What is the address of the NEF fitness center in Moscow?

The address is 4, Marshala Zhukova Prospect, building 1, located in the Horryshevo-Mnenviki district of South-Western Administrative Okrug.

How do I get to the NEF fitness center?

You can take the metro to Polyezhayevskaya or Horosho (MCC) stations, or take a bus and get off at the nearby stop. Walking from Polyezhayevskaya takes about 15 minutes, while from Horosho it's around 7 minutes.

Is the parking lot on the premises paid?

Yes, the parking lot on the premises is paid, but there's also some unofficial parking in the adjacent yards.

What is the entrance area like?

The entrance area is modern and well-maintained, with an admin desk, sales department, and cafe. It's a great first impression and sets the tone for the rest of the gym.

What is the cafe like?

The cafe has a surprisingly decent fitness menu with healthy options. It's a great place to grab a snack or meal before or after your workout.

How long does it take to get to the gym from the city center?

It takes some effort to get to the gym, but the nearest metro stations are Polyezhayevskaya or Horosho (MCC), making it relatively easy to get there.

What is the staff like?

The staff is friendly and helpful, making the membership process smooth and easy to navigate.

What is the equipment selection like?

The gym has a great selection of equipment and machines, catering to different fitness levels and making it easy to find what you need.

Are there any group classes offered?

Yes, NEF offers a variety of group classes, which keeps my workouts interesting and engaging.

NEF Fitness Center Review: A Hidden Gem in Moscow

I've been a member at the NEF fitness center in Moscow for a while now, and I'm excited to share my thoughts on this fantastic gym.

Located in the Horryshevo-Mnenviki district of South-Western Administrative Okrug, NEF is situated on the 4th floor of a former research institute building. The address is 4, Marshala Zhukova Prospect, building 1.

Getting to NEF is relatively easy, with the nearest metro stations being Polyezhayevskaya or Horosho (MCC). There's also a bus stop nearby, and walking from Polyezhayevskaya takes about 15 minutes, while from Horosho it's around 7 minutes.

As for parking, there's some unofficial parking in the adjacent yards, but be aware that some of the gates are still not installed. You can also park along the road, but make sure to check the signs first. There's a paid parking lot on the premises as well.

The entrance to NEF is a bit unassuming, with the sign not immediately clear that it's the gym. However, once you get inside, you'll be greeted by a top-notch entrance area with an admin desk, sales department, and cafe.

The cafe has a surprisingly decent fitness menu, although I haven't tried it myself. The coffee, however, is delicious, with an Americano costing 100 rubles.

One of the things that stood out to me was the pricing. NEF is located on the 4th floor, which affects its pricing. I've mentioned it before, but the club is not 24/7, which impacts its pricing.

Now, let's talk about the interior of the gym. The reception area of the beauty salon and solarium is located right as you step out of the elevator. After passing by the reception and the solarium entrance, you'll find yourself in the changing room. There are no doors, just a long corridor.

On the one hand, fewer door handles means less germs on your hands. On the other hand, it's psychologically uncomfortable for me. I'm used to seeing a door with a sign, not just walking into a new space through some kind of tunnel.

The clothing area is spotless, with the cleaning staff constantly mopping and dusting. The furniture is brand new or in pristine condition, with compact but surprisingly spacious lockers. There aren't hooks everywhere, but that's just par for the course.

The showers, sauna, and toilets are another story. There are only 2 toilets in the women's changing room, which means there'll be a queue at peak hours. To make matters worse, if there are 3 people in the changing room, that's already a queue. And if there are group classes happening, the queue will be like the ones you see during sales at the mall!

The situation's made worse by the fact that the gym doesn't have a separate toilet. What a bummer...

One thing that really stood out to me was how clean and fresh the facilities were. There's even a set of scales in the locker room that actually give you an accurate weight reading.

The designer's idea behind the plastic shower curtains was to save on doors or maybe it's just due to the building's design... Either way, the entries to the showers, the spa area, and the pool exit are all covered with plastic shower curtains. No doors.

It's a bit jarring compared to the stunning design of the club itself. The showers have a variety of showerheads, shelves for toiletries and towels, and a dispenser for shower gel or liquid soap.

It costs 60 rubles to rent a towel, which is pretty standard in my village. The towel rental system is based on trust, which I really appreciate. In some other clubs, they're super strict about controlling everything, including towel usage. Not here, though - it's a refreshing change.

After you're done, you just need to put it back in the designated bin or in the locker room (as shown below), or on the first floor.

I love the sign at the entrance to the spa complex. It's a great reminder to keep things clean and respectful. I'm totally on board with the no-scrub policy - it's a relief to be in a place where people actually care about the facilities.

There are actually three saunas here, but I didn't get a chance to try any of them out. I wrote about my thoughts on sauna culture here. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of sauna culture - it just feels like a way to exhaust yourself rather than actually relax.

And for all you fans of contrast showers, there's even a bucket for you to use!

After a shower, I dried my hair with the awesome BaByLiss hair dryers. These dryers work like a charm, with professional-grade power and heat control.

One of the best things about the gym is the two water filters that came with it. The water tastes amazing - it's just super clean!

The shaker in the photo above is mine - I bought it for a steal at 140 rubles and it's been serving me faithfully for two years.

And another plus for the gym is the company's commitment to the environment. It's not just about saving money, but also about keeping our planet clean. I mean, our country and the planet as a whole will be cleaner too.

The journey to the gym takes you through a long corridor with mirrors. The Naef areas are essentially long, narrow spaces separated by columns. The club's architecture reminds me of church naves, and the high ceilings have a touch of Gothic flair.

There are plenty of Naef areas at NEF. On a sunny day, they're stunningly beautiful, and the light is perfect for taking great photos.

On your way to the cardio area, you'll pass through another salon and bar – it's like an ecosystem in here!

The bar is lit up in different colors, and I've got to say, I love the red one the most. But the purple, green, blue, and other colors look great too.

If I'm being honest, there's something almost altar-like about the Naef areas.

And, spoiler alert, the gym is being watched over by angels.

I have to say, this design feature really won me over. It feels cozy here, like a warm hug from childhood. My personal associations start to kick in – the exercise techniques my grandma and grandpa taught me 30 years ago, the angel and gothic imagery... it all comes flooding back.

Looking out onto the entrance area from the training hall... I just can't get enough of it!

The hall is quite spacious, divided into different zones. The cardio zone is impressive, with plenty of machines and no waiting in line. As far as I've seen, they're all in good working order, with the occasional exception – I did spot a repair notice a few months ago, but that's about it.

Stationary bikes and ellipticals galore! Those retro ellipticals are a real treat, working like clockwork. I'm thoroughly impressed with the equipment here – it's like a blast from the past, bringing back fond memories.

I've got my corner for TRX workouts, and I've gotta say, the design is really solid - both in terms of height and functionality.

Next to it, I've got a storage cabinet with mats, bricks, straps, and all sorts of other gear. I did find some resistance bands, but I wasn't really looking for them - they're a bit of a niche item, and you might not need them.

I've got straps, and they fit most standard waist sizes. The wear and tear is moderate.

Yes, there are a few storage bins and shelves here, but not many. Usually, our club members use them to stash their gear. Next to my TRX corner, I've got a little mat area for stretching or doing some light exercises on the mat.

I love that I can do some leg swings, calf raises, or even some core work right next to the equipment. It's super convenient!

The barbell stand is a nice bonus – it's sturdy and takes up minimal space.

Plyometric box one. The box has a nice, smooth landing – perfect for some explosive training.

The free weight area is positioned near the mirror, and there are plenty of benches to go around.

I have to say, though, the dumbbells are a bit of a mess – and the plates aren't much better.

And, of course, there are some inclined surfaces for your dumbbells.

I'm really glad to see they've included a few Scott benches – that's a great addition.

I've finally made it to the part of the gym I've been going to for - all the rest of the equipment I've got at home or in my backyard.

The machines aren't the latest models, but they're in great working condition. That doesn't make them better or worse, though - the model is just a fancy wrapper. You can get a good pump going with free weights or on any decent machine.

The floor in the Smiths is worn out.

So, all the classic machines for different muscle groups are here.

Behold, the majestic gravitron - a rare one that you have to stand on with your feet, not your knees.

The machines for upper and lower body are spread out on either side of the aisle. It's a standard and convenient setup, in my opinion.

All in all, the machines are reliable - but there are some that have seen better days. Take the seated bench press, for instance. Honestly, I'm not fussed about it because... I can put my feet down on the platform, underneath it, or even step around the corner and do a lying press...

Honestly, I'm not a fan of the leg press machine in this gym. It's got a weird range of motion and a tiny platform. It's really only good for a narrow stance. That being said, my personal preference (I'm used to a hammer machine) doesn't make it bad. I've done plenty of sets on it, and the fact that you can switch up the machine gives you a decent range of options.

And yeah, that's my go-to machine - the iNotec Lateral raise. You can definitely get a good workout with just your arms, and free weights are always an option, but...

Again, it's just my personal connection to this model. I actually developed my deltoids on a different machine, but I've also done some great sets with dumbbells and a barbell.

And that's it for the leg press. As I'm leaving, I'm looking back at the colorful equipment and the barbell racks...

I was surprised to find that NEF has a few doors hidden behind them. Behind those doors are two group fitness rooms – a large one and a small one.

I don't attend group fitness classes, so I can't speak to the schedule. But I did see some bicycles for spin classes, tables for table tennis, and I even stumbled upon a yoga class.

But the boxing/martial arts area got a big thumbs down from the angels.

And, of course, there's a pool in the fitness club. The entrance is right next to the showers, which is super convenient and logical.

Oh, and one more thing – you can rent a locker and store your stuff in it when you come to the gym without lugging everything around.

I've noticed that the music playlist in this gym is always pretty chill - think classic rock or super neutral vibes. I go without earphones, and I've never caught any pop or upbeat tracks.

To be honest, the people I've met at this gym are pretty much like the weightlifting equipment - essential. I've had some bad experiences at other gyms with super cheap membership, like the one near the MКАD. It's all about the atmosphere, you know? I've been to gyms in the city center, too, where it's all about the hype - the loud music, the dirty floors, the gum on the equipment... not fun.

But not here at NEF! I've never encountered any obnoxious behavior or weird conversations. The facilities are always clean, and I've never seen any gum on the equipment. Okay, sometimes people don't put the dumbbells back in their place, but that's about it.

The crowd is either quiet or super polite. I've had some great conversations with fellow gym-goers, and it's always been super respectful. Of course, there are some people glued to their phones, but that's everywhere, right?

Now, the million-dollar question - how much does it cost? Last summer, I managed to snag a year-long membership for around 20,000 rubles thanks to a promotion. If you just want to drop in, it's 1,800 rubles per visit. If you buy a membership on the same day, that fee gets added to the total. It's pretty standard, but I wish they'd offer a 'just the gym' membership option - or at least a 'just the pool' one. But hey, that's not uncommon in the gym world.

I highly recommend the NEF Fitness Center in Moscow!

The location is super convenient - there's paid parking and great public transportation access, The interior is spotless, well-maintained, and beautifully designed, The gym has everything you need.

There's a pool and a spa area.

The price is really reasonable for a gym of this caliber in Moscow.

My reviews of other gyms in Moscow:

I used to go to SSSR for years,

Les Fitness had a top-notch coaching staff, but the clientele was a bit of a letdown.

You might find my weight loss story interesting - I lost 40 kg in 2 years, and there are before-and-after photos here.