New Orleans Athletic Club

Very very unique fitness facility! To appreciate this place, you have to be willing to admire its unique mystique, charm and distinctively New Orleans architecture and history. Built into an historic building, the cardio, strength, group fitness and group fitness studies are inter mixed with period specific architecture like large white pillars, deep mahogany colored wood and old iron stair cases. The equipment is not particularly new and some showing signs of age but everything is functional and there’s a wide variety on tap for any type of exerciser. There is also an actual bar, barber shop, and a rooftop fitness jungle gym as well as a swimming pool. I do wish they had a few more hammer strength racks or life fitness cardio but otherwise, I really enjoyed this gym.

Came as a guest with family who have membership. I've never experienced a place quite like it. Beautiful and historic. The bar, architecture, indoor pool, and all the amenities are phenomenal ✨️💪

If you’d like to stay in shape while on vacation, this is the place. The historic health club has literally everything you need no matter if you’re into bodybuilding, CrossFit, or anything related to fitness. The marble floors and walls in the change rooms are a bonus. It feels like you’re stepping back into the golden era of fitness but the machines are all brand name and high tech. Amazing experience. Friendly staff and the members were welcoming and helpful.

So much history and potential, such a large facility, and so many historic details mixed with an old lineage club...... But if you're in search of a modern, well-maintained gym, this facilty may not be the right fit for you. The gym is interesting in that it is a reflection of new orleans: a mix of run down & delapidated & beautiful jammed together. The NOAC's New Orleans Mansion-feel derives from its handful of beautiful historic element/rooms which distract from the overall shabbiness of the club. A dingy feel pervades what could be a brilliant gym. For some this is just what the doctor ordered, for others, not so much. As you enter, the library on your right smacks of old-world wood and leather, with a large classic boardroom table in the center, with complimentary newspapers and soft leather chairs to snuggle down onto, with a few small writing tables and lamps along the front wall. The upper ballroom has great windows and old bones, but it's got that pervading shabbiness and is used for classes with equipment stuffed along walls. The bar which is situated in the middle of the club and it's connected lower sitting room/study hall is old-world feeling, but cave-like, as they bricked up the windows, blocking any natural light from entering. The pool is a small Greek revival affair, but dimly lit to hide its cracked and aging marble whose sharp edges cut the feet feet of a swimmer as they made their way to the pool swimming one day as my guest. Overall, the building, especially in the rear and upstairs, is slowly crumbling and in need of repair, renovation, and new equipment. There is a dysfunctional culture in regards to maintenance and getting the details right, which a sea change in maintenance culture would address. The gym is a mix of old and new, but it struggles to create a consistent, professional, clean, and well-cared-for atmosphere. It frankly feels dark and rundown in several areas, with rusty equipment that needs maintenance. The lighting is also very low at night, especially on the second floor and in the surrounding rooms by the pool and boxing area which is just bizarre. Additionally, there are safety concerns such as slippery tile floors from improper tile used on the men's locker room areas, as well as trip hazards from metal bars on the floor in the upper rear weight room. While the gym does offer free classes as part of the membership, they are overall in line with the general culture of shabbiness, rather than a high-level professional organization. A change of management/ownership and a radical intervention are the only things that will transform this club into the grand organization it could be, but for now, this club is perfect for a certain personality and temperament that is happy with the lost grandeur and decadence over all the essentials of a high-quality pro-run gym.

Love this gym. Wonderful staff, especially Pamela. Always brightens my day with her smile and welcoming attitude.

Working out in a historic building is quite a motivator at this facility! Not only is the space incredibly clean and beautifully maintained, but the staff also goes above and beyond to ensure a top-notch experience. They are always prompt in addressing any issues and their support is truly exceptional. The team is friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about each member's experience. It’s clear that they are dedicated to creating an outstanding environment for fitness. I most definitely recommend it!

What a beautiful building! There are so many options both indoor and outdoor that I never ran out of workouts to try. Love the terrace work out area and watching a beautiful sunset view while sweating it out. Highly recommend.

Most special, spacious, relaxing, wide-ranging, and clean athletic club we ever joined. We used to live in NYC before and got to know a bunch of gyms / clubs. Alas, this is the best one of all. Four floors of everything anyone could ask, even an indoor running track, a marble pool, squash courts, boxing rink, and a ballroom. Five complete stars -- a real body & mind gem 👑

i really enjoyed the gym until they denied me based off me not staying at a hotel but with my sick mom while I was in town. i did use the 20$ a day guest pass but they only give you 5. Staying in New Orleans for two more weeks while my mom recovers I cannot go back even though I can prove I do not live here just because I'm not staying at a hotel. Think the policy isn't fair. Working out has always been my go too and I really did enjoy this gym but its frustrating i got denied all because I wasn't staying at a hotel. Working out has hell my stress level. And I'm leaving in two weeks and it just doesn't make sense for me to sign up! Would have been amazing if they would have granted me access during this time .

They do day passes for $20 if you have a hotel nearby. Fantastic place. 4 stories with an indoor pool. Wet and dry saunas and more weight and cardio rooms than I can count! I've never seen anything like it. Great use of an old colonial home! Friendly staff. Service like the old days!

Comprehensive gym with historic memorabilia plus it has a bar you can belly up to after your workout. Pool looks inviting and in a nicely kept and beautiful surrounding. Way to go! We come here whenever we make it for a visit to the Big Easy!

Oh how I wanted to check this place out since I am a local. I sent an email thru the website. it took weeks before a response came, and that came from a text from a guy letting me know that he was available if I would like to see the club. When it finally worked out to come see the place I let him know and we talked on the phone. He made a point of telling me he was the best looking of all the trainers.... (huh?) I just wanted to come tour and make a decision since I have spent the last month training to get healthy at Oschner physical therapy. I want to continue pushing myself to prep for surgery sometime in the next year. I arrived, paid for parking out front for a good hour figuring I was going to get to see everything, but what transpired wasn't that at all. Instead I found out I could've parked for free next door. Then what transpired pretty much ruined my day. The "trainer" pretty much took one look at me and handed me over to a salesperson, who gave me my information. I asked questions that he chose to comment on. Afterall I'm looking to join a place so I'm going to ask questions. It was as if I was being mocked by this guy while she was giving me information. I thought the price was pretty good, and I asked what I needed to know, but everything I was asking could've been sent to me in an email, or over the phone without making the trip here. I was not given a tour. I guess you have to come work out for the tour? Then the sales guy, who btw also divulged he was fired from the medical facility I have been training at (information I didn't need to know) but useful nonetheless. Then he says "maybe you should enroll in silver slippers". Which is for retired folks over the age of 65. So my take was this. I came to tour this facility, and wasn't given a tour. I wasn't given the right communication on this visit, since I was coming for a tour, then denied a tour. When I left I was very perplexed what just happened to me. I am a New Orleanian, and was treated like I wasn't a good fit. So if your in your fifties, know this.... they aren't interested in you. If you ask real questions like "do you take insurance" thats code for them to say you cannot afford us, even though I can more than afford this. What a tragic moment this was. I came to consider being a member, and clearly you have a certain type of person your only interested in. Had I gotten in, and become a member my entire mardigras krewe probably would've followed suit. Missed opportunities because of a man who thought he had a fish on the hook. sad. what a sad and tragic take on something that many of my friends have been a member of. when I asked them about their experiences I found out that the "trainers" seem to be a real issue. I feel sorry for the sales people with that out front of them doing their jobs.

In town for work and dropped in to check it out. Truly blown away by the unique nature of the club and the variety of equipment and areas for working out. It has 4 levels, so make sure to explore the club before getting started to so you know where everything is located. The place has personality and an old school feel. Highly recommend it.

Well equipped, well maintained, historic gym with the best personal trainer I've worked with. Just brace yourself for the rule signs posted all around the gym.

I Went to NOAC as a guest. Had a variety of machines to choose from. There are several different workout areas too. The first floor has a grand foyer and has a historic feeling. I used the large library AFTER my workout, jog around the indoor track, swim in the large pool and cardio sessions. Oh, and there is a pub with drinks which I passed on. Maybe I'll revisit it another time. Only thing... check the hours as the club closes early on some days.

The history of this place alone gets it 2 stars. The great salesmanship when we signed on underscored that. In true fashion, I signed on to this gym with high expectations for both myself and the facility and both failed in the end: I, in will, NOAC in the sales agent's opening "words." Even though the contract states to the contrary, I was explicitly told that, after our one year contract was completed, we would move to month-to-month. Nearly Two years, an expired credit card, a new car, and several personal, failed, fitness goals later, I reached out to finally cancel my membership and was told that I had to pay through the end of a second annual renewal on the contract (roughly three months left). Not a lot of $$$ in the grand scheme of things but, a little grace would have gone a longer way than the canned response that I received. I'm very Disappointed in this "heritage"health club. Moral: always ALWAYS read the fine print no matter what promises they make to hook you in!

We ultimately decided to end our memberships here after lip service from the owner (way more effort in having a response to complaints and concerns than responding to them), deteriorating club conditions, rude/unintelligent/disrespectful/harassing employees, unreliable service, and overall poor management. Between two of us, memberships that went back as far as 2008. We stayed longer than we should have and are much happier paying more for a much better, high quality gym at PFRX.

Working out while on vacation is something I sometimes do. In a place like New Orleans, where the food is so good, it's sort of a thing I have to do in order to be able to fit in one seat on the flight back. While searching for gyms I came across the New Orleans Athletic Club. I emailed them about day passes and within 15 minutes I received an email back with the cost ($20 per day) and a form to fill out to save time. For a day pass, you must present a room key from a local hotel in order to become a guest. I got to the gym and was truly blown away immediately. This was unlike any gym or fitness facility I've been to prior or probably ever after. It's a class building that was erected in 1929. It's a two gym building which literally has everything you'd want. And with over 5000 sq ft of space, there is plenty, I mean, plenty of room. Just some of the things you'll find here: * Track * Swimming pool * A boxing ring * Tons of cardio equipment * A wide variety of weight machines * FENCING * Pilates * THEY HAVE A SALON * Group Classes * Yoga * Spin Class * And I'm sure a ton more What I loved about the gym is that yes the building was old, but it was so well maintained. I felt like I was working out in the X-Mansion. The machines were all in amazing shape. People around me were taking care of the machines, wiping them off constantly. Even for an old building, they made it cool enough. It really didn't feel like a workout at all. It felt more like a huge playground. I could have stayed there for hours and really wish I would have. I will use this gym every time I'm in NOLA. It's clean. The selection of equipment will blow your home gym away. The staff is friendly. What more could you want?

On April Fools Day this year, I will have been a member for 20 f'n years & that's no joke! You may be asking, "LORI, is that because the membership is notoriously hard to get out of?" And while that is true, it's not the reason I keep coming back. I've kept my membership this long because there is no other gym in the city, definitely the state & probably even the region, that is as unique & beautiful as the NOAC. This place is over four stories of wonderment. Pool, check. Sauna, check. Ballroom, check. Library, check. Bar?!?!, check. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a real-life game of Clue (thankfully without the murder.) But if you are trying to murder your depression/anxiety or get your body detoxed to retox, you've also found the right place. I love this gym. I come here everyday. I highly recommend it, even though I hope it never becomes so popular I can't easily park in the free attached lots.

The manager did reach out to me after seeing this review and offered a discounted day rate similar to what membership would have been for my use.

They have no day pass membership options, nor would they accommodate the touring cast of Hamilton for month memberships. Being on your we look for ideal facilities to stay fit offstage. It's a shame NOAC won't be receiving our patronage.

New Orleans Athletic Club, or NOAC, is a truly unique gym. I mean, what can you say about a gym with such a long, rich history that has not been said before. I'll start with the current building, which dates back to 1929. The exterior of the building has a very stately façade. It's location lies at the edge of the French Quarter on Rampart Street. There are several floors in this large club, offering a wide variety of activities. There is also a large ballroom as well as a reading room with daily newspapers. The history of the NOAC is evident throughout the club. From its roots as a boxing club to signed photos of celebrities that have come through its doors. Seriously, I am surprised they don't have history tours! After getting a great workout; I highly suggest a visit to Vaughan's Pub located on the first floor. It's a great spot to wet your whistle before heading out into the Quarter. The classes! They have a variety of classes to choose from. My favorite is the wall yoga. I highly recommend this one. Your back will love you for it! Now that it's 2020, this would be a great spot to get started on your New Years resolution!

Great gym with a beautiful pool and a dedicated staff. Have been a member for a decade. Parking is super easy too.

upon reading my original review, Bill, the owner recognized the issue and reached out and asked that i contact him to remedy. i did, and he took full accountability for the way my situation was mishandled. he promptly issued a refund and called to follow up to ensure that i received it. Bill is first class!

I stand by a lot of what I've said in my first review, but there's been several things lately that have me reconsidering my membership here. Naturally, I have to be sure and cancel an entire month before my membership is automatically renewed for a whole year or prove that I'm moving because this gym still functions like it's 1983 and locks you in to a membership. So that's one thing. Another thing would be the fact that they charge you a dollar per towel and that seems so wrong. Keep in mind you're paying about 80 bucks a month, so you'd think towels would be complimentary. I just recently started taking spin classes where I don't even have a membership and towels are complimentary, just as they are in about any other fitness studio I've been to in the country, and trust me I've been to many. And they are extremely stingy with guest passes. You get one freebie a month and even if you haven't used a guest pass all year, you're out of luck because it's one per month only. Then it's a fee of 10 dollars but they can only come 5 times in a month. And should they require a towel? That gets charged to the member's account. It was fun seeing these nit picky charges show up on my statement this month. And then there's the fact that many members have the worst gym etiquette I've ever encountered and there is no one to correct their behavior. Like no one re-racks their weights. I've watched people, usually men, leave 4 45 plates on a machine and walk away without a care in the world. Then there are the weight slammers that are never reprimanded, although I once did ("please don't slam your weights down") and was met with such an expression of rage, I thought I was going to be hit. One time there was a sign up on one of the weight rooms asking a member to identify whomever it was that was slamming weights down at 5am because there had been complaints from a neighbor. Wouldn't it have made sense for a staff person to come by daily and check to see who this was if it was a regular thing? Why ask your members to police other members? And then the hours. There's no reason the gym should close at 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays unless it's so that the parking lots can charge people who are parking in the French Quarter and make the weekend money. This doesn't sit well with me when I'm paying 80 bucks a month. I'd like to be able to work out in the evening on the weekends, which I don't think is asking too much. Unfortunately, I'm over it. I come here 5x a week and there are great people who work here and I appreciate what seems like a venerable club with cool little things that make it stand in a league of its own and all that but I most likely won't be renewing my membership. At these prices, I'm just no longer happy here.

I adore this place. Incredible community and so much character. The NOAC team does a great job being real, too. Everyone, staff included, is treated as an important and equal part of the community. I love the charm and uniqueness of the facility. It's clean and there's a lot to do. There's dedicated space for several sports (boxing, basketball, racquetball) that's great for when the weather isn't. The big room with the turf has a lot of space and equipment for functional exercise. It's also great to have access to the roof for sun and views. Love and recommend.

I always come here for my workout whenever I am in New Orleans. The buliding is beautiful - bulit in 1929. There is so much history displayed along the walls. I could spend hours reading it all. The place is huge. 4 or 5 floors and I am always discovering something new. There's a pool, spa, separate weight room for women, a salon, and even a bar! Showers in the locker room and hairdryers. They have a number of unique machines that I can't find at a regular gym, which I love. Certain treadmills have tv's where you can watch YouTube videos in addition to regular t.v. They have a variety of classes, water stations throughout, vending machines for drinks, complentary towels, and complentary coffee. The staff are super friendly as are the locals. I wish I had something like this in Los Angeles.

I've been a member of NOAC off-and-on for over 20 years and its one of those essential only-in-NOLA kind of experiences that really defines our lifestyles here. But it has become a way bigger part of my life since Covid changed the 'remote work' situation because I spend so many more hours here every day, working in their classic library and bar areas with the free wifi, and taking breaks from writing and editing by running, swimming or steaming. its a great way to break up a day of 'knowledge work' lol...and when you come back to a project after a workout you find your mind is fresh and pumping again. I'm telling you all remote workers in NOLA need to explore this as a way healthier and more productive option to the coffeehouses, you will think you've found the 'cheat codes' or an amazing life hack. I'm typing this in the library now and I'm about to go sweat out a day of stress in the sauna/steam rooms!!

Classic New Orleans + every workout option you can imagine + pool, steam room and sauna.

I hate bringing racism up, but after reading the reviews and what I experienced today. They are definitely racist. I asked if I can try out the new gym before applying for a membership. They denied my friend(black) and I(Asian). As we were walking out a group of white ladies asked to try out the gym. They politely said yes to them with no hesitation.

After a trial of a few group classes, I was excited to join NOAC. As I walked in today, I was greeted by a gentleman in a suit and informed him that I'd like the become a member. Because the front desk was busy, he offered me coffee as I waited. I politely declined and asked for water instead, because I planned on working out after the paperwork. He told me that I may grab a water at their bar, and he would find me as soon as someone became available to help me. I proceeded to the bar and my boyfriend ordered a for water. With a horrible attitude, the bartender said that there were plenty of water stations in the gym but if I got water from the bar, she would charge me $1 for tap while looking directly at me. Keep in my she didn't say this to my boyfriend who arrived before me and ordered the water for me. He is a member, and we obviously looked like we were together. This had given me a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't want to give this business one penny or my time.

I visited for the first time today and didn't mind the $20 daily fee (visitors) as this was an incredible cultural experience with gym equipment)scattered around the seemingly endless small rooms in the labyrinthine 5000+ sq ft building. The bar is among the most historical and elegant in the area and the indoor swimming pool (1920's approx) is simply breathtaking. The basketball courts with 2 museum areas of almost medieval looking equipment were incredible. Highly recommended for those who appreciate the historical aspect of the club and the major literary and other city figures who hung out here. The gym equipment was definitely older but in good and fully functional condition. I lost track of how many small rooms over 4 floors or that had free weights or older style nautilus machines. The only potential disclaimer I can add is those who are in a rush and want the low price and selection of a LA Fitness etc it may not be the ideal day to day club. This clearly is about the full experience of a "health club" model which no longer exists for the most part.

Buyer beware! The club is amazing, but customer service is a problem. After joining monthly charges were not initiated. Meanwhile, someone else ran up my credit cards and I tried to cancel my membership because I could no longer afford it. I never heard back from them until a charge was initiated on my bank account. I called to say I had tried to cancel my membership and asked if there was a problem -- again, I never heard back but a few days later the charge was reversed so I thought we were good. That was last year. Without any further communication by phone or mail (my address changed, and I notified them of the new address, but my phone number has always remained the same), I received a phone call from Crescent City Collection in February saying they had been mailing things to me for 90 days and were now reporting me to collection. I asked what address they had -- it was the old address. I noted that my phone number has never changed (I've had the same number for almost 20 years), and no one reached out to me by phone. I forwarded my correspondence sent to NOAC to the credit agency and they forwarded to NOAC, who apparently responded with a "very short email saying [you] still owe it." I've reached out to NOAC multiple times and they won't even pick up the call. I would have been glad to talk to them at any point the past year but they're not interested in anything except money. If you have any kind of financial hardship or your circumstances change, they'll still want your money. They are not a business that cares about their members -- they are just a business.

The staff is great and the building is beautiful by it is not well maintained. The carpets and floors are filthy and there are thick layers of dirt all over. The pillars in the ballroom are crumbling. And the women's locker room is not what I would expect for $90 a month. They lock you in and automatically re-enroll you for a full year at your anniversary.

Holy moly do I love this place. My husband and I are members here and we're there about 3-4 days per week. He goes at 6am to swim, and I go at 3:30pm for weights/cardio. In addition to having pretty much everything, the facilities are (old but) beautiful. The pool, upstairs open floor area and ballroom are absolutely gorgeous and the rooftop is equally cool though it's seasonal so I haven't been up there yet. After your workout, locker rooms are equipped with saunas and steam rooms which are freakin amazing after you've worked your tail off. I don't take advantage of the other services or the locker/towel rentals as this membership is pretty pricey, but it's easy enough to travel light if you leave your stuff in the car (the lot is right next door). Additionally, they have a great bar in the middle of the building, and a great study at the front which is perfect if you need to get work done. The only reasons why I didn't give 5 stars are because there aren't any straight barbells in the women's only weight room (only curved ones), the weight sets are incomplete, and $1 towel rental EVERY TIME you need one is a liiiiittle much when we already pay $140/month.

Let me first start off by saying the front desk staff needs retraining in customer service. Me and my buddy came here visiting from Nashville and they didn't even introduce themselves to us or show us a tour. It was more like "give me your money, here's your pass, get outta my face I'm busy." Honestly so rude. The gym layout is crazy. Whoever designed this was obviously mental. The upstairs is so hot that you can't even workout because the pool is giving off so much heat. Definitely not returning, EVER. Save yourself the time and money and look elsewhere. I would give zero stars if I could. No music, outdated gym equipment, RUSTED bars. If you are looking for a serious workout, this is not the place.

This place is so cool. I came here a few times when I was in town for the week. It is a vestige of a bygone era with an authentic, old-world layout, decor and general sort-of-eerie-but-not-in-a-bad-way-because-it-is-New-Orleans vibe. Full Olympic Pool, Steam/Sauna with Towel Service, Track, and every type of machine you can imagine. I was super frustrated my first day because I couldn't find some stuff, but then I discovered an entire additional wing of the building that I had missed the first day. If you need a specific machine, just ask the awesome front desk folks. Guest pass was $20 per day (as of late '18); you need to show your out-of-area ID and a hotel keycard.

I've been a member now for a couple months, and I really love it. There are tons of amenities, the facility is historic, and it's so gorgeous. The machines are all new and high-end, and the staff is super friendly. I do think there are a few minor improvements that could me made though: the women's steam room smells like mold, and you can see it in the light fixtures in the room. The showers have tons of mold on the ceiling above, and the plaster is chipping away. I went to swing my towel over top of the shower and it hit the ceiling, which caused bits of drywall to rain down on me... not ideal for the premium that members pay here. A small reno of the women's locker room (it has peach formica countertops and vanity lights, so 80's) would make a giant difference in member experience, in my opinion.

Been a long time member and growing increasingly disappointed in the quality and service offered with the high price of membership that continues to be raised. After flooding, the women's weight room was rearranged to a less efficient, less comfortable and more cramped, if possible method, while the men's room returned to its usual design. Equipment is rusted and it's common to find tissues or garbage shoved inside rusted open slots in equipment or lying around the workout areas. Class schedules on the website haven't been updated since June and it's December! If you're going to charge nearly $100 a month per membership get it together and please make the place not appear the harbinger of bacteria and rust that it currently is. Was also recently turned off by the appearance of large Styrofoam signs in the gyms recruiting members to refer people to join after a rate increase occurred. Essentially, trying to get their members to do the work of the sales team of the gym with the promise of a free month or so of membership? Very tacky! I don't mind the rates if they actually made improvements, updated their information and raised the quality of equipment. Tip: make sure tetanus shots are up to date!

I own several homes in Los Angeles and I visit New Orleans VERY often. I thought about checking this place out and called for information. The woman who answered the phone was surprisingly both rude and stupid at the same time. I said I wanted to drop by and talk about becoming a member. She said I had to be a member first. What? I got the sense I was going to have to force her to take my money and beg her to understand that I'm pretty "well-off." Then I thought, "No way. Why was I made to feel this way?" Instead, I will develop a better gym in the area to take away their business. That might serve the community better.

Filthy facility, bring your tetanus shot when you go, the place is 4 stories so you have to walk a mile for different equipment. The membership coats are higher than any gym I've ever been to. Save your money and health and find a better fitness experience

I'm a former New Orleanian who visits often from Philly. My Philly gym is a member of IHRSA, a national organization of gyms. Supposedly when you visit other cities, if you go to another IHRSA gym, you get a discount. I looked up NOAC and they are listed as a member of IHSRA on their website. I checked them out, as I'm always in favor of frequenting unusual and historic places rather than chains, like Planet Fitness or whatever. The membership person, a very polite and professional person, took all my info and made a copy of my license. She checked out my IHSRA "passport" which verified my membership. She said the charge is $20. That seemed high to me, so I asked if this included the IHSRA discount. She looked puzzled and said she'd have to ask someone. She disappeared for about 5 minutes and came back and apologetically told me that while they are a IHSRA facility, they don't offer a discount. I explained that there are at least 3 other gyms in the area that are members and who offer 50% discount. From my perspective, there is no advantage to attending NOAC with my IHSRA membership. She wouldn't budge. Since my husband had dropped me off there, I decided to bite the bullet and stay. It would seem to me that she could have given me a pass. Many gyms offer a free one day trial. The gym was NOT busy at all. She gave me one flimsy towel. I had a good workout. The place is cool. I appreciate the old feel of it, with framed posters of old members and the cool tile floors and old pool. It has a lot of history to it. The ladies changing area is nothing great. Pretty tired looking. The shower head was FREAKING awesome, but there were no grab bars or benches to sit on in the shower. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Also, signage is very poor. The place is big and you kind of wander around looking for stuff. And it ain't cheap. Annual membership for a single person is $250 initiation fee and $88 monthly. A much better gym is the Jewish Community Center on St. Charles Ave. This place is a SPA in comparison. You want to spend hours in the ladies lounge. If NOAC wants to be competitive, they should not be so stingy. It's not that great a place where they can afford to do that.

Great gym in French quarter. The gym is huge with many different rooms. A day pass costs 20 bucks and you need a hotel room key to prove you are staying in a hotel. The machines can be a bit rusty. However they are fully functional. Because the club is huge, there's enough machines for everyone. I also tried the yoga class by Michael and it was really good. Definitely recommend

Is your workout boxed in by your minuscule hotel gym on a NOLA holiday? Show a hotel key card and use this expansive stately old world gym for $20 on the outskirts of the French Quarter. Tons of equipment and cardio machines are spread across numerous almost maze like floors. Then there's the huge marble baths and European style pool. There's even a full track, boxing ring, library and bar. But the the real jewel is the state of the art third floor cross fit area (a former sports court). The equipment and space beat anything I've used living in London, NYC or SF. Better than Equinox. Also it's so big there's rarely a line for any equipment. If I lived there I'd join. If your visiting consider it a worthwhile site to see while you detox from those hurricanes you consumed three blocks away on Bourbon Street.

NOAC, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: #1 - I love the receptionist, always cheerful and with a kind word. #2 - I love the cleanliness, with the cleaning team always courteous and smiling. #3 - I love the insane number of machines/weights, nobody has to wait around. #4 - I love the other patrons, not intrusive but friendly. #5 - I love the parking. #6 - I love the pool. #7 - I love the steam room, is that a faint aroma of eucalyptus? #8 - I love the spray bottles and paper towels in wicker baskets all over the gym, no worries about MRSA with cleaning supplies readily available. #9 - I love the library. #10 - why NOT have a bar at the gym? Makes perfect sense to me. #11 - I love personal trainers, they're wicked smart. #12 - I love a good manicure from a nice salon. I do not love the coffee. To my palate, it is as weak as a newborn kitten. *Disclaimer - I prefer coffee that can double as roofing tar if needed.

DO NOT USE THIS GYM THEY WILL PULL YOU INTO A CONTRACT THAT YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF UNLESS YOU CAN PROVIDE A MEDICAL EXCUSE FROM A DOCTOR THAT YOU ARE UNABLE TO USE THE MACHINES this is complete bullshit. My mother became very ill, and I had to move away from New Orleans, but guess who continued to bill me every month, even though I no longer had that money? NOLA ATHLETIC CLUB, so 6 months went by, without any phone call from them saying "we have an outstanding balance", and the result was $1,000 owed to a collection agency. It ruined my credit and the house I was looking to finance, I lost. ALL BECAUSE OF THIS GYM you are better off going to a Planet Fitness because if the first of the month comes, and you haven't paid your monthly bill, you aren't allowed in. That's how it SHOULD be

I do love this place, however they are in desperate need of more showers in the men's room. During busy periods we have to line up and wait. I would hate for them to renovate the shower area as the marble is so beautiful but there must be a way to wedge in a couple of more showers, even if a portion of the enormous locker room has to be used. Otherwise it has everything one could need, odd quirky layout but this is N.O. and without quirks it would not be so fun.

I've been going a few months now and I love it! I actually look forward to going! They are finishing a huge renovation of the pool and just put in new carpet and new treadmills and elliptical machines. It's great, see ya there!

They just got a ton of new equipment in. I like how you can charge your phone with the USB ports. I tried using the Spartan Step mill yesterday. Very cool. Also, the pool looks incredible with waterfalls, shooting water, and colored lights.

Best place and only place in the city to have some coffee, read the paper, do work in the library, workout, steam, swim and then have a cocktail.

Wow, great gym in the heart of the French Quarter. Lots of equipment, weights, and cardo machines as well as a great pool! Staff was super friendly. $20 cost for a day pass is in line with other gyms. What a wonderful old building!

Wow. What a facility. This is one of the most comprehensive gyms I've ever seen. It's very vertical so navigating the stairs is part of the bargain but that shouldn't bother anyone who goes to a gym to get exercise. Highly recommended.

Historic and elegant, but choppy in room and equipment layout. $20 for daily fee which is steep.

The only reason why I work out here is because of the location. It's only 2 blocks from my work. Otherwise, I'd happily work out somewhere else. Yeah, the building is historical, yeah, it's one of the oldest clubs in the country, but that wears of pretty quickly. I go to the gym to work out, not to drink at the bar or read a paper in the library. If you like this social aspect, you will enjoy it here. This club is in much better shape then before Katrina. It used to be very dusty and dingy, but the shut down for over a year after the hurricane and "remodeled". Fresh paint, new floor in the ball room, etc. I was disappointed they didn't get rid of the carpet in the dressing rooms. It's one of the most disgusting things. It reeks of mildew. It gets wet from people coming from the showers or the pool. Why in heavens is the carpet there? It makes no sense. I cringe every time I have to step barefooted on that carpet. You'll pay $80/month, but don't expect much customer service. I had to put my membership on hold (6 months). I forgot the exact renewal date. It'd be nice if they called me and said, hey, we are now billing you again and you can come and work out. They are very stingy with the contracts, renewal dates, sign up fees (around $250? wow), etc. I guess it's a status thing for many people who work out here, or they suffer like me, because it's the most convenient gym because of where we live/work. Some of the equipment is pretty ancient, it just gets moved to the upper rooms when they get a newer equipment.

You can cancel your memberships in two ways. In writing 30 days prior to your anniversary date, or due to relocation. To cancel due to relocation you must provide proof of relocation. Proof can be a utility bill with your name and the new address on it, a copy of a lease / purchase agreement, or military deployment orders. The new address must be at least 60 miles away from the Club, and proof of relocations must be mailed and post marked from the new address. Once proof of relocation is received the applicable $75.00 termination fee is assessed and the membership is then cancelled. Thanks, Stacy // So let me get this straight. I don't wish to use your gym anymore after over 2 YEARS OF PAYING MY DUES and because I made this decision after an arbitrary date on the calendar you will force me to pay my dues for an entire year? Nice customer service. Too bad for you I am opinionated and express my opinions freely and often. I will now try and get everyone I know to leave your gym and join a gym that has flexible hours, helpful staff, a clean facility. I recommend NolaFit on Magazine Street near Jackson. 24/7 hours, incredible machines and space, soon a rock wall. And so far . . . no assholes.

I was in town for work for a few days, and needed more than just cardio equipment at the Hyatt Regency. I called this place, and asked if they allowed guest to come in and just pay a daily guest fee. The lady in the phone said they allowed guests of members, and people staying in nearby hotels, to pay a $20 guest fee, and that I just needed to bring in my hotel key as proof. So a couple hours later, I ran the mile to the gym, and asked to pay the daily guest fee. The old lady at the front desk said I needed my ID. I said, "Well, I called early, and I was told that all I needed was my hotel key, and payment." This bitch at the front desk tells me she was the one I talked to, and that she said I needed to bring ID. I am without a doubt, 100% certain, she never mentioned ID. I told her she was wrong, and she in fact, did not tell me, and I said I would just like to pay my $20, and work out. She refused to let me in, and was completely rude about it. There are a few options in downtown NOLA for gyms, and you better believe I will never go back here.

Customer service: Suuuucked. If I didn't have to run, I'd had walked out (yes, both times) within the first 10 minutes. I handed over my $20/day For a Day Pass & I was asked if I needed towels & that was it. No tour of where anything was at or how to work any of the machines. Equipment: I should've known a place with carpet everywhere in the workout areas & a bar next to the weight room isn't my kind of place. No air conditioning other than fans above & on the treadmill which was something out of 2010 Space Odyssey. Fitting, but stupid. They were probably bought because they looked cool, not because they're functional. They had giant 20" screens built in that never turn off and to get the actual work out screen you have to press all sorts of buttons on the touch screen for a good 10 minutes. Fu**! I just wanted to run!! And don't try to do this while running. I did have some gentleman stop by and ask me if I was "doing anything", or just "standing there looking pretty." Listen here Gramps, I am actually here to work out, can't you see the beads of sweat I've accumulated over this treadmill? Locker rooms: Carpeted, which gives it a musty smell, OLD hairdryers (it's like somebody was blowing on my hair) and cans of Aqua Net which are graciously provided for guests. Pro: It was clean. Somebody was always vacuuming or scrubbing something.

I am a member of NOAC and because I have been to all the other gyms in town, I can say that I truly believe this gym is the best the city has to offer. I have been a member of Equinox, old SportsClub LA, and David Barton in Miami and NYC and I would say this gym has a lot of things (even more in some cases) than these top national gyms. Uniqueness/ Pros: Free Parking in French Quarter with membership, Bar/restaurant & Spa, rooftop trainings space, really great crossfit room with TRX, Museum within the gym (2nd oldest health club in the country), lots of unique architecture and old world charm throughout, AND (my favorite part) it basically has a boxing gym within it! The room above the pool has no AC, a boxing ring, a heavy bag, a half heavy bag, 2 speed bags and 2 double-ended bags. The boxing trainers and boxing regulars here are great. Areas for improvement: I love the fact that they maintain the old world charm and architecture but some areas just so drab. Probably some light colored paint, more mirrors, and better lighting would really improve this. I do think the women's locker room needs a facelift. There is nothing currently in the locker room and bathroom that is crucial to this architectural, historical charm. I saw some comments regarding updating the equipment and this gym has updated their equipment. Once piece of equipment that I would love to see at the NOAC is a power plate (google it).