Please educate me on gyms in downtown Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

I live in the downtown, so if I could walk to the gym, that would be great. Can any of you recommend a gym?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

The St James and Equinox are the high end expensive gyms. Sport and Health should be a little less, but has a pool.

Then there are class-based places like Barre3, Orange Theory, Crossfit, boxing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The St James and Equinox are the high end expensive gyms. Sport and Health should be a little less, but has a pool.

Then there are class-based places like Barre3, Orange Theory, Crossfit, boxing.

This. Lots of options, op. What do you want?

[Anonymous]

St James has a pool as well...

[Anonymous]

Not OP but wondering if cheap gym option around Friendship Heights or Bethesda exists? For my husband to just lift weights. He’s thinking of crunch on Wisconsin. Are there others?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but wondering if cheap gym option around Friendship Heights or Bethesda exists? For my husband to just lift weights. He’s thinking of crunch on Wisconsin. Are there others?

I recently toured Crunch and it felt like a dungeon to me. The old Sport & Health, now OneLife, near FH is worse (at least downstairs) but it’s closing soon once the new OneLife opens in Tenley. That one is supposed to be very nice with a saltwater pool. Lots of specials going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but wondering if cheap gym option around Friendship Heights or Bethesda exists? For my husband to just lift weights. He’s thinking of crunch on Wisconsin. Are there others?

I recently toured Crunch and it felt like a dungeon to me. The old Sport & Health, now OneLife, near FH is worse (at least downstairs) but it’s closing soon once the new OneLife opens in Tenley. That one is supposed to be very nice with a saltwater pool. Lots of specials going on.

Oh I think membership at OneLife was around $50/month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but wondering if cheap gym option around Friendship Heights or Bethesda exists? For my husband to just lift weights. He’s thinking of crunch on Wisconsin. Are there others?

I recently toured Crunch and it felt like a dungeon to me. The old Sport & Health, now OneLife, near FH is worse (at least downstairs) but it’s closing soon once the new OneLife opens in Tenley. That one is supposed to be very nice with a saltwater pool. Lots of specials going on.

I go to Crunch in Friendship Heights-- if you're looking for a spalike Equinox experience, you'd be disappointed. But for $50 a month, it's a great place to lift weights. I go five days a week for yoga/strength/spin classes with excellent instructors-- which is a steal for $50.

[Anonymous]

How much is the St James? Its new.

[Anonymous]

For cheap, try Pulse Fitness http://pulsefitnessbethesda.com/ which caters to an older crowd. I also noticed a place across from the Trader Joe's (the one with the Target in the basement) that looks quite no frills and could be cheap.

[Anonymous]

I'm not the OP, but am curious what people suggest for a gym that offers classes and has sauna and/or pool. I live in Bethesda, would need to drive and park, but have been curious if St James and Equinox give you access to the pool, sauna, etc. as part of your monthly membership fee or if you have to pay extra for that? Any input?

[Anonymous]

First, check out any local rec centers. If you have relatively basic needs, their exercise room might be sufficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the OP, but am curious what people suggest for a gym that offers classes and has sauna and/or pool. I live in Bethesda, would need to drive and park, but have been curious if St James and Equinox give you access to the pool, sauna, etc. as part of your monthly membership fee or if you have to pay extra for that? Any input?

Equinox - there is an indoor two lane lap pool and each locker room has a steam room. Both are included with your membership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the OP, but am curious what people suggest for a gym that offers classes and has sauna and/or pool. I live in Bethesda, would need to drive and park, but have been curious if St James and Equinox give you access to the pool, sauna, etc. as part of your monthly membership fee or if you have to pay extra for that? Any input?

Equinox - there is an indoor two lane lap pool and each locker room has a steam room. Both are included with your membership.

Parking - the Montgomery county parking lot nearby. You pay by the hour, up to 4 hours max, including Saturdays. Sundays are free, but a hot mess.

[Anonymous]

Also, I hear that parking at the St. James in downtown Bethesda is free (perhaps up to two hours max?).