Best Gym near Durham, North-carolina

We love our membership here! The childcare makes it easy for parents to find time to visit the gym and there are a variety of fitness classes to choose from. My six-year-old loves Camp Shelanu and is excited to go back again this Summer. The pool is also amazing with a splash pad for even the youngest of guests. Everyone is welcoming and friendly and it's just a lovely place to visit.

I often entertain myself walking around the grounds and taking flower pictures while my girls swim. They have a cafe and grow much of the food they use on site alongside flowers. We’ve been spending summers here for many years. Lots of wonderful things about “Jewish For Good”

It's a great place for members and the general community. They have a number of different programs, including summer camps for kids, athletics classes, large spaces for rent, community support programs, and delicious (though limited) items from their on-site bakery.

Great community gathering place. Very clean and friendly staff. The bread smelled amazing all morning!

Every time i go in the i try something at the coffee shop that cinnamon roll stlye cake OMG good good. And there's a lot to do pool, gym b-ball court, and some exercise classes.

Josh is a very knowledgeable and caring medical professional. He takes time to fully explain the procedures he is doing. Also takes time to discuss all options, benefits and risks of each treatment. I have full confidence in his ability and knowledge of the treatments provided.

They are very knowledgeable and ready for all my medical needs. Plenty of office time for the procedure to be completed efficiently. No rush at all. There kindness is always job one. I am recommending to friends and relatives when I can.

OMGness, where do I start!? I LOVE these folks at the Functional Medicine Center! I can't say enough good things! I've never experienced such a warm, welcoming, safe health-conscious space where I totally FEEL their concern for my total mind, body, and even spiritual health and healing. They are wonderfully engaging with activities, educational webinars, zoom meetings, WhatsApp groups for sharing recipes, and asking questions. Lunch and learn sessions, yoga classes, hiking trips, cooking classes, health coaching and a whole host of other fascinating, informational activities. (those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head!) I will miss them horribly now that I've moved away. I don't know how I'll ever find such a wonderful supportive community of like minded folks (practitioners and patients!) all advocating for our best health.

I brought both my children to see Wanda at the Functional Medicine Center for bodywork post birth and pre/post tongue tie release. She is so attentive and patient and released so much birth tension in both of my children. We've been back to see her when other small issues come up and she's always so kind and knowledgeable and truly listens to their bodies. So glad we found her!

Both my wife, Betsy, and I have been patients at TFMC for about 2 years now. I am so thankful to have found them, as this is an unbelievably GREAT practice! Kate Godly and Kristin Timpy have both been incredibly knowledgeable, caring, and kind. I was treated for Covid and was given clear and effective protocols. I have also worked with Kelly Price on some nutritional challenges, and she is top notch as well. Lastly, Lauren Light is a great gatekeeper and awesome human to deal with. I highly recommend The Functional Medicine Center-these humans are the real deal!

O2 Fitness is an exceptional gym that offers a fantastic experience. The fitness classes, particularly Body Pump, Abs, and Stretch, are top-notch with excellent instructors. They strike the perfect balance, encouraging you to push your limits while offering modifications without any judgment. The facilities are impressive, especially the locker room and shower area. This convenience allows me to seamlessly fit workouts into my schedule before heading to work. What truly sets O2 Fitness apart is its staff. Their warmth and welcoming attitude create a positive atmosphere. There's nothing quite like coming in from the elements to be greeted by a smiling face encouraging you to have a great workout. Overall, O2 Fitness provides a comprehensive and enjoyable fitness experience that keeps me motivated and coming back.

This gym is great. Having a kids club is super helpful for parents, and my kids always have a great time there , the staff are fantastic with them. The gym staff are always helpful, and the classes and instructors are great too. The gym has everything I need. It can get packed at times, which isn’t an issue for me, but the parking can be a bit tricky sometimes since it's so popular. It might be worth considering opening another location nearby to accommodate the demand!

The staff there is great, from cleaning to management. The kids club staff are exceptional and are by far the best I’ve seen at any gym. The only reason I’m not giving 5 stars is because some of the equipment is getting a little dated, particularly the rowers. My biggest wish is that there were more than 2 bench presses, especially for a gym this size.

I recently just moved here from New York, I was originally going to retro fitness back home but when I found out that there wasn't any in the area I was very nervous about having to find a new gym as many know how hard it is to find a comfortable environment in a new area that you aren't familiar is, I had the intentions of just doing the guest pass but when I came in the assistant manager Skye gave me an amazing tour not only was she very professional but she also made me feel very comfortable and welcomed during the tour that It was a very easy decision for me to join right on the spot. And I'm very happy with doing so as the staff is amazing and always has a smile on their face no matter what day or time it is!! Hands down my favorite place to be in Durham!! even though the gym could use some improvements with equipment and other stuff it's definitely still got everything I need in the gym!! HANDS DOWN A REALLY NICE GYM!!!💪💪💪💪

The other reviews cover most of the great things about this specific gym. Cleanliness, equipment options. Classes, etc. So I am going to focus my review on a perk I recently took advantage of. When signing up, you get a free personal training session to work on whatever you would like. This ranges from building a workout plan to (in my case) fixing issues you have with a specific exercise to a ton of other coaching options. After over a year of lifting consistently, I worked with an employee named Mo to pinpoint what was causing me pain and subsequent weakness when trying to squat. Within 40 minutes he had found the issue(s) and put me on a path to be substantially better. I now have a warmup that will work the hip and adductor muscles I was (accidentally) ignoring, a plan to build up those muscles to properly squat, and some modifications I can make to my squat to continue drilling good habits while my body strengthens. I can't recommend the experience enough. If the other trainers are half as good as Mo, then this is a world class facility!

This would definitely be a five star review if it weren’t for the parking and for limited equipment. This facility is clean and well organized, the staff is friendly and helpful, and people that workout here are somewhat reasonable. Parking accommodates about four people and there is only one of each piece of weightlifting equipment

Great gym at a great location!! Very nice and always clean. Great selection of fitness classes. Everyone that works here is very friendly. I have a little one and use childcare and they are so great with my kid. They are always energetic and excited to see my kid and have fun activities for him to keep him busy and entertained. One thing to note is they have somewhat limited parking (though I’ve only once had a problem finding parking, just something to keep in mind) and that there are certain evening hours where it is very busy.

The lakewood ymca is a gray place for kids and families I love this Ymca this is our go to Ymca my daughter did a week of soccer camp and I signed her up for a second week. We love the lakewood ymca and the staff is so very nice I would highly recommend your kids doing sports here or joining the gym and making this your main YMCA that you visit I absolutely love the staff here the location is very convenient it is very easy to get to from where we live and I just wanna let everyone know at lakewood ymca that I appreciate you.

This is a really great Y! The staff here is super friendly and keep the facilities clean and the machines are almost always in working order. It does get a bit crowded at times, but it is nothing compared to some of the bigger gyms out there. Would recommend to anyone in the Durham area! Edit a few years later - still a great gym, but the parking and crowdedness is out of control. I can't even find parking half the times I visit these days. We need a bigger YMCA in south durham!

I have never been at this particular YMCA. I was greeted by AJ who showed me the place and talked about their enhanced cleaning procedures. He treated me like an old friend whom he has not seen in a long time. I guess because since Covid-19, the place was almost empty. The gym has all the essential equipment to do a well rounded workout. Small but substantial. The best part was the friendly welcoming. I will try to go back in the future.

I absolutely love working out at Orangetheory MLK! As someone who enjoys group fitness, the energy and atmosphere here are incredibly motivating. The sense of community and team spirit make it such a safe and supportive space to push yourself. The coaches and staff are amazing—always friendly, approachable, and encouraging. I also love how the workouts take all the guesswork out of the way. Every class is different, so it never gets boring, and the heart rate monitoring and real-time tracking help me stay on top of my progress. It’s so rewarding to hit 12+ minutes in the orange zone and know I’m getting the most out of my workout. I’ve definitely seen improvements in my strength, endurance, and even on the treadmill and rower! The music is great, the studio is always clean, and the equipment is well-maintained. Orangetheory has truly made working out fun, and I actually look forward to my classes!

Wonderful community - the classes are great and the coaches are consistently motivating, knowledgeable and friendly. Both the 2G and 3G classes are awesome and this studio also offers strength and tread classes. The schedule is varied with lots of morning and evening offerings, and I appreciate that there are 5am weekday options and a 7am Sat option. My experience with other gym members is that they are friendly, considerate, and fun people to workout with! Love this location.

I started going to OTF again earlier this month and I love this studio! The coaches are intentional about getting to know the community, listen to you during the class, and offer tailored support during the session (I have an injured ankle). High energy & worth the investment.

Not only are the workouts great but coaches like Anna and Jaay have made it such a fun workout environment! The front office staff is out of this world despite the pressure that they deal with at the studio. I joined OTF 2 years ago and 2 years later it has become my community and family and wouldn't change it for the world!

I've been going to Orangetheory Fitness for many years, and the MLK location is my favorite! The energy is incredible, the workouts are always challenging yet fun, and the community is very supportive. Manager Della and Head Coach Erinn are exceptional—they make every class motivating and welcoming. If you're looking for a top-notch OTF experience, this is the place to go!

Very nice gym, with ample squat racks and deadlift platforms. It has single occupancy bathrooms if that's something you are looking for in your own gym searching. The style of exercise this gym specializes in(body building) does not need safety clips on the weights, and thus they only have a few pairs of them. Over all, I do recommend this gym. Everyone there looks happy to be there and they have great attitudes.

I've been a member of this gym for almost 2 years and I absolutely love it. My trainer Alana is amazing and has changed my life for the better by giving me a new perspective on what being healthy & fit is. Also, the culture that Desmond Scott (owner) has created can't be beat. Prime is a family and I'm a proud member... I have loss almost 40lbs and have gained muscle and strength. I'm definitely healthier since joining.

I joined this gym a couple weeks ago and I'm really happy with it so far. Good variety of equipment and has everything most people would be looking for. I would give it 4.5 stars with a half star docked for their flat benches and no drinking fountains. Flat bench pads are real slick and it makes driving with the legs a little tricky but ultimately it's a small inconvenience that doesn't get in the way of my training. I would recommend this gym to anyone in the Durham area looking for a place to jack some steel & sweat in peace.

My experience with Prime has been amazing! The gym gives off a supportive family vibe. I love that I’m being challenged and pushed to give my all. I enjoy the encouragement from other members and Des. I’ve gone to many gyms and trained with many trainers, but Prime has been the best so far. I recommend this gym to any and everyone.

Prime is hands down the best gym I’ve ever been to! From the time I walk through the door, I’m greeted with friendly faces and warm smiles. Everyone from the staff to the members, motivates me to not only meet my goals but push beyond what I even thought I could do! While every workout I’ve had at Prime has been amazing, my favorite thing about the facility is not the workouts. It's actually the family atmosphere. Even as a new member, I felt like I was working out with people that I had known forever and that I had support through each step of my fitness journey. The trainers aren’t just interested in your physical health but your mental health as well. I couldn’t ask for better service from a gym.

we had the pleasure of hosting a conference in charlotte, NC. we asked the bouncing bulldogs to come and perform for our opening reception. they were a hit! the young adults did a wonderful job as did coach. very interactive with the crowd and overall it was so much fun. the performance as a hit and everyone loved it! we can't thank you enough!!!!! excellent!!!!

We have 3 daughters who are on the team ranging from 5-10 years old. This program has transformed my children both physically and mentally over the years. Grateful for the opportunities they have and will continue to have with this program.

Had an AMAZING time at camp!!!!!! The place was clean and airy. The teachers were all so nice and friendly!! Being a rising sophomore and not much experience can make it hard to get on a team but the BB over looked that which was great!! I adored my time at camp and hope to be able to do another one!!!! I also can't tell you enough of how friendly everyone is there!!!! It's an amazing environment!!!! Would recommend if you're looking for a place for your kid to jump!!!!

Every week, my sister takes classes here. The place is airy and inspiring. It makes you want to jump rope. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone who wants to get better at jump rope because it is clean and comfortable. The classes are for most ages of kids and you don't need certain shoes or clothes to jump, as long as you wear sneakers.

The Bouncing Bulldogs are exactly what we need in the community. This gives our youth an opportunity to showcase their talents, while keeping themselves occupied. I salute the leaders of this team for their hard work and dedication for over 30 years.

Orange Theory Fittness is the best workout experience I have had. I like having a heart rate monitor to show that I am working in the corect zone. I also like that all classes are different - you don't know what youmight be doing during the workout. It could be any combination of power walking/running, rowing, and floor work. The coaches are professional and have great attitudes. I am do glad I tried this workout because I am addicted. Come try a free class!

OTF is my favorite gym! I worked out at OTF in China for two years, and since moving to the U.S., I’ve continued training here. OTF makes working out simple yet highly effective. I love their well-structured classes, which give me a full-body workout every time. Plus, their real-time data monitoring system helps me track my progress and push myself to improve. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fitness enthusiast, you can find the right intensity and pace here. Every session at OTF is a great experience—I highly recommend it!

As others have said, management is very hard to get a hold of. My app has been broken and unable to sign me up for classes for 3 months now. We're on "service ticket" number 5 that the front desk person submits, and we wait weeks for no response. The coaches are really nice, and you can tell they feel bad hearing the member complaints but can't do anything about it. High staff turnover (coaches, and the area manager so far) makes me think this is an ongoing issue...

Truly one of the best experiences that is out there. I've found a community of support through fitness that still allows me flexibility to approach workouts based on my schedule and needs. Each coach is supportive, hilarious, motivating and happy to see you each time you walk in the door. I couldn't be happier of the choice I made in joining and attending regularly.

Great workout experience. Heart rate monitors are highly motivating and coaches make classes fun and challenging. Big recommend.

I started at Fit Lab 3 months ago and have to say that this has been my favorite gym experience to date. The coaching is top-notch, the community is very inclusive, and the workouts are always quality. It's been amazing to come workout and feel known and by my classmates, the staff, and the owners. So kudos to them. If you're new to the area and looking for a place to get connected, I'd say this is the place!

I started at FitLab with zero experience in olympic lifting/powerlifting/CrossFit. Amazing coaches who help you learn the fundamentals and supportive community (very LGBTQ friendly) who cheer you on along the way. I've been at FitLab for several years now and recommend it for everyone, no matter where you are in your fitness journey.

Crossfit always sounds like something way to intimidating for your average Joe -- with all the hype and olympian athletes involved. I went with a group from work and our coach Barbara did such an amazing job of coordinating all of us, and showing us some cool skills. She introduced some exercises such as the 'clean' and proper form. All of a sudden you are doing a rigorous workout together in a group, so you don't even realize it. The next morning I felt beat, but great! Thanks Barbara for your coaching and high-energy!

Great staff. Great program. And extremely knowledgeable staff that focuses on proper form and ensuring beginners (like me) are educated in proper form and technique. I recommend it!

I got the opportunity to join FitLab after my previous box unexpectedly relocated to a different location. I’ve been at FitLab for 3.5 months and it’s a great place to train. The owners are present and truly care about what you are getting out of the process. The coaches are knowledgeable and run you through proper warm ups prior to strength and conditioning sessions. Highly recommend this place to anyone.

Alexander Pilates is truly life changing. Every single instructor is incredible. The attention to form, quality of coaching, and knowledge of each instructor is second to none… I have never felt so engaged or supported in a workout class! I’m in my early 30s and have always been very athletic, but I’ve had tons of orthopedic and mobility issues over the years. My core strength, posture, and overall appearance have improved dramatically since I started taking classes ~5 months ago. I’ve also noticed that all of my other workouts are easier, and I’m much less injury prone. It is the best workout class I’ve ever done, and I’ve tried them all, in Durham and many major cities. It is so, so worth the money and I am so glad we have Heather and her wonderful team in Durham!

I can't say enough good things about Alexander Pilates - Heather is wonderful, as are the rest of the instructors. It's a small studio with lots of individualized attention and a wealth of knowledge and experience. Heather has been so helpful in incorporating stretching and movement techniques to help with chronic neck / back issues. I've taken Pilates at multiple places over the years, and I can honestly say I would choose Heather and her crew over any of them!

Heather is exactly the kind of Pilates instructor I was looking for: exceptionally well-trained and serious about her craft and about helping her clients get stronger, more flexible, and generally more fit, but also fun to work with. Her studio is small and welcoming (very different from the larger “big box” studios in the area) and her pricing is competitive (and worth every penny!). I have become both stronger and more flexible since I started working with Heather and I recommend Alexander Pilates to everyone. Try it. You will be happy you did!

I've been working with Heather since 2017 now and it has been an amazing journey! I've had the pleasure of working with all of the instructors and the level of patience they all have as well as knowing how to cue you to what the want to get out of you is awesome! The instructors listen to you when you share your needs and really tailor the workout to that even in semi-private classes. Due to medical issues and surgeries, I had to take time off - first for a month and second for 2 months and both times I've been eased back into the swing of things so well that even with restrictions, I'm recovering faster. My posture is vastly improved, my running is improved, and I'm far more efficient while lifting heavy weights thanks to the work we do at Alexander Pilates! I mostly work with Angeline and Heather nowadays, but when I say, try it, you'll agree that you'll want more! The best part is that my body is not the "typical" Pilates body, but when I'm in class, I feel like it is!

I always feel better at the end of a session with Heather or Monica. They help me engage the appropriate muscles and provide metaphors the help focus my mind and my body. I'm excited to continue -- and for someone who doesn't like to 'work out' that is quite a compliment. :)

I can’t recommend Carolina Birth and Wellness enough for their incredible placenta encapsulation service! From start to finish, they were professional, supportive, and so knowledgeable, making the whole process seamless. Their compassion and expertise made me feel completely cared for during this special time. If you’re considering placenta encapsulation, this team is the absolute best choice!

I have two reviews for two different services they offer: 5 stars for childbirth education, 3 stars for lactation services. We went with Carolina Birth and Wellness for our childbirth preparation and I’m so glad! Maris came to our house and it was so lovely to have an option to do it in-home; she was informative, respectful, friendly and we found the class so helpful. She has tons of great insight and shared lots of tips and tools that helped me in labor. I have also seen a lactation consultant through them and that was not a good experience. While the LC I saw was kind, she seemed unsure of herself… made lots of comments about which bottles etc. I should or should not use and that was about all I gained from our two sessions. The second session she had no record of what my son’s weight had been at our previous session; apparently she forgot to write it down which was stressful for me and she wanted me to stop using a shield (the only way we had been able to make nursing work) but didn’t really have any insight as to why, and also didn’t give me any tips for helping us latch well without it… looking back I think she must have been very inexperienced, which is fine, but I expect more professionalism and knowledge from an “expert” I am seeking for help. Overall I would give CB&W 4 stars, would use them for childbirth education again and may look into other services they offer, but did not have a good experience with lactation help.

We had a wonderful experience with the doula services! The sessions during pregnancy helped my spouse and I feel prepared and they answered the million and one questions we asked. The support during labor and delivery was fantastic, I'm so thankful we had our doula there!

Carolina Birth and Wellness are incredible. We took the Childbirth 101 class with them which was super helpful and gave us more confidence about how to make well-informed decisions as we prepared for birth. We had a planned homebirth that did not work out because I went over 42 weeks. We had to pivot to a hospital induction which was a bummer, but ultimately the right decision. Before we went to the hospital, Maris talked me through how to navigate hospital birth induction and the various interventions. I felt really nervous about maintaining my goals for a low-intervention birth and together we basically revised my entire birth plan to accommodate the pivot and I went to the hospital feeling so much better about everything. I had a plan and even though I hate hospitals, I felt ready for anything. Ashton was on call during our birth, and we cannot sing her praises enough! I ended up having a pretty traumatic labor experience for the first 7-8 hours, very abnormal 15/10 pain level contractions that were stacking together with no time for breaks in between. The entire time, Ashton was right there doing all the counter pressure techniques, massaging, affirming, just basically being the calming and grounding presence both my husband and I needed to make it through and offering so much pain relief. We had to pivot so many times because nothing was working to bring the baby out, so I ended up with almost every intervention and had to give up my dream of an unmedicated birth. Ashton was there the whole time helping and guiding me when I needed to brainstorm, process, scream, cry, you name it. I’m not sure I could have done it without her. Ashton also encapsulated my placenta and I learned so much about placentas during that process. She did it all in our home and is clearly a pro. From start to finish CBW and Ashton/Maris in our specific experience were professional and personable throughout pregnancy, birth, and in the first few days postpartum. We would highly recommend them as doulas and the services we received beyond doula care (childbirth class and placenta encapsulation) Thank you Ashton and Maris for being amazing people and doulas!!

Repeat customer. My doula was texting and on her phone during the hour and change she was with us for the birth of my son. When she came for the postpartum visit she was a bit condescending in tone, over explaining aspects of the birth situation that I already fully understood and saying that I would have time to experience postpartum depression, if not now. I did not feel listened to, supported or nurtured. She did run to get the doctor during an important situation, review the images-based birth plan that I made a few minutes before baby was born with the nurse and reinforce to the doctor/midwife my decision that I was not going to have the babe laying on my back with legs up as she suggested. It was nice to have postpartum photos she took. Would I use Carolina birth and wellness again? Probably not. I would probably use hypnobabies again and consider one of their certified doulas and review my evidence based birth class materials again. The postpartum doulas: two were pretty good overnight but two other fill-ins I would not recommend. One called us from the side of 540 to ask us to bring her gas (my husband did, how could he leave her on the side of 540?! No significant apology and certainly no reimbursement came) waking me up from precious sleep that I paid significantly for - that same woman was late a day earlier. One doula I casually asked if she does this full time and she reported that she has a full time job and works both which is dangerous. One doula, Stephanie, during the day only, was an absolute dream. She is from France, cooked for me, cleaned and held by baby while I slept. She was by far my favorite as she never needed an ounce of direction. Other times they told me no one was available however a friend referred me to another doula (name withheld) who had availability but when she arrived she panicked when I said I was using this service. Doula’s are required to provide their services exclusively but she was a bit heartsick when I told her that they did not provide her as a doula when I specifically requested one for the daytime and was told no one was available. We did take a big sibling preparation class, which was nice. In summary: It was good sometimes and disappointing others. I would recommend Stephanie but would be extremely wary for night doulas.

MLK location in Durham NC has many of the treadmills not working correctly or defective. Control panel partially fell off one of them in the middle of my run. Locker/bathroom not clean and smells offensively like a football stadium dirty urinal area. Also, water fountain outside lockers has been trickling a slow leak for over a month wasting a huge amount of water. This location appears to be going downhill over the past months. Phone calls to the corporate office has made no change so far. I don't easily give negative reviews, but I've tried the lines of communication available with no change or improvements seen. Update 10/2024 with increase from 1 to 2 stars. New treadmills have been installed unfortunately they appear to be compart treads and not user friendly for 6 foot tall people like myself. Locker/bathroom is slightly less unpleasant. Seems like there's an effort to make it better. Front desk people are better but still find front desk empty frequently late in the even and have to go hunt down an employee to get help.

This is a great planet fitness. Always clean, has showers and a good locker room. Staff is friendly and wonderful.

I want to give a huge shout-out to the trainer, Dashaun, for making my Planet Fitness experience amazing! His guidance, encouragement, and personalized approach have really helped me stay motivated and achieve my fitness goals. He takes the time to explain everything, makes workouts fun, and always pushes me to be my best. Thanks, Dashaun, for all your support—you’ve truly made a difference!

I come with my daughter since she can have a guest and I’m planning on moving back to my home state soon…… Everyone there is very nice and personable EXCEPT the girl who works Monday-Thursday nights she has an attitude, never smiles, and acts like we’re a bother to push the button for the massages!! She changes our attitude just by saying Hello to her because she doesn’t even barely respond!!! I don’t think that’s what members expect from her position.

Didn't get any sort of email or notification that the gym was closed (9-6-24) and it ruined my day and all my plans. I was pissed! (Edited my review): Sometimes the equipment has issues and sometimes the bathrooms are dirty. But overall a really great gym, and the new equipment makes it even better!