Lifesport Fitness Resource Center

Lifesport is perfect for my needs. Good hours, good and well-​maintained equipment, no waiting. It’s Family-​owned and in my neighborhood. I typically just use the treadmills and weights. I have not yet taken a class but they offer a full schedule and variety of training classes. I just like to go to the gym, do my workouts and be left alone. Lifesport is perfect for all that and the rates are very reasonable.

«Yay, I’m a fan!» is exactly how I feel. It’s not quite a «woo-​hoo! it’s as good as it gets”– and that is not a bad thing at all. For me, it’s a great thing. If I was paying $ 100+ a month, then yes, it better be a Woo-​Hoo– best ever! This gym is affordable and has everything you could need to get a great workout in regularly.
I joined over this last winter and have been going there for about 9 months. The location is close and convenient; they are ALWAYS open in the winter too, even when all the local coffee shops close for snow. The staff is very friendly and the place is always clean. They have many classes too, and ropes… pretty much any accessory you could want. The only thing I can think of that they don’t have is a TRX, but you’re set otherwise. I was a D1 college athlete, and I really believe this gym has everything to train at that level (if I still wanted too).
Now, though they do have almost everything, the machines are a little dated– it’s a local, family run gym, so that’s to be expected. All the machines are well kept and still work great! Again, it is local, so there are not duplicates of any the weight machines really like some other gyms (national chains like LA fitness, etc), but it’s never packed, so that has never been an issue. Glad I joined with them for sure.

I recently moved to Fairmount and wanted to join a local gym. Lifesport didn’t have membership info on their website so I called the club to get membership rates. After a long spiel, Dick told me that they didn’t give rates out on the phone, that I would have to come into the club to «see what they offer». I told him that I’m shopping around for local gyms and the price point is really all I cared about and I didn’t want to come in to hear their sales pitch. Dick then told me that he was «sorry I didn’t have 5 minutes to come see what they offered». I had had enough. I didn’t feel like being patronized by someone who obviously didn’t care about obtaining my business.

Lifesport is a friendly and low key gym. Imagine Average Joes from dodgeball in real life. The gym’s focus is overall health and community vs. a 0% body fat. The employees are friendly and helpful. You can always get on a machine even during a busy time. They offer a wide variety of classes and have a nice yoga studio upstairs.

if you live in the fairmount/​art museum area, this is the gym you want. the facility itself is obviously older and there are some constraints with space but i love this place. the price is perfect (you have to go in and meet with them they wont price quote over the phone) but its worth the trip. they show you around and get a feel for this place. this isn’t a fancy spa included, fresh towels/​linens juice bar kind of gym which is why i love it. people of all ages all shapes come here, and work out. thats it. there are social events and postings all around about the neighborhood and the staff is all locals.
the best part of this gym is the classes. if you’re on the fence about taking classes, don’t be. they have great instructors here who are ALL willing to help with newbies. i’ve never had a single problem with classes being cancelled at the last moment and they’re never over crowded. annette is their greatest asset there, any class of her’s will change the way you work out forever. the locker rooms are basic, have locks on them so you don’t need to bring your own.
all in all to put this another way, for those of you who have seen dodgeball, this place is average joes while the gym up the street is globogym. well worth joining average joe’s for the friendly people, the ability to actually work out and proximity of the location.

This place is perfect for the small crowds that use the weights. I believe in a year or so they may have to expand, but for now it is good. I haven’t taken any of their classes yet, but they seem fun and intense. Could use another water fountain on the free weight side. All in all nice gym.

I bought a week long membership here while in Philly visiting my girlfriend. The staff was very helpful and the facility was clean but small. All around a nice little gym.

An update, since I’ve become a group class convert: I can’t say enough good things about the pilates class and Gina, one of the instructors. As evidenced by my previous review, I am not a huge fan of classes typically, but Gina is extremely welcoming to new people and makes a point of reinforcing and encouraging you throughout your first class and beyond. It is an anomaly when a class goes by without her using your name and giving you feedback. I’ve been going on and off for a few years now, and the pilates class is one of the primary reasons I keep my membership. Good stuff.

SImply the best gym. The people are wonderful, both employees and members. There is an air of congeniality and an acknowledgement that we are all there for the same reason, to work out. People are not there to parade around, hit on each other, or just hang out, which is a breath of fresh air.
You should join this gym.

I think this place is amazing. I joined three weeks ago and by my second visit, the woman at the front desk greeted me by name! Really nice touch. It’s not that big, but everything you could possibly need is in there and in good condition. The patrons are quiet and friendly and the lockers have a keypad so you never need a lock!
ALSO, about a week ago the manager called and updated me on new machines I might like and thanked me for joining. Definitely a real small business atmosphere and they immediately make you feel welcome.
I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

This is pretty much your average gym. Serviceable, but nothing special. The layout is divided into three rooms — a room with cardio equipment and machines, a room with cardio equipment and free weights, and a really big room where classes are offered in hula-​hooping and Zumba and what have you. The latter takes up the most space, which I suppose makes sense from a business perspective, but the free weight area is very cramped as a result. There is one power rack which is functional but not particularly nice. There is often a guy curling in it or doing something equally obnoxious. The barbells are old and beat up and some of the collars don’t rotate very well. The gym staff are all friendly, but they have absolutely no business charging money for personal training.

Great gym if you like being treated rudely before you are even a member. I was looking forward to joining Lifesport since it was so close to my house, but when I went in for a tour I was asked to fill out a cursory form asking for my name, address, phone and gym interests. I did not put my address or phone and was told by a rude staff member that I should come back some other time when I was ready to provide more information, so that he knew who he was speaking with. Not exactly a friendly introduction to the gym. Basically, I could not even get him to speak with me without providing personal information, which is invasive. I was also told by other former members that the staff had a tendency to be rude…

I have been going to Lifesport for over 2 years now. I live in the neighborhood and I love being able to support a family business. There is a laid back and friendly atmosphere, and knowledgeable, accessible staff to help if you have any questions. There is a 20 minute time limit on the cardio machines, but I usually don’t have to wait for one even at peak hours. The PE101 class on Friday (like a boot camp course) is my favorite!

I’ve been going to LifeSport for 2 months now, and I can’t say enough good stuff about it! The facility is not showy or over the top with ridiculous body building types like at other gyms. The equipment is good, and there is rarely a wait to use anything. Everyone is really friendly and seems to know one another – definitely a «neighborhood» feel. Cheap too! Only $ 50/​month without contracts!

I absolutely love this gym. I’ve been a member since Oct. 2007, and enjoy everything from the wonderful owners and staff to the lovely, easy to navigate facility. There are a ton of different
class options, the space is well-​maintained and original in its design, and everyone there is friendly and non-​intimidating. I highly recommend this gym to anyone.

As a former member of Planet Fitness in South Philly, I was spoiled by their inexpensive $ 10-​$ 20 monthly membership fees. But the trip from Fairmount to South Philadelphia proved to be too much at 5:30pm during the week. So I have joined with LifeSport and, even though it’s more expensive per month, I am glad I did. It’s an eight minute walk from my apartment, so there is no excuse not to go, other than sheer laziness. It’s small, but casual and comfortable. The equipment isn’t ultra-​modern, but it is functional, relatively up-​to-​date, and works. They offer a decent variety of classes and, even though the gym appears small, there’s lots of seperate areas for free weights, lifting, cardio, stretching, etc. It’s a little sweaty in there, but I don’t see that as a bad thing. No one seems to care.
Lifesport is Average Joe’s to PSC’s Globogym. Dig it, four stars.

I went here yesterday as the guest of my boyfriend. I was surprised at how friendly and welcoming the front desk staff were. There is a $ 5 fee for guests which is the most reasonable I have ever encountered. We were there between 6 and 7p and there were plenty of cardio machines available. I would definitely recommend this gym for anyone in the Fairmount /​Art Museum area.

This gym is 3 blocks from my apartment, and therefore the easiest to make frequent visits to and hardest to make excuses for not going. It is also relatively free of annoying, pretentious people and the staff (not that I’m there to have lengthy chats with them) is fairly friendly, helpful and what-​have-​you. The cost is somewhere between Bally’s and the glorious Powerhouse Gym of the scenic Northeast (other gyms I have, in some capacity, been to). They don’t force you into a contract or give you a schpiel and a tour and a subsequent stalking. They do, however, make you pay a hefty deposit upon joining. I rationalized the monthly fee by continually refusing to pay those Comcast heathen and going cable free.
Clearly, I made a healthy choice…
…but getting back to Lifesport: it’s clean and well organized and has every type of equiptment you might need to pursue whatever individualized fitness regimen you chose to adopt. You will have relatively easy access to everything unless you’re there around 6pm on a weekday. At these times, you have to sign up for each piece of coveted cardio thing you wish to use. Further, you can only do this in 20 minute incriments, which can be a bit irritating. If you fail to sign up during these periods, you are likely to get a tap on the shoulder from someone who has. This is the only drawback to this otherwise fine gym, perhaps besides the omission of individual cable TV’s on every treadmill, complimentary soap-​downs, personal fluffers and spontaneous gay sauna encounters. But this isn’t Bally’s, so you better not push it, Fairmount yuppie!

I just signed up for a year here, and am loving it so far. While it’s pricier than what I would’ve gotten through YMCA’s financial aid open doors deal, it’s far more convenient– I basically hop on a bus outside of my apartment and 10 – 15 minutes later I’m there. The area is really nice, two great food places are nearby (Mugshots and the Belgian Café, which I have yet to try out). The staff is really friendly overall, though I have my reservations about 2 people (then again, I’m quite the Judgy McJudgerson, they’re probably nice people). It’s definitely a small gym, with lots of equipment, but I never really feel crowded and the weight lifting equipment is great. Bikes and treadmills are fine, but I kind of wish they would fit in a few more treadmills (is it just me, or does it seem like there are too many ellipticals?) Also, it’d be nice if each treadmill had its own tv, but I digress…
I’ve been to several yoga classes, usually vinyasa and an intro class on Saturdays, and loved all the instructors so far. I’m somewhat of a newbie to yoga and in most classes, the instructors walk around and help you on your poses– I find that really helpful. Locker rooms are fine, and the built-​in lock system sure is handy. I see a variety of people here, not just all students, which is also nice… everyone seems friendly and courteous.
The few caveats:
They rarely run the fans (why? I should probably ask).
Hearing «gym music» (you know, uplifting pop stuff) while cooling down in yoga is kind of a distraction, but I guess it can’t really be helped.
No A/​C that I can speak of, which does get annoying. It’s not overwhelmingly hot and sticky though (usually), and as long as no one minds seeing my cherry-​red dripping tomato face and body after a workout that wouldn’t normally leave me in such a state (in an air-​conditioned gym), I’m okay with it.

i love this gym! i’m a proud member. they offer a LARGE amount of yoga classes, which is wonderful :) love all the teachers, love all the classes i’ve ever taken. what i love about this gym, is it is all ages friendly… meaning someone who is sixty+ can take a class with a twenty something year old, and everyone feels comfortable at their own skill level. everyone who attends the gym is super nice and friendly. i’ve met so many wonderful people from the neighborhood and beyond. love the staff. they’re always very very helpful. it will be hard if i ever have to move and leave this gym! it’s that great!