Kingwest Fitness is a spacious fitness club in a beautifully restored factory in Liberty Village. Its soaring ceilings, post and beam finishes and massive factory windows offer some serious eye-candy (or at least design-candy) and there's so many square feet to roam around that even when it's busy it doesn't really seem that way.
One side of the club showcases a range of cardio options including ellipticals, treadmills, bikes and Stairmasters. Each come equiped with their own audio controls which make it easy to tune into one of the six TV stations and listen to whatever the Satellite TV programming is transmitting at the moment. On the other side of the club there's a good mix of free weights and machines; and in the middle an enclosed studio space is home to spinning, yoga and boxing classes.
Unlike some clubs there is zero attitude here. There is local art on the walls and a table of brochures and flyers highlighting neighbourhood events.
Rates and Initiation Fee
Membership fees are $75 a month. There are no initiation fees.
Towels, Lockers and Showers
Towel service is included in the membership. An overnight locker will run you $15 a month but there are plenty of full-size lockers available for day use. The showers are private and in good condition. There is also a steam room. Body lotion, shampoo, Q-tips, a hair dryer and razors are all provided.
Personal Training, Yoga and Spin
The gym has a number of buff and fit-looking personal trainers on their roster. Sessions are $70 each. Classes are dispersed throughout the week but rarely if ever take place in the mornings. Most are between 6 and 9pm although there are a few during lunch hour. Yoga (Hatha, Power and Ashtanga) is offered five times a week. There is also pilates, Hip Hop Dance and Strip to Fit. All classes except boxing (taught by a Certified Level 1 boxing coach) are included in the membership.
Food and Juice
There is small juice bar where staff can whip you up a tasty protein or meal replacement shake. There are also some protein bars available. If all else fails, Oro Caffe is just downstairs.
Worth Mentioning
One of the owners is a three time bodybuilding champion at the national level. They also have a women's only section to the gym and offer tanning services.
Days and Hours of Operation
At the time of this post the gym is open Monday to Thursday, 6am - 11pm; Friday from 6am - 10pm and Saturday and Sundays from 9am - 6pm. It's always best to check the web site for the most up to date info.
Discussion
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Hello,
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This gym is BEAUTIFUL, airy, spacious, light-filled, and no pretense or affectation, just a great place to work out for those who really want to work!
I've worked out at many, many gyms/clubs in my time but King West is easily the best one yet! It's got great equipment in a great facility but best of all, the people are fantastic!!
This is a Great Gym with a great layout, all about a serious workout, without having to wait for equipment in a convenient downtown location.
The best gym I've ever been to - friendly and helpful staff, quality equipment, trainers who actually know how to train, and a great physical space. Even after I moved out of the neighbourhood, I still go to King West Fitness - because it is THAT good!
As the owner of a private school for elite athletes (PEAC School For Elite Athletes in Downsview Park) I can comment on the high level of sport-specific knowledge possessed by the personal training department. Surprisingly enough, Sandro and Jerry (the co-owners of Kingwest) are also incredibly knowledgeable in this area. Although I own my own gym as a part of my school, the clean, friendly, professional environment at Kingwest makes it the preferred place for me to train. I am very pleased that this hidden gem has finally got the recognition it deserves.
Kingwest fitness is simply the best facility in the GTA. Coming from Vancouver B.C, it has been a 3 year mission and personal challenge of mine to find a gym that has a clean, open, and safe environment, with friendly and knowledgeable staff. My mission came to an end in 2007 when I met Sandro, an owner, and he openly invited me to tour and use the gym facilities. Since the gym and living an active lifestyle is a huge part of me, i found my home away from home at Kingwest fitness. It meets and exceeds my expectations from the vast array of new equipment, free weights and cardio equipment, to the nutritional supplements available at the body fuel shop. My favorite things about going to Kingwest is the peace of mind knowing that I will never have to wait to use any piece of equipment. Whether I go early am or during peak times, I always manage to get in and have a tremendously amazing workout. Another favorite for me are the clients of Kingwest fitness. They are very friendly and inviting, I have not found any gym attitude here. It makes the atmosphere and energy inviting and motivating. Since coming to Kingwest fitness my life has definately been enhanced in betterment. This facility has many features available from tanning to physiotherapy. Thank you Kingwest Fitness staff and management for always being there to make my training experiences pleasurable. Kingwest fitness is a MUST see and join on your to do list.
The only shortcoming is that there is no childcare - it is a wonderful gym, but has a lifespan for us 20 & 30 something women
This club is pitched as a high end gym, although it really doesn't have anything that makes it stand out or classify it as "high end"
6 out of 10 is my vote, the steam room is never on and takes forever to heat up.
I was a member last year and decided my condo gym had the same equipment and "I never waited in line for a machine" either.
How much is the monthly membership? what other services are in included in it?
I find it interesting that all the positive comments were posted within days and in some cases hours of each other...
One of the best kept secrets in the area. If you are looking for a place that treats you as a person and not a number, KWF is the place to be!!! I used to work out across the street at one of the chains but there is no comparison if you are interested in working out and getting in shape!!!!! Do yoursef a favor and check it out before joining somewhere else. If you need childcare or love classes or travel often, then the chain.
I joined King West Fitness when I took over someone else's membership that was leaving the area. I find King West Fitness way above any of the other gyms I have joined in the past. The people are just wonderful, great facility and no waiting for equipment like I had to in the past. I recommend this gym to anyone who wants a great place to work out
I don't usually send in comments for anything but recently I saw posters being put up on my street that King West is going bankrupt and not to buy a membership. I checked the place out and I AM BUYING A MEMBERSHIP. You have to be pretty sick to put that up in this neighborhood and think the people here are going to buy into it. I spoke to some current members and they just love the place so I am in and gonna spread the word.
well.. I kinda know why there were posters saying it's going bankrupt :) one of the receptionist there stole things and the owner fired that person. And the posters were purely a revenge behaviour!! enough said.. I heard the gym is getting renovated soon and upgrading some of the facility soon. So it's only getting better. Yes I am a member there and there's nothing wrong for me to defend for somewhere I love.
Avoid at all cost! They pressure you every time you go into buying expensive personal training sessions (> $1500 packages!!!) giving by underpaid employees more or less qualified. Most of the positive comments above were written by the ownership.
Personal training sales are a part of EVERY gym in the world (go to Goodlife or Extreme and tell me you didn't get pressured). If you don't need the service simply turn it down. I think this place is supercool and well layed out. The new reno's look great.
Not true, im talking pressured sale from the ownership at EVERY visit while you're exercising or even in the lockeroom(!), this is to say the least VERY uncommon...I've never experimented that before, no...
The weak membership (this place is always empty) probably explains why you need to get that extra $1000-$2000 from each member to pay the bills but it makes it a major pain for your current membership...
The new owners don't have a high pressure approach Vicky. I'm sorry you feel like you are being hounded on every visit. Quite simply, that doesn't happen. Member there for 5 years now and haven't had any pressure since I was first presented the info 5 years ago.
Kevin Knott is the new owner. Stop in and let him know about your concerns. I'm SURE you won't recieve the same treatment.
So no more Gerry and S-Andro?
When did Kevin take over?
Yep that's correct. Gerry and Sandro sold the gym in April to Kevin who's been doing a terrific job bringing life back into the place. Lots of reno's and energy!!