The Sporting Club at The Bellevue

I will do pros, cons and overall. Pros: Best gym in the city hands down. Gorgeous interior design (coming from an architect!) Top notch facilities. As a triathlete, I have access to ALL my training tools in at the gym. I love the pool. The pool and locker room facilities are, for the most part, very clean. Excellent classes, great instructors, and great offerings for group fitness. The weightlifting floor is great. All the equipment you could ever want, large and expansive space. Also, a wonderful community. I’ve made friends here and I am constantly inspired and uplifted by the fellow athletes here. It is much more than a gym, it’s a lifestyle! I also find that the front of house staff are really engaged and friendly. They communicate regularly and rapidly with their members, which is good. There is a great community here and the facility is hands down the best, most elegant, social, and versatile I’ve seen in the Philadelphia area. It’s hard to beat. Cons: The gym continues to predominantly cater to a daytime crowd. It closes earlier than most gyms and doesn’t offer the same amount of classes for the 9-5 working people. EVERYONE wants the gym to be open later, especially on Fridays and weekends! There is a high demand for this. Itgym gets REALLY crowded after work, and there are fewer classes outside of working hours. The locker rooms get cleaned and shut down while the gym is open at night. Operations and scheduling for deep cleaning and closing should be adjusted so as to not shut down while members are still using the open and operating facility.. All members should have the same experience regardless of time of day. I will say I’ve seen changes but the issue has never been fully resolved. I think staying open later would alleviate some of this. Overall: it’s a great gym, all of the facilities, staff and management are all top notch and very well maintained. For a more “luxury” gym, no one is pretentious or stuck up and it’s a really friendly and welcoming space. They have lots of fun events and do a great job of cultivating a sense community and engaging and motivating their members. I really hope they extend their night hours and change their housekeeping scheduling to not be shutting down on top of members. Even with this flaw, I adore the gym, spend lots of time here, and happily recommend it to anyone who asks. My mom joined too!

Hands down the best gym in the city. It’s more than a gym, with so many amenities such as basketball gym, golf simulators, pool, sauna, barbershop, cafe, rooftop lounges and more. The staff (especially Thea who gave us tours and helped with the sign up) is incredible. Fresh towels, clean, attentive and always saying good morning. Not sure where the negative reviews come from, never an issue with scheduling or getting on machines, always a healthy balance of people here but never overly crowded. Plus who would want a gym that no one’s at anyway?

We just booked a stay at The Bellevue Hotel and we were able to use The Sporting Club during our stay. The expansive facility is truly one of a kind! If you have the chance to check it out while staying at The Bellevue it’s a must do. I really love the indoor walking track, lap pool, and wide open spaces on the workout floor; It really doesn’t feel crowded which is amazing. All the staff are so friendly and Thea took the time to make us feel welcome and let us know all about the club offerings and also some great food recommendations. If you have the time or even just an hour or two and are staying next door, it’s worth it!

Joining the Sporting Club has been life changing for me! It’s so much more than just a gym- the amenities really make this a great value- things like hot tub, cold plunge, sauna, rooftop deck, cafe, workspaces, etc. Also the sheer quantity and variety of classes means I can always find a class I want to do and fit it into my busy schedule. I’ve been a member of many other gyms, and I’ve never gone as consistently and got as much out of the experience as I have with the Sporting Club. Highly recommend!

I really like this gym and the classes they offer, it’s been a solid part of my routine for the past 3 months. That said, I think there’s room for improvement. 1. I mostly take Barre and HIIT, and I’ve noticed the instructors are pretty hands-off. They rarely correct people’s form, which can be concerning when you see others doing movements incorrectly and risking injury. I wish they were a bit more engaged instead of just watching the clock. 2. The noise from the basketball court on the main fitness floor is so loud and distracting. The constant squeaking from sneakers could really use some soundproofing… it’s like nails on a chalkboard at times. 3. It’s awkward when staff give tours through the locker rooms during peak hours. Seeing non-members walk through while everyone’s getting changed isnt ideal. 4. The women’s steam room smells like mildew and could definitely use a deep clean. Overall, I do enjoy being a member and hope management takes some of these things into consideration, because this gym really has great potential.

Overall a really nice gym, spacious, many classes, good lounge areas. I joined for the pool and the pool is usually well kept. Unfortunately, I have noticed people especially men, going in the hot tub/cold plunge and sometimes the pool in sweaty workout clothes or worse, boxers. This is really not hygienic — for a really nice gym you’d expect members to be mindful of common etiquette. I don’t know how you can enforce it but something needs to be done. People should be wearing their swimsuit in these areas if they are going to get in the water and be mindful of everyone else.

The Sporting Club is a necessary luxury for the good life in Philly. Everything you could want in a gym is here, plus so much more! I joined for the pool, which is often nearly empty, and barely have time to use the many other amenities available. I can’t believe I waited two years to join!

Update: the sporting club has made noticeable changes in housekeeping and shower cleaning. It’s much better. The locker room carpet is still often covered in debris and needs to be cleaned much more often as well as the locker room ceiling vents. An incredible sporting club with a top notch fitness floor. You can spend the better part of your day here between classes, the pool, the courts, the golf simulator, the lounges, even a hair salon and cafe. The members are generally friendly and polite. The atmosphere is positive. The employees are excellent and I’ve noticed very little turnover during the year I’ve been here. Regrettably, the showers are unacceptably filthy and the whole shower area reeks of mildew. Housekeeping works hard, but management isn’t properly scheduling deep cleaning of the showers. The grout is full of mildew, the showers have drain worm larvae, and other staining and debris. Additionally, management isn’t properly maintaining the showers as two of them are out of service, one now for about 3 months. The locker rooms are also not being deep cleaned. The carpets are stained and often smell. Just look up at the air vent and see it’s never ever been cleaned. This isn’t acceptable at any price point, but especially not at $200 a month. I’ve brought this in writing to the club’s attention more than once, which they respond to in writing, but don’t do enough regular deep cleaning. This could easily be a 5 star venue, and one of the better gyms in the country, but they have to do a better job deep cleaning the showers and locker rooms.

This club is my therapy! The pool is outstanding! And the classes are great. Most important, the staff makes me feel so at home!

375 a month (not to mention 4000 club members paying 200+ a month just in membership) ....and this is the steam room I walk into.... Absolutely disgusting.....I guess they can't afford some cleaner at the moment. Equinox can't come soon enough. This is so unsanitary it's mind boggling. And this does not happen in one day. PS. Notice "Mary" had responded to a member only 14 DAYS ago that cleanliness was a top priority for their members....so much for that....people will say anything just to get you to stop calling them out on they're bs.

Took a boxing class, I highly recommend Gary Custis's class! I'm not a member but my friends are, so I came with one of them. Now I want my own membership.

Great gym, plenty of space to relax as well as classes, pool, sauna, roof top access. Highly recommend

Was a member before the pandemic and rejoined in October. Love the renovation and all the classes offered. Would love to have another pilates reformer studio as they are the hardest classes to get into. Overall I am thrilled to be back and highly recommend.

The salespeople don't answer the phone, the customer service is awful , there is no manager. Receptionist is nice but, there is no other support for people who want to possibly join

Just rejoined after many years.. The renovation is beautiful!!! Pool, Smart machines, the track, pickleball, locker room, cold plunge, hot tub, boutique classes where reformer Pilates is included...The staff is wonderful and the clientele is very welcoming. It's clean and lovely.. Large common spaces inside and out provide plenty of room for "WFH" or hang outs... They have real current newspapers to read and free coffee! The smoked salmon toast at the snack bar was delicious!! Highly recommend..

Feedback Not Considered I walked in as a new member when the club first re-opened in November. Before I signed up, I noted their weekend hours were a little later for my schedule, but I was told there were plans to reevaluate weekend hours at the beginning of January. I checked in to revisit this issue at the end of the free trial that I was offered to see if anything had changed, because I (like any normal person) require a notice and heads up if I decided to switch back to my old gym. After being ignored three separate times attempting to contact the person who signed me up (2 emails and one note from her coworker), I went to speak to someone in person. I was told by a more senior position that there were in fact never any plans to reevaluate earlier weekend hours, because that's "how it's always been." The tone with which I was spoken to was like that of a child who was annoying their mom for extra candy - they treated me as a nuisance when I was simply attempting to get answers to very valid, easy questions and concerns. I don't think it's too much to ask for someone to treat you with respect, especially when you pay nearly 200$/month for the services. Just my hot take on the situation, though. In a last ditch effort to see if things could be salvaged, I met with the top manager, Fran, this morning. I attempted to show him this google review that I had not yet posted, to which he declined reading. We instead had a conversation where I voiced my concerns, asking if he could send out a feedback forum to current patrons. His response was "don't tell me how to run my business." It was after this interaction that I solidified my decision to end my membership. Since I'm already here, I may as well add all of my thoughts. The gym is lacking many pieces of equipment - a sentiment that employees have told me is shared by many of the members, not just myself. Random dumbbell weights missing, no long head rope for cable machines, no 5lb stack for cables, and much more. This place is marketed as a high end fitness club. It's more of a social club in my opinion. There are more places to sit than room on the fitness floor. In the mornings, machines still have weights on them that were never re-racked the previous day. One other thing to note is that the pool still hasn't been opened as of Dec 3. I am very disappointed with my experience at the Sporting Club so far. There is a lot of potential here for improvement, but my experience has been that no one is willing to consider feedback from patrons. I'm not sure what the point of having a soft opening with a free trial is if you're not going to accept constructive criticism.

Beautiful, clean, well equipped facility. Love the weight training area and Technogym equipment.

I was really hoping for a better experience here. The gym is insanely loud during peak times primarily due to the basketball games taking place below. While it's a cool design feature to have the courts open below the gym floor it is really just disruptive. I listen to music fairly loudly and I can still hear people playing. Also, getting any questions answered from back of house staff is a real struggle. I've sent emails that have gone unanswered or answered weeks later. Staff seems disorganized. I tried out group classes and multiple times instructors ran late. The gym Reno is nice but it still kind of feels like they just put lipstick on a pig. You can still see parts of the gym that are old and dated and it's not completely done. Lastly, they need to improve the elevator area going up and entrance to the gym on the side alley between the hotel. It's ghetto af.

Favorite gym in the world just can't afford them right now, need to be in a gym but don't liked any of the other gyms. Loved this gym.

Amazing gym just wish they would have glass/reusable drink ware, flatware, plates, etc or have recycling bins :(

The sporting club at the Bellevue is everything I need in a gym! I started off lifting weights and they have 4 Squat & Power racks which is very respectable for a mainstream gym. They have platforms for Olympic power lifts. They have air strike bikes. Anyone that knows anything about bodybuilding and weightlifting should be excited by what I just wrote. Usually there's only one or two squat racks and rarely will you ever see a platform in a mainstream gym. Their hours are also that of a true athlete's gym. There are some commercial gyms out there like Weston Fitness that will close at 3:30 p.m. on a weekend. The sporting club is open until 11 p.m. on most nights. To go along with the hours is the fact that the pool is open for the same time as the gym. I believe it's a junior olympic size pool and it can fit 8 swimmers. Aside from swimming and weightlifting I also practice Muay Thai and boxing. Their boxing studio is top notch. Trust me I've worked out all over this city from City Fitness to the now-defunct 12th Street Gym to Temple University's gym. Sporting club has it all. Also they have a great view and a little lounge with Pure Fare food there. Ask for employer discounts. I'm an Einstein employee and I get a significant discount. My friend who works at Comcast also gets a significant discount. Ask them for their free 7-Day trial. Also members are given 4 three day guest passes so maybe you can meet someone and they can let you into the gym to experience all of it. My cons are that it is an outdated looking gym and I have bad service in there.

I've noticed a few things over the past few years that the gym is going downhill, but didn't want to mention it as most of the staff/instructors are fantastic, the fitness space is one of the best in the city, and we enjoy sweet amenities (hot tub, sauna, indoor track). However, an incident of theft in what we felt was a secure and well-monitored facility warrants an update. Hubby's Master Lock was tampered with and broken in the locker room - and fortunately, only a small amount of cash was stolen. Wedding band, watch, and cell phone were left alone. Another gentleman soon walked up with a similarly broken lock - and he was not as fortunate ... he lost a substantial sum (over $1k) and airpods (which when pinged - was supposedly still on the premises at the time). What was concerning was that the response felt acclimated ... that this was not the first/few times it happened. A first time occurrence usually has a more engaging reaction ... like "oh my goodness, I can't believe this happened - let me get the manager ASAP!" Management was called only after the second person reported a break-in and the loss more substantial. Also, the replacement Commercial grade Master locks the guys got? The same model is showing up with more frequency in the locker rooms the past few months. Resolution pending, and I hope this can be transparently resolved so we can have peace of mind in a nice facility. However, I suspect not much will/can be done. This will be challenging as folks often come here from work, and have laptops, documents, sensitive information that they place in lockers. I'll be keeping my bag with me from now on. ***Upon digging deeper, we heard that locked lockers have been broken into in the same fashion during the past several months. :/ *** Update: the office saw the updated (short) YELP review and wants to speak with me on my next visit.

Disappointed! The pictures in my review do all the talking. Keep in mind my review is only for the ladies locker room and the pool. My family and I were guest at the Hyatt Bellevue; and my children were excited to use the "world class pool" they allow children to visit on Saturdays from 8am-4pm. I was disappointed by the ladies locker room and the pool. The facility is POORLY maintained to say the least, I mean no one from management cares, there is no way janitorial or staff has touched this area in the last month. The floors are covered in hair and mold. Tiles are chipped and missing (safety hazard), paint is chipped and missing. The few chairs that are available are rusting badly and the windows are dusty and dirty. I'm surprised members are willing to pay for this badly maintained facility; I'm only a hotel guest and disappointed/ disgusted. The staff and gym members are friendly enough, but the facility is run down.

still my go to gym. I really like this place and the friendly atmosphere. so convenient too. a little pricey, but look where it's located. I'd rather pay more, then waste my time traveling around to work out.

I can't wait I will be back soon to this gym and it was a good experience I had the first time I went.

This review is for trying to use the gym as a guest for the day. I used to be a member here for several years, and since I was back in town I figured I'd stop by for the day for a 1-day visit. However, when I went to pay I was told the Day Pass price is $50?? As in 5-0, aka more than the cost of most monthly gym memberships for one day of working out. I thought that was a laughably high price, but the membership office confirmed it. Truly a terrible business model, since I have no problem spending $100+ on a monthly membership at a nice gym but you'd have to be nuts to drop $50 to go work out for a day. For comparison, Equinox in NYC charged $25 for a one day visit, so yeah.

Well well well, the best one by size probably. Then let's speak about the studio classes, since about a month I've attended to several always around lunch time because I wanted to avoid the crowd. Some classes are better than others it doesn't come with a surprise. Some of the best one are probably pilate, and burn the barre. Especially burn the barre and yoga class on Thursday 2pm. I didn't try all of them, so I can't judge so accurately, but given the time being there mmm I still prefer going to my PT not affiliated with the club. That is if I want faster results! But overall is quite good, some amenities in the spa area and pool needs definitely an update!

Thank you for responding to my post. However Ariel why would I want to interact with anyone there? Why would I want to meet with Membership when you all look so miserable and dress and act unprofessional? Why would I want to meet with Alex when she's also so unpleasant and rude? It's not about meeting to discuss the matters at hand all of you need to be sat down and review what real professionals are. I guessing Fran won't do it but maybe Ron can clue all of you in. I stated about the pool area because it's beyond foul, not to have a meeting. Go look for yourself it's self explanatory. The club is beat to hell and I typically don't complain but the way management acts is brutal. I know this comes off as me complaining or argumentative. I'm sure all of you (Alex and Membership) think you're perfect but you really should think about how you represent yourselves and the club. City Fitness, Fitler Club and other boutique-studio style fitness clubs are way better and don't have to deal with the nasty attitudes these young "professionals" showcase.

2.5 stars. I admit that I've been spoiled by previously being a member of Equinox in NYC. This gym is just slightly lower in price but dramatically lower in quality. Not all of the cardio equipment is Bluetooth compatible and even the machines that are never are able to pick up my Bose headphones. My biggest gripe, though, is the locker room. The bath products and body lotion are really really cheap quality. The showers have grime and mold in between the tiles. They reuse large plastic pump bottles to dispense body wash, shampoo and conditioner and there is black mold on the underside of the pumps. It's really gross. I emailed management to bring it to their attention, maybe the problem is that they just didn't know about it? Will update this review in the next few weeks with the outcome of that email. If no improvement I'll probably check out a few of the other gyms in the area. I've heard good things about Philadelphia Sports Club. Or maybe just class pass and using my apartment complex gym.

The Sporting Club is a great place to get fit and pick up rich old men or rich professional looking athletes. Your chances with the old men will be maximized if you suit up in your ribbed, turquoise leggings and fuchsia leg warmers. It's cold outside, anyway. Start by taking a warm-up lap around the indoor track. It sits right over the main workout room, so you can begin to stalk your prey while you loosen your hammies. Quick stretch and head into the cardio and weight area. If you want to be retro, go with one of their treadmills, otherwise, stay contemporary and jam out on the elliptical. Each new, state of the art machine comes with a personal TV. What's that? There's nothing good on? Screw it, ditch the cardio room and head to the racquetball courts. The men were ugly anyway. You can borrow racquets, but as it turns out, the strings are broken or loose. Next time you'll bring your own. You're ready to move onto the professional looking athletes. Go to the indoor basketball court. They're all there. Replace your white Reeboks with a pair of Air Jordans. Grab one of the many balls available to you and show them your best alley-oop, double dribble, and half court swoosh. "Want to have the physique of a dancer?" (Yes you do). "Then the Dancer's Workout class is your workout! Lean, toned muscles, flexibility, coordination and a fierce attitude!" You love things that literally mean what they say they're going to mean. After all this time spent thinking about working out, trying to workout, but just being disinterested by bad TV programming, broken strings, unattractive old and professionally athletic looking men, you're tired, it's time for a dip in the pool, and who could blame you?

This is the best gym I have ever belonged to. They have a lot of equipment and it is never packed, at least in my experience. It is relatively expensive but you get what you pay for here. I cancelled my membership due to COVID-19 and the billing office was completely understanding and waived policies. Out of all the Philly gyms I am sure this one is the most safe, but I don't go to my nearby office anymore so it didn't make sense to stay a manner. Can't wait to get back someday.

Sadly my livingsocial month at the Bellevue has come to an end. I never thought I'd actually look forward to going to the gym, but with such a convenient location and such great facilities and classes, I went almost every day that month. I even asked them to extend my month by two days when Sandy made me lose 2 days. That being said I just can't justify it with a student budget right now (although they do offer student discounts and they're running a Thankgiving special if you sign up in the next few days you get a few month or massage or something) Facilities: Clean, nice, towels everywhere in every shape, free razors in the bathrooms (its the little things...) sauna, whirlpool, steam room, pool, 3 floors, track, every machine ever, personal trainers, TRX room, Pilates room, boxing rings/bags, squash/racketball courts, basketball courts, yoga studio, cafe, massage rooms, tanning area...they have EVERYTHING. sometimes I just hung out in the sauna and whirlpool for 2 hours after my workout. Staff is hit or miss. They could have been friendlier. We asked for a tour and the guy seemed annoyed to give us one.( --1/2 star) CLASSES: I like taking classes but they were a bit hit or miss as far as difficulty level and instructor and a few times I showed up to the class being cancelled (-- 1/2 star). Here's what I LOVED: --Extreme Fit with Steve-This class repeatedly destroyed me- in a great way. --Spinning with Shoshana-she's super nice and helpful, and then she gets on the bike and screams at you and it's awesome. --Hip Hop with Jamie-awesome music, and a great workout. Here's what classes weren't hard enough for me, but still good. Some of these classes attract an older (retiree) crowd, which slows the pace of the class. --Zumba with Sonia and Gail- I've been to hard Zumba classes, these were not a big workout, but still fun. More dance step focus than cardio. --Yoga Stretch and Athletic Yoga- great studio but not intense/ yogi enough classes for me. --Interval Training with Bob-jumping on trampolines for 30 minutes is fun but...not enough. --Taifit/bound abs-ok, I thought it would be harder. Also tried the Boxer's workout with Cliff and TRX with Deryl-great workout but not enough music/fun for me, and smelly gloves for boxing. Abs classes were good too but nothing crazy. I'LL MISS YOU SPORTING CLUB AT THE BELLEVUE. MAYBE I'LL COME BACK WHEN I'M DEBT FREE AND HAVE A SALARY. sigh. weep.

During spa week this place is a great deal...you can get a nice deep tissue massage (i like to get my knots worked out) for $50 and get free access to the sauna and whirlpool in your designated locker room area... Service is always good and they're friendly. Masseuse adjust the pressure well and focus on your problem areas. If you're truly there for the massage then it's for you. If you're looking for a super fancy spa?? not it.

I friggin love this place. The group fitness classes are awesome and their trainers are second to none. It's big and open and airy and has everything you'd hope for in a center city gym, including a great pool.

Have bin a member for almost a year Place is great Never wait for a machine Classes are plentiful and very good Clean all the time Guests are friendly Good choice to join

The Hyatt Bellvue is a gross (and grossly overpriced) gym. Parking is $9 per 3 hour session. The showers have a slime on the floor which protrudes into your shoes and some showers are broken. Don't get me started on the hot tub! Spend your money somewhere else, this place sucks.

I've been a member for a few years now. I joined because I needed a pool for my workouts. It does the job, but there is a lot to be desired for the price. I wouldn't say the gym is dirty, but it's definitely not sparkling clean. You can tell the place is just getting old. I used to work at an upscale gym in another city several years ago and once a year they'd have maintenance week where they'd shut the whole gym down and do a deep clean and do repairs. The Bellevue would definitely benefit from this model. I recently swam at Lifetime Athletic in Wayne and that place was awesome...huge, sparkling clean, wide lockers, friendly staff, etc so I'm thinking about switching since it's close to work. The Bellevue gets the job done, but I think it's definitely overpriced for the service and quality you get.

I wanted to try here because all the gyms in the area are either small gyms, private training gyms, or hotel gyms. The layout was nice but when I asked about a day pass they informed me it was going to be fifty dollars. Not fifty doll hairs. You read that correctly the first time... FIVE ZERO. $50. NO gym is worth a fifty dollar a day day pass, and in the current economic climate you would think a gym dedicated to "helping people achieve their goals" would be a little more thoughtful, aka smarter, on the money side of things.

I love the location and variety of equipment at this gym, however the hours are extremely restrictive -- the gym closes far too early, especially on weekends, making it nearly impossible to fit in a workout if you have any plans during the day. Even during the week the gym closes as early as 10 pm some weekdays, making it difficult to finish a workout if you have a busy workday, and want to avoid peak hours right after work. For me, the most important part of a gym is that you can use it -- given the restricted hours, and the high price, I have to give this gym 2 stars.

Was better in the past. Not sure if they got new management or if management just stopped caring, but this gym went from great to mediocre. The cardio equipment is all old and breaking down, hours are limited on the weekend, they always run out of towels, they stopped selling protein shakes and now just sell salads and weird juices, and weights are always laying on the ground, not racked or racked in the wrong places (5 pounds stacked on 10 pounds stacked on 2 and 1/2 stacked on 45). Even during non peak hours, like 6 on a Sunday, the gym is overcrowded and it can be hard to use necessary equipment. Was a loyal member, but will probably look elsewhere. This place promotes itself like an elite gym where you can find anything you need, when it is really a Planet Fitness with squat racks, a basketball court and miniature indoor track.

So so disappointed in the customer service at this gym. Word of advice, you should probably have friendly people working in the membership office. Ya know, the department that is supposed to be trying to get new members? We came in after purchasing a deal online for a month trial membership. Last I checked, the whole point of those deals is to lure people in with a good deal and once they see how awesome your establishment is, they join. Right? Well it sure didn't seem like it when I went there with my partner. We entered the membership office where the girls just looked at us, we told them we were there to sign up and they directed us to Erica. Erica didn't say hi, didn't ask us how we were doing, just coldly asked the bare minimum of what she needed to say to get our info. Never looked up at us once and then handed us our temp card without saying anything. No thank you or goodbye from anyone. I believe the other woman's name was Ariel. It was all around awful customer service We left wondering if it was because we are a gay couple? That we don't look like maybe their usual Rittenhouse clientele? Whatever the case may be, we felt very unwelcome and as a result decided not to join even though we had initially been very interested in doing so.

I have to update my review. I've been a member of about 8 months now. It is hands down the best gym in philly. Which is why I guess I continue to go. However being the best compared to terrible gyms doesn't make it amazing. At first I was obsessed. But lately it has been so crowded it's hard to deal with. I used to love working out in the mornings getting ready at the gym then going to work. That's the reason I joined such an expensive gym, was to have a nice locker room. However, if I do that there's no where to get ready. I wait to find a spot to put on makeup and try to blow dry my hair. It's way too crowded for only about 10 stations to get ready at. Also the classes are super crowded. If you don't book it right away you can't get into any of the good ones. It's been so frustrating. And on top of it they change their perks without explaining. When I joined a perk was free PSN sports teams. It's one of the reasons I was ok with the price. I join and email about how it works and I'm told "they no longer do that" without any explanation. I emailed back to ask why and when this occurred because it's one of the reasons I joined and no one has responded to me ever. It's been over a month. It's the best of what's around but I don't think it's worth the cost. To top off all of my issues I just received a letter they're raising the monthly fee. It's only by a few dollars but it's the principal. So frustrated but unfortunately in philly there's no where else to go. So that's why it's so popular. The best of what's around by far as far as facilities, etc. but they make it hard to enjoy sometimes.

glorified planet fitness, if you deadlift more than 2 plates expect to be told to stop, even using the bumper plates and the platform.(why have bumper plates if you cant use them?) I've witnessed it on many occasions. For $110 a month and a $195 initiation fee i should be allowed to fling feces at the overweight trainers who are incorrectly teaching people incorrectly how to squat. Save your money and go somewhere cheaper. The smoothie bar they have is pretty good though, i recommend getting the java oat.

I love this gym. Very big. Very clean. Nice atmosphere. I have an executive membership and love the privacy. However I seriously don't understand why we use the thinnest toilet paper!!!! I pay 171 a month (bring in my own shampoo and conditioner because that's also not great,) but if i have to start bringing in my own toilet paper that's a problem. I'm talking dollar store, paper tissue thin. Let's please try to up our game in that department! I used to be a member of equinox when I lived in NYC and my favorite part of it (besides great equipment, which Bellevue has close to) was the amenities (Kiehl's, decent toilet paper, etc....)

I have been a member now for close to 8 months. I will keep this short. The gym floor is great for me and the type of work i do. BUT the behind the scenes - if I could give a negative star rating i would. I am tired of the signs being posted that they are working on the steam room. How long does it take ? It has not worked on a consistent basis since I joined. Maybe put some heat in the Jacuzzi as well. I was told by one manger that since it is over the garage there is nothing they can do .WRONG - 2 weeks ago it was so hot that no one was able to get in it . You would think that the management might offer a 10% discount for a few months for the inconvenience. I wonder if management even exists. I have written a few notes in the suggestion box and never a reply

I love the Sporting Club. It is an incredible facility; it feels wrong to even just call it a "gym." I've been enjoying it for a little over a month now, I was able to join because of a LivingSocial deal which reduced the normal monthly fee of $102 to $60 (and no initiation charge and a massage or personal training session, to boot!). This now stands as the best LivingSocial deal ever in the history of the universe and it shall never be surpassed. Fin. I find most gyms utilitarian. Some are nicer than others, some have more equipment or shorter wait times for machines or cleaner facilities, but generally the vibe is people are there to work out and you go in and get it done and go home. The atmosphere here is totally different. The whole place just seems designed to make you feel taken care of. On the first floor, there is a small cafe with very friendly staff, I like to stop there for a quick snack and some coffee after an early-morning workout. There are some armchairs in front of a flat-screen TV that's usually tuned to CNN, some longer tables where you could eat lunch, and a few smaller tables by the windows overlooking Broad Street that have a great view. I've been to other gyms that have juice bars/cafes, but this one just has a very pleasant, friendly vibe to it. The locker rooms are great. They're never crowded, the lockers are big enough to fit whatever you've brought with you. They have absolutely every amenity you could want - for the showers, there are shower caps, razors, body wash, shampoo/conditioner, and shaving cream. The towels are fluffy and always plentiful. There are individual vanities stocked with deodorant, hairspray, body lotion, hairdryers (with diffusers!) and curling irons. Whatever you need, they have it here. I don't think I've showered at home since becoming a member. Since it's been approximately 1 million degrees throughout my membership, I've been using the pool rather than the other fitness facilities. It is absolutely lovely. It is occasionally crowded enough that I've had to share a lane, but everyone is very friendly about it. Only once have I ever had to actually wait for a lane, and that was literally for five minutes. After my swims, I like to indulge in a soak in the giant hot tub, which is the size of my living room at home. I am not kidding. There is also a sauna. The hot tubs and saunas are single-sex, while the pool is co-ed. I'm a fan of the setup. As others have mentioned, if the Sporting Club has an achilles heel, it is the price. I believe the normal initiation fee is $450, on top of the $102 monthly membership fee. They were recently running a promotion for a $99 initiation fee, but you're still looking at a considerable amount of outlay for a gym membership. If you can find a way to fit it into your budget, it would absolutely be worth it. After my promotion ends, I'll be wistfully looking forward to the day my life allows me to return!

This gym is certainly swanky. Clean, tv's on each piece of equipment, large, basketball court, pool, steam room, great hours, and lots of classes. What I don't like, is the price tag...just over 100 bucks per month (what?!?) and the gym gets SUPER crowded from 5-8/9PM. 9 is probably the best time to go because there is virtually no one there, but by 9PM I'm really not motivated to go to the gym. The classes also don't seem as challenging as some of the classes I've taken at other gyms, probably to accommodate the high elderly population that take the classes as well. During pilates one time, this old guy was farting throughout the class...anyway, I digress. But speaking of old people, they LOVE to prance around the locker room naked. It's really quite annoying. Put some clothes on!

This place is AMAZING. The cardio equipment is fantastic. The pool is really great considering we are in Philadelphia . Steve Hoffman is a fantastic trainer. If you want to work your ass off, do 50 push-ups a day, and push your body & mind to the limit -- I would book him. Now In terms of swimming coaches- Roger is fantastic. He is patient, brilliant at swimming technique and breaks down all of the swimming strokes to really ensure proper form. A+!!

When I lived in Philadelphia, I was a member of this gym. For $100+ per month you have the opportunity to rub arms with the political and social elite... Apparently, I never saw anyone famous. Other than Krista P. Honestly, when I was a member of this gym, I really only used it for the pool, treadmills, free weights, and other DIY equipment. I very rarely went to any classes, which is probably a huge miss on my part. The gym is pretty old, but they are doing a nice job of keeping it updated. It wasn't the dirtiest, but certainly not the cleanest. I came mostly for the pool. As it is one of the few indoor 25 yrd pools in center city at a gym. The pool is small, but it is never hugely packed where you are waiting for a lane. They have TVs on almost every treadmill, tons of personal trainers, and lots of events around the gym. If you are looking for something more than a basic gym, this is your next big bet.

This gym is a wonderful all around fitness facility. The amenities alone make it worthwhile (full basketball court, several well-maintained racquetball courts, steam room, sauna, indoor track, and full weight room), not even touching base on the cafe and spa services that are offered. I visited two times as a guest with my friend and loved everything about it. My rating does take into consideration the price, which some may view as expensive, but after factoring in all the amenities (and I have a corporate discount making it $90/month), it is really worth it. I currently live in Manayunk, and commute to Center City for work M-F, with plans to move to CC in May. For me to cancel my gym membership at LA Fitness in Andorra and join The Sporting Club, prior to living in the city, speaks volumes about the club. The area is in a great, safe location, albeit parking in the garage under the building will run you about $18/day . With all the amenities offered, the respectable & knowledgeable staff, and the other features such as the Cafe and Spa; The Sporting Club at the Bellevue is a no brainer to join. I look forward to exercising and going to the gym everyday, and with The SC being as welcoming and nice as it is, you will not be disappointed. Great gym!

Facility: 4/5 stars. Good mix of cardio and free weights. Limited area for kettlebells and clean and press. 1/12 mile track upstairs is a huge plus. Only 3 rowing machines. Lots of free weights that go up to 120+. Bball, squash, and pool are awesome. Missing a multiuse turf/cross training area that a lot of new gyms have hence the lack of 5 stars Environment: 3/5. Empty late nights and older crowd during peak hours. Barely any music. Lots of "lookers" not as much of an athletic atmosphere Staff is great Cafe in the lobby is overpriced but also good. Hours arent great. Latest they close is 11. Never did the classes but they offer them for free with membership.

The Sporting Club at the Bellevue is a fantastic fitness facility, centrally located on a beautiful section of Broad St. The Club houses a variety of options and activities, so you'll never t find it overcrowded even during the January rush. With a plethora of cardio machines like ellipticals, spinning cycles, rowing machines, treadmills, and even an indoor elevated track to choose from, there's always something available; not to mention a large number of free weight and machine stations for weight lifting. I love to run and the indoor track is a boon on those freezing winter days when jogging outside just isn't an option. What I enjoy most about the Sporting Club is the variety of classes and instructors offered, with plenty of class times to suit your schedule. Most of the group classes are around the lunch hour or early evening which makes it very convenient to do a little yoga on your lunch break, or spin out some stress after a long day in the office. Classes are available all weekend, too. The basketball court, pool, and racquetball/squash courts are fun for a break from typical workouts. The monthly fee might be expensive by Philadelphia's standards, but all things considered, it's really not. The facility and perks that come with the membership are well worth it. When I looked at a few other cheaper options in the city, they ultimately offered less or required lengthy commitments (the Sporting Club has no contract, everything is always month-to-month) so you do get what you pay for. Not to mention they have a great spa on site and members get a discount on some amazing massages.

I've been a member at the Sporting Club for almost a month and I plan on cancelling. Two weeks after signing up, an email went out to all the members notifying us of the price increase: $2/month. So we'll be paying $24 more a year in addition to the $105/month we already pay? This is ridiculous to me. I've lived in bigger cities, more expensive cities than Philly, and I've never heard of a price hike like this. I was willing to pay the high price because I thought the Sporting Club was worth it. I haven't been impressed with the classes. Yoga in particular was a disappointment. People really take themselves very seriously in these classes, especially the older folks who glared at me for unknown reasons. Doesn't make for a welcoming or comfortable experience. My back is still sore, a week later, from 1 yoga class. And not in a good way. Some of the other reviewers mentioned the older people who enjoy prancing around the locker rooms fully naked. I didn't think that would bother me. But there's a lot of that. Plus, it seems kind of odd to sit in the whirlpool naked. The whirlpool is probably my favorite feature of the entire gym. This is also the only gym I checked out that didn't offer a free pass of any type. No try before you buy? That might have helped with my initial decision.

I came here for my spa week Swedish massage. And a calming pass out from relaxation massage this was NOT. This was the pound your muscles into submission cry for mercy massage. I was a wuss and didn't stop to say 'holy crap woman those tendons are attached!', but I think I was waiting for that moment of 'this hurts now but the knot will gave way and it'll feel amazing any second now...' When she was done she bent down to where my face was firmly planted in the donut pillow and said "time to wake up", and I just couldn't bring myself to ask her how anyone could have possibly slept thru that?! This was also my first time going to a gym for a spa treatment and I think may be my last. The spa room was right next to the pool, and you'd think that might add a relaxing water sound to the ambiance. But the echoing splash noises more interrupted the effect of the plinky plunky music, not to mention the chlorine smell... The perk that I didn't have time to take advantage of was that by scheduling a spa treatment you get access to the gym for that day. So you can bring your bathing suit and sit in the sauna or the hot tub after your massage, for example.

Great gym. It has everything. Pricey. But if I hear the song that goes "let me disarm you" anymore which is played several times an hour, I'm going to throw up during a set of burpees. Two more things: I'm pretty sure the A/C is not on today and it's 80 degrees in the gym and, worse, the locker room. Staff allow members to leave dirty gym clothes, socks, swimsuits, and shoes on benches and the floor of the locker room

Can't believe I found a gym that compares to 12st street...if it wasn't for the price I would definitely give 5 stars. This is exactly what you want in a gym, clean, friendly, tons of variety and you actually look forward to going there. My friend gave me a three day trial pass and I completely fell in love. If I wasn't moving from the city I would definitely consider joining. The kettle-bell class was great, followed by a strength/cardio class (with mini trampoline!), followed by the intense TRX class. Also, next day I tried spinning which was good. There is tons of cardio equipment (with actual working TVs and multiple channels) and also tons of weights, indoor track, and pool. I only hope my future gym will be as good otherwise I'll have so suck it up and sign up for this one. I haven't been this excited to go to the gym in forever. This is great for anyone who loves variety of work outs from boot camp/cross fit type classes, to spinning, yoga and zumba and is bored with their current fitness routine. I could spend all day there and never leave. The best part? The atmosphere, you forget you are in Philly. PS. LA Fitness is actually embarrassing at this point, and should really get one star. Sigh....

I love this place, even though I can't afford it. The class schedule is the best you can find in Philadelphia. The teachers are excellent (I love Cliff!). The locker rooms are wonderful. There is a pool and whirlpool, which may attrack some folks. The location (except for that elevator ride) is fabulous. I can't justify the cost, though, so I go elsewhere. Please SCB lower your price so I can come (I promise I don't work out enough to warrant your prices!).