Fashion & Style
Aiyoku, A Cardio Lounge
It's Thursday night and I'm on my way to Liberty Village for the opening of a new boutique gym. These types of specialized gyms are popping up all over the city looking to bring in people who don't particularly like the environment Goodlife or YMCA offers. As I walk into the basement of the Carpet Factory building, I'm asked to sign a wavier before entering. It seems there is a television crew filming the opening party. I'm a little surprised to find this out and sign it, believing that I'll keep myself out of sight during my stay.
A full-size museum-made reproduction of a Chinese Terracotta warrior greets me as I walk in. To the left is a small lounge. Along one wall is an internet bar and the other is a tea station that features specialty teas. The décor is of an Asian influence; bamboo floors, antique bronze knockers and dragon handles.
The space opens to the cardio and class areas. Aiyoku is a cardio lounge; there are no free weights or machines. State of the art Precor machines line a wall made to resemble a bamboo forest. I wandered around the new treadmills, elliptical trainers and stationary bikes taking in the new design and functions. The treadmills haven't even been run on yet and I want to be the one to pop that cherry. Each machine has its own widescreen television and DVD. Patrons will have access to the club's library of television series. This gym has some of the best-looking showers I've seen anywhere; glass enclosed with a rain style head that sits within a chocolate hardwood room. Members receive hot/cold towel service and access to lockers.
The intimate nature of the club allows for interactive classes that use audio and visual cues to simulate an actual activity. These aren't your standard studio classes. For example, Dragon Boat is where you use a body bar to simulate paddling in a dragon boat race. At Base Camp Everest you run on the treadmill with a backpack strapped on. To simulate climbing the mountain the treadmill's incline adjusts throughout the class. The Aiyoku Drums class sounds like the most fun. Utilizing Kodo music, participants use dumbbells to mimic the movements of the Kodo drummers in this high-energy workout.
Aiyoku only has 500 available memberships. The pricing is flexible and you can choose between pay as you go sessions or an unlimited monthly plan. The gym focuses on providing Liberty Village with a unique workout space.
Aiyoku Cardio Lounge
77 Mowat Avenue, Suite 001
416-516-8999
images: Tim Shore
Discussion
16 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
unfortunately currently I live in Japan. so I won't be able to have this new experience for a whlie..
I thought Japa goes pretty much a head of current trends in many area. but I've never heard of anything like this before.
I am very excited to join this gym when I get back to Toronto!
unfortunately currently I live in Japan. so I won't be able to have this new experience for a whlie..
I thought Japa goes pretty much a head of current trends in many area. but I've never heard of anything like this before.
I am very excited to join this gym when I get back to Toronto!
"Hey, Yo, Paully, don't touch the Ming Dynasty statues"
I agree with the previous comment about this being a great concept and would love to see more of these pop up around the city. I'm sure that there are many that would benefit from an all cardio gym, with accessible rates, of course.
I'm working on getting the contact information keep tight and I'll update this post.
Greg
There is a cardio only space in the Financial district. Drop me an email at anita at blogto dot come and I'll send you the exact name and address. I'll have to write it down tomorrow on my way by it.
This is definitely a trend going on, you'll be sure to see more of this small er places show up.
I don't belong, but I work in the office tower it's attached to, and they're having a promotion right now so I've been hearing a lot about it.
www.cardiogo.ca
There website doesn't work right now. that irks me.
I don't place much important on the design and looks of a space, but this place is just damn ugly.
Here it is! Send it around to those you think would like to see it.
Mich
Congratulations! Wayne and I are moving Downtown!!! This place is so cool, very Asian inspired! Maybe that is why they live so long! I love it! I can not stand FREE WEIGHTS anyways...and anything attached to a PLASMA...that is the way to go...Love the Greater ( Asian statue! )...thank God he is not wearing a tank top!
See ya soon!
Virginia Munden
Weight training get's your body into fat-burning mode to maximize your ability to maintain and build lean muscle tissue (Tones you up)
With your metabolism in high boost, your cardio workout will be much more effective. Remember - For every one pound of lean muscle you add, your body will burn 30-50 additional calories per day.
Grab your IPod and hit the road/park
Wonder how htis place will do with King Fitness around the corner and Goodlife soon to be opening
I would HIGHLY recommend this gym!