After my post about nobody liking the Washington Sports Club in DCUSA, I got an email from a reader raving about the new YMCA at 14th and W. I asked her to write more about it, and here’s the result! Sounds great to me.
By Danielle Lapierre
After reading the NCH post on all the WSC hate, I
wanted to tell those that don’t already know about the latest and greatest WSC
alternative that came to our hood in the last 6 months. I’ve actually had
memberships at several gyms over the past few years but nothing drove me thru
the door…until now.
The Y Anthony Bowen is a brand new
facility on 14th and W that boasts state-of-the-art equipment, awesome group exercise classes, a pool, and a rock-climbing
wall.
Since I made my way into the gym, over 4 weeks ago, I have been 6-7 days a week
and honestly have loved every second of it. I’ve enjoyed some pretty rock star
classes, a personal trainer that showed me how to use all the things women fear
in the weights section of the gym, and some sweet equipment some of which you can
use to charge your phone, track your daily progress (with the use of jump
drive), watch television, and for the must-always-be-connected types, check
your email, log onto FB, and even send a few tweets.
The locker room reminds me of the $120/mth
Equinox membership I had in Manhattan
years ago with a spa-like feel, but most importantly, it’s clean and always
fully-stocked with towels. It is a decent size and has lockers that do not
require your own padlocks. Oh, and the sauna? Sooo good.
The spin room is supposedly the largest in
the city (but I haven’t confirmed this with management), with over 40-something
bikes and the instructors are some of the best I’ve had. There are seriously so
many classes with a variety of types and times, from Barre and Body Pump
to Vinyasa Yoga and Zumba. Some classes, like Aerial Yoga, require a few extra
bucks, but from I hear, are an incredible and unique workout. And when the
weather clears up, they will hold yoga on the roof deck. What’s
better than that?
I signed on early so I scored 3 free
personal training sessions with the Best Start Program but all members get a 30
min assessment and 1 free session. You can pick your fave from a catalog with
trainer picks and experience descriptions.
And to bring your healthy lifestyle full
circle, the Y offers cooking classes too!
The staff is super nice and always willing to help. Oh, and the
best part of the Y, is that your $$ goes towards the community which offers “subsidies and scholarships to
YMCA programs, such as membership, swim lessons, and summer camp.” It’s not just some
massive corporation that cares less about where they are and who they serve.
With that, you will probably see more kids on the weekends compared to most
gyms in the city but they have a great kids program that seems to keep
them secretly hidden from the working out world once they walk in.
So if you live in Columbia Heights and hate WSC or Gold’s) as
much as I do, check out the Y, at $78/mth (it’s cheaper if you join with
another person or family), it’s worth it. With a charter membership, you
get access to all facilities in the DC Metro area and up
to 2400 eligible Y’s across the country, with their AWAY program.
As much as it kills me to think that this
gym could get overcrowded with the right publicity, I really do think everyone
should get a taste of the Y Anthony Bowen, so stop in soon!
Hours
Monday –
Thursday • 5:30AM to 11:00PM
Friday •
5:30AM to 10:00PM
Saturday
• 7:00AM to 7:00PM
Sunday •
7:00AM to 8:00PM
Photos provided by Anthony Bowen YMCA
