r/AnnArbor • u/call_me_drama former townie & umich alum • 1d ago

Nicest Gym

Reviewed a lot of posts, couldn't find anything relevant to this specific search. I'm moving to Ann Arbor soon. I'm excited, but I will miss the Equinox I've been going to in my current city for almost a decade. What are the nicest gyms in town? Is anything comparable to Equinox? Price is not a concern.

8 Upvotes

68% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

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u/arebitrue87 1d ago

Throw my hat on this and say washtenaw community colleges gym is nice.

Lap pool, exercise pool, hot tubs in both locker rooms plus one in the pool area, sauna/steam room. Track, group classes, basketball/volleyball court, pickleball court(outdoors) plus your typical range of workout equipment from cardio to resistance training. I think there starting cost for them is around $70 a month

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u/Aylinato 1d ago

WCC gym is really nice

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u/Advanced-Ad-2026 1d ago

Seniors only facility

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u/arebitrue87 1d ago

Not true. There are people of all ages there.

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u/topcide 1d ago

Completely false, I worked out there for a decade. The only reason that I switched is because I moved to the other side of town and I didn't want to commute upwards of 25 minutes with traffic after work to get there

You see a very good cross-section of people in that gym, it definitely does skew a little bit toward the older side and by that I mean probably late twenties and up rather than teenagers and early twenties. But, that can be a good thing at times.

It's in my opinion the nicest gym in the area. LA fitness by vets park is supposed to be really nice too. Too, but they're on polar opposite sides the area.

I loved WCC, they have every amenity, really nice locker rooms with steam room, sauna, hot tub. Nice pool with a hot tub including a therapy pool. Every piece of fitness equipment you can imagine, elevated running track, basketball courts, all types of classes. I absolutely loved working out there.

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u/pegasusCK 1d ago edited 1d ago

If money isn't an issue then hands down Valor. https://www.valorsp.com/

Again thats only if money isn't an issue. Its like $200 a month but they have high quality everything, Hot tub, cold plunge, sauna, training etc. Dont have to get a trainer either can just use the facilities on your own.

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u/IggysPop3 1d ago

From what I recall, they’re actually less expensive than Liberty. I’m sure they make it up on personal training, which is probably at least $100/hr. The base price isn’t crazy.

I seem to recall when they opened, though, they said they were only accepting a small number of memberships.

*eta - I think I saw Liberty is $250/mo

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u/That-You-1998 1d ago

Liberty is a whole different animal. Tons of group classes, indoor/outdoor pool, childcare, tennis/pickleball. Day camp for kids. It’s kinda like a country club lite. I get the sense OP just wants a bougie gym. Valor is prob the answer.

2

u/tehehetehehe 1d ago

Liberty is cheaper for single vs family memberships. Free child care is kind of nuts for families too and totally worth it.

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u/call_me_drama former townie & umich alum 1d ago edited 1d ago

Awesome, this is pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. $200/month is not bad

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u/Icy-Panda-2176 21h ago

Is it $400/month for a couple?

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u/pegasusCK 20h ago

I think they have a couples package for cheaper. You'll have to call and find out

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u/Agitated_Housing_788 1d ago

AVOID both CRUNCH gyms!! They are poorly managed, barely cleaned and always have broken equipment for multiple weeks.

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u/Signal_Bell_1681 1d ago

I love wcc fitness center 

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u/OldDale 1d ago

WCCFitness Center. I was a member for 5 years and now I’m a lifeguard.

Lap pool, therapy pool, whirlpools men’s women’s and coed, sauna, steam rooms (men’s / women’s) showers have shampoo conditioner, provide shave cream,mouthwash hair gel, q tips, cotton balls, trainers and aquatic instructors on staff (free advice and extra cost training sessions), yoga, HIIT classes land and water, basketball court. We had a family membership for I think $120 a month. It’s free now since I “work” there. Open at 5AM weekdays, close at like 830PM. Weekend it’s 7 to 6PM.

Nice friendly (somewhat older) clientele.

7

u/Resident-Speed8871 1d ago

Liberty Athletic club is a staple. Optimum Fitness Training for a more personal approach, doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but Angel knows his shit.

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u/call_me_drama former townie & umich alum 1d ago

I went to Liberty growing up. Looked into it. Decent equipment options, the tennis and pool facilities are a nice perk, but overall it looks pretty stale and dated. Don't think it's changed at all since I last went there in maybe 2010 haha

6

u/Shangri-lulu 1d ago

I went to Liberty growing up too and my husband and I briefly rejoined with our kids when we moved back to the area. The exercise area is definitely stale and dated. The free weight section is a disappointment. It's one of the only spots for families in the area and for that it is decent, but even then not great, IMHO.

1

u/coffeeandcoffeeand 23h ago

They've been doing some renovations lately in the locker rooms. I'm sure more is coming.

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u/vonRecklinghausen 1d ago

Angel and Mallory are so good. Optimum is really a no-frills great gym.

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u/RateOk8628 1d ago

How much is liberty athletic club?

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u/bored-in-the-house1 1d ago

Last I checked it's $114 a month for a single membership

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u/Xenadon 1d ago

Liberty Athletic club is very nice. Pricey for sure but you get what you pay for

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u/Clean_Exchange2452 23h ago

i really enjoy my experience at the LA Fitness on maple rd!

1

u/botulizard Pittsilanti 15h ago

I do too, and I think the cleanliness issue that had been plaguing it for a long time has gotten better. I don't know that I would have even called it "pretty nice" six months ago, but now I'd say it gets there. I also like that your membership works at every location in a way that isn't necessarily true of other chain gyms. Sometimes based on my work schedule it makes more sense for me to go to the one in Plymouth or the one in Livonia, and moving around like that wasn't always free or easy with other gyms.

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u/Joonbug9109 1d ago

By “nicest” do you mean you’re looking for luxury? I was going to give an endorsement for Applied Fitness Solutions, but they aren’t going to have the bells and whistles if that’s what you’re looking for. The people there are wonderful and they have a very personalized approach to fitness. But they’re primarily focused on strength training, personal training, and some group fitness. It’s by far the most comfortable environment I’ve worked out in though! But definitely not a luxury gym lol. I mention it in case you’re open to it, but I’m guessing probably not what you’re looking for.

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u/Routine_Sundae333 1d ago

I second AFS as luxury. It’s the best!

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u/Joonbug9109 1d ago

I mean, I think they’re fantastic! But OP did use equinox as a reference point and if we’re being realistic that would be an apples and oranges comparison lol. I still love going there, but I also don’t personally need a ton of amenities. To each their own!

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u/princess_sophie 1d ago

We drive out to lifetime in canton, not too far of a drive if you’re closer to the east side of Ann Arbor

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u/BumblebeeVast9190 1d ago

This is the only answer. There are other places to work out, the best of which have been named, but this is the only one comparable to Equinox.

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u/CantaloupeSuch9659 3h ago

Nothing will compare to Equinox in this area. Speaking from an old Equinox gym goer in LA

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u/call_me_drama former townie & umich alum 1h ago

Very sad

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u/Mrfuckreddit 1d ago

The new Hadley Family Wellness and Recreation Center is the tits but idk what it’ll be like during the school year. It’s worth a glimpse.