford it (it's much too expensive), so I had to cancel. When BuyWithMe (http://www.buywithme.com) featured a deal of 24 classes and full use of the gym for only $18, I couldn't pass it up. I've taken gentle yoga and core express, and plan on taking a spinning class tonight. The classes can't be beat. I get the best workouts in them.
Thanks, BWM and Healthworks for this amazing deal. Please do it again soon so I can continue taking my beloved yoga classes.
I've gotten my workout on here for 10 years now. I can really only speak for the morning crew, as I'ma 5:30am workout girl, but I love it so much. The classes are great - since it's geared toward women there are lots of aerobics and spinning, the staff is friendly, but the locker room is where it gets the main props. The locker room is like a fabulous community of amazing women - we all know each other and it's clean and wonderful. There's relaxing music played and always a chatter amoung our little community. They have hair dryers, tampons, cotton balls, q-tips, a great whirlpool and sauna, and the showers are clean and equiped with shampoo, conditioner, and body gel.
The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is the price. It's expensive, there's no getting around that. If you don't go 4-5 times/week it's not worth the money. But if you do go, or if you're motivated to go by the fact that you're paying a lot, than it's the place for you.
Oh! I almost forgot to mention the massages! They are GREAT!!! I've been to some of the best spas in the world and the massages here are top notch and amazing. I'm loyal to Lisa, but all of the massaueses are fabulous.
After one year of membership, I can honestly say that this is the best gym I've ever joined.
Machines: Tons of treadmills. You will never, ever wait for a treadmill or elliptical at Healthworks, not even at 4-5 p.m. There are two rowing machines that are always in use during peak times. If you like Stairmasters, there are a handful. Flexing machines are never in use.
Weights: Sturdy, clean, and there is room to lift in front of the mirrors. Benches are always available if you like to lie on your back while lifting.
Classes: Everything from belly dance to spinning to yoga to kickboxing. Sign up at least 30 minutes prior.
Service: The reason I didn't give it five stars. Staff is a bit snippy, and they really do try to push you into personal training. I liked the initial consultation-it did help me configure my own workouts.
Amenities: Hot tub, showers (but it's $2 for a towel!), and massages.
Highly recommended.
I can't even tell you how incredible it was to cancel my membership at the Bally's in the dingy basement of the porter exchange and sign up with Healthworks.
I was a member here for a few months before I really got into the classes and WOW it has really amped up my workout! Best of all: I always leave feeling like I've been totally pampered (oh steam room, how I love thee). Yes, it's expensive, but the amount of fitness and luxury it's added to my life is worth EVERY penny.
HW is the best. The location is good (and there's parking), the staff is friendly, the class selection is amazing, the locker room is clean and comfortable, and if you workout on off-peak hours (10-4 on weekdays, for example) it's almost never crowded and there's no time limit on machines.
However, HW isn't cheap. In fact, it's expensive.
Oh year, and there is nudity. I mean, people do change in the locker room. But I don't think there's any way to avoid nudity in a locker room. It's not like it's a nudist colony or anything-- some reviews had me picturing a locker room that looked like something out of a Rubens painting. Ok, Rubens is a bad example- this is a gym, after all. But you get what I mean.
This gym is (almost) a dream come true for an lady who wants to workout and be left to her own devices. I rejoined after a many year long hiatus this fall and have been pleased thus far. I have the luxury (as I am self employed) of working out in the afternoon, so I am normally there when not too many other ladies are there. Which I LOVE. I can always get a machine that I like, and always in front of the movie TV. Today I watched (while listening to music) "All About a Eve". Great movie. I had seen it before, so...but, I digress...
This gym is very clean, the desk people are very sweet, and the facilities are excellent (as far as I'm concerned). I have yet to try out a class, but will surely update this review once I've take the plunge. For now, I like Healthworks a lot, and would definitely recommend it!!!
Healthworks, I'm upgrading you to five stars. I spent a few days going to another gym I remembered as "awesome" but since I've been going to Healthworks I realized this old gym was a smelly hole in the wall. GO HEALTHWORKS!! So worth the money.
They were playing Monty Python and the Holy Grail on TV#5 on the fitness floor this morning. Excellent.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/24/2009
I love this place. The space is clean, the equipment is in good condition, the staff is… Read more »
Where else can I watch my guilty pleasure TV and sweat off a few pounds at the same time?! Healthworks stands out far above the many other gyms I have belonged to. Sure, it's a bit pricier but I will say that it is worth it. The cardio area is great and what keeps me going back are spin classes (especially with Lori) and the personal training. I trained with Christy D this year and she rocks. She knows her stuff, keeps me going, and makes working out something I now look forward to. This is a great gym. The hardest times are when the students come back and take over in September or in January when everyone is trying to work off the induldgences of the holidays.
It's expensive, but if you show up and use it, it's worth it!
Healthworks is the only gym I can find that has an eclectic selection of classes that actually fit into my 9-5 schedule. Eclectic meaning, more than just aerobics, spinning, and yoga. Sure those are all fine and nice (I'm actually a huge spinning and yoga fan, to be fair-- and Jon is an awesome spinning instructor), but how about some bosu? Some belly dance? Some hip hop? Just to keep it interesting!
I also feel clean here. Some gyms just feel dirty, sweaty, icky, stuffy, you know. But the way that Healthworks is light (unlike that basement hole of a Bally's down the street), open, and seemingly spotless make me feel so much more comfortable there.
My personal favorite part of the entire experience is the eucalyptus steam room-- it's incredible. You will love it.
So let's go full circle for a minute, and re-mention the $$$ factor, the reason why they will never get 5 stars from me. No pool, no free towels, no free lockers, fee this, fee that... and $91 per month. That's crazy talk. But I do it because I need a gym that I'll feel good enough in to actually show up to a few times a week, and that's why Healthworks works for me.
I've been a member of the Porter Square HW on and off during the past several years. I like but don't love it. I'm still deciding if the highly monthly fee is worth it.
Pros: nice new treadmills, clean, posh locker room, the hot tub.
Cons: expensive, often crowded, free weight area is mediocre if you are serious about lifting (no squat rack, limited dumbbells above 20 lbs)
Correction: They will give me a birthday present, if I ask them for it on or after my birthday. Of course, it's the same present they've given me for the last 4 years (or would've given me had I needed 4 Healthworks water bottles).
I'd still say the romance has gone from our relationship.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/12/2008
The honeymoon's over.
Within the last few months, Healthworks raised my membership rate, shut down… Read more »
Wow, I'm really surprised at the reviewers who have a problem with the nudity! Anyways, I'm one of the nude girls in the lockeroom and I'm proud!
This gym is good, not great. It's really small and can get overcrowded during peak hours. The cost is seriously expensive...it's the one thing that keeps me thinking I will have to go somewhere else the next time they raise prices. For the price I pay I think including towels would go a long way.
I think the machines are great and the spin classes are terrific. I would say the personnel here are a little bit surly/unfriendly/unaware.
And what's with having an Emack & Bolio's just outside the entrance...WTF? Are they trying to kill me?
I love HW , it's a great gym.
I used to feel little stressed whenever I had to go somewhere to work out, but since I joined HW, I feel so great that I cannot help saying 'I love my gym.'
Staffs are super sweet and helpful. They make the gym more bright and delightful. Saying hello to them is kind of a start of work out. I mean, you start exercise in a good mood :)
Workout area is clean and full of great machines. Also, there are flat screens for entertainment ;news, movie, drama... You can never be bored if you like to watch one of these.
Locker room is clean and shower room also. It has private shower rooms I like it. There are shampoo, conditioner, and body gel(all of those have good qualities. My hair is shiny now lol), so no need to carry all that stuffs . Sweet .
Trainers are fantastic, they are full of knowledge and willing to help and encourage you.
I cannot say more than this, because Marissa R. wrote a great review already which I agree 100 %.
Might be pricy, but it's a good invest for my health and emotion, so if you are willing to go here as often as you could and planed, money worth without a doubt.
The thought that crosses most women's minds when they are in the middle of a set of crunches glaring at the ceiling and hanging lights is usually laced with expletives or at least the occasional 'when can this be over'. I hate to admit this, but this morning as I was in the exact same position, I thought to myself... "Wow. I LOVE my gym." And it wasn't just the exercise induced endorphins making me say that.
I love the staff, most of whom I know by name and enjoy chatting with each day. I love the locker room and its free lotion, q-tips, cotton balls, hair dryers (and diffusers!!), tampons (actually Tampax brand) and soothing XM classical. There are no nasty, sketchy smells... but there are aromas of peppermint from the steamroom. No icky industrial floors, but 'eco-friendly' patterned carpets. The lighting is- dare I say- flattering, and the lockers are ample enough to stash your bag, towel, and work clothes. If you choose to pay the extra 10 bucks a month, they'll give you the fresh towel each day.
The steam room, dry sauna, and jacuzzi tub are actually sanitary and so tempting when the weather gets cold and icky. And we're in New England, so that's about 75% of the year. The reclaimed granite showers have glass doors, free shampoo/conditioner/body wash, and there's rarely a line.
The classes are awesome as well, and I've loved the yoga instructors, abs/glutes, and strength training I've learned here. The personal training sessions that come with your sign up are super helpful, the equipment is clean and well maintained (a lot of it is quite new), and while it does get busy during 'rush hour' (early morning, after 5), you can almost ALWAYS find the machine you want. Plus, they take movie recommendations for their flat screen TVs placed around the gym.
I can't praise this place enough and I know I've left out a ton of info already, so just check it out for yourself. And if you see someone doing crunches with an abnormally gleeful smile on her face, that just might be me.
I'm guessing rates may have gone up a bit since I was last a member (I left to join Ballys for the $$ savings), but if you are ok with paying $80 a month, this place is absolutely worth it. My mother still goes here and will never, ever cancel as long as she lives in the area. I use the guest passes she gives me to grapevine with her regular group of lo-to-go ladies...some wear leotards and tights!
The place is spotless, smells fresh, has large windows, and a loaded class schedule. Phenomenal yoga program. Someone at this gym has put a lot of time into selecting quality teachers--Melinda, Bo and Amarjit are excellent. Back in the day, Larissa was the best hatha teacher I have ever had, period. I walk by HW all the time and stare up at the windows and MISS being one of those sassy gals rockin out on the treadmills.
**The nakedness IS out of control here. Naked women everywhere, doing things I can't believe anyone would do whilst naked in a room full of other people. For example, standing with legs spread wide with one leg resting on a bench...just...why? Standing naked and doing nothing..just STANDING, fully facing the entire locker room, instead of facing their own locker.
**One time the whirlpool was filled with a wad of black hair. I briefly panicked and thought there was someone trapped under water. There wasn't. It was just a large tuft of long black hair floating on its own.
**My discman and sneakers were swiped from this place. GRANTED, I left them behind in the locker room by accident, so they were not actually locked up at the time. But still... the smarmy bandit still may be roaming the locker room, so don't be a moron and leave your things on a bench like I did.
I got a three month student membership, so I have pretty much no complaint about any start-up fees. However, I do want to say it's pretty spendy even for a three month student membership. It came to $260 total (including the $10 towel fee), which also equals the fees one would pay for registration and 3 months of regular, month-to-month access (excluding the $10 towel fee).
They have a ton of classes and are rarely busy at the times I work out. This is great for an essentially introverted workout, which is exactly the kind I prefer.
I also love that they play foreign and independent films on two television screens. Although I prefer to listen to my own music mix, I like something interesting to watch. Last Saturday I vacillated between a movie set in Afghanistan and an infomercial for a food iron.
For scent-sensitive people, there is a scent free zone, which I find to be absolutely amazing. I don't know how many times I wished for such a thing at my old gyms. However, I'm rarely there at peak times so I'm not overpowered by lotions and perfumes in the regular locker section.
Plus, they have complimentary shampoo, conditioner, and body soap. They all smell decent, too, and I'm pretty sensitive to that sort of thing.
I guess my only real complaint here is the steaminess of the shower room. I wish that the fans sucked more of the shower steam out of the room. It's way too humid in there to decently dry off, but if you're okay drying off in the actual locker room it's much cooler in there.
I totally love my gym.
The steam room is amazing, and well worth the cost of membership. I think it and the sauna alone will get me through my first New England winter.
There are stairs going up to the workout area. Yay! They assume that you want to work out, and they give you the opportunity to do so! At the top of these stairs is a huge workout area, with tons of cardio machines, weight machines, a large free weight area, a room with people who know what they're doing, two class rooms, and all kinds of stuff I've never seen to get me into better physical fitness!
I don't necessarily care about TV's, but there are a lot of them. Some designated for movies, some not.
I've yet to try a class, but in my utopian fantasy world, all the classes must be wonderful, too.
Plus, included with your membership, you get decent shampoo and conditioner, lotion, cotton swabs, cotton balls, tampons, pads, a hot tub, showers, private dressing areas, and towels!
................... OH WAIT...........nope. No towels. That costs extra (????) Really (??????) FINE. That's my one complaint. And I'm not even that upset about the $10 extra each month, just that they "forgot to mention it" ahead of time.
Other than that one snag, everything has been ideal! Join! It's worth the extra cost.
I've been a member of Healthworks for about nine months. It's the first and only gym I have ever used, so sadly I cannot rate its quality against that of other gyms.
No review of Healthworks would be compete without a mention of the exorbitant, offensive, only-in-Cambridge monthly fees. I have stuck with Healthworks despite its raping of my bank account because it's a decent gym. It's really close to my house, it's always clean, and there are plenty of machines to use so I have never had to wait for a treadmill to open up.
However, there are a few things about it that irk me. Sometimes when I arrive and check in at the front desk, the girl working there will smile and say hi. Just as often, though, she won't even look at me and will keep chatting away with her coworkers. The same is true of staff I run into while walking through the gym...they never acknowledge me. It's unprofessional is all.
The other members also seem to have an unpleasant attitude, which I can never quite define. It's not exactly snobbish or elitist...it's more like, no one ever says "excuse me" or "thank you", and there are lots of bitchy looks being cast about. (I'm young and skinny, but I get the bitchy looks from girls who are more fit and less fit than me, so there go both of those theories.) I have seen people get into catfights over the sign-up sheets for the cardio equipment, which is pretty funny because it's not rocket science, ladies. The bottom line is that I joined a sexist gym to avoid being bothered by men, but I find myself bothered by the women enough that I wonder if my logic was severely flawed.
Some members go a bit overboard with the locker room nudity. It's like, yeah, it's a women-only gym and it's a safe place where you should feel comfortable about your body...but is there any reason to use the toilet or the bubbler while naked? I'm no prude, but I always get changed in the little changing booth because I prefer not to participate in a culture that promotes naked peeing.
I like the wall of TV's that you can watch from the cardio machines. I like the variety of classes offered (although I only use the treadmills and have never availed myself of any other services). I don't use the shower room but it looks nice (although that whirlpool seems a lot less attractive when it's filled with bare vaginas). Parking in the Porter Square plaza lot can be annoying at times, but it is fun to look down at the traffic of Mass Ave and people coming out of the train station while you work out three stories up.
I don't know. Inertia keeps me at Healthworks, and will probably continue to do so until something truly egregious happens to me there or I reach a financial breaking point.
Overall, probably the best gym I've belonged to. Why should you become a member?
Their spinning classes are fantastic. They have a lot of other classes offered (even though I can't say I've gone since I never want to miss spinning), lots of machines so you almost never have to wait, personal TV's on most machines, and good hours. I absolutely LOVE the locker rooms. It's amazing to have the sauna, steam room, and a locker room with so many amenities. It makes going to the gym so much easier not having to bring your own towel, shampoo, hairdryer, etc.
What I don't love is that I pay $87 a month to go but it's obviously not a deal breaker since I'm still a member after a few years. There are almost no yoga classes. There is a 30 minute limit on the machines, which is annoying because you have to get off the treadmill mid-run and continue on a different one.
Bottom line, it's a little pricey but you are paying for great amenities and an abundance of good classes.
When I first joined Healthworks, I was in love.
I had left behind the sweaty, grunting wrestlers who dominated my college gym for a more civilized workout. Now I could take yoga whenever I pleased, shower in relative cleanliness and luxury, and use the finest elliptical machines in the land.
Alas, Healthworks is a lot more show than it is substance. For one thing, the prices are outrageous (and wildly inconsistent - so sign up during an off-peak season). You get a good deal if you sign up in July, maybe even one or two months free.
Otherwise, they've been slowly getting worse. I think their cleanliness standards have decreased in the last two years. They stopped their "magazine program" where you could bring old magazines in exchange for $ off towel or locker service. Did they replace it with shiny new magazines? No. We're all stuck reading Golf and a three month old copy of Newsweek. The so-called "renovation" of the locker room ended up with a nicer *looking* set of showers, but the floor tiles are still the same old grungy ones as before. The gym is abominably crowded after work, and in certain classes, people arrive thirty or forty minutes early to secure a space. For a person who works until 5pm, this is really annoying. Mornings aren't as bad, so if you're a morning gym rat - you're getting a much better deal.
HOWEVER, the classes are amazing, the instructors are enthusiastic and helpful, the floor staff is friendly, and there's no other luxury gym in the area that can compete. However, if anything else opened up in Porter, I'd be one of the first people out the door.
I tried this place yesterday because my friend referred me. I had heard GREAT things about this place (and it is also obvious that a lot of people think the same). Very friendly.. and a woman only envirnoment is definetely different.
First... it's true what they say. They charge quite a bit! It's nearly $100 bucks per month (if you include the joining fee). It does include quite a few things.. I tried their wet and dry steam. And the wet steam was heavenly. And according to them, you can be nude in this location at the steam area. The whirlpool was okay.. the locker room and workout area is pretty clean.
So there are a few problems I have with paying so much. Second, the parking is not guaranteed. What if I need to go to a class and I can't find anything. I guess the members are screwed.
Second, there is no pool. They only give you a discounted rate at one nearby. There is no running track.. so if you wanted to run and they are all taken.. you're kind of out of luck. That wouldn't be so bad if you weren't paying over $3 per day.
Third, the equipment is clean and relatively new.. but the equipment is not all really top of the line. I was apart of another gym before.. so I know what is a top of the line treadmill is. It's not Precor... it's a Woodway becuase they don't hurt your knees when you run far. And how come there isn't a LCD screen for each machine?! I would think they could afford to install one on each machine.
Fourth, towel service is an addtl fee. That's for the nice fluffy towels to shower with. Otherwise, you can use the small crappy towels they have available.
And lastly.. I was a little dissapointed in the size of the showers. I was hoping there was a changing room to put your clothes on. It's nice that they include shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. It would be nice if they also included disaposable hair brushes and razors as well.
Tons of classes... I went to the yoga and the first level was hard.. but then, I am not very good at yoga.
I guess it's what you decide is important to you. Of course if your corporation will subsidize your fee (they told me some corporations only make their employees pay $30/month).. I'd definetely go.
This is the only gym I can honestly say i have consistently attended in my life. The space is clean, the people are friendly, I love the array of machines and classes, but what has really made the difference to me has been working with my trainer, Jakki. She is fantastic! Yes, Healthworks is ridiculously expensive (hence the docking of a star), but it is money well spent.
Ok.
I went on the full tour+spiel. twice.
They have ALOT of classes and ALOT of cardio. they have a eucalyptus hot tub, and the women-thing, the facilities look fabulous.
I wanted to like it.
But here's the two-stars... The women thing, as someone wanting to be strong, not being able to lose weight (medical reasons) I kept getting these really gross 6th grade-esque, judgemental looks... the onceover that makes you want to crawl into a hole and cry.... nobody smiled, nobody seems actually *happy.*
If you look like someone from sex in the city... you'll do fine here... but I go to the gym to work out. Not be judged. I ended up choosing a Bally's membership because the guys there were always much more supportive than any of the women I ran into at Healthworks.
This is an absolutely fantastic gym. Machines are new and in working order. The staff is friendly and competent. The trainers are well versed. The classes are many and varied. The locker rooms are clean and large.
Why the three stars? Cause it's too damn expensive! Once they got to be over $85 a month I had to quit.
I have to agree with the other posts - the gym is awesome. I've used Healthworks at this location and also in Brookline, and I'd go to any Healthworks now that I've been a member of this gym. The all female environment reduces self-consciousness and lets you focus on why you're there - the workout. And they have a steamroom, sauna, and whirlpool - all very luxurious after a workout. The locker room is clean and comfortable. The gym boasts an extensive class list, all free with membership. For gym experiences, this one is very pleasant and I can't imagine a nicer environment.
However. There is a down-side to this particular location (which wasn't a problem for me at the Brookline location.) This location is smaller than Brookline was, and therefore features less equipment that's squeezed into the space in a somewhat cramped way. And there seem to be a lot more members at this location - or at least more active members, so there's almost always a wait for equipment. And they could use some extra lockers - sometimes I have trouble finding an empty one, and I've seen people forced to use small lockers because the large lockers were all full. Equipment that goes out of order stays out of order for an inordinately long period of time.
I love this gym. I object to paying more for a location that isn't serviced as well as some of the other (less expensive) locations of the same gym. If you're looking for someplace with available equipment immediately before or immediately after a typical work day, you might want to shop around. If you're looking for something less expensive, I know for a fact that the Balley's across the street is cheaper (because my co-worker goes there.) But if you're looking for a friendly environment, an extensive class list, and you don't mind paying a bit more - this is the place for you.
Healthworks is a pricey gym, but definitely a great value!
I love the classes, the all-women environment, the cleanliness, the atmosphere. It motivates me to work out in such a nice place! It just feels really friendly and fun.
I agree with Melissa B.'s review-- I never thought that women-only could be a particularly good thing, but it turns out to be great. The atmosphere is very supportive.
The membership includes all classes (there is a huge daily schedule), the sauna, steam room, and hot tub. It does not include a locker or towel service. The student rate restricts your hours (can't come before 8am or between 4-8pm during work days), and non-students can also get a similar plan for a discount. For $6 you can come in any time on your restricted membership. Little-known fact: the Porter Square location has a pool membership at a local school, which allows members swim time for $2.
The gym is clean, well-equipped, and is comfortable.
Try the ballet class with Walter.
You can get a guest pass for $20/day, and that includes the spa.
And hey, if you do end up joining, will ya please tell them that I referred you? My last name is Zimmerman. That'll knock $5 off my monthly membership (it is possible to get your membership to go as low as $5/month, I hear, if you refer enough people). Thanks!
Let me start out by saying that I originally joined Healthworks in Back Bay, which is an incredible gym in many ways: clean, huge, tons of equipment, tons of classes, excellent trainers/staff, and usually not TOO crowded. Although expensive, it was worth every penny. Unfortunately, I've moved and live right near the Porter Sq. Healthworks.
To my dismay, the Porter Sq. location lacks many of the features that I loved about Back Bay. I'll break it down into the pros and cons:
PRO's:
-Lots of classes
-(Mostly) clean and good atmosphere
-Convenient location
-Whirlpool/sauna/showers
CON's:
-Very crowded (esp. with all the new years resolutioners, no offense)
-Expensive. And, prices just went up again! No more "refer a friend" program, no more discounts during your b-day month.
-Small gym w/mini weight room area
-You have to pay extra for towels
-Naked women everywhere (don't get me wrong, that's fine in the locker room, but as previously mentioned, it's more like a nudist colony)
-Nakedness in the hot tub. I'm sorry, but I'd prefer if you kept your pubies secure in at least some bottoms! Gross!
-Sign up required for machines at at all hours (no sign up when I was at Back Bay, but there was a lot more equipment there!)
-Did I mention how incredibly crowded it is???
I know a lot of my CON's are in comparison to Back Bay, but I don't think there should be such a wide disparity.
Why am I still a member?
Well, my alternative choices in the area are BSC in Davis (just opened) and Bally's. I used to go to BSC in Back Bay (before Healthworks) and it just sucks all around. I've heard worse things about Bally's. So, I'm gonna do my best to enjoy the Healthworks gym and hope they read these reviews and make some much needed improvements!
I used to belong to Healthwork's Porter Sq. Location, and it's a geat gym, all the things that others have stated already. Super clean, it doesn't have that smell, friendly people, no attitude.
I had to give it 3 stars because now that i'd like to go back I can't afford it. The other problem w/ this location is that the parking can often blow. If you don't mind having your car keyed, dented or not being able to get INTO your car because some asshole has parked their Escalade next to your mini in the compact car spot...
sorry, off topic. The classes are great, and I love that they have so many Yoga options, and the classes are always welcoming. Okay, last gripe about the locker room...It is spotless. Mega-spotless, however be prepared to see the ladies of Cambridge in ALL their unwaxed glory. Yep. National Geograpic, n' whatnot. You'll see ladies sashaying completely nekkid. They'll blow dry their hair nekkid, sit WITHOUT putting down a towel on the bench nekkid (come on, even nudists do this), they'll start conversations w/ you nekkid, stretch nekkid (ok, gross!) and get in the hot tub completely nekkid and turn it into some sort of organically grown Sapphic stew.
I'm not modest by any means, but come on girls, at least cover up south of the border, no one wants to see that!
This is SUCH an awesome place to stay fit! At first I thought the all-women atmosphere would be targeted towards lesbians or the Curves crowd. But in fact it's targeted to a diverse mix of women all ages, sizes, and fitness levels; there are serious triathletes ripping up the treadmills alongside seniors doing 2.0 mph. They have tons of different classes, great teachers, all the best equipment, etc. It's so clean, nice, and everything is well thought-out. I had no idea how much better a gym is without men.
I wish Healthworks were in other cities. It's the best gym I've ever been to.
Healthworks is nice enough to make exercise-averse me want to go to the gym.
GOOD STUFF
- Amazing range of classes included in gym membership. I hate designing my own workouts and it's much more fun to go to ballet, or yoga, or a jump rope class, or a strength class led by someone knowledgeable.
- Whirlpool/steambath/sauna and showers are all very nice and relaxing.
- They play classical music in the locker room instead of 'soft rock' muzak. Once, I'm pretty sure I head Wagner's Siegfried Idyll and almost collapsed from excitement.
- The gym promotes health over thinness, and the women here seem very comfortable with themselves and with others. At first I was weirded out by all the nakedness, but now I think it's inspiring that 70 year-old ladies are working out and having a good time.
- The hours are awesome for folks with weird schedules. Same goes for the location: you can't beat a workout + grocery shopping + a CVS run at 5:30 am.
NOT-SO-GOOD STUFF
- Expensive. There are discounts for students and limited-hours memberships, but it's still expensive.
- Towel service and a permanent locker are additional charges.
- Crowded during peak hours. The locker room has also gotten crowded since they added a new row of lockers. HW either needs to expand (buy out CVS?) or limit new memberships. There are waaaay too many people here sometimes.
- The sauna/steambath/whirlpool get nasty, especially later in the day. Hair and other muck floats to the top of the whirlpool, and the steamroom sometimes smells mildewy. I wouldn't mind the inconvenience of closing them at points during the day to clean everything.
OTHER INFO
- Convenient to red line and several bus routes
- You get discounts for referring new members and bringing in magazines
- You can set up auto-billing
Definitely a whole other world when it comes to working out. Love the fact that it's all women. Fabulous selection of classes, great equipment, good magazine selection, knowledgeable staff.
Some points of improvement:
Would be great if CVS took over the Qdoba location so that the current Qdoba location stopped being a waste of space and so that Healthworks could expand into CVS' current spot.
The dues are high and they're getting higher. I know when I get a letter from Healthworks, it's not good news, but another notification of rate increases...too bad I'm hooked.
This may be controversial, but I really think instructors could use some training on how to tazer psycho step fiends who will mow you down if you take their spot.
It would also be nice if step was not scheduled after yoga, but vice versa so that said psycho women don't shatter the calm zen energy in the room as they stampede through the doors hyped up on some organic derivative of speed.
Lastly, nakedness in the locker room: fine by me, but keep them eyes on your own titties.
This is a great gym. I joined this Healthworks after belonging to Boston Sports Club and it was so refreshing to go to the gym and not feel like it was a total meat market.
Sadly, I just canceled my membership for the same reason as the poster below. When I joined 3 years ago my dues were just $52. They now want me to pay $85. This gym is nice, but not that nice.
