Why You Should Hit the Gym by Summer

I've been a member of this Soviet fitness club on Verkhnyaya Vereskaya for a while now, and I've found it's the best value for money in the area. However, I've noticed that people who love it usually have been going for a while, post a ton of photos, and understand the specifics of how these places work. On the other hand, negative reviews often come from one-time visitors who are disappointed by the club's amenities or services. It's possible that someone had a bad experience and didn't resolve it, so they vented online. But honestly, who complains about bad smells or torn towels in a premium club with new equipment and 4,000 square meters of space?

General InformationThe Soviet fitness club on Verkhnyaya Vereskaya is located inside the large Vereskaya Plaza III business complex at Vereskaya Street, 29, building 134. It's conveniently situated at the intersection of Kutuzovsky Prospekt and Ochakovo, which is a plus for me as a resident of the ZAO area. (Crocus Fitness is on a whole different level, so I'm ruling that out immediately.)

You can take the metro to Slavyansky Boulevard or Kuntsevskaya and there's free parking for three hours courtesy of the club.

The club operates 24/7, but the sales department and fitness consultants are only available from 10 am to 10 pm – still pretty convenient, especially for those with a 9-to-5 job. I hate trying to squeeze in a workout before 7 or even 6 pm.

The club has a mobile app.

Membership CostsThe club offers a ton of membership options and promotions, including free trials, guest passes, and more. In April 2022, I signed up for a 12-month unlimited membership for 34,900 rubles. My husband was offered a 12-month membership with two free months added for 36,900 rubles. When I reactivated my membership, I got it for 33,500 rubles.

Be sure to read the fine print and discuss the details with the sales team to avoid any surprises down the line.

hammamWhat Not to GetI wouldn't recommend signing up for the fitness testing. They'll measure your height and weight, calculate your body mass index, and even take your pulse before and after a workout and take body measurements. Then, they'll try to sell you on body composition analysis (fat, muscle, etc.). Don't bother; it's a total waste of time, and the person doing it isn't a doctor you can trust.

Staff at the USSR clubNow, the only time I experienced unprofessionalism at the USSR club was with the cleaning staff. But all the other staff members are top-notch! They're quick and unobtrusive, the instructors are low-key but attentive and caring. They're always on the job.

The reception staff are super friendly and helpful, always willing to answer questions and resolve any issues.

What's so interesting about the Vereskiy fitness clubFirst off, it's open 24/7. And it's huge – 4,000 square meters, so it's never crowded. People just kind of spread out across the space.

Secondly, the club has a cardio cinema (where you can watch a movie and work out at the same time), a Pilates studio, myofascial release (a type of manual therapy that not only relieves tension but also smooths out wrinkles and gets rid of that second chin and computer hump).

salt caveThe little things – the 25-meter pool, the sauna complex, the hammam, the salt cave, the aroma spa, the massive gym, and all the group fitness rooms from yoga to martial arts.

For kids, there's a kids' area, a playroom, a kiddie pool, and all sorts of programs. I've seen kids' birthday parties there a few times – it's really cute.

HygieneWhen you enter the club, you get a magnetic locker key and a big towel in a bag. There are sinks with mirrors right in front of the lockers, and the showers are spacious and clean. The faucets all work, and there are dispensers with shower gel in case you forget your own. The changing room has a row of sinks with mirrors, prices, and – this is really important to me! – a CD player and cotton swabs that are regularly updated.

a nice touch, but many clubs ignore itA little thing, but nice. You can get all fixed up and primped after your workout if you need to.

ЗалWhen I'm in the gym, I'm always impressed by the massive size of the room. The equipment is all brand new and shiny, and it's clear that the trainers take pride in keeping everything in top condition. There are so many machines to choose from that I'm still discovering new ones. If I ever need help with a particular exercise, one of the trainers will come over and adjust the machine to suit my needs. I've never had to wait in line for a machine, and people tend to use them in a way that's considerate of others. The air conditioning is working perfectly, and there's no unpleasant smell - it's a really pleasant place to work out. The crowd is friendly and laid-back, and everyone's focused on their own fitness goals.

БассейнThe pool has three lanes, each 25 meters long. The water is crystal clear, and it's incredibly soft on the skin. You can barely taste the chlorine, and the temperature is just right. There are all sorts of accessories available, from flippers to special boards and more. I usually swim in the farthest lane, so I don't have to worry about splashing or noise. There are always a few trainers on hand to keep an eye on things, so you can swim safely.

One thing that struck me is that, despite the club's reputation as a bit of a party spot, everyone wears swim caps in the pool. I've never seen that at other gyms, like the ones in Luzhniki.

My personal experienceI usually come here for cross-fit and yoga classes, as well as to use the gym equipment. I tend to stick to the treadmill, stationary bike, and stairmaster - although I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of the stairmaster.

I typically run for 5-7 kilometers on the treadmill, then move on to the stationary bike for about 15 kilometers. If I've got the energy, I'll finish off with a few minutes on the stairmaster.

After my workout, I head to the shower and then to the pool for some relaxation time. I swim about 10 laps, which is roughly a kilometer, without stopping - it's a great way to unwind and take care of my back and mental health. It's just the right amount of exercise for me, especially when I'm not burning off a lot of calories.

After a swim, I head to the sauna - I'm not a fan of hammams, they're just too humid and not hot enough to relax my muscles. Sometimes I can chill out in the salt cave after a sauna, but it's already too cool - it's around 30 degrees.relaxation areasfitness barAfter a workout, I can sit down, have a cup of tea, and a snack. The selection isn't huge, but the cafe is nice, the food is fresh, the staff is friendly, and the fish in the aquarium are swimming - it's a total zen experience, really. And considering I always want to eat after a workout, and I still have to get home, this place is a must-have for me in a gym. True, they're currently renovating it.bucket in the hammamminus pointsWhen I come to work out in the morning, the sauna can be a bit chilly - I guess they're trying to save energy by turning it down at night...They're always trying to sell me on unnecessary fitness testingOne time, we had a guest visit and they couldn't find his membership in their system, so I ended up paying for a one-time visit for my mom. But then they found it and apologized and gave us access.That's it. Everything else is perfect.So, to all the gym enthusiasts out there - give it a try!With love,

Your Vera

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