Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women

I am pleased to report, as someone broke and in school, that Healthworks is worth every penny. I speak as someone who is self-conscious exercising and who generally hates gyms. I've gone other places and Healthworks wins; it's not just clean and inviting, the machines are well laid out, the classes are terrific and there are tons of them, and the amenities in the locker room (hot tub, steam room, even diffusers for the hair dryers!) make me feel right at home. I am going on a student membership ($56/month) and even with its restricted hours I find plenty of times to go and classes I can attend. If you just go to yoga here twice a week you're getting a deal. Plus, it is open until 11pm during the week. I love my gym! more

there is no where I have found a gym with as much variety and bang for the buck as Healthworks, and just the idea of going to the gym and not seeing any men was a total plus in my opinion. the amount of classes alone is worth it, esp if you are someone who likes yoga, pilates, or the like. they also have a great variety of weight machines as well as cardio more

I joined the Brookline Healthworks when it opened back in 1990 and thought it was terrific back then. A few years later they opened Back Bay, and I thought that was the best, until they revamped Porter Square. Cambridge has the best class schedule of all the Healthworks clubs, and they have it all (yoga, pilates, ballet, Strong Women, cardio classes). The equipment is cramped, but I guess it's better than not having enough equipment. The front desk is very friendly. Of course, parking is a nightmare in the Porter Square lot, but you can always find a space. Healthworks always tries to stay ahead and offers the latest equipment and classes. more

Healthworks is an amazing fitness center. I would never refer to it as a gym. It's so much more than treadmills and stairmasters. The whole Healthworks experience is more of a lifestyle - you walk in the doors and instantly your "to do" list evaporates, your cell phone is tossed, and your stress fades. The locker rooms are beautiful, although I would prefer to see less nudity in the locker room and whirlpool areas. I think people need to be respectful of others and running around naked when you can wear a towel, would be more respectful. I can see quickly changing at your locker, but walking around in your birthday suit, blowing out your hair in your thong and topless, it's just not what I'd like to see. Other than the nudist camp environment, I love the gym. The fitness areas are all very clean, people are focused on thier workouts, they have TV's all over, and the classes are great. more

I have long admired Healthworks (although, I have had to do so from afar, since their price tag is quite high!). The price is normally about $79 per month. If I had the extra money to join, however, I certainly would. I have toured the facilities several times and have been impressed every time. The instructors are world class; the equipment is state of the art; the classes are always just what you would like to take - they even have a nice whirlpool tub to relax in when you are done. I believe they have recently added day spa facilities as well. And the best part is that women can attend without feeling nervous about being catcalled by the men - since there are none! :) It really is a dream of mine to join once I have the money. Enjoy! more

I just joined this gym this past month and I already absolutely love it here. The staff is extremely friendly and very willing to help you with any questions you have. They have a lot of cardio equipment and free weights and weight machines. They have tons of group classes each day that are fun and worthwhile. The locker room is very clean and well stocked with Dellaria products, hairdryers, cotton balls, etc. There is even a computer to use the Internet with. This gym is aall women of all sizes so there's no need to feel that your body isn't good enough. more

I joined the Brookline Healthworks recently and so far it's been a really great gym. I'd imagine most women will appreciate that you can come here and not be worried that a semi-sketchy guy might be watching you do lunges or that kind of thing; not that all co-ed gyms are like that, but at Healthworks even the chance of it is pretty much eliminated. The fact that the machines are targeted towards women is also great for me. Not only are they in pretty colors (light green, lavender, okay it's not a huge priority but it's nice), they're also extremely smooth and easy on my muscles. Also, there are a lot fewer users, since most women seem primarily interested in the cardio machines. I haven't gone to any group classes yet but I've heard those are really fun as well, and most of them are free for members. Membership is a little on the pricey side, but in my opinion, it's worth it. more

Healthworks is a dream come true for many women. I found that women at co-ed fitness clubs felt pressured to "dress up" to work out in their clubs. Healthworks is a comfortable atmosphere for all women - big, small, old, young, fit, etc. It is not just a fitness club, but also a spa. They have state of the art machines and innovative workout classes. One very nice thing about Healthworks is that you never feel intimidated using the weight machines - in co-ed gyms you might have to change the weight amount from 200 pounds to 30 pounds. more

Healthworks has 5 main locations in the Boston area, plus a couple of pilates studios and one spa. I've belonged to a several other gyms before (Gold's, Bally and Club One in SF), and Healthworks is by far the best. Perhaps because it is focused on women entirely, it has nearly everything a woman might want in her workout or connected with it. There is of course the main floor with cardio and strengthening machines and weights, and then they have a couple of studios for spinning, step aerobics, yoga, pilates, dance, kickboxing and other classes. You can hire a personal trainer to structure your workout. From the locker room to the workout area, the place smells different than other gyms - it smells clean, as opposed to sweaty. The locker room has all the niceties you could think of to get showered and dress after your workout, and at least the Cambridge location has a hot tub, too. The non-mainstream services range from towel service to pre-natal yoga to infant massage class to daycare to nutrition counseling. The best part is that right alongside the really fit, you see women here - old, overweight, out of shape - that you wouldn't see at co-ed gyms. I really like that aspect. I was on the student rate, which prevents you from attending during peak hours and which does not include things like free intro sessions with a trainer or the towel service (though I am not sure these are included with the normal rate either). more