Healthworks Fitness Back Bay — Local services in Boston

Not a bad gym, but not worth the price vs other, better options in Boston. The reason you would go is if you felt strongly you'd rather not share a gym with men. Their amenities and machines don't stack up to other gyms. The massages and spa are not great.  Loads of treadmills though. The reason I'm writing this review is for my experiences at the Kid's Club and their poor handling of it. I dropped my daughter off for the first time and they didn't tell me to sign in (you make a reservation in advance so I was unaware you needed to), they didn't tell me they didn't change diapers. One person told me in advance of coming I could bring my frozen bottle, but when I picked her up they told me they had no idea how to heat it- even though I had told them again I had it when I dropped her off. She wasn't fed and had needed to be. There is no locked door or key card to get in and a huge column that obstructs the caretaker's view of the door. I literally could walk in and pick up a child without them seeing me. Anyway at the end of our first time my daughter was a complete wreck. They didn't call me when she started crying even though I had asked them to. One of the caretakers then asked me, "Is this Charlotte??" They had no idea who she was. How then did they even know I was her mother, especially after a complete staff change since I had dropped her off? I tried the kid's club about 7 times and had probably 3 good (eg normal) experiences. Once they told me they called the number I gave them 3 times and didn't get me. They said I gave them the wrong number, but when I checked with them they had the correct one and had apparently misdialed it 3 times. I'm just not sure how you trust someone to take care of your child if you can't trust them to place a call correctly. I contacted the manager both after my first experience and after my last few, before I ended my membership. Both times I was offered kid's club credits. After months of not feeling comfortable using the gym (because I could only use it if I had the club to watch my daughter), the best she would offer was about a $30 credit. Interestingly, her records showed that in 10 months I had only used the kid's club 4 times even though I had used it double that. Not good! Did this mean again if something had happened they wouldn't have a record of whose child it was? After my first experience I had suggested ways to make the club more secure that are standard in most daycares- an access card only moms have, at the very least a log where you can write the child's outfit down so they know which kid is which. Realize some kids may only come one time- or once a month, etc so there's no way the caretakers know the child or parent well enough to spot. There are also complete shift changes midday where mistakes can be made in recognizing the person who dropped them off may not be the same as the person picking them up. I suggested at least putting a bell on the door. Once I came in to get my daughter while the caretaker was in the bathroom with a child. If I hadn't made noise, I can't imagine she would have known I was ever there. Anyway, use it at your own risk. The price of $7 per visit is fantastic but it's cheap for a reason- you get what you pay for and honestly from my experiences, I'm not sure you...

I’ve been a member at this facility for several years and appreciate the overall environment and amenities. However, the quality of personal training services here is deeply concerning from a professional and biomechanical standpoint.

During multiple visits, I’ve observed trainers exhibiting a passive approach to client engagement—often leaning against walls or sitting down while clients perform complex, load-bearing movements with poor form. For example, I watched a client perform partial range-of-motion squats with clear medial knee displacement and insufficient core stability…yet received no correction, cueing, or form adjustments from the trainer. This kind of unchecked movement pattern, particularly under spinal loading, presents a significant injury risk and suggests a lack of attention to even basic movement screening or corrective strategy. Another example is trainers utilizing kettlebells for overhead movements but NOT teaching clients how to hold them properly. A women under instruction from a trainer held the kettlebell on the wrong side of her hand making it impossible for her to ever progressively overload without the risk of DROPPING it on her head. Horrible. Another trainer allowed their client to perform walking lunges while paying no attention to lunge depth, which varied with each repetition, along with having her carry a 15 lb dumbbell in one hand and a 17.5 pound dumbbell in another. Another trainer sat down on the floor while their client deadlifted with extreme lower back rounding- when the client complained their back was hurting the trainer replied “yeah that’s why I hate deadlifts”.

The broader issue appears systemic. Trainers seem to act more as rep counters than as coaches. Effective training requires active observation, real-time feedback, and technical guidance, especially when clients are paying $100+ per session. It’s not simply about presence it’s about providing expertise, accountability, and coaching that helps clients move safely and progress effectively.

I strongly encourage facility leadership to audit training practices and raise expectations for coaching quality. A high-end facility deserves trainers who embody professional standards in movement science, client engagement, and...

Healthworks is worth the price! I wouldn't go to the gym if I did not belong to this gym. Instead I come to this piece of paradise daily.

I love the set-up of this Healthworks location in particular. I like that its not in a basement and love the set-up. The locker room is open, airy and very CLEAN

You always are greeted by a friendly person with a nice big towel. I have found the front desk people very helpful as well.

The free wifi and lounge area is great if you are waiting for a class or eating a meal on the go.

Machines are always widely available. I do wish they had closed capitioning on the cross ramp machines but the ellipiticals and treadmills are more modernly equipped.

This gym smells nice unlike some other sweaty gyms. Its always clean and makes working out a more pleasant experience.

I love the all women aspect. It makes the classes fun and accessible. I like the selection of classes but wished they had more yoga classes that worked for 9--5 people. Although they have more yoga classes than some of the other locations.

On to the best part of this Healthworks, the locker room. I love doing the steam after every work out and makes getting ready post work out a pleasure rather than a chore. Only downside, the whirlpool is constantly out of service and I found that same problem at other Healthworks too.

The price is a killer and I almost dropped to four stars for this reason. However, I feel I get my moneys worth through classes I actually attend. They do have student membership options which is great. Their cheapest student rate is kind of limiting but the prime time one gives a decent discount as well.

All in All, you will spend more here but isn't worth it if you actually go everyday and enjoy it? I say signing up for Healthworks is more like signing up for a spa experience with your workout. If you are looking for that type of workout refuge, sign up for this gym and say goodbye to smelly...