Which Boston Gyms Have a Pool? Top 8 Boston Gyms with Pools for a Refreshing Workout
by DEXA SCAN Boston
Which Boston Gyms Have a Pool? Top 8 Boston Gyms with Pools for a Refreshing Workout
Introduction
There’s no better way to get a great workout and cool off from the summer heat than going for a swim! With the summer olympics approaching as well, more people than ever are turning to swimming as a way to stay active. Swimming is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise, and provides a full body workout that’s easy on the joints. Several gyms in Boston help make this sport more accessible through pool facilities. We’ve compiled a list of gyms in Boston that offer pool access, so you can dive right into your workouts!
10 Whittier Pl, Boston, MA 02114
This gym is home to Boston’s biggest outdoor pool! Four lanes are available for the outdoor pool with each one being first come first serve. Lounge chairs are scattered around the pool deck allowing you to relax in the sun before or after your swim. There’s also a children’s pool, lifeguards on duty during open hours, and a cafe so you can grab some fuel afterwards.
In addition to the outdoor space, an indoor pool is available to members as well. The indoor pool requires lane reservations, so you are sure to have a place to swim! Three lanes are available to reserve with lanes 1 and 2 having 30 minute time slots and lane 3 having 45 minute reservations. Each member is able to make one lap lane reservation per day, which is a great way to start a routine. Membership prices differ based on type of membership. The unlimited membership is $49/month and the 10-visit per month membership is $29/month. These prices are a great value for the facilities offered and the location! For an additional fee, this club also provides swim lessons for adults and children of any level!
2. Boston University Fitness and Recreation Center
915 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
The BU aquatics center offers 2 pools available to FitRec and BU students during open swim hours. These hours range but are often held at convenient times. The Competition pool is a 10-lane by 16-lane pool, providing an adjustable bulkhead to change distance metrics from meters to yards. The depth ranges from 7 to 13.5 feet allowing for additional water sports including water polo, synchronized swimming, and diving. This makes this space ideal for those that are more serious about their training!
The other pool available to members is the relaxation pool. This space has three 20 yard lanes, a ramp for wheelchairs, a more shallow depth, and even a lazy river where you are able to jog against the current! After you finish your workout in either pool, you can take a dip in the large hot tub to relax. In addition to all that is offered, classes are also available for adults and children of any level.
The one drawback of this gym is that membership is limited to BU students, faculty, alumni, or residents of the BU area. However, if you fit this criteria the facilities are a great value and a perfect option for those looking for space to swim!
3. Commonwealth Sports Club
1079 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
Commonwealth Sports Club is a popular gym in Boston that in addition to all their classic gym facilities offers access to a salt water pool. The benefit of a salt water pool is that the lower chlorine levels are more gentle on the skin and eyes. Pool lanes must be reserved.
However, this ensures that you have space to swim at a time that suits your schedule. Reservations are 45 minutes long with members being limited to 1 slot per day. With 5 lanes available, there should be an opening that works for you! The price of membership is not available on their website. However, if you are interested in learning more we encourage you to use their online portal to request more information!
4. Equinox Sports Club Boston
4 Avery St, Boston, MA 02111
While their website doesn’t go into extensive detail about this offering, Equinox Sports Club Boston has a swimming pool available to all members. This pool has individual lanes and is 25 yards long, an ideal set up for lap swimming! It is important to note that this pool is on the smaller side with only 3 lanes available. However, members say that it is well maintained and kept clean.
Equinox is well known for its luxury facilities, so while the pool is available, it is important to consider if the other amenities would also appeal to you to ensure it's worth the cost. Membership prices range from $275 - $315 monthly depending on the type. Considering these steep prices, we encourage those interested to schedule a visit to see if this gym is the right fit for you!
5. YMCA Boston
8 Oak Street West, Boston, MA 02116
316 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
The YMCA has 2 locations in Boston, Wang YMCA of Chinatown and the Huntington Avenue YMCA. Both of these locations have pools with very similar offerings. Pool schedules are online outlining times for lap swim, open swim, and family swim based on what you are looking for. There are plenty of lap swim openings at convenient times, and you are not required to make a reservation to attend any of these openings.
In addition, swim lessons are available for a variety of levels and ages to teach you and your children how to stay safe in the water, as well as the skills needed to use swimming as a tool to improve your fitness and health. The swim instructors are well educated with each receiving a national certification. The YMCA also partners with the USA Swimming Foundation to provide swim options for underserved populations, coaching opportunities, and competitive swimming teams. The price of a membership here is very affordable compared to other options in the area at $49 per month for the average adult. However, discounted memberships are available for certain individuals and prices vary depending on type of membership.
6. South End Fitness Center
785 Albany St 4th floor, Boston, MA 02118
The South End Fitness Center is home to a newly-renovated six-lane pool. The hours available to swim are very convenient and offer a lot of flexibility. In addition, the pool area has a warm-up room, kickboards, aqua jogger belts, flippers, and water dumbbells. These offerings make it easy to participate in a variety of water activities!
One restriction to this facility is that there are no lifeguards available, so users are required to be at least 18 years old and be able to swim. However, this does allow for membership prices to be at a lower rate. Membership rates vary but a 3 month membership is $40 a month while a day pass is $15. Discounted memberships are also available for employees of the Boston Medical Center, Boston Public Health Commission, and the City of Boston. This strong emphasis on community is something we really love about this gym!
7. MIT Recreation
120 Vassar St, Cambridge, MA 02139
The MIT recreation center has a 50 meter pool at the Z center, an olympic size! While this pool is often being used by athletic teams, clubs, and for hosting events, there are still plenty of open swim times for members to utilize. The 25 yard pool at Alumni/Wang is also available to members, and is another great option for those looking to lap swim. If you are looking for a more guided approach, swim lesions are available for both adults and children of varying abilities. There are also several programs that you can get involved in including women’s only swim as well as recreational diving.
Even though this gym is geared more towards MIT students and faculty, non-member accounts are available as well. If you’re in the Cambridge area or closer towards downtown Boston this may be a good fit for you!
8. New York Sports Club
505 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
New York Sports Club is located in a great location right on Boylston Street. This gym has an indoor lap pool that can be used for either lap swimming or a quick post-workout dip. While this pool is on the smaller side and pool hours are more limited than some other options on our list, the additional gym amenities may make this a great option for you! A gym membership here costs $84.99 a month.
Conclusion
Gyms with pools offer a unique way to enhance your fitness routine. Swimming is not only an amazing full-body workout, but also a great way to unwind and de-stress. Whether you're an experienced swimmer or just starting out, the convenience of having a pool at your gym is a great option to have!
We hope you found this list helpful! If you have any questions or more recommendations feel free to let us know in the comments below. Happy swimming!
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