Club Markham

Though I’m not currently a member at Club Markham, I was a member from 2011 – 2014 during the summers as a student ($ 250 for 5 months).
Club Markham caters to the more professional/​older crowd of people — I’d imagine it’s even more skewed towards this demographic with the new LA Fitness stealing the few adolescents that worked out here (including myself). I also noticed a lot of stay-​at-​home moms and retired elderly folk are here during the mornings/​afternoons. With memberships costing ~$ 70.00/month, it’s no surprise that Club Markham mainly hosts an older crowd with $$$.
Parking is a problem here for a couple reasons. Firstly, you have to put down a $ 40.00 deposit to get a laminated parking pass that you place on your dashboard (I seriously don’t think that they even check for these). Secondly, the parking lot behind the hotel is fairly small, and during peak hours, you’ll often have to park very far from the entrance.
Okay, so once you’re done parking, you heave open the large, metallic doors that are located at the back of the hotel. You feel a sense of luxury upon entering this place, as you walk past the nicely scented Ephoria Spa and marbled walls of the Hilton Hotel.
The front desk staff were very pleasant and greet you by your first-​name. In terms of membership cards, you get a laminated piece of paper with your name on it, and hand it to the front-​desk staff, who then hand it back when you’re leaving. Also, once you’re done signing in, there’s towel service — towels are left out on the front desk that you are free to take and place on the equipment, shower with, etc. If you forget a lock for your locker, you can also sign one out too.
The change rooms were also really nice here. I frequented the steam room here, as it provided a fairly relaxing experience. The showers were open concept, and they provide the shower gel and shampoo.
Now for the actual gym — there’s 4 different rooms. Upon entering the gym, in the first room, you’re faced with 20 different ellipticals and treadmills. In the second room, there’s various machines and stationary bikes. In the 3^rd room is where the magic happens — there’s all the weight-​lifting equipment you’ll ever need, including 2 benches, 2 power cages, free weights, pec-​deck, leg press, etc. The 4^th room is your standard studio for classes.
There’s just one major problem that I experienced here. Because they’re located right above the spa, Personal Trainers and staff will frequently scold you for dropping weights — free weights/​deadlifts. While I agree that you should be lifting free-​weights/​dumbbells that you can comfortably control, it’s very difficult to gracefully place a barbell down with 200+lbs while deadlifting. To counter the excessive noise from deadlifting, my friends and I resorted to placing mats where the plates would fall, and the staff seemed okay with it from then on.
I’ve also attended yoga classes here with Debby, if I recall. I’m a noob at yoga, but it was definitely a nice and relaxing experience that helped me with flexibility and mobility.
Overall, Club Markham is a great gym. I would come back here if it weren’t for the price and if more friends/​adolescents came here as well. I really liked the cleanliness/​towel service — I don’t shower at other gyms, but I often showered here and would feel super refreshed after. They also offer a pool and squash court. I’m happy lifting at LA Fitness right now, but I’ll probably return to Club Markham when I’m a wealthy, retired, elderly man.

My go-​to gym in Markham. Great fitness classes and natural light with huge windows (unlike the dark, alternatives in the area). Good size pool and beautiful patio area in the summer where you can order food from the hotel while lounging. It’s nice to see the same friendly faces (members and staff) regularly.

This is a big beautiful gym with many cardio equipments. It is free for all Markham Hilton hotel guest.
There are many cardio equipments available. I think around 15 elliptical machines and maybe 6 treadmills? There are free weights, 2 squat racks, 1 smith machine, couple barbell benches, ab benches and many more chest, back, hip, leg, cable machines. A few bike machines also.
There is an indoor swimming pool with jacuzzi swirl pool. Clean male and female changing rooms with sauna and showers. Oh there are squash courts too.
There are free aerobic and yoga classes for anyone to join. Very classy and pleasant members. Very clean. There are muscle guys working out but no grunting hahaha.
They are give you towels. I wish my hometown gym is this good. I will come back to this hotel literally just for this gym