Get Your Workout On in GR

published in the April 9, 2008 issue of The Saint

Grand Rapids Spring is in the air! Sure, the sky may manage to sneak out a few more snowflakes, but West Michigan will be all flowers and sunshine before we know it. Time to break out the shorts, sundresses, and bathing suits!
But before you start planning your warm-weather wardrobe, you might want to take a look in the mirror, or at the scale. If you are like the majority of Midwest residents, you probably have a little extra winter insulation that you could stand to lose. There is always Regina’s basement gym, but if you are like me, broken treadmills and limited space and options are rather un-motivating. I decided to see what else Grand Rapids has to offer.
The first place I checked out was Riverview Athletic Club located on Plainfield. My over-all impression: old, cramped, but still decent. Jennie Dykstra, Grand Rapids resident, classified it as a “hole in the wall”. It was not especially dirty, but everything in the building was so outdated and faded that struggled to feel clean. The cardio theatres were split up into three smaller rooms, one of which had a broken drinking fountain, while the strength training room was packed with about any machine that you could ever want. Basketball, racquetball, tennis courts, spinning, and group classes were available as well.
Second on my list was East Hills, located on East Paris. Described by Aquinas student Karen Harag as “very clean”, East Hills was fairly easy to get to and definitely matched Harag’s description. Clean, friendly, energetic, and family oriented, East Hills has a lot to offer. High ceilings, fans, and bright lights hang over three long rows of cardio equipment and several different sections of weight/strength machines. From there, the biggest danger is getting lost. Tennis, basketball, and racquetball courts, spinning, gymnastics, and group exercise rooms, two sets of lockers, a swimming pool, and even a café and pro-shop, provide plenty of space for you to break a sweat or just relax.
The MAC, located on Burton, partners with East Hills and is very similar with clean facilities, similar programs and classes. It was a little smaller than East Hills but had the same energy level and great overall atmosphere.
Another option is the YMCA, located on the West edge of downtown Grand Rapids. If shiny new facilities, lots of people, huge windows, and water slides are what you’re after, this is the place for you. It is really a challenge to not be motivated to work out when you walk inside the Y. After getting ready in one of the largest locker rooms I have ever seen, it is almost guaranteed that you can find something to do on one of the three levels. Your only challenge might be battling the crowds for a turn on your favorite machine.
If none of these places are quite what you are looking for, there are plenty more options. Google “sports clubs” and call around. Most places are more than happy to give you a free day to check things out yourself.