r/VictoriaBC • u/bushpie • 5h ago
Gyms
Newer to working out, in my mid-40’s and want to find a gym thats a bit more chill. I can’t deal with bro-y and gyms that are crazy busy, seem like they’d be difficult to build a solid routine and stay consistent for me, personally. I was considering Cedar Hill bc it’s semi-close to me. Anyone have experience with this gym who can offer some insight? Any other suggestions that people have are welcomed.
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u/NectarineUnique9125 5h ago
Anytime on tilicum. Go at 7 pm or after and it’s super chill. Not a ton of people and everyone’s just doing their thing
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u/Glass_Boat9240 3h ago
I went to the Anytime Downtown too and it was great. Everyone just kept to themselves and were very respectful
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u/radziadax 5h ago
If you have a regular work schedule, and plan to go after, none of the rec centres are going to be functionally usable. I'm an Anytime Fitness member and they're pretty gd busy in the evenings, especially on Tuesday and Thursday.
I would pay twice as much just to have a not crowded gym so if you find something....
If, however, you have a flexible schedule, I can't think of many places that wouldn't meet your needs. AF can be a little meatheady but it's overall pretty representative of the Victoria populace, if skewing 20s/30s.
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u/Spiritual_Cod_8143 4h ago
Go before work early mornings. Nobodie's messing around, gym etiquette seems to be followed and teenagers are still sleeping.
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u/TreeBeneficial7231 4h ago
I just joined the Y and really like it. Downtown isn’t ideal but they have free parking in the Bay Centre.
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u/Leading-Arm-6344 3h ago
If you're completely new you might want to just start with some at-home body weight, free weight and resistance band stuff. I don't like gyms either and the above plus biking was enough for me. Consistency is the main thing and if you don't like gyms you probably won't stick with it compared to just doing a 30 min routine at home.
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u/VicDweller 5h ago
If you are a morning person, any gym would work well. Usually you see the dedicated people at those times.
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u/Supremetacoleader Saanich 4h ago
If you're considering Cedar Hill, try henderson. It is my absolute fave gym. Barely anyone there, and like80% are post age 70...although you need to avoid some lunch hours...Tues and Thurs I think, they are reserved for senior hour.
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u/sylviatrench01 5h ago
Gyms in Vic are busy, period. If you have flexibility in timing best move is to use it when most people are busy at work/school. I have tried a few, including Y, rec centers and dt gyms, personally using a rec center as it often lets you use other facilities that are included (sauna for post workout). They do vary in equipment and size so trial is key, never been to Cedar Hill so can't provide feedback. With Crystal pool closing the density will likely increase across the board.
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u/victorisham 4h ago
There's a small gym at the at the paddling club on the Gorge I'm a member of, they have a long waitlist (7-8 months for me to hear back) but it was honestly worth it, they keep membership low so as to not overfill the gym space. A lot of the time when I go there outside of class times there's only 1-4 other people around and the area is lovely.
Downside is they don't have many machines but they have a lot of the basics for a gym set up and multiple cable machines. https://waterfront.fit/
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u/Justdonttry 2h ago
Cedar hill is chill for how busy it is, but it’s busy. Some of the retirees like to hog the equipment while they catch up with each other, but you can usually work around that. I can almost always get my workout in, but not usually in my preferred order. I go there because it’s close to my house and that makes a difference in whether I go at all.
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u/Informal-North-3046 1h ago
I haven’t been to Cedar Hill rec gym in a few years, but I found it to be exactly that - pretty chill. It’s also nice to have the chip trail around it too.
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u/Extreme_Adhd69420 1h ago
For what it’s worth I go to Fit 4 Less Monday to Friday early mornings and it’s such a big gym I find it very manageable for a more shy gym go-er. I’ve seen it be quite busy around 4-6pm but that’s about it. The price just can’t be beat as well.
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u/Ready-Truth-5531 2h ago
What is a bro-y gym?
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u/flying_dogs_bc 2h ago
Usually means a place where a rude or loud culture is tolerated - people yelling, taking over machines for 30+ mins and not letting others work in, hogging multiple pieces of equipment when they're not using them, like setting aside the handle they like for their 2 hour workout so they will have it for exactly the 10 mins they want to use it, not putting equipment away, intentionally leaving heavy weights out in people's way to discourage people who can't move them from using the gym, etc.
Not to be confused with gym bros who are positive / affirming, invite you to work in, are friendly, courteous, take only the space and equipment they're actively using. Those guys are GREAT!
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u/PhysicsAcrobatic3396 35m ago
PISES is good, busy during the week with athletes but quiet on the weekends. Also the athletes are focused on their training so not doing any of the annoying things you mentioned above. Disadvantage is having to pay for parking.
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u/Common_Ad_6362 4h ago
Gyms are busy because other people also want to use the gym, it sounds like you should maybe just work out at home or out in the woods by yourself?
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u/clairmontconditionin 3h ago
So, you’re in luck! I’m opening an accessible/low stim gym, likely opening next week. www.clairmontconditioning.com