Shaping Up For Summer
The Sun Herald
Sunday December 29, 1991
JUST about everyone eats more than they should over the holiday season and unfortunately few of us do enough exercise to combat the spoils.
However, all is not lost and now is a good time to work on that new year's resolution to get fit and join a gym.
Wendy Lowe from the Physiotherapy Association has years of experience in sports physiotherapy and has worked out her own criteria for choosing a suitable gym.
One distinct advantage in gymnasiums is having a physiotherapist on staff to advise which classes may be best for you, she said. Look for those accredited with the Fitness Industry Association (FIA).
As always, Ms Lowe said, it is important not to over-train and a fit person should be satisfied with four hours' workout a week.
The following is a guide, featuring Ms Lowe's criteria, to gyms around Sydney:
All provide change rooms, a sprung or rubber padded floor, run aerobics and provide weight training.
Aerobic City, Wynyard Lane, Sydney (262 5055) has aerobics, step, electronic computerised equipment, an hydraulic circuit.
FIA-accredited, fitness assessments, a dietician and exercise physiologist are on staff.
Mainly business clientele. Average 30 people per aerobics class.
Standard membership $695 per year, $8 a class or $10 for step Reebok. Open 6am-8pm, Monday to Friday.
Bodyworks Health and Fitness, 31 Ware St, Fairfield (728 2111) runs aerobics, step classes, kick boxing, life cycle (bike simulator), fat analysis.
A specialised body building instructor and weight loss counsellor are available.
Aerobics classes average 25 people.
Yearly membership is $390 or $270 for six months. $6 a class. Monday to Friday 9.30am to 9.30pm, Saturday 10am-4pm.
Action Sports Centres, Five Dock (713 2344) has 14 squash courts and all types of aerobics classes including low impact, aqua aerobics, combination classes, circuit including weights, pool, spa and sauna. Fitness assessment and masseuse available.
The average class is 40 people. First-time visitors receive a free pass.
Club membership for the year including squash is $525, or less without squash. Join for a month at $57 and if you decide to join, the centre will deduct that amount from the membership fee. Casual classes are $6.50 each.
Open 7am-10.30pm, Monday-Friday, 7am-9pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Hiscoes Fitness Centre, 525 Crown St, Surry Hills (699 3233) offers bikes, step-up and rowing machines, free weights and resistant weight equipment, circuit classes, new body, low impact, beginners to advanced, cardio funk, body sculpture, squash courts.
FIA-accredited, fitness assessments, weight programs and diet advice available. Clientele is mainly locals from early 20s to 40s. Average class size is 25.
Membership is $540 a year and $7 casual rate.
City Gym, 107 Crown St, East Sydney (360 6247) claims to be the only club in Sydney open 24 hours.
It offers step classes, stretching, weight training, "hard core" body building, circuit training, free weights and machines. A marathon four-hour cardiofunk class occurs once a month.
FIA-accredited, fitness assessments.
Clientele 15 to 60 years of age, average class 50 to 60 people.
Membership $370 a year, $65 a month or $7 casual rate. Open from 6.30am Monday to 9pm Saturday and 9am to 7pm on Sunday.
Fitness to Perfection, George St level, Westpac Plaza, cnr George and Market Sts, city (247 1484) offers electronic equipment, lifestep, lifecycle and life rowers, hydraulic circuit equipment, pin loaded and free weights.
FIA accredited, fitness assessments.
Clientele is primarily executives and female. Ages range from 20 years to 87 years |
Three classes at lunchtime. Classes - 40 to 50 people.
Yearly membership is $690 or $10 casual. The New Chum Program for nine weeks costs $250. If you decide to join for the year, the $250 will be reimbursed.
Open Monday to Friday 6.30am-8pm and Saturday 9am-11pm.
Bankstown Gym Fitness Centre, 1st floor, Old Bakery Shopping Centre, 63 Simmat Ave, Condell Park (709 3311) has pin loaded machines and free weights, circuit training and aerobics.
This gym is accredited with the Fitness Centres Association (FCA). Provides fitness evaluations and clientele are re-tested after three months. Members, mainly locals.
Membership is $399 a year or $349 if paid in advance. First-timers are offered a free workout. Casual rate is $6 a class or $7 for the gym.
Open 6.30am-9pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 9am-9pm Tuesday and Thursday; Saturday 9am-midday and 3pm-6pm and Sunday 3pm-6pm.
The Hyde Park Club, 170 Castlereagh St, Sydney (282 8999) has a heated pool, steam baths, sauna, solariums, spas, squash courts, life cycles, rowing machines, treadmills.
FIA-accredited, fitness evaluations.
Clientele, mainly executives. Slightly more men than women and ages range from 25 years to 60 years. Average class has 30 people.
A sports physiotherapist and masseuse are on staff.
Full corporate membership involves a $500 initial joining fee and then a 12 month fee of $1350. There are no casual rates. Open Monday to Friday 6am-9pm, Saturday 9am-4.30pm, Sunday 9am-3pm.
Healthland, 2 Bondi Junction Plaza, Oxford St, Bondi Junction (387 4244)offers television monitors for aerobics, electronic equipment including step machines, aerobics cycles, sauna and steam room.
FCA-accreditation, fitness assessments, personalised programs.
Workshops for instructors are held throughout the year by international aerobics experts.
The average class is between 50 and 60.
Membership for the year is $650 or $7 casual. Open Monday to Friday 6.30am-9pm, Saturday 7am-7.30pm and Sunday 9am-12 midday and 4.30pm-7.30pm.
Earlwood Sports Centre, 6 Lang Rd, Earlwood (558 1114) has squash courts, hydraulic circuit, pin loaded and free weights, sauna and spa.
FIA-accredited, fitness assessments, diet advice available.
Clientele, mainly locals from teenagers to 60 years.
Aerobics classes average about 20 people with new body, low impact, intermediate, body sculpture on offer.
The centre is offering until January 21, 13 months' membership for $390 and six month membership for $270 is down from $325. Casual rate $7. Open Monday to Friday 6.30am-10pm and 8am-7pm Saturday and Sunday.
Chase Fitness Centre, level 2, 91 Archer St, Chatswood (419 8566) has weight training equipment, circuit training, aerobics, cardio vascular equipment such as bikes, treadmills and steppers, spa, sauna and steam room.
FIA-accredited, fitness assessments, programs for children through to seniors although the prime market is the business professional. Slightly more females to males.
Aerobics include light classes for seniors or people undergoing rehabilitation and pre-natal classes are on offer. Average class size 75 people.
Special deals are available on personal trainers (now $30 an hour). Yearly membership is $665 or casual $8 for adults and $6 for students.
In Shape Gym and Aerobics Centre, 113 Anzac Pde, Kensington, 662 6154.
FIA-accredited. Offers three levels of aerobics, plus Step Reebok, circuit classes, free weights and yoga classes, child minding facilities available during weekdays.
Aerobic classes contain between 30 and 50 people. Personalised trainers are also available along with fitness assessment testing.
Membership prices range between $140 and $425.
The gym is open between 9 am and 8.30 pm, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 7 am to 8.30 pm, Wednesday and Friday, 8 am to 11.30 pm and 3.30 pm to 7 pm on Saturday and 9 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 7 pm on Sunday.
The Rancan Sisters' Workout Gym, cnr Young and Grosvenor Lane, Neutral Bay. 953 8177.
FIA-accredited.
The gym offers the lastest craze in physical fitness - the Xertubing class which is a combination of step plus extra workout for the upper body using a rubber tube.
Fat burning computerised machines such as the life cycles, life rowers, hydra gym super circuits, stair master plus steam room and sauna are also available.
Casual visits are $9 and clients are able to use weights, floor class, steam room and sauna plus receive a complimentary locker.
Membership ranges from $275 for three months up to $595 for 12 months. The memberships include a free fitness test and the 12 and 6 month deals include a personal weights program.
Open between 6.15 am to 9 pm, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6.30 pm
Saturday 8am - 6.30-pm, Saturday, 8 am to 11am and 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm on Sunday.
Tony's Gym and Health Fitness Centre, 32 Wattle Road, Brookvale, 938 5716.
Three levels of aerobics - new body, stretch and tone and hip and thigh class. Aerobics classes contain no more than 30 people.
All members receive a full assessment, personalised program and nutritional advice.
The gym can offer individual programs for weight loss or muscle building depending on the client's needs. Outdoor gym to be opened at the end of January.
Casual visits are $5 and $4 for students and pensioners. New Year specials on memberships range from $58 a month to $248 for 12 months.
Open between 6 am and 9 pm, Monday to Friday and 9 am to 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Campsie Fitness Centre, cnr North Parade and London Street. (789 1208).
FIA-accredited. Offers five types of aerobic classes which include new body, step, circuit for beginners up to high intensity workouts.
The gym also offers universal and free weights plus hydra gym equipment. Members receive a fitness and gym test and nutrition advice when they join.
Child minding facilities between 10am and noon on weekdays.
Casual visits range from $4 up to $7 depending on the time.
Membership ranges from $75 for one month up to $399 for a year.
The gym is open between 6.30 pm and 10 pm, Monday to Thursday, 6.30 pm to 9 pm on Friday, 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 9 am to noon then 4 pm to 6 pm on Sunday.
67 Fitness, Level 67, MLC Centre, Martin Place (238 2360).
All instructors have degrees or diplomas in physical education. One of Sydney's exclusive fitness clubs with a membership of only 150. There are only eight people in the gym at any one time. Members are guaranteed at least one workout a week with a personal trainer as there are only three aerobics classes a week.
Full complimentary breakfasts are available for members in the breakfast lounge.
The gym specialises in life cycle machines plus leather bound weights. There is a 20 metre pool, spa, sauna, steam room. The club also has reciprocal rights with the Los Angeles Athletic Club and Los Angeles Sailing Club.
Joining fee is $500 plus $140 per month.
The club is open between Monday and Friday from 6.30 am until 8 pm and Saturday from 8.30 am until 12.30 pm.
Unlimited Fitness, cnr Oxley and Christie Sts, St Leonards - 906 5997.
FIA-accredited. This two-storey gym offers scores of different levels of aerobic classes a week plus aqua aerobics in their swimming pool.
The pool also offers squad swimming plus lessons for children.
There is also an outdoor tennis court and conference rooms for athletic executives.
Full nutritional analysis, an ECG machine tests cholesterol levels and aerobic capacity. Child minding facilities.
Casual visits $10 ranging down to $3 for only the use of the pool.
The gym has a number of membership programs available with the most popular being $350 joining fee than $60 a month.
The gym is open between 6 am and 9 pm Monday to Friday and Saturday and Sunday between 8 am and 7 pm.
© 1991 The Sun Herald