Is the gym open 24/7?

Yes, the gym is open 24/7, which makes it super convenient for me to fit in a workout whenever I want.

Do you need to make an appointment to use the gym?

No, you don't need to make an appointment to use the gym. Just show up and you're good to go!

What kind of equipment does the gym have?

The gym has a great selection of equipment and free weights, including cardio machines, strength training equipment, and more.

Can I cancel my membership at any time?

Yes, you can cancel your membership at any time. Just give the gym a few days' notice and you're good to go.

How much does membership cost?

The prices are very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the gym and the services they offer.

Can I bring a guest to the gym?

Yes, you can bring a guest to the gym. Just make sure they're aware of the gym's rules and policies.

Does the gym offer personal training?

Yes, the gym offers personal training sessions with certified trainers. It's a great way to get personalized guidance and achieve your fitness goals.

Can I use the gym's facilities if I'm not a member?

No, you can't use the gym's facilities if you're not a member. But you can sign up for a free trial membership to try out the gym and see if it's a good fit for you.

What are the gym's hours of operation?

The gym is open 24/7, so you can come and go as you please.

Gym in My Neighborhood That's Actually Worth the Hype

I've bought gym memberships in the city multiple times, but I usually only stick to it for 3-4 months before losing interest. The main reason is how far they are from me. With a packed schedule and a 2-hour commute in the evening, plus another hour to get there, it's tough to find the time to work out, and exhaustion always gets the better of me.

I've always dreamed of having a gym right near my home, preferably 24/7, so I could squeeze in a workout before work. And guess what? A gym called 'Apelsin' just opened up in my neighborhood, and I've just signed up for a membership.

'Apelsin' has been around for over 10 years and has several gyms in Novosibirsk, but I've never been to any of them because they're all too far away.

I found out about the new gym by chance when I went to a new mall and saw that they were still setting up. I couldn't even get a glimpse of the gym itself, but I liked the location - it's a 5-minute drive from my place, there's a bus stop right nearby, and it's only 4 bus stops from my home. And on a nice day, it's not even that hard to walk there in 25 minutes.

One of the things I liked about the location is that it has a big parking lot. In the city center, where most of the other 'Apelsin' gyms are, parking can be a real issue, and you often have to park on the outskirts and then walk back to the gym, which can be a real hassle.

My review is about the fitness club 'Orange Snowflakes'.

Kurchatova, 38

Hours of operation:

Monday to Sunday: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM

Saturdays and Sundays: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

💚 Pricing

I have to say, their pricing policy is a bit different from other clubs in the network. The membership only includes access to the cardio zone and the gym without a trainer. Group classes are also paid and by appointment, they added them a few months after the club opened. There aren't many, and they're all pretty much the same, I was planning to try Pilates or yoga, but I never ended up going.

The solarium is charged separately, and there's no hammam.

Membership options range from 1 month to 1 year, and the longer the term, the cheaper it gets. I bought the first one for 3 months for 3500, and the second one for 8 months for 7900 rubles.

Training with a trainer is paid separately, and the cost varies depending on the number of sessions and the trainer's level. I go to an instructor, and one session costs 900 rubles, while 12 sessions cost 6000 rubles, which works out to 500 rubles per session.

They also have group training sessions, which are cheaper, perfect for those who like training in a group.

From time to time, they have promotions on memberships and giveaways on Telegram.

💚 What's inside, my impressions

By the entrance to the club, there's a fitness bar, I took a photo on the first day after the opening, now there are more tables. But I haven't noticed it being particularly popular, I rarely see anyone sitting there. Still, it's a lifesaver, you can grab a drink or a protein snack before your workout.

Next up is the reception area, sales desk, and a locker room with a solarium. You get in with your membership card, they take it, and in exchange, they give you a wristband and a key to your locker.

There are two locker rooms: one for men and one for women, as well as separate toilets, which aren't in the locker rooms but in a shared area near the reception desk. At first, I found this weird, but I got used to it.

There's no coat rack, and I actually prefer this decision, as you can just leave your stuff in your locker. The locker room is spacious, with several areas, but one of them is a bit too close to the entrance, and if you don't close the door, people walking by might be able to take a peek. The door doesn't even have a latch or spring to close it automatically.

You can't book a locker in advance; they just hand out keys randomly. The locker numbers seem to be assigned in a pretty chaotic way, too. At first, I got confused and just walked around the locker room a couple of times, trying to find my locker. In one corner, the numbers go from 1 to 10, but on the other wall, they're all over the place, from 60 to 70 or something like that.

One thing that really stood out to me was the tiny area with two hair dryers that's shared among the whole locker room. There's no air conditioning in the locker room or the entire club, so you'll either need to bring your own water or buy some. I've definitely had to do both on more than one occasion.

The lockers themselves are pretty narrow and tall, with two hooks and a small shelf on top. They're actually really spacious, so you can fit both your clothes and shoes inside.

There are also little shelves underneath the seats for your shoes, which are open but honestly, I think it's been a while since someone's walked off with someone else's shoes.

The shower area in the locker room is pretty basic, with a few showerheads separated by walls, but no doors on the stalls - just a little curtain. To be honest, it was like that from the start. There's no heating in the showers either, so if the water's cold in your area, it'll be cold here too.

Next up is the cardio area, which is my absolute favorite. It's tiny, tucked away from the main gym, and it's always so peaceful. I used to go there with my friend and we'd go for a run while catching up on gossip. The paths are laid out in two rows, one row is right by the window with a view of the parking lot and the new high-rise, and the other row is against the wall, but it's got TVs on it. They mostly show fitness-themed clips.

During peak hours (6:40-7:40 PM), there are usually 8 lanes, but they get congested and a small queue forms. At other times, there's always at least one free lane available, and sometimes even more.

The two stationary bikes at the lane edges are hardly ever used and are usually empty. I've had this gym membership for four months, and I've yet to use the bikes. The cardio zone has two ellipticals, but that's it.

I really love the treadmill, and when I signed up for this gym, I was looking forward to using it in the mornings. However, the gym opened two months later than expected, and the lanes are now congested again. I'm waiting for the new season to start so I can finally make my morning running plan a reality.

I also regularly use the elliptical, as it's more comfortable and safer for people with knee or back problems.

From the cardio zone, you can move on to the stretching area. This is a small room with mats, jump ropes, stretching blocks, and some free weights.

One wall is mirrored, and there's a stretching bar along the mirrors. I really loved this area - it's a total vibe booster before a workout, and after, it's great for a quick press or some stretching on your own.

But then, group classes started taking place in the same area, and it's packed even during breaks between classes. It's especially busy between 6 and 8 pm, so if you want to warm up, you're either stuck in the cardio zone or the gym itself.

The gym itself is separate from cardio and stretching, and it's cozy, with soft flooring, plenty of mirrors on the walls, and shelves for your gear. There are enough machines for a decent workout, with some duplicates. They also have additional equipment like dumbbells, kettlebells, mats, jump ropes, and climbing ropes for CrossFit.

Each machine has a placard with info on which muscles it targets and how to use it correctly.

I usually go to the gym during peak hours, and it's busier, but I still manage to get to the machines I need without any issues - or I find an alternative. I'm comfortable with the crowd, even considering I'm a bit of a social outcast.

Working Out with a Trainer

I didn't initially plan on working out with a trainer, to be honest. I'm not really into machines, and I've got back problems that make a lot of exercises a no-go for me. I was thinking of sticking to Pilates, stretching, and cardio. But when I opened the gym, I realized there were no group classes, and just going on the treadmill wasn't motivating enough for me. So, I decided to try working with a trainer for a bit, and I actually really enjoyed it.

The first session was free, and then you pay extra for each one after that. You can either buy a few sessions upfront or pay as you go, either before or after each session.

There are plenty of trainers to choose from, so if something doesn't click or you just don't get along, you can switch to someone else.

For a beginner, especially someone with health issues, working with a trainer is way more comfortable and safer. It's easy to hurt yourself if you're not calculating your loads correctly or doing exercises wrong.

I got paired with a program that eliminates axial loads, tailored to my preferences. I want to tone up my body and get my muscles in shape, as I've got almost no muscle mass and I've been out of strength training for ages. My max is just home dumbbells.

I didn't have to worry about dieting, as I didn't need to - I'm not ready to restrict myself and changing my eating habits is a hassle. Plus, I've got an extra 3-4 kg that'll likely melt away with regular exercise.

So, I've grown to love the gym, despite initial concerns that my back pain would return after workouts. But my overall feeling is normal, and I haven't experienced any flare-ups - it actually feels more comfortable.

We're working on strengthening my back muscles, which helps distribute the load on my spine more evenly, and improves blood circulation. I've noticed an improvement in my posture, my thighs look better, and my skin on my hands isn't sagging like it used to. Overall, my body feels more toned, but I still have some work to do. My stomach is still a bit rounded, and my butt hasn't exactly flattened out - but that's just not happening with my current stats.

Still, I want to keep working out with my trainer - group classes just don't seem as appealing anymore, especially since I first bought my membership.

💚 How crowded is it?

I've been going to Alex Fitness for years - it's one of the cheapest gyms in town, but also the most packed. During evening hours, there are queues for all the equipment, and the popular group classes are always mobbed, like the beaches in the Kuban region during peak season.

I was really worried that it would be the same story here too. But it turned out to be tolerable, free in the day, almost no one in the morning. Peak hours are at 7 PM and then there are queues in the cardio area, and the gym is pretty crowded, but almost all the equipment is available, or you can team up with someone and do sets alternately.

In the first months after opening, it was like there was no one in the gym, just the occasional visitor. By autumn, there were more people, and based on my experience, I know that after the New Year's holidays, the crowd will dwindle again, and the second wave will arrive only in the summer.

💚 Final Verdict

Apelsin Fitness Club is great, I'm glad I bought the membership and renewed it. I love the cardio area, I almost always combine strength and cardio workouts.

Everything is new, clean, not too crowded, and the staff is friendly and accommodating.

Low pricesMany trainersCardio areaNot too crowdedComfortable atmosphereDiscounts and promotionsConvenient location and parkingFlexible hoursCons:

No stepmillNo water cooler with clean waterEverything I need is there, but of course, the most important thing is the desire and time to work out.