Working out for me means many things…maintaining sanity, a way to sweat out my stress, and it’s how I continue to strive towards being the strongest version of myself. Getting that killer workout in can sometimes be a challenge with my little ones underfoot so having a gym with a good daycare is a MUST. My husband and I chose to join Luxe Fitness Club not long after moving here last year. Conveniently for my family, there are two locations of this blissful “escape”; my husband visits the branch in South County Commons in Wakefield, open for 10 years now, on the way back from his job in Newport, and I drive a short 10 minutes from Charlestown to the Westerly location, open since April of 2008, in the Granite Street Shopping Center.
Let me just say, I love this place. The layout, the staff, the instructors and the members are all so pleasant. A visit nearly every morning has become part of my routine, just like my daily cup of coffee. Happily, as I’m still relatively new to the area, I have started to make friends with those people that seem to be on my similar timeline and agenda there. I have all but memorized the class schedule and everyday challenge myself with my favorites, which the instructors are sure to never quite make the same so you don’t get bored.
The layout of Luxe is the perfect balance of ambiance and efficiency. It is spacious, well organized, and clean. There is a large cardio area to the right as you walk in, having first been greeted cheerfully by the front desk staff of course. There, you can choose from your basic treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, etc. while rarely experiencing a wait for your machine of choice. Behind that is huge area of weight machines and some free weights, which I confess my husband, when he comes with me, uses more than I ever do. I prefer to use the smaller free weight area just across the way. Towards the back of the space is the Spin room and the Group X (as in exercise) studio. As far as the locker rooms go, I can only comment on the ladies one, but that too, is roomy and tidy. There are plenty of lockers for everyone, changing rooms, and a sauna if you want to keep sweating out those toxins.
The daycare, a crucial element to my success, is tucked away behind the front desk area near the locker rooms. The design is brilliant in that I can get my workout in without my little ones spying me from the door and thus soon crying to get out. It is a lovely little room with plenty of toys, tables and chairs, a television, and a bathroom. The caregivers are great with the kids, and I have even used a few of them to babysit at our house. The best part: parents are allotted 2 hours of what I deem FREEDOM (yippi!) to workout uninterrupted, save for a dirty diaper or two.
When I started working out here in February I pretty much just stuck to the treadmill, but as this quickly became quite boring, I soon branched out to the classes, and wonder of wonders I soon myself with muscles in places where there had never been any before, not even after some of the boot camps I’ve done at other places. This is a testament to just how well designed these classes are for success and a “job well done!” to the men and women that are brave enough to teach them. Whether it’s Spin with Diane on Wednesday (or Bill on Saturday) or Kickboxing with Jenny on Tuesday, or Pilates with Leanne on Saturday, I always come out stronger and wanting more!
Luxe offers a free week trial to local residents who’ve never been in before. I highly recommend to anyone reading this that fits into that category to drive, nay RUN (come on, let’s start burning those calories now!) to Luxe and start your own journey to a saner mind and stronger you. Good luck!
