I have a membership at 2 fitness facilities. (Body Renew, and Boise State Rec Center.) I have been a previous member at 2 others. (Idaho Athletic Club, YMCA Downtown Boise and Caldwell) While the weather in Boise is usually nice for most of the year, there are things that I want at a health club that I don’t want outside.
I currently chose Body Renew because it is open 24/7. BSU Rec is only open days and most holidays are closed. My workout times are usually at 1:30am (When the Rec is closed) or between 11am and 2pm (when parking on campus is the most limited) The parking on campus sucks if you are not already on campus or have a permit. Which I usually am not. But they have a nice pool and hot tub. The treadmills and ellipticals are always well maintained and working. People always clean the equipment after using it. However the college kids are really only there to socialize. They wear too much perfume and don’t take working out as seriously as I think I do.
The BR members really are there to workout. They are sweating and have a workout goal. But there are no fans to blow the sweaty air around or cool you off if you are sweating as much as I do. It never seems as clean as the Rec. Trash overflowing, fingerprints on mirrors and who knows what on the windows. Huge cobwebs in the corners. Never mopped or vacuumed as much as it should. On the 4th of July, there was no toilet paper and no hand soap for the previous 2 weeks before that.
A few days later, we had TP and handsoap in the ladies restroom.
But then the drinking fountain got busted somehow.
When it is as hot as it is outside in Boise right now, I do not want to be running outside when it is 100+ degrees. I do not want to keep a full set of weights in my home and I want a workout place that is cool in temperature, has clean, functioning equipment and facilities. Body Renew is a mile from my house and has a better cost if you want to be locked into a membership for 3 years, better parking and hours then BSU Rec Center.
Really, I am not happy with choosing Body Renew and may cancel my membership by the end of the year. If you have any suggestions of a better workout facility, please share.