Fitness Clubs
The Yorkville Club
It's hard to believe the Yorkville Club has been open for almost three years now. Back in 2005 it seemed somewhat of an audacious proposition to construct a stunning new fitness club just steps from Whole Foods in the pricey real estate that is Hazelton Lanes.
But I guess the neighbourhood needed a place to sweat and show off their year-round tans. Premier Fitness at the corner of Bay and Davenport had recently closed leaving the only real competition in the area to the former Bally's, now Extreme Fitness on Bloor.
And what a club. Beyond the ridiculously good looking facility, what's most impressive here is the range of classes. Morning, noon and night there seems to be something happening all the time with yoga, pilates, spin and a variety of other toning and cardio classes available. There's also a business centre, valet parking, personal training and wellness programs.
Rates and Initiation Fee
The average price of a monthly membership is $69.50 bi-weekly based on a 12th month commitment. But watch out for the initiation fee. It's a steep $349. Ouch.
Towels, Lockers and Showers
The spa-inspired change rooms are beautifully designed and equipped with private showers, wet steam rooms, towel and laundry service. All are available at no extra cost. Overnight lockers cost $10-$15 bi-weekly.
Personal Training, Yoga and Spin
The Yorkville Club offers more than 65 classes a week including Hatha, Ashtanga, Hot Yoga, Pilates, and Restorative Yoga and Pilates. Spin classes are on the schedule 25 times a week. All yoga and spin classes are included in the price of the membership. Personal training sessions range from $70-$100 an hour depending on the trainer.
Food and Juice
The Juice Bar and Cafe sells a variety of healthy wraps, salads, pizzas, protein shakes, fruit smoothies and bottled drinks. There are also a number of breakfast items.
Worth Mentioning
Mark Kehr, the President of The Yorkville Club, is a former Mr. American finalist. He previously owned a private studio called Fitness One-On-One which catered to such celebs and socialites as Alanis Morissette, Edward Bronfman, Peter Munk, Alfred Sung, Jeremy Irons and Norman Jewison. The Yorkville Club also has a second location at 101 Eglinton Avenue East.
Days and Hours of Operation
At the time of this post The Yorkville Club is open Monday to Friday, 5:30am - 11pm; and Saturday and Sunday from 8am - 8pm. It's always best to check the web site for the most up to date info.
All photos from the Yorkville Club web site
Discussion
30 Comments
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I would like to know if the personal trainers have degrees in health related science displices such as: kinesology, nutrition, phyiscal education etc.
Pls advise,
Sarina Singh
Do they know what bad form looks like, how to train someone through an injury, what it feels like to have lactate acid burning in your muscles, what someone is going through when they feel burnt out, or do they just know what they read in a book, or what they wrote their thesis on.
If you would like a personal trainer with over 15 years of REAL personal training experience with professional athletes and other professional athletetic trainers, call 647-829-6912 and ask for Mace Freeman.
Sure you have the experience but it makes me nervous when a person claims they can train me through an injury and don't know basic kinesiology terms. Ouch.
Please give me a hope!!
Having been in the industry for 12 years and working with hundreds of trainers, there is no question that some well credentialed individuals have a limited scope of experience to draw upon. That said, I don't think that anyone disputes the importance of having a solid theoretical understanding of the nuts and bolts of anatomy, physiology, and bio-mechanics. It's really unfortunate that an individual's professional competency is can be dismissed due to their ability to communicate their thoughts effectively. However, this is the world that we live in - first impressions matter. Second chances come few and far between.
No trainer knows everything. No trainer has done everything. We are all still learning.
P.S. I didn't spell check this psot (lol)
P.S. Always ask for their credentials and if you are paying $50 or more for it they should at least have a degree related to exercise
I'm just sayin'
Also there was quite a bit of sexual harassment going on between management and the younger women at the juicebar, you would think they would have some sense of decency when dealing with the public.
Glad to hear their Uptown location is closing. Funny that they would raise prices right beforehand though.
If the Yorkville Club was smart they would adopt the use Social Media Networks and a Social Media Strategist to keep the name of the club current. It would be an excellent way to sell the club to their chosen clientèle, without needing members to bring in other potentials to be turned off by the smug club owner that is Mark Kehr.
On another note. It is really hard to find a good gym to train out of these days. I was a trainer for 8 years. All the way through my University Career and post-grad work. I worked at many gyms, because it is hard to maintain a good relationship with an employer with a gym with you are in school. As most gyms don't like you doing anything but gym work. I now train some of my clients privately, that have been with my for years. I could not stand working for these corporate monsters anymore. The worse of them was and is Extreme Fitness.
http://newsdurhamregion.com/articlePrint/20575
Tons of great classes, tons of the best equipment (cardio, machines, huge range of free weights), large studios that you can use whenever they are free to do your own workout routine. The yoga, etc. teachers generally actually know what they are talking about, not watered down stuff, includes hot yoga classes as well! It's obviously very pricey, but it is the only place I am absolutely comfortable working out it! Very clean and well maintained! Steam room is amazing too! It's absolutely worth the money because I actually want to go there to workout. Patrons are a wide age range, I'm in my early 20's. Best gym I've been too!
And the initiation fee is bull, they wave it most of the time.