Women’s Fitness of Boston

Tried Women’s Fitness of Boston on a Friday around lunch time. Signed up for the Tabata class using the Yoga & Fitness Pass my friend had bought me for Christmas on Groupon. The pass lets you try 30 classes at participating gyms in the area. So Women’s Fitness was my first try!
The location was convenient — heart of downtown Boston off the red line (Downtown Crossing stop). The facility is in the basement of a building but very clean and modern. The staff was very friendly and helpful — showing me how to use a locker and where all the equipment was.
The Tabata class itself was fantastic — I had never done it before but it was TOUGH. A great 45 minute, high intensity cardio and weight-​training workout. Angela, the instructor, was very encouraging and motivating.
Can’t wait to come back and try another class (or maybe another awesome Tabata class again!).

It makes me sad writing this review because I miss this place so much. The reason why I am no longer a member here is because I have relocated. This gym is by far the best gym I have been to and to this day, nothing beats it. You will never feel uncomfortable or intimidated. All the instructors are great — each person have their own style when it comes to training. I will sum up a few instructors I know and how their styles are:
Julie (Piloxing) — She is very gentle. Not your BOOTCAMP kind of instructor but a very supportive one.
Ari (BodyShred) — BOOTCAMP instructor. She screams at you and yes, she can be loud which makes her awesome. I also taken her circuit training classes on Fridays (these are paid classes) so worth it. Theres not a lot of people that show up to this class — it makes it even more personal.
Kate (Strength in Motion/​Pilates) — Her classes are more calm in my opinion. its not a difficult class to take but I’ll take it on easy days. You have to listen to her sometimes — she is hilarious and she doesn’t even know it.
Dawn (spin/​other classes etc) — energetic and hilarious instructor. I think her classes are most fun just because of her personality.
The front desk ladies are nice and helpful — I always had small talks with Robin and Quincy before leaving the gym. If you have questions, just ask. Don’t be shy at this gym. Everyone is open, direct and honest.
I would love to talk more about this gym and how great it is — you just have to go see it for yourself.

The best gym I’ve ever been to! The classes are so fun and intense and everyone who works there is so nice. The best part about the gym are the prices– so much more affordable than other gyms in the area. I have been a member here for a few years and I plan on staying a member for years to come. Love WFOB!

This is truly a great gym… everyone is so friendly and helpful whether its the amazing staff/​instructors or even the clients that go there… you really feel like everyone is behind you to help you get to your goals. :)

Women’s Fitness of Boston is conveniently located, fairly priced and a delight to be a member of. The owner, Julie, works so hard to make sure that her clients enjoy the gym. She is also a great personal trainer, and is willing to work closely with clients to push them to their potential. She’s just that right balance of energetic and serious, making sure that her clients get what they need.
As for the gym itself, it offers a wide range of classes and also has a decent amount of equipment for being a small (er) gym (this isn’t your Planet Fitness… but that’s a good thing! It’s clean and well maintained!). I’ve been a member for almost two years and I’ve never had to wait to use a machine.

I joined WFOB two years ago after my gym closed down without any notice. I wasn’t used to working out at an all woman’s gym but I have to tell you this place is great. I look forward to going everyday. It’s a no judgment zone. Everyone is there for the same reason. The woman all work hard and are very supportive of one another. The classes are diverse enough to find something you can do. And if you can’t there are free weights and machines to do your own thing. Julie is always switching things up to make it interesting. She always has new ideas and is a very wise business person.

Went to this gym for the first time for the Body Shred by Jillian Michaels class via classpass.
The gym is in a basement with a large middle area for the class and treadmills and a weight area on either side. The lockers are provided if you leave an ID up front. The showers are basic and i’d suggest showering elsewhere unless you are in a rush.
The class was difficult but doable since its only 30 minutes! Its a combination of stenghth, cardio and an ab recovery! You do different exercises for 30 seconds in a circuit with no rest.

Warning: Lengthy Review Reposted
I had been away from the fitness center scene for a number of years due to a health issue. Eight months ago I searched for a fitness center that wouldn’t make me feel uncomfortable and may provide me with the support and motivation I needed to get back in shape.
My needs were simple: Downtown Boston location, decent hours, offer good and diverse classes, a comfortable fitness environment, and a membership cost that wouldn’t break my budget.
After touring several downtown fitness centers, I was about to give up. Some were definitely «niche» centers (offering fashionable workout gear, pricey drinks and many members that apparently don’t sweat), others were well out of my budget and/​or didn’t offer decent class schedules, and others were more interested in pushing the expensive personal training packages.
Then I found WFOB, and I felt comfortable from Day 1. It’s an all female fitness center. The classes are diverse and challenging, (I especially like the yoga class), the atmosphere is friendly and the staff is always so helpful. They help with fitness goals and answer questions about dietary concerns. They also try to «give back» by occasionally hosting events to help local and international causes.
Is it «high tech, state of the art»? No, but everything in the facility is clean and exactly what one needs to get in shape and stay in shape. Staff members walk around cleaning the equipment after use, and cleaning sprays are strategic placed in various spots around the weight room, training areas and on counters.
I love the convenience of the location, the challenging classes (try Tabata or BodyShred — KILLER workouts that will make you sweat and burn calories!) and I especially appreciate the reasonable membership cost.

After an unpleasant call with the gym over an unfair charge (in my opinion), I decided to write this review. After being a member here for over a year, I do want to be fair with the review regardless what happened in the end (which I will talk about later).
The ***biggest perk*** of this gym is its low cost membership fee and it is a small local business. The best class right now is Yoga by Nikki.
(Reviews on classes over 6 months ago are no longer valid. Classes have changed a lot).
***Not so great part***:
You get what you pay for.
Older equipment and basement setting was all okay to me, but hair balls rolling on floor was not so fun when your face was inches away from them during some classes. I never used the shower but have heard it’s not very clean from other members.
Over time, the good instructors have all left (Karen, the instructor of Zumba, Brandy, of Bodiography, from which class I saw significant improvement).
They would also charge for some classes on top of monthly membership fee (Zumba was $ 12/​class, which can add up very quickly). Sometimes, members and non-​members are charged the some amount, which seems ridiculous to members. I had spoke to the owner about this but no changes there.
***What did I cancel my membership***
Granted, WFOB got me started working out on a regular basis but it wasn’t very effective. I was kinda happy there until I started to try another gym (TFW Boston, also local gym in downtown crossing). TFW is definitely pricier than WFOB, for a good reason. There, not only I saw results quickly (toned and stronger), but also my mindsets about fitness has changed (why hour long cardio is bad for you, how to have a sustainable diet plan, etc.) The coaches cared about who you are, what your goals are, pushing you to your limits but not over.
***What made me write about the review today***
I went to cancel my membership around ⁵⁄₂₀ ish (I have tried out TFW for about 2.5 months then). I was told that WFOB needs a 30 day cancelation notice, which I understood. So I paid for June and today is my last day as a member. Then I noticed that I was charged of $ 35 annual facility fee on ⁶⁄₂₀ (in addition to June membership fee). It doesn’t make sense to pay for the upcoming year of facility fee when I am ending the membership. I called and was told
**My contract said that this wouldn’t matter because the fee is charged on ⁶⁄₂₀ each year and my membership ends on ⁶⁄₃₀. (Okay, who reads those things! It feels like they are taking advantage of the members. After reading a fellow Unilocal review, they had rushed someone through signing the wavier). READ IT IF YOU ARE GOING TO SIGN UP HERE!
**They use a 3^rd party vendor for payment processing so couldn’t do anything about it…
The call wasn’t pleasant and they acted like a large chain gym instead of a small business owner. I was incredibly disappointed in the way they treated the situation (distant and robotic). They did offer me (or someone I know) 5 free classes. Really? That’s pretty empty. $ 35 is not a lot of money, but it’s also no small chunk.
So there it is, the good and the bad. If you just want a facility that’s really cheap, go here. If you want results and can afford it, go somewhere else. If it makes you healthier and happier, paying the right amount is worth it.

I’m shocked by all of the 4 – 5 star reviews. I tried a circuit training class via classpass, and I did not love it. First, I go in and have to sign a waiver, like any normal gym. The annoying thing about this waiver is that the receptionist waved me off as I was trying to read through it, saying that «it’s just for liability.» First, there’s more in it than that, and secondly, give me a moment to read what I’m signing.
Then I get a locker key and have to give them my driver’s license as some sort of security deposit on a locker key, which then sat out on the counter of the reception desk. They need a better system than that. The locker room itself is average if not slightly below. I’ve seen worse (just barely), but at $ 10/​month gyms.
Then I go into the studio/​gym space (they’re combined, and poorly so) to try to get settled in, but I can’t because the instructor isn’t there to tell us what we need for class, so I wander around helplessly until class starts. Then she comes in and jumps right into class. No introduction, no hello to new class members, no asking if anyone was dealing with injuries/​limitations (I was, but luckily I know how to accommodate it myself). There were clearly regulars in the class, with whom the instructor was chatting quite socially, leaving the newbies to feel somewhat lost.
The biggest red flag was that the instructor was reading the workout off of a printed sheet of paper. I can do that for myself at home for free. I could also look up workout videos on youtube that would likely produce a better result. I’m not sure if it was due to a lack of experience, preparation, or professionalism, but regardless, it left me regretting my choice. Every other fitness class I’ve ever taken is led by an instructor who clearly has a well thought out plan coming into class, knows their craft well enough to queue students through class without notes, and manages to focus on technique throughout the session.
The instructor was a screamer. Not a pump-​you-​up screamer, a Jillian-Michael’s-style screamer. Works for some, whatever. Not my bag.
I’ll admit that I am used to going to pretty pricey fitness joints, where classes run from $ 20-​$ 30/​class, but there are a lot of little things that cost nothing and go a long way (e.g. an instructor introducing him/​herself to the class, making new guests feel welcome, coming to class well-​prepared, etc., etc.).
I honestly gave 2 stars instead of 1 because they had hair ties and because the receptionist was friendly (despite the odd treatment of the waiver).

I love coming here during work hours because theres only 1 or 2 other people in the gym so there is no wait to use the machines. The instructors for their fitness classes are great as well. I especially love Steve, hes so funny and a great instructor.

My entry into the gym was probably the best part about my experience. Front desk girl was really nice and showed me around/​how to use the facilities. They give you a key to a locker which is nice so you don’t have to lug your stuff around. They do charge $ 2 per towel which is a bit insane if you ask me.
Facilities: the place is pretty old and run down looking. Machines are all shoved in the back of the room and classes take place in the middle. If you take a class expect people to stare at you. Nothing gets wiped down between classes as each class is literally right after the other. You use a dirty mat you just saw someone put back. The floor is also really slippery for some reason. It is very cheap and I’m not sure how someone hasn’t slipped and broke something.
Class: I took the strength in motion class. Probably one of the worst classes I’ve ever taken. No one knew what to do half the time and you could tell. Instructor made some weird choices for the class. It wasn’t 100% easy, but it wasn’t challenging. It also requires you to be very coordinated which no was.
Overall this was a fairly awful experience. Definitely go elsewhere if you can.

Tried a step cardio class through classpass.
The gym: looks pretty run down. A few treadmills and they’re all outdated.
Kind of dingy, basement location…
Locker room: smelled pretty gross. The inside of the locker was dirty.
bathrooms: disgusting! they smelled, and there was a TON of used… feminine products in the trash can (with no lid, of course). Can’t they empty these out every once in a while?
the class: not challenging. Kind of stupid, and I didn’t even break a sweat. I could see the instructor was moving way too fast for some of the people in the class.
I’m glad this is a place I didn’t previously commit to, and that I didn’t have to pay for, or else I would have been pretty upset.

Women’s Fitness is a funky gym in a basement in Downtown Crossing. There’s a spinning room, a weights room, and a cardio room that also doubles as a studio for classes, so if you’re on a treadmill there might be a class happening in front of you. I took Strength in Motion with Kate and thought it was a really fun class. I burned about 350 calories in the 45 minute class. They have lockers with keys, and showers, but you have to bring your own towel and toiletries if you don’t have towel service.

*~ Update~*: Julie personally called me to go over my comments and how valid they were and to express regret I wasn’t going to continue my membership. I think it’s a big deal when people call you back to genuinely follow up on your experiences and feedback. She offered to send me a class pass or month membership to make up for my experience and even went over in detail how all my concerns were going to be addressed. I really look forward to returning as a member soon.
I had to update now that it’s been a year and I truly know what the experience is like becuase it didn’t feel right anymore that I rated this five stars when my opinions have changed.
There was a time when all was right and it was amazing. See my first review.
But then, class instructors started leaving, cockroach bodies started appearing, the bath stalls didn’t appear to be cleaned (I swear I saw the same goop of body wash on the wall for weeks), the morning crew started being late most mornings (one day I waited for about an hour and no one showed), the overnight lockers are more child sized cubbies (to be fair, I can’t speak to the sizes of lockers elsewhere), bath towels smell like chemicals, some towels were scrunched up (like what cheap towels tend to do after a while they start to shrink up) which is fine but they should be replaced! A handful of times they don’t care about music, either there’s no music on at all or it’s the same song on loop. I’ve seen staff members argue with each other in front of customers making it awkward for everyone.
I want to like this place, I really do. But I just can’t. My suggestion for people interested would be to start with a month membership before committing to a year.

Friendly, conveniently-​located (near all four metro lines), and reasonably-​priced, WFOB is the best deal in the area. It’s the cheapest gym I’m aware of in downtown that also offers classes. There are few amenities, like free towels and a juice bar, but that doesn’t bother me. All the classes I tried are really good, and there are also the usual machines if you need them.

I did not like Women’s Fitness at all. I bought a 10-​class voucher deal from Groupon and visited the gym 3 months ago. I only went once and now dreading to go back to redeem the last 9 classes.
The gym is in the basement with seemed like slow ceiling and dim lighting. I tried to attend a zumba class — the class was in the middle floor, cramped and crowded. I couldn’t see the instructor (in fact I didn’t even know who the instructor and what was going on) people looked lost in the class. I kept bumped into one of the cycles. After 10mins of frustration, I gave up on zumba and just hopped on a treadmill, only to find the treadmill was placed on unleveled with a hole on the floor! My treadmill was flip-​flopping with each step. I then went to the stretching area hoping to may just suck it up for the next 30 minutes and call it a day. I found the mat to be dirty and the corner for stretching was dark and tight. There’s not enough lockers to use. The shower stalls look small and dirty. I just didn’t get an good feeling after this first class.
I haven’t been able to bring myself back to Women’s Fitness. I’d happy to give away my 9 classes away.

What a great place! I am getting back into the working out game and felt this would be ideal. It’s very reasonably priced, and they have a lot of classes. The classes are no joke.
There is no steam room or sauna or hot tub, but it is also at least half the cost of other women’s gyms.
They keep the showers clean, and they provide lockers for daily use. You can rent lockers and towels for longer periods of time.
The space is very small, but is only packed after work. The classes are on the floor surrounded my the equipment.
They have weights and machines as well as cardio bikes, eplipticals, and treadmills.
They have an ironing oard and provide lotion.
It’s a great gym for the cost.

My favorite Zumba instructor, Karen, is here, so I am too — 3x a week you’ll find me jumping around, sweating, and having fun. There is a large range of clientele, all fitness levels, and I enjoy the only women atmosphere. Convenience is the key. I can bang out a workout during my lunch break. No frills, but they are doing some renos now and should be done soon!

I really, really like this gym. It is the sort of place that is just a little too far away from me and not really convenient in terms of hours, but I still want to go there just to support them. I really value small, privately owned businesses and — particularly when they offer something valuable — want to go out of my way to make sure they stay open for all to enjoy.
This gym is relatively small and it is kinda dark since it is in a basement, but the atmosphere is perfect for a lady to get serious and work out with no other thought in mind. The changing room is more than adequate with plenty of room & facilities for cleaning up after a tough work out. The machines are not brand new, but they are perfectly adequate. There is a good variety of weights. I have never had any problem getting on machines or fighting others to use the equipment.
I did participate in one of the zumba classes and had fun. Again, it is so great to be in a no judgement environment when you just want to get into the moment and focus on your exercise.
And, as other reviewers have said, the laid back attitude of the staff is such a relief to me after being at other gyms with ridiculous and tightly enforced rules or pressuring sales tactics.