As the gyms become more crowded, teenagers seek gym equipment that is worth the “weight.” Portsmouth High School students are no different from other high schoolers around the world and have incorporated health and fitness into their daily lives, but a majority of PHS students start to train at the same gym. Many students continue to look for options close to PHS that are also affordable and will be centered around weight training.
Planet Fitness is a gym that a majority of Portsmouth students choose because its proximity to the school is 0.4 miles. However there are other gyms within a 5 mile radius of PHS. In addition, there are other options that offer an “open gym” environment that allows students to work out individually. This is different from circuit training gyms or workout classes because it’s more suited towards your goals.
Portsmouth Athletic Club is open to any high schooler that is looking to improve their fitness independently, or utilizing classes with trainers. According to Google reviews, they are rated
4.1 /5 stars. The gym is approximately 1.1 miles from PHS at 95 Brewery Lane, in the West End. The price to be a member for students contains an enrollment fee of $59, a $10 card fee to check in, and a $69 a month payment, which are all discounted from the price of an adult individual.
The price accounts for the modern equipment, as well as the amenities. Their amenities include: open gym, classes or trainers, men and women saunas, locker/shower rooms, turf space, indoor cycling, and boxing areas. They are open on Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 5pm, as well as Monday through Friday from 5:30am to 8pm. There is no age restriction, but if you are 17 or younger then you must have a legal guardian sign to register you as a member.
Portsmouth Athletic Club “is more than just a gym; it also is a sports training facility. It has awesome features like indoor turf that has helped me develop my lacrosse skills such as speed and overall explosiveness, with workout equipment such as hurdles, ladders, and TRX bands,” Josh Cole, a PHS sophomore, said.
If interacting with people while you workout is not your thing, then Vanguard Key Clubs might be an option for you. Their Google reviews are 3.9/5 stars. It’s located near downtown Portsmouth, 2.7 miles from PHS at 33 Emery Street.
The price to use their facilities is $39 per month, with an enrollment fee of $100, and a key card fee of $20. The moderness of their equipment ranges. “New pieces of equipment for each location are chosen through direct member input each year,” according to
Vanguard Key Club’s website. Surcharges for the new equipment will be added to all members’ payments in the months of January, May, and September to help defray costs. If you are looking for what machines and equipment they have, visit their website.
Vanguard does not have a front desk attendant, so to ask for assistance you can call an automated voicemail which will direct you to the right department for help. They do not have classes, but they are contracted with personal trainers. The price will vary between the client and the instructor. The gym is open 24 hours a day, so if you are restricted by a school schedule there is still time for a workout.
Freddy Scearbo, a PHS junior, expressed that Vanguard Key Club has “helped my mental health and improved my friendships in the gym.”
Fitness Together is a smaller, local gym located at 767 Islington Street in the West End, which is 0.8 miles from PHS. They are rated 4.9/5 stars on Google, and only allows you to work with personal trainers. Fitness Together is geared towards people who don’t know where to start regarding workout strategies or nutrition. They have an optional seven week program for clients that outlines nutrition and will help you work towards your fitness goals by properly fueling your body. They start out with a fit evaluation to see your starting ability level which will be used to shape your fitness journey, along with your body goals.
Fitness Together is a higher priced gym because of the one on one training and their variety of technological machines for monitoring your fitness progress. The prices vary depending on the frequency of your workouts. To help lower the costs you can bring a few other friends. Their options for payment are either a set total number of sessions for a certain price, or a monthly payment for a limited number of sessions a week. They are open Monday through Friday, from 5:30am to 9pm, Saturday 6am to 3pm, and Sunday they are closed.
Brandon Smith, a client of Fitness Together, chose the gym because they work with clients one on one and personalize workouts for you to progress your fitness towards your goal. What makes it different from other gyms, he says, is the “private environment.” He explains that even though you may take a personal trainer to a gym, there may be tons of people still around you.
Inside of Fitness Together, there are only two studios for sessions which keeps it private. Smith likes Fitness Together because the trainers are welcoming and easy to get along with. In addition, he said that it has “everything you could ever want with the equipment.”
Another option that has different workout styles is the YMCA of the Seacoast. Their Google reviews show a rating of 4.1/ 5 stars. The YMCA is located at 550 Peverly Hill Road, about 1.6 miles from PHS. For high school students, their prices are $27 a month, and a $25 join fee. The card to sign in is included when getting a membership. You can use the gym for weight lifting, classes, or use the pool. They are open Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm, and Monday through Friday from 5:30am to 8pm.
