Fitness First

Fitness First is a warm and welcoming place. The members tend to be older, but recently I’ve noticed more people in their 20s and 30s have been joining. This is not a gym where individuals come to grunt loudly and show off their hardened bodies. You have people at all levels of the fitness scale and no stigma that I’ve ever noticed if you aren’t in the best shape. Many of the classes are challenging and many of the instructors have large followings – because they are very good at what they do and encouraging and helpful. And now the gym has modernized almost all of its equipment. It is no longer a «museum for fitness equipment,» as an earlier reviewer put it. Finally, the cost is modest and the owner, Larry, bends over backwards to tailor payment plans to members’ needs.

I’ve always been self conscious, joining a gym was like a big fear of mine. I always felt like I was judged at other places but not here! It’s a nice environment and really judgement free. People there are very nice always smiling and starting up a nice conversation. I’m not one to be a body builder and I do feel that this gym would not be the place for that. But if your looking to do a great workout on different cardio and weight machines then this place is for you. I now enjoy going to the gym and I never thought I would say that.

Fitness First is more of an museum for fitness equipment rather than a gym. Everything is old in that building. If your looking for a «No Frills» gym then you found the right place. The staff are nice people but they don’t know about the innovations in exercise science that took place over the last two decades.

I love this gym! After my workplace closed up their gym for renovations, I was in search of a new gym close to my apartment. There’s always plenty of equipment available, and the staff is very helpful (or they’ll just leave you alone if you want to work out by yourself). They offer a bunch of different classes, unfortunately most of them are during my work hours during the week, so I have yet to join in on one. The facilities are clean and the locker rooms are nice. If you’re looking for a gym full of buff meatheads, this place isn’t for you — one of my favorite things about the place is that it’s very friendly and not intimidating.

Great gym! clean, friendly and very kind!!!

When I was looking to join a gym in Arlington I visited Fitness First. Dan was working the front desk and he was very friendly. I asked if I could try it just once to see what I thought, and he said yes. Dan made sure I knew where everything was located, asked if I needed any assistance with equipment and encouraged me to ask him if I had any questions at all.
While there I felt very young — like the youngest person there — and at 28, that doesn’t happen everyday. I had a good strength workout but when it came time to do cardio, they didn’t have the machine that I love — it’s a Precor machine but I don’t know the name of it. I rode the stationary bike instead and ended up having a quality workout.
The entire time I was there, no one hassled me to join and it was a pleasant experience.
I decided not to join FItness First because of the location — a solid 10 — 15 minute drive from my house in traffic and because of the lack of my fave machine. Nice business though and very friendly staff. If you live in the Arlington Center area, give them a visit.

I was a bit nervous when I signed up here. The place is relatively small and I was afraid that the machines would be in use and I would constantly have to wait. Not the case at all! Fitness First can get busy but not crowded like some gyms. I’ve been going for 5 months now and have yet to wait for a treadmill!
The gym is family owned. Whoever is working the front desk usually recognizes you and is always friendly. Dan (who is a total sweetheart!) always commends me on a job well done after I spend a long time on the stair climber. Larry is also great (a personal trainer there) offering up advice and checking in on your progress. The environment is always supportive and comfortable.
As for the facility itself, they really have all of the machines you could need, as well as a variety of classes. I only wish they had more yoga classes. The facilities are well kept though, and the locker rooms/​showers are always clean.
I’d only take away one star because of the price. $ 60 a month means I will probably only be able to afford the gym in the winter months. The price does go down to $ 40/​month once you’ve been there for 3 months using their auto billing. Still, I feel like it’s worth the price. You don’t have to worry about hidden fees here or being swindled like you do at a lot of the other gyms in the area. Personally, I’d rather pay a bit more knowing I’m supporting a nice family owned business anyway.

When you walk in the doors of Fitness First, there is a good chance you will be greeted by name. All of the staff are personable, not phony either because they are the same way when you see them about town. Talk about diversity, they have it all except meathead muscleboys and not too many teens. People wear whatever they feel like and no one is looked down upon. My only complaint is I wish the Sunday hours were extended.

Belonged here for years and years. Good neighborhood gym. Nice people.

There are very few family-​run independent gyms left in the Boston area, which is why Fitness First is such a special place. The workers there are terrific – and are on a first-​name basis with so many folks who come here, which is a nice touch. Prices are inline with most other gyms, and the equipment and class availability is good, though if you’re looking to do some serious weightlifting, this probably isn’t the place for you.

This is the perfect little neighborhood gym!
And as for the comment on not being able to get a hard workout, I completely disagree. While there may not be a pool, sauna, etc, this place does have all the weights, weight machines and cardio machines you could ever want. Of course, most of us know that you only get out what you put into a workout, so perhaps some people just need a little more motivation.

Having recently moved to this area I was looking for a gym with a lot of fitness classes that were offered in the early morning and after work hours. Fitness First not only offers classes at the best times, they have a wide range of classes too. I’ve taken an abs class, a dance class (and I –don’t– dance), step aerobics, high/​low aerobics, toning, yoga, and pilates. While some classes are much easier than others, you can always adapt to fit your own level.
Overall, everyone here is really nice. Dan had learned my name after about 3 days, and even the other members are nice. I can always find a free treadmill or elliptical and when there’s no class meeting, the studio is open for whatever people want. There’s obviously tons of machines (Nautilus) but also free weights too.
Not the place to go if you want to stare at huge, grunting, sweaty guys. If you want a friendly place to take some classes and get a good workout, head over to Fitness First.

Fitness First is a funny kinda place. It has a homegrown feel to it. My friend and I sought it out because we were looking for a low key, moderately priced place to get our butts in shape. This is what we found at FF. It’s right in Arlington Center and there’s plenty of parking on street and in a lot behind the gym.
I like it because
a) it’s friendly. the people at the desk know my name.
b) it’s less expensive than other gyms, like Healthworks or Ballys. $ 39/​mo on a month-​to-​month commitment.
c) the average age is probably 15 yrs older than me, making that about 45, and making me feel young, sprightly, and in great shape. d) they have classes that meet at times I can make.
Things they don’t have that you might be looking for:
a) a pool
b) glitz and glamour
c) a meatmarket atmosphere
They have a nice locker room, clean and inviting. Plenty of classes of all kinds (who knew people still did step aerobics in the 21^st century?) And all the machines and nautilus you need, without ever (almost ever) having to wait for one.