If you're near the new Costco on Rt 1 in Alexandria I recommend Mount Vernon Athletic Club. The gym dues are around $40/month and they have a ton of classes, an awesome staff, and a small but nice gym. The trainers are really great also! They also have a tennis/gym membership that is an additional cost, but I don't play tennis so I can't attest to the tennis side of the gym. They host a Friday night social and have a free daycare!!

Don't think so. Looks like Sterling is it.

Don't think so. Looks like Sterling is it.

Anybody know if there's a spunk near manassas?

Sounds nice. I'll have to check it out.

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I'd be worried that they wouldn't be able to keep the doors open for $9.99/member/month. Or that they'd have to sell so many memberships to cover their costs that it would be crowded. Fitness First was the cheapest in the area and I'm pretty sure that money problems were behind their sale to Gold's Gym.

Most of us choose a gym based on location and what amenities they have that we actually use. I look for a gym close to home and ideally close to work that has good yoga classes. Could give a rat's ass about prestige, towel service, fancy locker rooms, etc.

Lately, theses inexpensive clubs seem to be popping up all over the place. Yes, it will be interesting to see if they can maintain that model without having to close the doors. Just waiting for one to come close to me

Anonymous wrote:I left a gym because the vibe was too pretentious and I often felt down after leaving there. There are gyms with all the amenities that have a nice, down to earth feel. Just like neighborhoods, cities even.

This! I left Lifetime Fitness in Potomac because of all the rude and entitled people, not to mention High schoolers, who an around acting like it was a country club! For $90 a month it was not worth the people to stay even for the amenities.

I am not at Planet Fitness for $10 a month with nice down to earth people who keep to themselves and are respectful of one another. Huge difference and way better IMO.

I left a gym because the vibe was too pretentious and I often felt down after leaving there. There are gyms with all the amenities that have a nice, down to earth feel. Just like neighborhoods, cities even.

Need a spunk near me. Everything is so expensive in fairfax

Personally, I'd be worried that they wouldn't be able to keep the doors open for $9.99/member/month. Or that they'd have to sell so many memberships to cover their costs that it would be crowded. Fitness First was the cheapest in the area and I'm pretty sure that money problems were behind their sale to Gold's Gym.

Most of us choose a gym based on location and what amenities they have that we actually use. I look for a gym close to home and ideally close to work that has good yoga classes. Could give a rat's ass about prestige, towel service, fancy locker rooms, etc.

Not the sort of gym that would appeal to most DCUMers.

They are too image conscious to tell their friends and social circle they use a gym like Spunk no matter how good it might be. They would rather pay through their nose and become members of a prestigious gym they can brag about.

For anyone interested, it is Spunk Fitness. They have two locations - one in Silver Spring and the other in Sterling, VA. I go to the one in Sterling which is located at the old Golds Gym location not too far from Costco.

It is a no frills gym in that they just have a lot of cardio equipment and weights. The equipment was all new when it opened about fifteen months ago and they keep them well-maintained. Never too crowded (with people) and the gym is spacious, brightly lit with lots of windows. They also have several tanning booths in case anyone is interested. Some classes but I don't use them. Open 24 hours ostensibly.

The best part is the price: $9.99 per month with no contract. I think for $20 per month one can bring a guest at any time and also use the tanning booths as often as one wants.

I've been a member for over a year ...... heard about it only because a friend told me after he became a member.