Job Discussion Forums

[big3bc]

Recently, I joined a rather posh health club here in Istanbul. I paid a tidy sum for the membership, but the facilities and location are excellent. They have everything I could want as far as exercise equipment. Plus, they have a beautiful indoor pool, jacuzzi, Turkish bath etc.
If any of you readers are thinking of joining a health club, this place comes highly recommended. However, like everything in this country, there are certain drawbacks. These include:
- Some fathers insist on bringing female children into the men's locker room. Some of these "children" are 9 or 10 years old. I have belonged to several health clubs in the U.S., and most of them don't allow children period. I think it's very rude to the members and uncomfortable for the girls. Have any of you ever experienced this?
- Even though there are lanes marked off in the swimming pool for people wanting to swim laps (2 lanes in an 8 lane pool), for some reason, the other lanes aren't enough for Turkish children, and they always swim into the other lanes crashing into swimmers. The parents, of course, do nothing.
- There must be 50 signs indicating cellular phones are prohibited everywhere but in the corridors. Of course, Turkish men disregard them and shout into their phones anywhere they wish.
- For many club members, exercise comes hand-in-hand with cigarettes. After all, what use is 30 minutes on the treadmill if you can't fill your lungs with smoke immediately afterwards? This is their decision, but they smoke right outside the pool area, and all of the smoke comes inside.
- Many women come to socialize by pretending to exercise, and will sit at the Nautilus machines chatting while people wait to use them.
- Female trainers can only work with females. Male trainers can work with both males and females. You can only get their assistance when there are no young females to talk to.
- The funniest thing I have seen- these little Turkish men with arms no bigger than my wrists flexing in front of the mirrors as if they were Arnold Schwarzenegger. Many Turks have a wiry strength, but few have biceps or triceps to speak of.
If any of you have been contemplating joining a club, you might be better off at a smaller place with no pool to attract children.

[keitepai]

Sounds terrible! Especially since you pay so much, don't think you can do much about most - I just tell the kids off now as parents here are often not bothered by their behaviour. I have never been confronted by a parent, I think they expect you to do it as the culture here is a 'community parenting' style.

I would write to the management about the changing room issue - that is really innappropriate for all. Sometimes the use of the phrase "In all other European union/developed countries this would be illegal/unacceptable....." makes a difference. National or personal pride is so big here that it can be a good card to play. I used it recently with my landlord to get him to fix the place up by saying "All the Turkish neighbours are commenting on the appearance of the house etc, etc"

The smoking ban came into effect in all workplaces/public malls etc - maybe I have it wrong but this should apply to a fitness centre unless they can get by with the cafe exemption. 62YTL fine!!! Again, approach management to enforce this if you can or offer to report them to the appropriate authority!

Good to know all that stuff about male/female instructors - had no idea.
Maybe if you can change some stuff it will help make your gym time more pleasant! Happy workouts

[big3bc]

They don't smoke inside- there is an outside deck which opens into the pool. That is where most go to smoke.
I have brought to the attention of the management my feelings about girls in the men's locker rooom- they said they would put up a sign barring girls of any age from entering, but so far, nothing. Sound typical?

[saloma]

Which club did you join? How much did you pay for membership? For how long do they offer memberships? I'm in the market for a 6 month to a year membership with a pool!

[big3bc]

I joined Essporto Health and Fitness Club located in the Metrocity City shopping mall (Levent).
I paid $1300 for one year. There are three options:
$1300/ yr. - You can only go from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sat/Sun
$1700/ yr. - You can go anytime you wish on weekdays only.
$2000/ yr. - You can go anytime you want.
You have total access to all of facilities with each type of membership. There is an outdoor track, as well as a sun-bathing area. The cheapest one fits my schedule the best as early morning is the best time for me to go, and I have no desire to exercise when its crowded.
All of the best health clubs are located in this area inside shopping malls. The one at Profilo is cheaper, but I'm not sure if they have a pool. The one at Kanyon is double the cost of Essporto.
Essporto is part of a Spanish chain of health clubs. I think you can only sign up for a 1 year membership.

[saloma]

I checked out Profilo a few months back and it does have an indoor pool, but the whole club is underground with little natural light, which is a bit depressing. Yours sounds much nicer.

I think Profilo was around 1000 YTL for a year, with restrictions on hours as well - (I seem to remember it was either closed or unavailable of Sundays, although it was a while back and I may be mistaken.)

Thanks for the info on Essporto!

[Otterman Ollie]

I joined a club in Izmir. Nice, clean and plenty of equipment. No kids, but the smokers (trainers included) go to the club cafeteria to light up,apparently its a restaurant so exempt from the current smoking ban, but they don't serve cooked food or even sell alcohol and I never see anyone there with a plate of food in front of them, infact I don't even see a menu, but its a restaurant. I don't see signs allowing smoking or signs prohibiting it, maybe I could take a photograph in my digital camera and send it to the local Zabita. That would make the brown stuff hit the fan. I so hate dumb people who indulge in that senseless disgusting vice.

[kserasera]

I had a yearly gym membership on the asian side at sports international in the tepe nautilus mall for 1500 ytl a year. mention that you have an expat friend who received a membership for this price and it should not be a problem. this is what i did - and i was more than happy with the facilities. good luck!