Located conveniently with a large parking lot and access to the Red Line at Alewife, this Central…read moreRock Gym is one of the best climbing gyms I've been to in the Massachusetts! The bouldering area is expansive, with a wide range of problems for all skills levels. They have slab and walls with a various levels of overhang. I noticed they had a wall that catered to beginners as well, which is awesome for people starting out. Even during peak hours after work on a weekday, the gym didn't feel super packed and it was easy to get on the wall whenever. The open setup is also nice to see all the problems and what people are working on from one spot. This CRG also boasts a solid lifting area in the back with free weights and power racks, along with a few cardio machines. They have multiple training boards, hang boards, and a pull-up area. Free chalk bags are available at the front, along with self-serve rental shoes. The membership is a bit pricey ($125/month), but they do have classes like yoga included, as well as access to other CRGs. Overall, excellent bouldering gym, excited to go back and try more problems!

Probably the largest central rock gym in Boston, this location in Alewife is known for its more…read morechallenging climbs. I spent about 2 hours here and was quite humbled but enjoyed the experience. If it weren't so far from the main Boston area, I would go more often, but it's worth the trek and visiting at least once!

It is a university gym - so do not expect luxury gym. But they have everything one needs, for work…read moreand an especially great olympic sized pool. I love it - but then I hate luxury gyms and their overpriced offerings. Tons of classes as well and probably one of the best value for money gyms in the area!

I have been to MIT Recreational few times this year for competitive USA Swim meets. I am a fan in…read morethe stands. I can share it's a long walk to the parking lot. Lack of on street parking plus construction across the street currently doesn't help. The elevator is sometimes working. It's always clean and a lot of spectator seating but if they are running both pools during the competition you don't get a great vantage point of the rear pool. Very spacious.

Great low key + good vibe facility…read more I've been climbing here for two months now. Ngan was my top rope instructor and she was excellent, very thorough and made me confident for my first couple weeks of climbing. I really enjoy the atmosphere, absolutely zero pretentiousness & a really welcoming place. Huge compared to a lot of the other gyms in Boston and a great value for the monthly membership.

We had a birthday party here for my 8-year old son and it was fantastic! The staff were all…read moreincredibly helpful and attentive. I highly recommend this place for older children to learn how to climb safely.

The pool itself is beautiful and well-maintained. It's a great spot to relax and hang out during…read morethe day on weekends. It has a nice atmosphere, and when you can get there, it's definitely a pleasant experience. That said, the hours are a major disappointment. Closing at 7pm -- even in the height of summer when it stays light until 9pm makes the expensive membership feel like a complete waste. If you work a standard schedule, it's nearly impossible to enjoy the pool on weekdays, and even on weekends, the early closing cuts short what could be the best part of a summer evening. For the price they charge, it's frustrating and feels like a rip-off. This place could be amazing if they simply extended their hours to match the season. Until then, it's hard to justify the cost.

Amazing staff who are incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming. It's a very special place.read more

Clean 25 yd pool that wasn't too crowded. I went after work and didn't have to share with more…read morethan one person. Also, there's a very large diving well and separate kiddy pool so the lanes don't get full of aqua-joggers or families. Compared to some other local (non-university) pools, it's not quite as over-chlorinated or quite as warm, and definitely cleaner. Cheap entry by day, multiple-session card (I did the 10 entries for $40 which I think is budget-friendly) or gym membership - although I haven't checked out the gym yet. Only complaint is limited hours of lap availability and no AM lap swim during the winter session.

I am trying out several different masters swim programs in the Boston area and this is my second…read moreone I've tried. (See my other review for Quincy masters). So, I have to say, this one is just okay. You get a decent workout, but it's not HARD. And the reason why is not because of the workout itself, but it's because there are no SEND OFF times. Basically, the workout is, you do X amount of sets, but resting wise, you just do 10 or 20 second rests after each set. And so personally I'm not motivated to swim faster because I'm not trying to do anything on a specific time constraint. I find myself a little less focused to go faster without sendoffs. Also, the workout is pretty much the same each time- you start with a warmup, then 2 underwaters, and then the main set, and then an IM set, and the same kind of sprints where you try and do each 25 with zero breath or one, or whatever it is. It's not a bad workout, but I'm incredibly bored because I know it's the same each time. The main set changes each time, of course, but the sameness of structure makes it kinda boring. We get a decent amount of yardage in- anywhere between 2400-3200 per hour and 15 minute workout time. Practices are twice a week. As for the coach, Elyssa, she is a lovely woman. However, she doesn't quite have the enthusiasm I'm personally looking for. I want somebody to yell at me and give me critique. However, in her defense, she does have to coach 6 lanes of people so I understand it's not easy to give personal attention, so I don't blame her. But personality wise, I like a little more spunk in my coach. But everyone is there for different reasons so it's hard for a coach to be everything. The one thing that really bugs me is the staff that works there at the front desk- they are SO unfriendly, rude, impatient and clearly underpaid. They are CRANKY and they are the first people I see when I walk into that building so it makes me want to not be there. The pool is about a 10 minute walk to Harvard T stop (cut off across Harvard campus will save you ample time), so it's not terrible in terms of location. Oh, the pool itself really sucks. First of all, there are bulk heads that's separating the different sections of the pool so there's nothing to GRAB onto when you're doing two hand touches; it's completely awkward and irritating. Imagine finishing and doing two hand touches on a wall. Also, when you get into the pool, they have these blocks that are covered by orange covers that sorta get in the way and make it hard for you to get in- not to mention it is IMPOSSIBLE to get out because of the depth. You have to swim to the ladder to get out of the pool, because there is no way you can get out from the pool otherwise. It's kinda ridiculous. Cost wise, it's $105 for 20 sessions, so that's $5.25 per session, which is pretty cheap. I've looked into many other programs and this is probably the cheapest one. So pros: -Pretty good location if you're in Cambridge -Decent yardage of workout -Nice coach -Inexpensive Cons: -Sucky pool -Unfriendly front desk staff -No real send off times, just go at your own pace (which can be a pro if that's what you are looking for) - A bit dull (atmosphere, people, some of the workouts) If you are in Cambridge and are looking for twice a week workout for fitness, this is probably a good option for you.

This is the least busiest gym compared to the other ones nearby (Hemenway and Malkin). The gym is…read moresmall and quaint; and doesn't get a lot of foot traffic, which is great if you want more privacy when working out. The first floor has the cardio machines like treadmills and step masters. The second floor has weights, rock climbing, and basketball court. You have to be part of the rock climbing club in order to utilize the climbing wall. Great gym, overall!

Great place to come and play basketball with friends. They do have a decent amount if cardio…read moremachines but the weight room is lacking and machines are old. If you want to play squash or racquetball, they also have many courts inside. Basketballs are sometimes a little deflated though. Much less crowded than the MAC near Harvard square.

I'd say this is the cleanest gym of all the Harvard gyms near the Yard. The facility is well…read moremaintained, and the women's shower area is super nice. Unfortunately, the weight areas are still under renovation. Hopefully the floors will be done by the end of September.

This is probably the worst gym I've used, in part because of poor maintenance practices and in part…read morebecause Harvard community members / gym users take such poor care of the facility. Cleanliness: It's pretty terrible. - In every other civilian or military gym I've used, members regularly use disinfectant wipes on benches and machines after use. That's not the case here, so I'm mindful of wiping surfaces down before use. - Most nights, the bathroom trash cans are overflowing with used paper towels. A nice, older gentleman cleans the gym near closing hours, but it doesn't seem like the student staff at the front desk do so during the day. - This is the first gym I've used in which I regularly see used towels left on the locker room floor. I've even seen a towel left next to a toilet. This reflects not only the inadequate cleaning schedule, but also Harvard gym members' lack of care. Rules: - There are rules posted prohibiting Olympic lifting, lifting without shoes, etc., but they're infrequently enforced. - I regularly see gym members doing Olympic lifts (cleans, snatches) that put other members at risk in such a small space. Gym trainers have witnessed Olympic lifts and have said nothing. - I've been told to put my shoes back on while deadlifting, but I regularly see gym members lifting without shoes and sometimes squatting **without socks** (which doesn't even make sense). If you're going to enforce the rules, have systems in place to enforce them regularly / consistently. The gym is fine enough, as the membership fee comes out of my tuition, but Harvard University and its community should do a better job in taking care of its community spaces.

The Holmes Sports Center has a lap pool, indoor track, basketball court, weight room and cardio…read moreroom. They also offer a limited amount of exercise classes during Simmons school year. My membership is discounted due to being an alum but they also offer discounts for employees of Longwood Medical Area. I use the pool a few times and week and have always been happy with the lap times available and the maintenance of the pool. The Sports Center has the standard feel of any collegiate gym meaning the basics are there, they see a lot of use and it's not fancy. The place is well taken care of, the staff are very nice and they also have swim lessons available. The pool is great and the membership is very reasonable. I definitely recommend it!

I like this gym. They have machines, a gym, track, weights and a pool. It's free for colleges of…read morethe Fenway students. Not sure how much it is for everyone else though because I am a COF student. I think this is a good gym though.