Fifth Avenue Club

Facilities are decent but timings are absolutely atrocious. The club closes at either 8 or 9 PM from Mon-​Fri, 4PM on Sat, and not even open on Sundays. To add to this nonsense, the club is closed for all stat holidays, EVERY Saturday of a long weekend, random days for building maintenance, and almost 2 weeks every Christmas. What the actual hell? The staff has an attitude about you getting out of the building at 4:02 instead of 4PM closure. I’m glad I’ve left this facility. Spend your money elsewhere like Anytime Fitness, Goodlife Fitness, WHC, etc. Lots of decent alternatives available downtown for cheaper $

Hm. What to say. I guess it depends on where you come from (gym-​wise) but I’ll do my best to put together a fair review.
In the 2 years I’ve been here I have used World Health and Bankers Hall Club solely as my gym. I did try a couple other smaller outfits, but ended up at Bankers.
For nearly the same price (less $ 30, but you NEED a locker and you’ll hear why) I am a little disappointed.
The gym is a lot smaller than Bankers and most World Health Clubs. Limited access to machines/​weights. It was a slow day when I went yesterday at about 7 am so I didn’t have any issues, but I could see it happening.
Classes. Fewer and further between, but existent however, spin classes are extra here and at Bankers, spin & yoga are included.
Washrooms. Have towels however, there were none in there when I went in. Have blow dryers and maybe straightening irons. Nothing else like lotion, Qtips or brushes/​combs/​tissues.
Showers. Soap only. No shampoo, conditioner etc…
There is an in-​house juice bar, but I’m not sure what it’s value is or if I’d use it since I make all my own smoothies.
Rounding this off, because a lot of extras are missed in the washroom area, I would have no choice but to rent a tote to keep all my miscellaneous sundries in, bringing the total cost of my membership up to what Bankers Hall is.
I only have a 1 week pass, so I’m not sure if I’ll stay with it… I have a $ 6000 commercial treadmill and a keiser bike at home… meh.

As a relatively new member, I don’t have the wealth of experience the previous reviewers do. I also don’t play squash, nor have I joined in any of the classes this gym offers… but what I can offer is somewhat of an outsiders perspective, especially given that I walked into this place about two weeks ago having not got any real exercise outside of walking to and from transit, and from that perspective this gym REALLY delivers.
I checked out 3 gyms in the downtown core, when looking for a place to get back into shape and I won’t lie, Fifth Avenue Club wasn’t the cheapest, but the extra 20 dollars a month or so I spend to go here is easily worth every penny compared to a similar program at either of the other two. Both of the big chains, upon hearing I was scoping out the place, ushered me into an office where they proceeded to push personal training packages, suppliments, their own workout gear, classes, and the whole nine yards on me. Not once was I asked about my history, my goals, my concerns… it was all a long, drawn out «how much can we sell you today?»
Fifth Avenue Club was anything but… for informations sake, the classes and personal training WERE mentioned, and when I mentioned it wasn’t really in my price range, the ‘Member Services Director’ presented some alternative plans that I may actually now consider (again, something neither of the big chain clubs did).
The facility itself is amazing. I have never seen a single thing out of place for more than a few seconds, there are towel stations, water fountains and spray bottles EVERYWHERE so you never have to look too hard for anything. The other members are always great about making sure things are wiped down, the place is kept in absolutely imaculate condition and looks absolutely pristine. I know nothing EVER looks as good as it does on the website… but this place does.
Then, there are the little touches which are what really sold me on this place. Struggle with getting laundry done? They have their own laundry service to clean your gym clothes. Wanna catch the game after work? The cardio machines have little headphone jacks that let you tune into the sound on the TVs. Need something to drink? They have their own private smoothie bar. Need to relax and untense the muscles you’d been working so hard? There’s a steam room and an in-​house massage therapist (with discounted rates for members). These guys seem to have thought of EVERYTHING.
And let’s not forget the staff. Not only have I always been greeted with a smile, but each employee remembers my name by the second meeting, which removes the hassle of signing in and other formalities. On the way out they ask how your workout went, and seem like they genuinely care, and what’s more is they’re all absolutely lovely. Even if this gym WASN’T the great experience it was, I’m sure these charming young ladies could somehow sell me on it.
My one and only complaint is that their hours are a little restrictive for somebody like me who works somewhat abnormal shifts, which often leave me either having to get up way earlier than I’d care to, or scrambling to fit in a workout in the last hour before they close… but really, for all the pros, I can’t help but forgive that one con.
In closing I’d give them a 5 out of 5 if their hours lasted just a little longer into the evening, but all in all I’d really like to AT LEAST be able to give them a 4.5.

I have been a member at Fifth Avenue Club for many years. I would agree that the staff is what makes the difference — the owner has an incredible penchant for hiring truly warm (and very good looking) «girl next door» types that really do try to learn your name and greet you as you walk in. (Seriously, the staff are all so cute that they should put out an annual calendar, the members would love this!) In any case, learning names is an old-​fashioned touch that is very appreciated.
The gym is always clean and functional, and has a good selection for equipment to suit the crowd. There are also lots of classes that usually have lots of room. This is a great gym to go to as it is down to earth and non-​threatening; there are no «muscle heads» or «fitness queens» here, it is mostly normal people working out, lots of older guys like me. It is nothing like that «singles bar» gym in Marda Loop. FAC used to be a real squash mecca, but they are now down to 2 courts only. The «old school» men’s changeroom is crowded and the steam room is nothing to write home about, but it is always clean. As a member here, you just get used to reaching around people and sharing the space while you get dressed.
I wholeheartedly recommend this gym! Come down for a tour, you will be impressed!

I’ve been going to Fifth Avenue Club downtown for the last couple of years with a gym membership and I’m surprised they don’t have any reviews yet!
First, the staff is generally very warm and they deliver on the «personalized service» promise. I was delighted when the front desk staffer remembered my name (and pronounced it right) after the first time she met me. You don’t need to sign in there when you’re a member, so that takes some pretty impressive customer service skill!
The equipment is all relatively new, varied and in good shape. The other gym patrons seem to always be mindful of cleaning off equipment. I love that there are a couple of squash courts there (complete with equipment rental and a squash ladder so you don’t have to have a partner) and a room for group classes.
More highlights:
*The changeroom is spacious and always clean
*No-​pressure staff and non-​competitive atmosphere
*TVs always on a good variety of stations
*Independent Juice Bar in-​house
*You can get a locker and they will do your laundry daily for only $ 10/​mo
*Great downtown location
*Nice new member welcome package with locally made toiletries
*Offers massage by appointment with 2 RMTs
*Always plenty of clean towels available without having to ask for them
*Open until 9pm & accessible through +15 walkways (I hear)
*Personal trainers are great
Wish it had:
*Equal access to the dry and steam saunas. The dry sauna is in the women’s changeroom and the steam one is in the men’s.
*Evening classes
*More classes (like Zumba or something fun like that)