Hello everyone from Lyublyno, Maryino, and Bratislavskaya! I'm going to focus on group programs, not the treadmill, so this review will be centered around group classes.
I was a client at Zebrafitness from November 2017 to May 2018, and I don't plan on buying a membership due to my laziness.
◘◘◘ THE MAD SEARCH ◘◘◘
When I started searching in 2GIS for a fitness club near me, the options were limited. I live between Lyublyno and Bratislavskaya metro stations and found three clubs with group programs:
✔ EasySport on Sovkhoznaya, 8. - It used to be called Sport energy. - (I was there four years ago, and I really didn't like it because the locker room was small, and there weren't enough lockers. They had three morning and three evening classes, and the price was around 2,000 rubles a month)
✔ Territory Fitness on Perervinsky Boulevard, 4 (The membership there cost around 30,000 rubles for half a year a few years ago, which was way out of my budget)
✔ Zebra Fitness in the Bum shopping mall near Bratislavskaya metro.
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٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ COST ٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶
What really annoyed me during the initial search for a fitness club was that many websites DON'T DISPLAY THE MEMBERSHIP PRICE! Why should I waste my time calling the managers to find out how much they want to charge me?
But Zebra Fitness took it to the next level by REFUSING TO DISCUSS THE PRICE OVER THE PHONE. They said to come to the club. I mean, why the secrecy?
But I went anyway, since I live nearby and didn't want to waste my time.
The manager met me, showed me around the club, and took me to a meeting room, handing me this brochure:
There are a lot of numbers here, and I'm not even sure where they came from. I never saw the price list anywhere, maybe the manager just pulled it out of thin air)
I signed up for the 6-month basic plan, and it came out to 21,450 rubles - with a 20% discount = 17,160 rubles.
Freezing for a month is only available for the 12-month basic plan.
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Before I parted with more than half my salary, I asked to try out a class, and the manager signed me up without asking any questions. When I went back a couple of days after the class to buy the subscription from another manager, since mine wasn't available, they told me that the trial class was actually paid (around 1,000 rubles), but they didn't ask me to pay, saying they were giving me a break) I don't know if this was just my imagination or not)
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٩(●̮̮̃●̃)۶ PLUS POINTS ٩(●̮̮̃●̃)۶
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№1 ☝
They have 3 studios for group classes:
the spinning studiothe aerobics studio (bigger)the martial arts studio (smaller), which also hosts classes for women from Pilates to ballet - don't mind the name)The equipment is plentiful, even during the evening rush hour.
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№2 ☝
They offer a variety of programs.
Yoga, Pilates, dance, strength training, spinning, martial arts - that's the list. The real question is when you can actually attend them) If you work from 9 to 6, and you can make it by 7 - the list gets shorter. Yoga, for example, is more often in the mornings, apparently to catch the zen before work)
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№3 ☝
The club is open 24 hours a day. You could live there)
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№4 ☝
They offer a free introductory workout on the equipment so you can figure out what works and what doesn't.
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№5 ☝
They have a large locker room. I appreciate it after Sport Energy when you have enough keys for everyone's lockers).
But their lockers are actually a marvel of engineering. One standard locker is divided into 2 sections in the shape of the letter Z. Of course, you get the key for one section. It's a bit narrow, but things fit. I'll give them credit - I've never had a neighbor in my section, only in the lockers)
The locker room has 3 hair dryers, a shower, a sauna, and a hot tub. It gets a bit crowded in the evenings, but you can survive)
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№6 ☝
I've noticed that active sports enthusiasts are always hosting some kind of event, whether it's Halloween, Valentine's Day, or a club birthday.
I haven't been to any of those, I just want to get home after work and a workout.
№7
For parents:
There's a kids' play area where they can wait for you while you're working out.
You can also sign your kid up for a class if you buy them a membership. I'm not sure about the cost, but their schedule is pretty diverse and you can check it out on their website.
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٩(×̯×)۶ MINUSES ٩(×̯×)۶
№1
The group class schedule has some paid classes that aren't indicated on the website!
So every week, we grab those flyers at the front desk and check out what's free.
I've noticed that there are some paid classes like Antigravity (this one's in hanging hammocks) and almost all the Studio classes. I haven't tried any of those, to be honest, since we're happy with the basic package.
And yeah, some classes require advance sign-up, like Cycle and Pilates Chair, because there just isn't enough equipment for everyone.
№2
They used to have free plastic cups, but now in May they got rid of those and you have to bring your own water bottle. Guess they're trying to be more eco-friendly...
№3
Evening classes at 7 or 8 pm get pretty crowded in the studios, especially during strength training. But I guess that's just part of the Moscow experience...
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Ugh, I think that's all... Sorry for the messy summary, I just wanted to cover all the bases. Maybe it'll help someone choose their gym.
Good luck with your workouts and fitness goals!