Fitness Clubs
energyXchange
energyXchange has the makings of an intimidating fitness club experience. Except that it's not. A slick interior, matchy-matchy trainers' uniforms and a Flash-heavy website are typically strong warning signs. But here, the staff is friendly and encouraging, and the muffins are free.
I'm not the gym type. Although I've held barely-used memberships on and off since high school, the experience has always had an anxiety-inducing effect. My workout motivation already suffers from laziness. The added social awkwardness ensures that I have plenty of excuses to skip the gym altogether. Sure, my skinny jean-wearing potential is suffering. It's a price I'm usually willing to pay to avoid sweating in an oversized band tee alongside Fitness Barbie and Bodybuilder Ken flirting to a soundtrack of Z103 club anthems.
The alternatives, however, can be pricey. At up to twenty bucks a pop, yoga studios demand more of a financial commitment than my thighs are actually worth. And sometimes I crave a cardio workout that the zen practice can't provide. I can see why I've been sucked into fitness clubs more than once. But, while gyms like Goodlife and Extreme Fitness offer a better bang-to-buck ratio on the surface, energyXchange owner Marea Taylor asks me to reconsider.
We look at my old routine - 45 minutes on the elliptical machine, 3 times a week - and weigh the benefits. "You have to confuse your muscles," she insists, "You won't see any results if you do the same thing every time." It's true - I don't see any results. At energyXchange, members are encouraged to switch it up.
A packed schedule of yoga, gravity, pilates and TRX classes keep it fresh. While pricier than most gyms, plans can be built around patrons' frequency of visit. I still worry about my own motivation. Marea and her team have me covered, though. "We'll actually call our members," she quips. This "remote personal trainer" service is just the encouragement I could use.
Marea opened the business as a reaction to poor customer service she experienced while working for other clubs in the city. Aveda products in the washrooms, free nutrition workshops, no-commitment memberships, complimentary "industrial" muffins for 7am classes, an in-house RMT, and a chill-out patio all address the gaps in the usual gym experience.
In addition to familiar group classes in yoga and pilates, energyXchange keeps on top of fitness trends. Marea demonstrates TRX - straps affixed to the ceiling that use body weight as resistance - and the Powerplate. This little wonder, invented by astronauts and used by the pros, is a vibrating plate that promises to build bone density and improve circulation. I am skeptical and immediately think of the ludicrous vibrating belt machines of the 1950s. But even remaining stable while holding a static bicep curl proves challenging. And, just 25 minutes will do the trick.
energyXchange is not just about building chick-magnet abs or looking fab in a push-up sports bra. The self-proclaimed "un-gym" is about fun and safe fitness for the mind and body in a supportive environment. "The hour you spend here will affect the rest of your life," Marea tells me, of the studio's beyond-physical results. I'm convinced. The location is still a bit of a barrier (excuses, again), but once the concept moves westward, I'm an un-gym convert.
Photos by Dennis Marciniak
Discussion
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Premier has a long history of improper insurance billing schemes, fraudulent memberships billing, etc.
STAY AWAY
At $30-$50 PER WEEK for memberships (year long commitment required, of course), this place does not seem especially "un-gym" to me at all. (prices again taken from their website, since this "review" didn't mention any).
I see they have a whole shitload of products to sell you at the front desk, though.
I am not going to defend traditional gyms, but my gym is about $15 a week with zero restrictions of any kind (all the classes you want) and facilities are just as nice.
In other words, it's way easy to offer "free" muffins if you're charging two to three times what everybody else is for memberships.
Did they pay for this "article"?
Honestly, the intimidation that everyone seems to feel when going to the gym is silly. I used to feel that way all the time until I told myself to suck it up and no one cares.
If someone who is clearly more overweight or unfit than you starts using the treadmill next to you, do you automatically judge them and try to make them uncomfortable? No, so why do we think that muscle-y people working out in the weight room will look down on us for trying to improve ourselves?
I think feeling intimidated is way more in our own heads than a product of the environment we're in.
I think that most of the feeling of intimidation from gyms is in our own heads- the fear that people are judging you all the time. Which is stupid, cause if you don't care what other people are doing there then why would they care about you? I don't think that feeling has too much to do with what gym you go to, at least in my experience.
The more negative publicity this place gets, the better.
PhysioMed is a scam.
Maybe some skiing?
they have other classes (pilates, bootcamp, gravity small group classes) which I've also really enjoyed---but the bottom line is if you are not "into" yoga...probably not worth it...
Are we all so critical and narrow minded in this day and age, that we honestly find it valid to criticize when we really know nothing of something? These comments are just appalling.
I encourage each of you to at least visit a place before you share your negativity with the world.
As for the Jilly's comment. Let's all show a little more maturity please!
She quit immediately when she learnt of their fraudulent billing practices and reported them to the college of physiotherapists.
So I know excatly what physiomed is all about.
And yes, I am grouping all physiomeds into the same boat.
That's what happens when you have such a lousy reputation.
Avoid.
I AM sure that none of the negative posters have been to energyXchange.
This industry is very competitive and this all sounds like covert competition bashing.
I live a block away.
Have been there @10 times (a beginner to yoga).
I find the staff friendly, professional and courteous.
The facility is stellar and pristine.
The trainers are some of the best in the city.
The prices are on par with other places I looked into.
The members seem to be locals (leslieviller’s/riverdale/riversider’s)…again friendly and not pretentious.
It’s got a great local feel to it.
Why all the bashing?
It’s yoga not liver transplant surgery!!
I would highly recommend this place for yoga.
Physiomed = Premier Fitness
premier fitness = fradulent billing
Therefore energyXchange = STAY AWAY
Physiomed = Premier Fitness
premier fitness = fradulent billing
Therefore energyXchange = STAY AWAY
This is the energyXchange team and we would like to introduce ourselves and say a quick hello! We wanted to let you know how excited we are to be open in the Riverside neighbourhood and we look forward to seeing you all soon.
There is quite the debate going, here on Blog To, and we wanted to put in a few of our thoughts.
energyXchange is built on customer service and focuses on muscle confusion, functional training and whole body health. Once you step into our studio, we take care of everything else! We are very proud to have some of the best teachers in the city and although we offer many Infrared heated Yoga classes throughout the week, we also have a wide variety of other classes such as TRX, Gravity, Pilates, Bootcamp and Running Clinics to name a few. We believe that alternating what you do on a weekly basis keeps boredom at bay, both mentally and physically so we are constantly evolving with new classes, teachers and equipment.
Although we offer memberships (that you may cancel at any time), we also have class packages which allow you to take a class when the urge arises (at a cheaper rate than our drop-in fee). Many of our clients are also members of other reputable gyms or fitness studios. We definitely encourage everyone to go to an establishment that cares about your well-being and offers the support that you need to be fit, happy and healthy.
We do appreciate you taking the time to notify us of your past experience with the Physiomed brand. Please accept our sincerest apologies for what other Physiomed Clinic Owners or Directors may have done. Unfortunately we know that we may be perceived guilty by association, however please note that Physiomed Leslieville-Riverside is 100 percent independently owned and operated by energyXchange. Our main goal is to get our clients back to optimal health and given the chance, we believe we will gain your confidence in our company.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to post their thoughts, giving us an opportunity to get some feedback. Part of evolving is taking the good with the bad and we are happy to receive constructive criticism so that we can continue to grow and serve our members the best way we know how. If anyone has any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us, or better yet, drop in to say hello! We can't stress enough how happy we are to be here and get the chance to know you all. We can only hope for the opportunity to meet even more of you soon, and we thank you for your continued support.
I suppose it's not for anyone with actual fitness goals.
It looks so fluffy.
and a total waste of time for those who actually was to achieve some sort fitness level while attending a gym.
I have been there on a weekly basis since day one, and I have only good things to say. Have seen the Chiro, she was amazing, have been to a few Gravity classes (there's only 6 of us),so amazing....I believe thats why the membership are a little pricey, you're paying for small group personal training. Yoga classes are candlelit, and actually have great instruction which is a totally different experience from my old gym. Also took a morning class, and left with a warm muffin...nobody seemed to be complaining...who doesn't like a muffin?
A lot of the comments I see make it sound like people haven't been in to try it - you are definitely missing out.
www.sociallockerroom.com
It is a perfect site to set fitness goals and meet them through:
-Planning games with your friends and other people in your area (and sync them with your everyday calendar)
-Discover and create groups that match your interest and skills
-Setting goals and have your network challenge you to improve
When you can workout with other people or have challenges in your calendar, you are more likely to stick to them and succeed!
Please check it out! The more people on there the better for finding people in your area with similar interests...and staying motivated!!
Lets all get fit and healthy together!
www.sociallockerroom.com
Twitter:@SLockerroom