| rev:text
| - 3.5*
Tony Austin's bootcamp classes are intense and invigorating. For the most part, exercises themselves are not that hard - what makes the workout intense is the sheer number of reps or length of time certain positions are held. Even if you're a seasoned athlete, you will definitively get exhausted also. I really liked the classes as they were always challenging, and could feel the improvement in my abilities with each class that passed. There is a solid number of regulars who have migrated over to the new location, making for a pleasant familiar/communal vibe, as well as a newsletter with useful nutrition and exercise tips. Contrary to what some other reviewers have said, you are never yelled at - better description is being called out by Tony for slacking off.
Positives:
If you are looking to burn some serious calories, keep the heart rate up and get more functionally fit (i.e. able to do a pushup), you will definitively get what you are looking for. High intensity is kept throughout, and feels great afterwards. Even in a bigger class, Tony gives plenty of personal attention - he asks for every new attendee's name and tries to use it throughout (OK, he never quite got how to pronounce mine properly, but that's somewhat understandable).
The new space at Yonge and Wellesley is beautiful (hardwood floors, mirrors) - looks perfectly suited for a yoga studio, and they do in fact now offer yoga classes, too. Definitively several notches above the previous East York location and with better climate control.
Negatives:
No showers available. Though this is an issue for me due to coming straight from work and not enjoying going home all sweaty, others don't find it as big of a deal. Cubbies for backpacks and coats are available at the reception area. There are two great large washrooms with benches and mirrors (one entered from large room where classes are held, the other at the end of the entrance hall) that could easily have 4-8 people change at a time (inadequate for traffic between two back-to-back classes, and even for one class at a time depending on attendance). However, since there are no stalls around the toilet, if someone has to use the washroom then no one else can change.
"One more minute" and "10 more seconds" invariably ends up as several times the length, which can get irritating as time goes on and you get more tired, but this is not a big deal. However, I do concur that, even though most exercises are pretty straightforward, some are so hard that no one can really do them if modifications are not allowed (e.g. one armed pushups in a class with mostly middle aged non-athlete female attendees).
Overall:
If you like the concept of a bootcamp (intense cardio/calisthenics/bodyweight workout, being pushed without being able to rest a lot), Fit Factory Fitness is well worth checking out. They have a promo for new location (30 days for $30), which is a great deal for unlimited classes. Promotional flyers for the new location listed TRX, which is not yet offered but I guess it probably will in the near future once they find an instructor (a possible added bonus).
Personally, Dynamic Conditioning Centre just up the street is far better in terms of amenities (showers and changerooms - such luxury!) and value (facility equipment & class offerings), but Fit Factory Fitness may be a better fit for you depending on what you're looking for.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)