Toronto Athletic Club

Great gym, a great experience.

Facilities are dated and, presumably, going through very gradual renovations (pool is a current example -- presently out of commission). If you're over 35, you're paying a very steep $2,000 initiation fee that the membership team will tell you goes toward funding such captial improvements and keeping member numbers at a reasonable level, which didn't sit well with me (note: they told me they're also trying to significantly increase club membership). Main workout area is quite small, and there aren't as many cardio machines compared to most other clubs. Monthly rates ($210) are comparable to Equinox, though Equinox will get you unlimited access to other clubs in Canada (there's only one Toronto Athletic Club). My recommendation -- go to a club that doesn't ask you to line their contingency funds with exorbitant up-front fees and gives you more than one club you can access on a regular basis and/or has updated facilities to enjoy.