Is Sports Club LA worth it?

[Anonymous]

I'm mesmerized by their childcare and classes. But does anyone REALLY spend $165 a month on a gym? I have the opportunity to join Tenley Sport and Health for $45/month (through work) which seems much more reasonable but I don't know what their childcare situation is like. What do you think, ladies?

[Anonymous]

I have a lot of opinions about this.

First, I would not join Tenley Sport & Health. I was a member there in the early 90s -- when it was the hottest club in the District. The place was full of energy and they had great classes and a pool. No child care. It was a long time ago and it cost much, much more then, which says a lot. What happened was that Sports Club LA and more Washington Sports Clubs started sprouting up at the same time. The people for whom money was no object went to Sports Club LA -- because it was newer and not much more expensive and better located for most people. The people for whom money is an object (particularly the younger ones) went to WSC by the droves.

Tenley Sport and Health now has the feeling of a morgue, and I'm not saying that to be funny. It is mainly filled with geriatric people who want to use the pool (which makes the pool crowded), and the class schedule is very lean and the instructors are bad. I went back to Tenley when I was pregnant with my 1st because I thought the water classes would be good for me. But really just walking in there made me feel depressed. My husband noticed it too. The machines and weights are fine. But you're in a basement. A nicely decorated basement. When that basement was packed with young people and great classes and high energy, it did not feel like a basement. Now that it has few members, many of whom are older, it can feel like a dim place.

As to Sport Club LA -- if you have the money, it's a good club. I would not spend the money to go there unless I was sure I was going to make good use of the pool. They have good teachers, but I've noticed that many of the teachers at Sport Club LA and WSC overlap. Serveral of them do. You just pay more to take classes with them at Sports Club LA than you do at WSC. Also, the yoga offered at Sports Club LA is no better than any other yoga class offered at a gym. What I mean is that if you are really interested in yoga, you need a yoga studio. If you just want to stretch and bend, gym yoga may be fine for you.

Money and pride are both important to me. I personally would not use the pool often enough to justify the expense. But if you do, that may be reason enough. For me, I would feel silly spending that kind of money to take classes with Andres there, when I can spend half as much and take the same classes with Andres at WSC. If you go to www.nationalfitnessnetwork.com, you will find that you can gain access to many WSCs for only $61.00. Not all of them. Glover, Kalorama, and Bethesda participate I am sure. I do that and have an unlimited pass at a good yoga studio on the side. Works for me.

But again, if you have the money and work right downtown and want to swim or take water aerobics, you Sports Club LA might be worth it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks so much for your detailed observations!!! I just went to Tenley S&H and actually thought the same thing. I liked the indoor track at Tenley but there doesn't seem to be a lot of energy there. I'm finishing up my free week at Sports Club LA and am not impressed enough by the classes to justify spending a small mint on it.

I'm gym shopping, so my next stop is WSC. I'm a terrible swimmer, so the pool doesn't matter that much to me, but the classes and the childcare situation does.

THanks again!!!!

[Anonymous]

You are most welcome. Depending on where you live or work, you may want to also check out Results. Actually, you can get the equivalent of a membership at either Results or (some) WSCs by going through www.nationalfitnessnetwork.com and you will save money.
Unfortunately, some WSCs do not participate. But Kalorama does -- it was recently renovated and, in my opinion, is probably the best gym in town right now. Their instructors are a bit better than most, and they offer more classes. They use the original Schwinn bikes for their spinning classes, which I think are much better than the rip-off models. And they have every machine imaginable. Very fit members. Truly cutting edge. I used to go there before I had kids, but since I do not really live near there nor work near there and now have to make my exercise much more efficient, we do not get there (my husband absolutely loved the Kalorama location too).

The closest gym to me is Glover Park. It is one of the oldest, smallest, and dumpiest. But it feels like home and I like it there. The classes are not as good as Kalorama's. The downtown Bethesda location participates and I like that gym as well, although I do not make it there anymore, for the same reason I don't make it to Kalorama. I miss the days when I planned my life around my work-outs.

All the best with whatever you decide.

[Anonymous]

Oh. Childcare. The Betheda WSC has child care and it's fine. I cannot think of another WSC that has childcare.

[Anonymous]

The Chevy Chase, North Bethesda, and Silver Spring WSC's all have childcare.

[Anonymous]

But, CC only has it from 9 to 1, M - F. Does not coincide with the classes offered there, which means I personally never take classes.

[Anonymous]

I hate WSC but they are so damn convenient to work and home I can't quit!

They keep raising their rates, they never have clean towels, and they have crappy customer service (though some of the trainers are really nice). I'm just frustrated, I'm always shopping around for other gyms but I like being able to go on non-work days and work days during lunch so I feel stuck.

[Anonymous]

I go to the Chevy Chase WSC and their lunchtime classes are good, especially Wed and Fri spinning.