Body Reserve on 5th and Union

I don't go, but alot of my friends do . . . unpretentious, decently maintained equip, very mixed crowd. The guys that run it are friendly.

At least one of the yoga teachers is good...don't actually know if there is more than one yoga teacher...

Subject: Body Reserve

I actually just shopped around for a while and decided to join this gym. I have been a member for about 3 months. I have only positive things to say about it. Definitely the best deal in the immediate neighborhood -- that fancy place up the block on Union was prohibitively expensive and while it was cool that each treadmill there had its own individual TV a la Jet Blue, it was still outrageously priced. Also, I think it's much, much nicer to work out in the the spacious atmosphere of Body Reserve with the nice high ceilings and light pouring in versus the basement feel of the expensive place (called The Slope, I think) which just had a cramped feel that made me want to curl up on a coach somewhere rather than stretch out. Body Reserve's equipment is top notch and new and always clean -- the locker rooms are sparse but also very clean. No sauna or steam room, though.

Love it.

Anonymous wrote: Are these the same guys that used to be in the space that The Slope Health & Fitness now occupies? If they are, watch out. They left their old space, because they were illegal or something. Left without telling anyone in the middle of the night.

It may be cheap, but it could also be illegal. Just be careful.

in all honesty, BR is not my favorite gym, but your post is inaccurate. They planned and advertised their move from the basement at 7th & Union to the larger space on 5th for quite some time before the move. They've been in their 5th Ave space for several years now.

kosherdave wrote: [quote=Anonymous]Are these the same guys that used to be in the space that The Slope Health & Fitness now occupies? If they are, watch out. They left their old space, because they were illegal or something. Left without telling anyone in the middle of the night.

It may be cheap, but it could also be illegal. Just be careful.

Could you shed some light on this "legality" you speak of? Do you mean they were illegal aliens or that they were operating a business w/o a license or something? Or that they stole their equipment? what do you mean by " but it could also be illegal" ?
Just curious...

To operate a health club in Brooklyn, you need a variance on the C/O to be legal. They did not have one at the 7th avenue location, and was being sued by the owner of the building to vacate. NYC still regards Health Clubs as Massage Parlors and places of prostitution. You need a special permit in Manhattan and a variance in the outer areas.

kosherdave wrote: [quote=Anonymous]
NYC still regards Health Clubs as Massage Parlors and places of prostitution. You need a special permit in Manhattan and a variance in the outer areas.

Man, maybe I should switch gyms! Mine has trainers, but no hookers!!

The fact that they never changed the law is silly. But that's New York for you.