| rev:text
| - Hart House is arguably the best thing about UofT. It's the student center but is also available to join if you're an alum, over 60, or a visiting student. The facility includes places for banquets/events (like the Great Hall), eating and haircutting locales, and a theatre. But I'm going to review the gym/fitness facilities.
UofT has an athletics center at Harbord/Spadina, but it doesn't seem all that attractive for the following two reasons: (1) it's located far from most of the residence halls - with the exception of Grad House and New College and (2) it's where the varsity athletes practice. Okay, it's not like UofT has the same caliber athletics program as Texas or Florida State, but hanging around with all those toned-ass people can be rather intimidating. Still, the distance (especially in brutal Toronto winters) was a pretty huge deterrent from going to the AC. I'd rather be breathing in the asbestos in the basement of Sid Smith than walk there. But I'd have to pass Hart House en route between the dungeon of SS and home (Vic), so there were no excuses NOT to go there. I think the same holds true for people who live at Trin, UC (well, sorta), St. Mike's, and Massey. The location is just hella convenient.
Anyways, the facilities are pretty nice. The machines upstairs can get busy at times, but weren't overwhelmingly so. The pool is really great - never too busy, clean, and a decent temperature. In addition to having lap swimming, they offer Master Swim classes (for a fee) and Aquafit (free). Really fun, I might add.
Hart House also offers free drop-in group fitness classes... I never took part in those but it seemed like many of my floormates did and enjoyed them. I did enroll in some of the dance classes, which were really reasonably priced (~$60/semester) and a lot of fun. I HIGHLY recommend Musical Theatre Jazz which is uber-dorky but fun. They also started offering spinning classes (~$10/class) a couple of years ago, which is great.
The locker room and showers are fine. They have a mix of stall and open showers available. You can pay for towel and locker service if you choose.
Overall, facilities are pretty darn good, the atmosphere is low key and more welcoming than most facilities at UofT, and the location is top-notch. The only regret I have is not realizing how awesome Hart House was until my second year at UofT.
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