Elmwood Fitness Center

$ 50 to TRY IT OUT? Rip off. Other members were at desk complaining about other things as well. Seems like this Is NOT a place you want to be.

Well, it only stands to reason that after all of the good food have been posting that eventually I would need to post from a good gym.
Or, a good cardio-​vascular specialist.
Or my favorite defibulator.
Well, the gym seemed like the best alternative.
Elmwood fitness is a sprawling, gym complex.
So much to do, it is easy to get overwhelmed.
Tons of Cardio areas, tons of weights, ample pools, friendly staff.
Let me co on the pros and cons.
Pros:
Multiple Weight Training areas
Track, if you want to run/​jog/​walk the old fashioned way.
So many cycles/​treadmills/​stair stepper thingy’s/Rowers/skiers, I think/​etc
First Personal Training Session is free
Audit any class for free
Some classes are simply free
Hot Tubs
Many Pools
Huge locker rooms, always find an open locker
Cons:
Personal trainers never do the free sessions on a Saturday, when I am off.
Sometimes the three mile trek across the parking lot should count as my cardio, or is that a pro?
The Café Zuccini, not so healthy. I bought my ids a sandwich there one day after a workout and it was a crustable? Outside of the HFCS and GMO, would it kill them to make a PB&J sandwich on the fly? Come on this is a gym, affiliated with a Hospital!
The Sun Chips, really, I’m gonna work out to improve my heath and then have you triple my daily intake of sodium?! Not smart.
Sweat puddles on equipment. Now this is not really the gyms fault, they provide cleaning supplies all over the place, but really people!?! Wipe down your shtako when you are done working out!
More free classes. Although not the most expensive gym in town, the price is such that one can expect more classes that would be included in the price of membership.
That’s it folks. My honest Gym novice perspective on Elmwood Fitness, in the Elmwood Village Shopping Center.
A good gym, with a few quirks.
I recommend it, you could pay less, but you will definitely get less.

I’ve been a member for over a year now and think Elmwood is great! I joined right when I moved to New Orleans, since Ochsner employees get a discount. If you go 12 times per month, it costs $ 30/​month, no initiation or cancellation fee. My gym routine has some variety, but cardio heavy. They have plenty of cardio machines, I’m not familiar with all the names, but there are many variations of the elliptical, treadmill, spin bikes, and a few stairmasters. Cable TV on every machine (except the spin bikes), although the quality of the picture is usually poor. There’s also an indoor track upstairs that goes around the cardio area and circles above the weight machines, 11 laps = 1 mile. Its uneven at some parts and can get busy when the training sessions are going on. I like running on it since I find it more difficult than the elliptical and I can avoid the temptation to watch TV.
I don’t do much weight lifting, so can’t comment on the weight room. I do venture to the weight machines sometimes… I usually only use the ones on the left side of the room working on the legs and back. There are good variety and at least 2 – 3 of each– leg adductor/​abductor, hamstring curls, leg press, etc. During prime hours, you may need to wait for the one that you want. I just jump on another machine and rotate through them as they become available. One of my newest finds are the stretching machines near the entrance of the weight room. I work out my legs a lot and am fairly flexible, and find that these machines give a really good hamstring, glut, and hip stretch.
Another thing I love about Elmwood is the variety of classes that are offered. With the general membership, plenty of group fitness classes are offered throughout the day. Don’t be intimidated! All of the instructors are super nice and will be happy to answer any questions you have and help you throughout the class.
My favorite class is body pump. Bonnie’s class on Monday is always PACKED. She really kicks your butt! She’s intense, but in a very motivating way! Bonnie is the best at giving direction– good timing and easy to hear. Vivian’s class on Tuesday is a little less full, but still well-​attended. She likes to mix it up and does a variety of tracks from all years. She also sometimes incorporates some cardio into her lunge track, on and off the bench. Not my favorite, but a good work out, nonetheless. I really like her energy and she gives good direction. Scott’s class on Friday is good as well, though it seems like there’s a substitute half of the time. Scott has A LOT of energy and incorporates his goofy jokes throughout the class. He sometimes gets mixed up or forgets the transitions, so it can get frustrating, but he has good intentions and just wants everyone to have a safe and fun workout.
I’ve also done a few spin classes. Come a few minutes before the adjust your bike, don’t be afraid to ask the instructor for help! If your bike’s not right, you’ll regret it quickly! I’ve gone to classes in the morning and afternoon and tried out 4 – 5 different instructors. I find that the instructors are really important for spin because they control the workout and select the music. When I do spin, I am looking for an intense workout and an endorphin rush! Not all the instructors can provide that. If the instructor isn’t good, it can be a really terrible hour. The only spin class I really enjoy is Meg’s on Tuesday at 5:30PM. She is new, started a few months ago. She plays a good music, mostly popular songs throughout the years, good beats and energizing! Her classes have variety– hills, sprints, in and out of the saddle. I also think she’s super motivating, without the excessive yelling. She has great energy!
I went through a phase where I swam a lot, but don’t do it anymore. There are 5 – 6 short lanes in the indoor pool. Some of the lanes are closed in the afternoon for swim lessons/​practices. The gym provides a schedule of lane closures, but it wasn’t always right. Still, the pool isn’t too busy. I’ve had to share a lane with one person only a handful of times. There’s one shower to rinse off before and after and plenty of showers in the locker rooms. The pool is clean and the water is nice. I haven’t used any other pool areas and can’t comment on the outdoor pool.
I’ve also treated myself to some of their smoothies and protein shakes (usually after spin class). I’m a chocolate lover and they have a few chocolate shakes with different calorie and protein content. They have a nice list describing each smoothie’s nutritional content– ask for it. I usually get the Lean Body Lite or sometimes go for something with caffeine in it, if I had an early morning workout.
Overall, I’ve been really happy with Elmwood. It offers everything I need in terms of the machines and group fitness classes. I do go elsewhere for yoga and run outside for longer distances. I would recommend it for everyone!

You know you’re in New Orleans when your gym has a bar. Not a punch line, just fact. Moving beyond the outside poolside bar and café, this place rocks! Spinning room. 3 – 4 fitness classroom and 7 days of various fitness classes at various times, a café complete with food, smoothies and PJ’s coffee, multiple indoor pools and outdoor pools, hot tubs, a cold dip, cardio floor, walk/​run track, weight rooms, racquetball courts and a variety of services as well as pro shop! Literally everything you could want in a gym! We love coming here and the people here are here to better themselves and not to strut around and grunt. Giving it a 4 star only because it’s super pricey!

Read and ask questions before you sign anything and become a member, they have a very persistent billing department that will let you know real quick you signed a contract. I had some financial issues that prevented me from paying monthly bill, they did not seem to be concerned and keep sending fees and charges. You can keep your contract Elmwood

This place is amazing. Great pools, LOTS of cardio equipment, a huge selection of fitness classes, and even childcare with the cost covered by the family membership (up to 2hrs of childcare per day).
My daughter broke her arm while playing there one weekend, but they were quick to call me to come get her and assess the damage. So, don’t worry about leaving your kids while you work out — accidents happen sometimes, but they know what to do!
It’s not $ 10/​mo like some other area gyms, but you get what you pay for, and I highly recommend it. Plus, joining the Harahan location gives you access to all of their other satellite locations.

I moved to the New Orleans area for 18 months, and found the flagship Elmwood Fitness Center (EFC) at Elmwood/​Harahan to be one of my best experiences in the South. I lived in River Ridge/​Harahan, and could drive within 5 minutes or run over there in 15 minutues. I wouldn’t know where to begin describing how great this place is. From the outside, it’s easy to miss and you would never realize how huge they are (2 floors, at least 50,000 sq. ft plus outdoor pool areas). There are plenty of machines, and over 150 classes per week.
There are ample machines available, even during «rush hours.» Almost all of the Cardio machines have individual TVs with 50+ cable channels. I’ll admit that I would often come here to see some of my favorite shows while working out, as I do not have cable.
EFC has Café Zuchini, which offers PJ’s coffee and tea, beer, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and rotisserie chicken; in addition to all the protein drinks and shakes. EFC requires monthly paying customers to make $ 10 per month in purchases from Café Zuchini, or it will be added to your monthly bill.
Sometimes, I would just come here to relax at Café Zuchini, link up to the WiFi, and do grad school work. There are also lots of events here such as nutrition classes, guest speakers from Ochsner Medical, or small customer appreciation parties. This is a place where I would sometimes just drop in, even if I did not plan on working out.
The outdoor pools are just what you need during a hot, steamy summer. There is a grill that serves burgers, grilled chicken, and beer; great for relaxing with family and kids, but burgers and beer are not what you’re really there for. I remember EFC hosting an amazing July 4^th celebration in the outdoor pool area, though. The indoor pools are also great, which include a hot tub and a cold dip (40 degrees).
I would also add that EFC is immaculately CLEAN, with staff constantly circulating to clean to pool, locker, dining, and workout areas. The whole facility has a distinct scent somewhere between cinnamon and berries.
My only complaints are the weekend closing hours at 7:00 pm, and the optional $ 10 a month unlimited towel service. When I wanted to work out on a Saturday or Sunday night, I would go over to the Kenner or Metairie locations, both a 15 – 20 minute drive. I would also bring my own towel. Small nussiances, but minor in comparrison to what EFC offers.
The membership fee is high, but be sure to show your Work ID and ask if they will offer you a discount. My organization was offered to get 50% off on 6 month and 1 year commitments. They are especially supportive to Families, Senior Citizens, Law Enforcement, and Military.
Membership services can be a little slow during rush hours, as there are generally 2 – 3 employees working the front desk and about 2 membership employees available. Once you’re signed up and have your card in hand, you shouldn’t really need much more from the staff.
18 months later, moving back to the Northeast is the only reason why I left EFC.

When I moved back to NOLA in October, I swore to myself that I needed to put some kind of plan into place to make sure I didn’t balloon to 300 pounds. While a strict diet was definitely part of that, exercise was another key factor. I really never thought of myself as a gym person; in fact, I really hated exercising. Then I joined Elmwood Fitness and everything changed.
Even though I live Uptown and this place is kind of a hike, I really, really enjoy coming here to work out! One of the things I really like about the place is that it’s huge. Big enough, in fact, so that you don’t feel like you’re constantly bumping into the same people when going about your workout. Another shining star about this place is its huge aquatic offerings; they have an indoor pool, an indoor hot tub, an indoor rec pool, 2 outdoor lap pools, an outdoor cold dip (amazing!) and an outdoor hot tub. Perfect for getting some laps in, or just getting a dip in post-​workout.
I’ve almost never had to wait for a machine here, even during peak times (between 6−7ish). They have tons of cardio machines, and a huge selection of free weights as well. The machines are all in really great condition, compared to some gyms I’ve been in.
The staff is super awesome as well. Sarah in membership was great when I was first signing up. Christian is an awesome trainer; he really keeps me motivated to reach my long term goals, and individually designs workouts to keep me on my toes while helping me reach those goals.
I found the membership fee to be pretty reasonable when compared to gyms in other cities that don’t have nearly the same amenities that EFC does. They waived the initiation fee since I signed a 12 month contract so that made everything seem super reasonable. One minor annoyance: they use seemingly every single holiday as an excuse to close early/​all day. Case in point: they are closed on Easter Sunday. They will always have their Heritage Plaza (on Veterans right near the Orleans/​Jefferson line) satellite location open 24 hours, but still.

Best gym in New Orleans by far, it’s actually more then a gym. I’ve been a member since 2010. I think I’ve joined 2 other gyms but I always seem to return because Elmwood Fitness Center has so much more than the basic gyms in New Orleans. Pricey but you get what you pay for. simply as that.

Super unprofessional ! I walked in at 9:30 am and there was NOBODY in membership in the largest location ! (Harahan). Even 24 Hour Fitness in Calif can do better than that! Oshnet should MAKE SURE they can process memberships and NOT make people wait! The $ 150 membership fee is high enough!
If it wasn’t the best of what NOLA has to offer I would of walked out… Pretty awful service though!

When I was shopping for a fitness center, price and classes were a huge draw for me. Gyms in NOLA can be pricey, but Elmwood offers me weights, pools, and classes. It isn’t the most modern place as it sits in a strip mall, but the space is huge, and a café is indoors and outdoors.

Today I was told by a manager at Elmwood fitness that I had to cover up or go to a bathroom if I wanted to breastfeed my daughter. The two managers I spoke with here arrogant, rude and belittled me and my friend. Not only did they break the law by doing this, but they made me incredibly uncomfortable for doing something natural and for feeding my child.

This club has THE worst workout hours in town!
They need to open 24hrs

Wow, I came to this gym as my girlfriend’s guest to take a zumba class. All I can say is that this is the crème de la crème of gyms! Of course the price reflects the amenities of this gym so there’s that. But my girlfriend works with one of the partnering Elmwood groups so she gets a discount. Plus, if she works out a certain number of times during the month then she gets an additional discount! Too bad my job doesn’t have that relationship otherwise I would seriously consider switching!
This seems to be a very family friendly gym with kid rooms, indoor swimming kid classes, families in the pool together etc. I didn’t even go upstairs but seriously this gym has everything. There is a lounge area where you can get coffee or food, there is a gym shop in the front, they let you use nice fluffy towels as soon as you walk in, there is a HUGE weight/​cardio room, a nice size indoor pool, the women’s locker room is posh with lockers made of wood, showering facilities. It’s frigging amazing!
If I had a family I would definitely sign up for this gym because there is so much for the kids to do.
As for the zumba class, it was awesome! We went on a Wednesday night and the instructor was on a platform so it was easy to see her. Plus there were other instructors in the front on both sides so you could follow them as well. It was an awesome workout and the people in the class were very nice in helping us pick up the steps for the routine!
Happy Working Out!

I love everything about this gym except the overall cleanliness. Everything else is awesome. Clean the carpets and tile please!

I am very picky with gyms. I could never find one that stuck because I hated waiting for machines or how small they were (you feel like people are watching your every move and judging you). Look no further than Elmwood! I have been going here for a year and a half and have not one single complaint. The staff is always helpful. The classes (especially the les mills series) cannot be beat. The gym is always clean and well kept. I take showers there in the morning and love how they supply blow dryers, curling irons, and hair products. My favorite part has to be how they give awesome discounts! I am a JPPSS teacher and they give a VERY nice discount. Go check this place out; it will definitely change your idea of what a «gym» should be.

I would just like to say that this is the best gym I’ve ever belonged to in any city, ever. It’s comparable to LA Fitness clubs in some ways… but it offers so much more than LA Fitness.
I used to live in downtown Nola and I’d drive out to Elmwood to workout because it is that much better than anything else.
The exterior makes it look like a dump. The shopping mall has gone downhill and has discount stores. Just ignore all that and you’ll be in a fitness paradise. The strongest offering are the swimming facilities, with several indoor and outdoor options available.
However, the one unique thing that NO OTHER GYM EVER HAS is the cold dip. You can beat the hell out of yourself working out, take a cold dip, and be fresh as possible to continue your day. It is seriously the secret to success. Anytime someone gives this gym less that 5-​stars, I know they haven’t tried out the cold dip because it is just that amazing! I don’t know why all gyms don’t have them, but they don’t. If you don’t know what I“m talking about, it’s a small pool that has 55 degree water. Really, it’s the greatest thing on earth. And it’s next to the hot tub so you can go back and forth. OMG, cold dip, I miss you!

This is probably the most fantastic fitness center anywhere in the state. They have a huge array of equipment, swimming pools and a large schedule of classes along with several bars. They have programs for all ages and abilities. I’ve visited this place many times and I’m a fan but it is waaay to far out in the suburbs for me to ever consider joining it. Maybe one day they will open a branch somewhere Uptown…

So this is the only gym I found near me (I don’t think I was looking that hard though), and it’s a really big facility and offers hellaaa choices (classes are included in your membership)!
Other people have written very helpful reviews, so I need not repeat their words. Why I’m so meh about the facility is that it’s quite pricey… very pricey compared to the UCLA Wooden gym back in LA where it was only $ 15 per academic quarter (but maybe cause I was a student there haha), and 24 Hour Fitness where the gym is open 24 hours, and is only about $ 30-​ish a month. Oh, plus, you have to buy food from their café every month or else they still charge you a flat fee even if you don’t…
But then again, being as much as it is for me, it motivates me to come here almost everyday so I’m not wasteful xD I guess it’s a win for them?

This is the only workout facility in Jefferson parish that offers babysitting services. They have a nice play area for the kids, so I don’t feel guilty for leaving them there (2hrs max) The gym offers everything you can imagine. You pay a premium price but you get what you pay for. They have 5 pools and one kiddie pool. They also give discounts for various places of employment (Ochsner, Northrop Grumman, Entergy, etc) so make sure you ask! I have been a member of 3 other gyms in the past and felt uncomfortable in all 3(female thing), but this one is so big and the way its designed I am able to exercise comfortably without feeling watched.