The Gym at 99 Sudbury

I will echo what another reviewer has said… for those of you giving this a 5 star review, have you EVER been to another gym? This is honestly the worst gym I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to a lot. It’s way too pricey for what you get. I checked this out as part of a GroupOn but for the price, there’s no way I’ll continue going. I’m switching to Goodlife.
The major PRO is that you will likely never wait for a machine.
Other PROs:
The staff is nice.
It seems there is free parking for people who need that.
The classes are NEVER crowded.
It’s got a hipster feel and aesthetic if you like that sort of thing.
The CONs… in the gym:
Several broken machines that have been like that for the entire month I’ve been using the gym.
While there is a large selection of heavier weights, good luck finding 2 weights that are both 8 or 12lbs. You might find one of each if you’re lucky.
The cable machines are plentiful but the weights go up at 12.5 increments with no smaller plates available for working your way up. Yes, I can jump 12lbs when improving on my lat pull downs (although not everyone can) but I can’t jump 12lbs when I’m trying to improve on my tricep pull downs or external rotations for my rotator cuff (please also see lack of smaller weights for small muscles).
No morning or lunch time classes… not a huge surprise given how low membership seems to be in the gym.
The CONs… overall maintenance
Half of the lockers are so broken that you can’t lock them and secure your stuff.
For a mid-​to-​high priced gym, there should be shampoo, conditioner and soap in the showers instead of what looks like «hand soap». That said, I probably wouldn’t recommend showering there in general.
The ceilings are damaged and broken in the change room. There has been a sign up since I joined saying «Handyman Wanted» around the gym… I’m guessing no one has answered so perhaps go elsewhere to find one… it’s pretty easy to find them on Craigslist.
Today I reached my breaking point… the main floor of the gym was incredibly cold. I went upstairs and ran 5K (which takes me about 35 minutes). I went back downstairs and it was even colder. I complained to the lone staff person and was told that because there was an event, they had one of the side doors open to receive deliveries. It was so cold that it felt unsafe to lift any heavy weights.
Overall, not a fan of this gym. There are better options or cheaper options if you’re looking for a new gym.

3.5
I’ve attended this gym on and off over the years and am pleased to report that they’ve made some positive changes since my previous visit. For one, the membership prices have dropped and there are now two options: a pay-​as-​you-​go monthly service or a one-​year contract that is about $ 20 cheaper each month. The air quality has also improved. 99 used to not have air conditioning and the air quality really bothered my allergies. Luckily this is no longer the case and I can breathe now, so that’s a plus! Other thoughts:
PROS:
— Excellent yoga and Pilates classes (BYOM if you can)
— Lovely instructors
— Wi-​Fi
— Rarely busy, so equipment is readily available
— Variety of cardio equipment
— Nice, clean change rooms (ladies, head to the one upstairs!)
— Unique industrial aesthetic
— Towel service included
— Saunas, though I’ve never used them
— Laid back and unpretentious
CONS:
— Not enough classes offered (sadly I hear this is due to lack of demand)
— No weekday morning classes
— Personal training is expensive, though they are willing to work with you a bit on this
— Very specific personal training style
— A trainer told me women should have BMIs below 18, which is both unhealthy and outdated
— People don’t seem to wipe equipment or mats down
Overall I like this gym and I’d take it over GoodLife any day, especially if they end up adding the meditation and kickboxing classes they’re currently considering.

Didn’t know if I wanted to add a star despite some changes to the gym but I still feel 3 stars is reasonable.
They got air conditioning but it doesn’t actually reach the area where people y’know… work out.
I found out recently that women have a second much nicer changeroom upstairs. You still have to walk through the first changeroom first so there’s really no point using the second one unless to use the sauna.
I haven’t heard that awful playlist in a while so that’s a good relief.
Hours are still a major inconvenience, especially with the price, so I’m keeping it at 3 stars.

I’m going to compare 99 Sudbury to the Liberty Village Goodlife since they are around the same price and within a few blocks of one another, so I can’t be the only person choosing between the two gyms. Details below, but overall my verdict is: 99 Sudbury is a better looking much more spacious gym with much better tv choices and it’s never crowded. But Goodlife is ²⁴⁄₇ with covered parking, tanning, more classes, and access to other Goodlife locations. Goodlife seems to have newer equipment, but there’s no lines at Sudbury for the slightly older stuff so that comes out even. I’m still undecided but both offer month-​to-​month plans, so maybe I’ll first do a month at each to sort it out. If they made Sudbury 24/​7, improved parking, (and added tanning), I’d be sold.
The space: 99 Sudbury wins. You feel good in it compared to Goodlife. Goodlife is cramped together, with very little space to even walk between the wall and the equipment lining the narrow space. Sudbury is airy, spacious and has nice touches like hardwood floors in the cardio area and polished concrete floors and wood lockers in the bathroom. The graffiti murals on the wall at Sudbury feel dated though. If I managed the place I would replace them with giant vintage industrial signage like they have in the weight room. Overall, though, you feel like you’re at a nice gym at Sudbury, and you feel like you’re at, well, a particularly cramped and crowded Goodlife at Goodlife.
The equipment: Tie. Goodlife’s equipment seems newer, and has a little more selection, but there’s never a line at Sudbury and there is at Goodlife. Also, if it matters to you, it seems like you can drop your heavy weights at Sudbury which you can’t do at Goodlife.
Convenience: Goodlife wins. It is 24/​7, and their free parking is covered and always available. 99 Sudbury has decent hours, at least on weekdays, but they do close and their free parking is suddenly unavailable if there is a private event.
Perks: Tie. 99 Sudbury has full 100 channel cable tv available on the cardio machines that have tvs which is important if you spend a long time doing cardio. However, not all machines have tvs. Some treadmills and a few ellipticals do, but no stair climbers. However, lack of crowding mean you don’t have to wait for a working tv machine if you want one. All Goodlife machines have access to tv, even if just overhead, but the channel selection is awful. Also, Goodlife has tanning beds available for cheap, and membership allows you access to other Goodlife locations. In the women’s bathroom, Sudbury has a steam room while Goodlife has a sauna.
Staff: Who cares? They are friendlier at Goodlife but I’m not sure that’s a good thing, as you’re just there to work out. Also Goodlife is clearly a gym business, while Sudbury feels like the gym isn’t their main focus. Again, doesn’t seem to matter too much. Basically you will have no interaction with the staff at Sudbury. The other review that suggested replacing them with key cards and making it ²⁴⁄₇ is a great suggestion!

This gym sucks. First of all, the walk from the front desk to the change rooms and workout area feels like a bit of a maze. Also, the members consist of majority male meat heads and frowning faces– kills any energy you might of had. Plus if they have any events going on in the event space which, is literally separated by thin walls from the gym. the whole place smells like whatever the kitchen is cooking for the event goers. Last but not least, it closes too early on the weekend!
For me the negatives outweighs the only positive, which is the steam room and low number of members (never busy).

I’ve been a member of 99 Sudbury for about two years now and thought I owe this place a review. I’m at the gym about 5 days a week on both weekdays and weekends.
Pros: Parking, Nice locker room, sauna, showers, large amount of cardio equipment, and a multitude of classes
Cons: small amount of squat racks (2), no space for OLY lifts, poor hours compared to many gyms in the city (this place should be 24 hours. The staff does nothing useful, high cost for not great quality machines, have to get a towel card to use a gym towel.)
Overall the gym is just okay. The staff from what I can see does absolutely nothing. The employees don’t re-​rack weights, offer advice, or really much of anything. With that in mind I don’t understand why they just don’t replace them with a key card machine since they aren’t even there for safety or cleanliness. However, the trainers that i’ve seen seem to be nice and do engage with their clients (I’ve not used them, but if that’s your thing they seem to do a good job). In summary, 99 Sudbury is a decent gym if you live close but isn’t anything special. I’m willing to pay the premium that the gym wants to have it close to my place.

If you’re giving this gym a 5-​star review, please share with me the kickback you’re getting cause this obviously isn’t a 5 star gym. It is a decent gym. It’s big. The equipment mostly works. When it doesn’t, they won’t fix it. Half the TVs haven’t worked in months.
However, this gym is $ 99/​month. For that price, I’d expect something a lot nicer than what is offered.
Lastly, it’s an event space so you’ll find people in suits next to you in the change room.

It has a lot going for it, it’s huge, in a cool heritage building, and there’s barely anybody there (so you always can access equipment, and you don’t have to feel self conscious). And this is great. On the other hand it’s also an event space provider, so it does feel odd walking through corridors of offices with people doing office activities in your gym clothes.

Before I begin this long-​awaited, well-​deserved five star review I must confess two things:
1.) I’ve worked closely with the staff to throw an event, so I’m extra partial to the joint.
2.) I couldn’t be less of an expert on gyms.
OK! Now it’s the start of a New Year, let’s hit The Gym:
First and foremost, this place is massive for an indie facility. Huge weights area, great cardio machines and a separate area for classes.
Others have commented on the hallway separation of the class area from the main gym as a negative, whereas I view it as a positive. Don’t distract yourself with things that confuse you or aren’t on your resolutions list, hit that class, hit those weights, whatever it is, just focus.
The list of offered classes is large and in charge, from Yoga flow to cross fit, to a lot of things I don’t yet understand. (Can someone please tell me what Kettle Bells is?! Anyone?)
I’m a newb to this scene, and even though there are a lot of very muscly men pumping iron running around, I don’t feel intimidated to work out here. I think this has to do with the way the machines, especially cardio machines and bikes, are placed in an area where you don’t feel like you’re being watched. In fact, if you want, you can watch the people doing the tough stuff while you sweat.
Happy Health to you all in 2014!
PEPPER PROPS: To members keeping it local. As if Good Life really gives a crap about you.

Pros: PARKING! (having free parking at a downtown gym is unheard of), Intense classes in small group, so get alot of attention from the instructor and get to know alot of ppl in the class. I liked the classes, intensity and communal feeling at gym.
Cons: old equipment, awkward set up of the gym, and sometimes funky smells especially on hot days when both sides of the room are doing classes, for the love of God, get some AC!

I like this gym. The only things I don’t like are the things the gym can’t control. There are sleeveless t-​shirts, grunts and men who spend entire workouts pacing in front of the mirrors. There are very few women, so its easy for me to get an elliptical (with a tv in it) but I’d trade that luxury for a decrease in meat headed men attendance. I feel less comfortable there but at least the gym isn’t gross like Fitness One. I don’t wanna use the weight machines because I’m afraid of all the leftover meat juice. We all know men don’t really clean the machines. All that bacon grease isn’t good for anyone.

This gym has a nice idea but it really needs to focus on whether its a gym or an event/​club place. Its awkward to navigate through the long maze of halls and the customer service is lacking and there isnt even any air conditioning. For a gym that is a huge deal. The equipment is sub-​par and the faciliity is quite small.
Not worth the money if you ask me.