A look at some of the Valley's gym options
Treasure Valley YMCA
The nonprofit Treasure Valley YMCA has facilities in Meridian, Caldwell, West Boise, Downtown Boise and West Boise. The cost is $62.90 a month for a family, no matter the size. Young adults ages 19-24 pay $38.90 a month. Single adults ages 25-64 pay $41.90 a month. Seniors and children get a discount, too. There’s a joining fee of $60 for singles and $120 for families. No one will be turned away if they can’t pay.
Homecourt YMCA, 936 W. Taylor, Suite 104, Meridian (855-5711). The Homecourt Y features a sports complex with four full-size basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts and a
state-of-the-art fitness center.
Caldwell Family YMCA, 3720 S. Indiana Ave. (454-9622). Amenities: full gymnasium, multipurpose rooms, climbing wall, locker facilities, teen activity center, youth activity center, lounge and other community resources, exercise and recreation facilities, aquatics center with three swimming pools and a jacuzzi.
West Family YMCA and Boise City Aquatic Center, 5959 N. Discovery Way (377-9622). Amenities: 50-meter swimming pool, training pool, water slide, kiddie pool with slides and other water toys, hydrotherapy pool; cardio equipment, Technogym equipment, Keiser equipment, Cybex equipment, free weights; two gymnasiums, three racquetball courts (two convertible to squash), climbing wall, community room, multipurpose room, youth activity center for ages 6-18, drop-in nursery for ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Many classes are included in the price.
Downtown Y: 1050 W. State St., Boise. (344-5501). Amenities: lap pool, recreation pool, kiddie pool and spa; cardio equipment, Technogym equipment, Keiser equipment, Cybex equipment, free weights; two gymnasiums, two cardio/weight rooms, three racquetball courts (two convertible to squash), climbing wall, multipurpose room, teen and family activity center for ages 12-18, youth activity center for ages 6-12, and drop-in nursery for ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Many classes are included in the membership price. Locker rooms include showers.
Web site: http://www.ymcatvidaho.org/
Nampa Recreation Center
The city of Nampa owns and operates the Nampa Recreation Center, 131 Constitution Way (468-5777). Amenities include lap pool, diving pool, hydrotherapy pool and other pools; two basketball courts; a weight room including Cybex, Hammer Strength and Nautilus equipment; cardio equipment including treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bicycles and elliptical machines; group fitness classes; child care; racquetball; and rock climbing. Prices: one adult, $353 a year; child up to age 17, $246 a year; family, $634 a year; senior, $281; senior couple, $509. Members can make a down payment and pay off the balance in six monthly payments.
Web site: http://www.nampaparksandrecreation.org/
Anytime Fitness
This chain delivers on its anytime promise. Members can work out at 3 a.m. if they want to. The gyms are franchises. Prices may vary from gym to gym, but generally are about $30 a month, depending on the option you choose. Each offers various weight-training options and has treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bicycles and stair-steppers for a cardio workout. Some have personal trainers or other amenities. An access key for after-hours access to the gyms costs about $39. It’s a one-time fee. Here are addresses and phone numbers for eight Anytime Fitness gyms in the Treasure Valley.
Caldwell: 2621 S. 10th Ave., Suite 102
(459-1505).
Nampa: 2926 E. Greenhurst Road (461-6655).
Nampa: 353 Caldwell Blvd. (465-4400).
Star: 11221 W. Hercules Drive, No. 105 (286-0943).
Emmett: 288 Highway 16, Suite 102, (365-3380).
Kuna: 1573 N. Linder Road (922-4622).
Boise: 6582 S. Federal Way (343-1865).
Meridian: 80 E. Ustick Road (884-3338).
Web site: http://www.anytimefitness.com/
Curves
Curves bills itself as the largest fitness franchise in the world. This workout center for ladies has at least 12 sites across the Treasure Valley. Curves can help women burn up to 500 calories in a 30-minute cardiovascular and strength-training session. Members get an initial assessment and then exercise two muscle groups at a time at a pace that fits their needs. Special programs are available for people with arthritis or other conditions. Women join to stay fit or to lose weight, said Judy Pasero, owner of Curves in Meridian and Kuna. A coach always is on duty to make sure women perform exercises correctly. Meal plans are among added benefits. Fees: up to $39 a month, with a one-time service fee of $199. For a list of locations, visit curves.com.
Idaho Athletic Club
Idaho Athletic Club has seven locations in the Valley. It offers memberships for as low as $20 a month, with an enrollment fee that varies. Amenities may vary somewhat from location to location, but offerings generally include: Next Step certified personal trainers, Hammer Strength equipment, group fitness classes, Lifecycles and treadmills, cross-trainers, circuit weight training, free weights, child care, sauna and steam room, pool, half-court basketball.
Caldwell Club, 4623 Enterprise Way, Caldwell (459-0729).
Nampa Club, 1210 N. Galleria Drive, Nampa, in the Gateway shopping mall off Garrity Boulevard and Interstate 84. A new club with an estimated opening date of Sept. 1. (442-6378).
Black Eagle Club, 1435 S. Maple Grove Road, Boise (376-6558).
Eagle Club, 875 E. Plaza Drive, Eagle
(938-8410).
Silverstone Club, 2340 S. Eagle Road, Meridian (884-5251).
Meridian Club, 1450 E. Fairview Ave.
(888-0060).
State Street Club, 2999 N. Lakeharbor Lane, Boise (853-4224).
Web site: http://www.idahoathleticclub.com/
Boise Peak Fitness
You can get a traditional workout with treadmills and other cardio equipment, and weights for strength training, but the big draw here is rock climbing, with challenging routes for all skill levels, along with classes for all ages. The lowest price for adults is $39 monthly , with a $65 initiation fee, according to the Peak Fitness Web site. The facility offers more climbing space than most similar facilities in the Northwest. It offers many kid-focused activities. 308 S. 25th Ave., Boise (363-7325).
Web site: http://www.boisepeakfitness.com/
Boise Racquet and Swim Club
This is a tennis club that includes a fitness center and outdoor pool. A fitness membership for one person is $38.69 monthly. The cost of tennis lessons varies from about $35 per session to $65 per session, all taught by tennis pros who have met national standards. Call for more information. The tennis membership fee is $94.61 monthly and includes use of all the facilities. Call for rates for pool-only memberships. 1116 N. Cole Road, Boise (376-1052).
Web site: http://www.boisetennis.com/pages/index.cfm?siteid=10031
Fit for Adventure
This full-service gym is open around the clock with all the standard cardio and strength-training equipment and classes. A "boot camp" style personal training center called HybridFit is adjacent to the gym and features an obstacle course. The least-expensive option is $19 a month with a $100 enrollment fee. Pay more per month in exchange for a smaller joining fee. 4585 S. Cloverdale Road, Boise (395-1234).
Fitness 19
The motto here is, "Where you can afford to get fit." It’s called Fitness 19 for a reason. Most members pay $19 a month, with no contract required. Family members can be added for about $9 each. (You’ll also pay a small enrollment fee.)
The Boise area has three locations, at 3658 S. Findley Ave., off Federal Way (387-1919) at 3361 N. Cole Road (376-9119) and at 3210 E. Chinden Blvd., at the northeast corner of Eagle Road and Chinden Boulevard in Eagle (939-7669). The "no-frills" gyms have plenty of cardio machines — treadmills, stair steppers, elliptical trainers, recumbent and upright bicycles — along with circuit training and a large area for free weights.
Web site: http://www.fitness19.com/
Gold’s Gym
The Treasure Valley’s three Gold’s Gyms, one in Meridian and two in Boise, "combine the most diverse amenities in the industry with the best personal training," according to the Gold’s Gym Web site. Amenities at the full-service gyms vary by location. They include: swimming pool; basketball court; racquetball court; cardio theater; free weights; Selectorized equipment for workouts; group classes such as spinning, yoga and Pilates; full Les Mills lineup (gym officials say this is a popular group workout); child care; women-only workout areas; personal training; body assessments; visual fitness planner; nutrition programs; supplement programs in which trainers help members figure out which supplements and vitamins they need; tanning; pro shop; sauna; steam room; hot tub. Single memberships cost $19.95 to $39.95 monthly, depending on the membership type. Family members can be added. Rates vary.
Meridian, 1455 S. Country Terrace (323-4653).
Boise, 801 E. ParkCenter Blvd. (345-4653).
West Boise, 7316 Fairview Ave. (377-4653).
Web site: http://www.goldsgym.com/
Total Woman
Total Woman Fitness, at 1710 W. Cherry Lane, Meridian (888-9192), is owned by the Idaho Athletic Club. It offers certified personal trainers, Hammer Strength equipment, kickboxing, yoga/Pilates, cycling room, aerobic and step classes, Lifecycles and treadmills, cross-trainers, circuit weight training, free weights, yoga studio, yoga wall, child care. Lowest-priced option is $20 a month. Enrollment fee varies.
Web site: http://www.totalwomanfitness.net/
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness, at 6843 N. Strawberry Glenn, Suite 150, Garden City (853-8200), sets itself apart by being a "judgment-free zone" for regular people, manager Joel Stinton said. It has enough cardiovascular equipment to ensure that no matter how busy the gym gets, no one has to wait for a machine. It also throws in free classes for people who want to learn how to use equipment or develop a program to strengthen and tone their bodies. Pricing information: $10 a month, month to month commitment, with a one-time start-up fee of $29. Or, $19.99 a month with a $39 enrollment fee. Pay the higher fee and get more perks, including unlimited tanning.
Web site: http://www.planetfitness.com/
Rocky Mountain Fitness
After your workout, you can work on your tan or get a massage. The gym provides a lot of extras, but has not neglected the basics, which include weights, treadmills, stationary bicycles, swimming pools, fitness classes and more. Rates vary from $19.95 to $34.95 a month, depending on the enrollment fee and the length of your agreement.
This Boise Club is at 555 W. ParkCenter Blvd., Boise (342-7359).
Boutique gyms
If you want more personal attention, the Valley has scores of small studios offering yoga, Pilates and other personalized workouts.
Depending on the workouts you choose, the price may be higher than at gyms with bigger herds.
Below is a look at some of them:
Read about Studio E2 here (http://health.idahostatesman.com/2008/story/123) or visit the gym at 457 S. Fitness Place, Suite 102, in Eagle. 938-0353/StudioE2Fit.com.
A Body in Balance, 230 W. Mallard Drive, Suite B, Boise, 331-2098. The owner of this Pilates studio, Karin DeBenedetti, mainly teaches one-on-one classes because, "You actually learn what you are supposed to do," she said. The point of Pilates is to strengthen the core of your body.
Her classes cost $55 for an hour of one-on-one instruction and $12 for a group class.
Peak Performance Personal Training, 8700 Fairview Ave., Boise, 377-0199. This is solely one-on-one training, whatever it takes to meet your fitness goals. "Most of the general public is trying to lose a little weight, get a little stronger," owner Craig Toth said. But Toth’s expertise doesn’t stop there. He also trains professional athletes and works with bodybuilders. The cost depends on the services you use. An hourlong one-on-one session with a trainer costs $45 to $65. Half an hour is around $30. The first session is an evaluation to assess your goals in training. "My goal is in three or four months to teach somebody more than they ever knew before," Toth said.
ProFitness, at 910 E. Franklin Road, Suite 104, Meridian (859-9907), is a personal training studio offering one-on-one or small group workouts tailored to each member’s needs. It also offers classes intended to make workouts fun. There’s a strip-tease dance fitness class, a Latin fitness dance class and a Gymstick class. (A Gymstick is a band attached to a stick that offers a cardiovascular, muscular endurance and flexibility workout all in one class.) Pricing: One-on- one sessions lasting one hour cost $35 each. For two people, the price drops to $25 each. Massage and other services also are available.
The Valley has many other studios focusing on yoga, personal training and nutrition. Here are some of them:
Forte/Pilates, 518 S, 9th St., Suite 200 Boise, 342-4945. "Muscles become longer and leaner as well as stronger. It is the ultimate workout to improve the body," its Web site promises.
Fitness Together, 420 E. State St., Eagle, 939-6283. Its main focus is one-on-one fitness training.
Fitness Together, Bown Crossing, 3132 S. Bown Way, Boise, 336-8348
Fitness Together, Meridian/West Boise, 12598 W. Fairview Ave., Suite 102, Boise, 345-4348
Power House Pilates, 1310 S. Vista Ave., Boise, 861-7949
E 7 Yoga, 106 N. 6th St., Boise, 861-3537
Bikram Yoga College Of India, 3200 N. Lakeharbor Lane, Boise, 385-9642
Yoga Center Boise, 3113 Rose Hill St., Boise, 343-9786
Yoga For Wellness, 300 Main St., Boise, 345-711
Yoga Pilates Center, 515 S Fitness Place, Eagle, 939-8373