Need some recommendations

Hi guys

we've just moved here from California, probably one of the smartest thing I've done in my life because we utterly fell in love the neighborhood

I'm looking for a nice gym around and looking for a reliable and not-that-expensive handyman. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I have belonged to Body Reserve for the last 4 years and love it. It is a basic no frills, unpretentious gym. They have some great classes with great instructors too.

Brownstoner might have better rec's for a handyman.

I was a member of Crunch on Flatbush for years and actually liked the gym, just not some of the annoying trainers trying to sell sessions. I now belong to the YMCA (simply because I just choose the gym closest to home for those cold winter days). It is okay but I actually kind of miss Crunch--the Y has more kid oriented stuff which I don't need and is just more crammed in there and the equipment is really spread out in an annoying way. I was really excited about the pool at the Y but it's actually really hard to use (few lanes, lots of classes, lots of users per lane) so I don't : (

as far as overall value the Y is great. Pool if you want the option is not available it most places. Depending on where you live there are 3 facilities near you.

[email hidden] is good handy man.If you live in a bigger building asking your building super is also a good way to build a relationship.When you need a small fix the cash and time spent w your bldg super is helpful most of the time. Plus hanging curtains, shelving and other misc is in the normal skill set.

It depends where you live but you can probably walk to their NYSC or Crunch. They're both over priced but pretty clean. NYSC has more locations if you want to workout in the city now and then or something.

If you want a real nice gym, check out Equinox near Borough hall. Its damn expensive though and not walkable.

Thank you all!

I think I'll try the Y (which is the closer) and we'll see from there. Catwalker, thanks for the email. We don't have a super in the building. Lucky we have stairs

I can second the rec on Body Reserve. No frills yet everything you need, plus the classes are great and so are the trainers.

Harbor Fitness, 15th street between 4th and 5th. Great place. They'll give you a free 3 day guest pass.

I've belonged to Body Reserve for the last 2 years, love it!!

Been a member of Body Reserve for more than 10 years. I agree with other posters said in support of them.

My wife and I are members of the Y. It works for us because it's close, if it was farther, I would not bother. The armory Y (near me) is run by people who have no idea of how to run a gym, but it is getting better. There are no towels, no showers and it took a year of being open before they installed water fountains, yet it's still pretty expensive IMO. The other Y on 9th is better. We also use the Y on CPW and 64th to shower after workouts or races in the Central Park --we have the city wide membership.

We used to go to the NYSC and it was fine. I was a member of Harbor Fitness yeeears ago and really liked it, but I wanted city wide locations (park slope and bay ridge don't cut it). I'd pick the closest one to home or your office, since that's probably realistically what will get you there the most often, then go by price and other such things.

Kosher Dave, I've considered leaving NYSC for the Y because NYSC has gone so downhill. Do you take any classes at the Y and if you do how are they? How's the cleanliness of the locker rooms?

I feel comfortable at NYSC because I've been going since they've been open in PS but the management at this location is really bad and I'm a morning person and they don't offer classes in the am...except for spin and there's only one class worth going to. But I'm afraid of going from one bad situation to another...any thoughts on the two gyms from you would be appreciated (and I'm equally close to both the Y & NYSC)