Toronto gym with track? UofT AC good?

[gruegoo]

Hi,

Does anyone know of a gym, fitness club, or community centre in downtown Toronto with a running track? Ideally it would be close to Dundas/Spadina. All of the ones I've seen only seem to have treadmills...

In fact, the only one I've found is the University of Toronto Athletic Centre. But I've heard it's quite busy all the time. Has anyone used the track there? Is it good?

Thanks in advance!

[hot_potato]

I used to workout here back in my university days - sometimes it gets busy (after classes) but the track was usually available for runners. Occasionally you'll see the track team practice here (they run on the outside lanes while everyone else runs on the inside lanes). Just make sure you double check before crossing the track in case the sprinters are making their way around - you wouldn't want to collide with them 'cause they run pretty fast! They also had treadmills, stairmasters, and a good sized weight room too.. plus a pool if you're into swimming. Better to run laps indoors, especially during the winter.. hope that helps!

[m77m7]

The track is almost never so busy that it becomes a pain to run. The worse you'll get is the odd ball who doesn't know the etiquette. The weight room is another matter.

[gruegoo]

Hey thanks for all the replies! My friend told me to check out Hart House as well, so I'll check it out. My only problem with UofT now is the price and the distance... just out of walking distance.

[m77m7]

Hey thanks for all the replies! My friend told me to check out Hart House as well, so I'll check it out. My only problem with UofT now is the price and the distance... just out of walking distance.
you do realize that gyms aren't like coffee shops right?

if you're at spadina and dundas, then spadina and harbord is a stone's throw away.

[gruegoo]

you do realize that gyms aren't like coffee shops right?

if you're at spadina and dundas, then spadina and harbord is a stone's throw away.

True, but I don't have time in the mornings to walk to harbord, and if I streetcar, that's extra money on top of the gym fee. I usually work until 8 or 9 pm so I can't go at night either. I heard Hart House is walking distance.

I might just end up getting a treadmill... or I could just get really fat. :)

[m77m7]

True, but I don't have time in the mornings to walk to harbord, and if I streetcar, that's extra money on top of the gym fee. I usually work until 8 or 9 pm so I can't go at night either. I heard Hart House is walking distance.

I might just end up getting a treadmill... or I could just get really fat. :)
Actually, the AC is closer by a hair because it is a straight line in terms of being able to walk there. If you were to walk to hart house, you would need to turn corners and walk through a very busy campus. You might have to be a U of T student or Alumni to use the Hart House, but the AC offers memberships to the public for an inflated price but they open until 11pm so it may fit your work schedule better than hart house.

The equipment at the AC are far better and numerous than the hart house as well.