Boston Sports Clubs

1 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144, USA

Address:	1 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144, USA
Phone:	+1 617-776-0086
Site:	bostonsportsclubs.com
Rating:	3.4
Working:	8AM–7PM 5:30AM–10PM 5:30AM–10PM 5:30AM–10PM 5:30AM–9PM 8AM–7PM 8AM–7PM

Location

Photos 21

Reviews 6

Frank May

Been a member for 3+ years and I work out there many times a week. The employees are fantastic: theyre always positive, they take note when you bring something up to them, they have a passion to help you work out, and they wish you a good day on your way out. 2016 update: Terrible equipment maintenance, and overcrowded at peak hours. More than half the treadmills dont work, most of the TVs are defective, and staff will tell you "you shouldnt run so fast" on treadmills when you tell them the treadmills need to be fixed. The equipment needs some help. Its rare when all treadmills are functioning, and it usually takes over a week to repair any down equipment. This is a problem during peak hours when theyre at capacity and have a few pieces of equipment just sitting around. I wouldnt mind it as much if membership was lower, but theyre charging quite a lot when compared to other gyms with nicer equipment. Also, almost all the cardio TVs dont work.The weight section is decent, but quickly becomes cramped during most normal gym hours. Yes, they offer cheap $20/month plans, but youre charged a massive amount upfront, youre locked out of certain gym options and have to pay for each towel. You can jump on their standard plans, which are ok, and then you can buy their premium plans which let you visit any "Sports Club" location. Now here is an unnecessarily long rundown of everything I can think of about BSC Davis: * Fantastically convenient location in the heart of Davis * Has child care (never used it myself) * Has free to use tiny valuable lock boxes * Towels must be picked up at the front desk (annoying) * One vending machine inside * Locker rooms have locks for overnight use you can rent * Showers are ok, doors never shut right, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash is provided * They have a sauna (never used it myself) * Stair masters face the windows, work well * Elliptical machines face the window, work ell * About 20 treadmills, most work fine, but some a few have worn motors and struggle at higher speeds. I frequently run on their treadmills and have had a few fail when I was running on them. Im not an average runner, so theyll work for most people. I just wish theyd upgrade all their treadmills. * two spin bikes for general use, they work fine, sometimes are missing a knob * Line of standard stationary bikes, theyre fine * Standard set of weight machines, about two of each kind. Some of the pins for finer weight adjustments are missing * Stretching areas are ok, but the soft foam is ripping in some places and the areas get super crowded * Free weights are good, just not always organized (this is a problem with every gym). * They should get another squat rack, but they dont have room. * Rowing machines are usually working. They had one that clicked if you pulled hard, and it took months to fix * Fitness studio with speed bag in a corner, and a standing punching bag in another corner. Ive never been to a class, but they seem good ---- Upstairs--- * What used to be a nice place to stretch is now a UFX circuit with fake grass, a chain fence on the side, ... you can tell I have a biased opinion. I think the space was better used for stretching and body workouts, but BSC now gets to offer UFX training. * Smaller free weight section is upstairs, usually organized * a second fitness studio for spinning classes * leg and ab machines

Mark Cohen

I have mixed feelings about this gym. Ive been a member for five years and its incredibly close to where I live - which is why I will continue to keep my membership. If there were other options as close I would likely consider them. Here are my complaints: Crowding! For many years the gym would only get unbearably crowded for the 90 days right after the new year. In the past 12-16 months BSC began offering deeply discounted memberships - 1/3 as expensive as the original fee I was paying. This has led to a massive increase in attendance - resulting in VERY crowded conditions. On some evenings it is quite difficult to even move around the small space, let alone get on equipment or find an empty bench to use free weights. This wouldnt be so bad, except that over the past few years BSC Davis has also reduced the amount of usable space by converting a huge upstairs section to paid crossfit style classes. The free weight area is so crowded now and equipment is so very close together that if you need to spot someone on a bench youll need to get creative. My other complaints center on upkeep of equipment. As other reviewers have noted, equipment will often go for weeks or often months without being repaired. The locker rooms are relatively clean but often stink (more due to poor hygiene of some people and not the gyms fault). However, on weekends, there seems to be a skeleton crew on duty and waste bins tend to overflow and paper towel machines often go empty.

Chris Facey

The employees are great. The gyms themselves are solid (except for the new UXF [Xfit knockoff] thing they do that blocks large spaces during peak hours). But, the business side of BSC is pathetic. The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing (Ex. just got off a 45 minute phone call to update my credit card information and request a one month freeze). If you want to cancel or freeze you better be dead or moving across the country (with proof mind you) and a freeze is not actually a "freeze" its more like a "chill" because they still charge you $15 a month. Customer service is just really bad and its been bad for the 10 years Ive been a member. Luckily for BSC they have their corporate deals and most gyms probably suck at the business aspect of being a business.

Rose Allen

Honestly, I usually give people the benefit of the doubt but WOW this business came off as an unethical scam every chance they got. They hit me with crazy fees all the time that they dont explain at all! Signed up for a month to month plan with an annual fee of $70 no one told me about until they charged my account a month later, then when I went to cancel my plan they charged me $10! If its a month to month plan 1. Why is there a cancelation fee if Im canceling at the end of the month; and 2. Why didnt anyone ever tell me?? Quality: Over crowded, old equitment. Only good thing is the classes are free, but you have to sign up online and 80% of the time the website doesnt work.

Dana Fashina

The facility itselt is pretty nice. The machines are clean and in working order, the foam pads on the benches are in tact, no tears, even the mirrors are clean. No issues really with the facility. Would suggest going off peak hours because during the morning and evening rush hours - IT IS PACKED!! And that can make your experience quite miserable. The team: The front desk is friendly and they always have a stack of clean towels. The thing that keeps throwing me off are the trainers... The trainers have back fat and muffin tops like WTF!!?! How do you work in this facility all day long, qualify yourself as trainers and have a muffin top your damn self!! 3 stars.

Desiree Nattell

Ive gone in two nights in a row to cancel my membership; both evenings I was told a manager had to be there to let me cancel. The front desk person then said he wouldnt be there the third day (a Saturday). Does this mean no one can sign up for a membership on Fridays and Saturdays as well? Until now I believed Hotel California to be just a song. This underhanded business practice has soured my experience. I was only ending my membership because my new job means Im too far away now to use this gym on a regular basis. I will avoid all BSCs in the future, and recommend others do so as well.