Generate Fitness

I cannot say enough about Generate. The space is gorgeous, sparkling clean (and eco-​friendly), and full of light. The machines are all brand new and top-​of-​the line. The showers are actually fit for human use, unlike some gym showers I have seen! They offer tons of different classes that vary in type and intensity, from Barre to TRX to Pilates. There is no one-​year minimum contract, no aggressive «orientation» — just an *actual* orientation so you don’t hurt yourself — and no pressure to join. How refreshing! And once you join, you’re covered — with the exception of a couple of highly-​specialized workshops and classes, there is no annoying nickel and diming for towels, lockers, etc. When you join, you join, and when you pay, you are covered.
For years I was a gym buddy — weights, spinning, Bikram, etc. A few sedentary, injury-​laden years later, I landed on Generate’s doorstep, feeling a bit rusty and defeated, but also determined to get back into shape. After a somewhat humiliating first day of trying intense classes that weren’t, umm, doable for me at this point, I met the owner, Portia. Portia has an extensive background in fitness and healthcare, and is also a Registered Nurse. She recommended I try a Reformer Pilates class. I’d never had much of an interest in Pilates before, and had never even seen a Reformer machine, but Portia felt that it would be a great way to get back into working out while I continued to rehab my injuries. A few months later, I am ADDICTED to their Reformer Pilates classes, thanks in large part to the amazing instructor, Georgina. Georgina is a total dynamo, one of those rare teachers who takes the time to get to know every student’s own individual strengths and challenges. Somehow she manages to watch over five students at a time, tweaking things as she goes to accommodate everyone’s ability level. You never need to worry about poor form, or hurting yourself; she will notice and correct you. Class moves along at a good speed regardless, though, and you get a fantastic workout. And while form and safety is number one, it’s always fun and upbeat. Best of all, I can feel and see the changes in my body and posture, and my injuries have lessened to an amazing degree.
Generate is not the cheapest place in town. It’s also not an overcrowded, assembly line of people on cardio machines, fighting to grab a locker. It’s not stress-​inducing. It’s a warm, welcoming community with an holistic approach to wellness, fitness, and health that is unique amongst Toronto gyms. Whether you are a hardcore marathoner, a new mom getting back into the routine (there’s daycare too), or somewhere in between, everyone truly seems to have a place at Generate.

I will start my review by saying that I have been forever wary of gyms. In university, while jogging on a treadmill, I mortifyingly tripped and fell off the end, into a face plant. (I probably would’ve laughed if I had seen it. Actually, I am laughing thinking about it!) It was always crowded, smelly, with lots of guys grunting and dropping heavy weights on the ground. When we lived in London, because I was working so much I joined an LA Fitness to use their pool and take a few classes when I could, but again, it was always crowded, smelly, and the showers were gross (hair, mildew, shudder!) and instructors who really did not want to be there. So, in the years in between, I’ve opted to take classes at all sorts of places — yoga studios, ballet schools, pools, school gyms, climbing centres, you name it — to keep in shape, and not be bored.
Out of curiosity after walking past Generate a number of times, I looked it up online and based on my previous experience, I was a little bit skeptical. «Oh, it will just be like a normal gym, but with nice towels, some natural skincare products, and some green machines, and plus you’ll have to pay through the nose,» I thought to myself.
Portia, who runs Generate, offered an orientation and a chance for me to drop in to a class. So I went in, and she really took the time to get to know my fitness needs. She then walked me through how to use the different machines, which seemed to be more ergonomic than the other machines I’ve tried using. She also gave me a tour of the facilities — the yoga room, reformer equipment, studio, and the changerooms, which were very homey and clean. I then dropped in on the Booty Barre class taught by Elyse, which was really tough, and a great workout!
I have since taken a number of other classes — HOIST circuit, mat pilates, ZUMBA, and the morning circuit classes, and have found that all the instructors are caring, attentive — and everyone knows each other’s name! It really is a neat little community unto itself. They will often point out adjustments based on what you are trying to target. And, I don’t know if it’s just me, but the times of the classes all work out perfectly — there is not one class that they offer that I wouldn’t take. In all the classes I’ve been in, there has been a maximum of 12 people in the class (on average, it’s more like 6 – 8) — so it is much more personal.
In terms of people at Generate — there are all sorts of people of all shapes and sizes, at all different skills levels, so you never feel intimidated.
Rates are indeed expensive — around $ 160 a month if you go as an individual and a $ 100 registration fee but I would say it is well worth it for the level of customized service, the excellent, attentive teachers, the really clean (and dare I say, beautiful) facilities. In a strange way, paying more for fitness makes you value it more — and I find myself working out more!
So, all in all — believe what they say on the website — Generate does offer something different, and in my opinion, a great place to join for all those fitness needs!
(PS. I will write another review again after trying out the personal training and the individual pilates lessons)

I’ve been a member for a few weeks in this brand new gym (opened in Oct. 2013 I believe). So far it is only positive experience, starting from gorgeous renovated space and great variety of classes to power-​generating ellipticals and eco-​friendly shampoos (I love those small healthy planet accents throughout). It is on the pricier side (probably 3 times what you would pay in Goodlife), but it is a personal choice. For me, I’d rather pay more and have that personal attention during classes and workouts, clean showers and relaxed atmosphere, etc. (overcrowded gyms and classes is just not my thing). A big bonus is that there is no 1-​year minimum contract like in other places.
Overall: very confident 4+ stars.
p. s. they even have a daycare!