The Gym at Carew Tower

I’ve been a member here for over a year, so I feel that it is safe to write a review which represents an experience. The pros: this gym is inexpensive to be a member and the staff is friendly. There are many options to get a lunch hour work out in, and there are also a few classes which are free to members. They also provide towel service, which is a plus. The cons: many of the cardio machines are in disrepair and in need of service, or do not work altogether. This is problematic the first of the year, with a sudden influx of memberships. There are several treadmills, but only a few of them work properly and are not missing pieces. There are few bikes, but I think only one of them dependably works. I wish they would keep the machines up and running. Also, the locker rooms are hot and dark. For the ladies, it is hard for those of us who have to return to work when it is warmer in the changing area and the light is dark with a greenish hue. Of course, if you can look good in the «zombie» mirrors, you’ll look great everywhere else.
All in all, I will continue going for the time being, but there is a lot of potential for improvement here. They could be really great with a small amount of attention and investment.

The good: the staff is pretty nice, and they have towel service, the studio is clean and cool and has decent equipment. Also, they get a star for being cheap (about $ 40/​month), but that’s about it.
The bad: As others have pointed out, this gym is kinda old and tired, bruh. There aren’t many elliptical trainers and only a couple bikes, and half of these have something wrong with them and/​or need maintenance. The locker room is horribly designed, as there’s no door to it, and there are mirrors on every surface so whoever walks by the locker room can see your lovely reflection (and you’d best be getting over any shred of modesty, because there are no changing rooms). Yeah, it’s in a basement and it’s dreary and dark, but hey, it beats NOT working out. Thinking of switching to Mercy Healthplex even though it’s twice as much (but it’s 4x as nice)…

I recently used this gym several times as a guest of the Hilton hotel. Overall, I was unimpressed and probably wouldn’t ever come here unless I was staying at the hotel and it was my only option.
Pros:
The gym is HUGE.
They have every kind of equipment you can imagine.
The carpeted floor looks new-​ish and clean
Cons:
Locker room is really dark.
All the equipment is really old and some of it is falling apart (stuffing leaking out of padding on weight machines, barbells with the rubber coating peeling off, mats are old, torn, and stained.)
Only two upright stationary bikes and no spin bikes.
It’s in a basement of this building so no natural light at all which is kind of depressing.
Management has a sign posted requesting favorable reviews on Unilocal and unfavorable reviews to be sent to them privately.
That’s not how social media works, guys!
Maybe try getting some newer equipment and then you won’t have to hide the truth.

This gym ROCKS!
As a competitive powerlifter in training, I panicked when learning of my week long trip to Cincinnati. I combed the internet looking for a gym with barbells and squat cages. I finally realized my best ally was the convention center. They pointed me in the direction of The Gym at Carew Tower! AND… best of all… it was in the basement of MY hotel!
I was able to continue my training and even received help from Stephanie and staff when I needed it.
As a certified personal trainer, THIS is the gym in which I’d be happy to work… the equipment is plentiful and clean. If you’re looking for a gym in Cincinnati that HAS IT ALLl (even an aerobics studio)…LOOK NO FURTHER… this is the GEM I found in downtown Cincinnati!

This gym is so convenient for those living and working downtown. Excellent equipment, great lap pool, and fantastic staff. Would recommend to anyone who wants a great gym experience.

I didn’t really know this place existed unti l had the chance to warm up here for the FIght for Air Climb. I had heard about it years ago but never realized it was in the basement of the Carew Tower. Anyways, the staff were friendly, the gym had lots of treadmills and ellipticals. The free weights section and machines were ample and seemed to be in working order. One of the best little contraptions that this gym had are calf stretching boards… simple ramp devices that allow one to really stretch out the calf muscles. This was definitely a welcome sight as climbing up the Carew Tower stairs really puts some strain on those muscles. If I worked downtown, I’d definitley consider a memebership to this gym.

I’m on tour with the 1^st National Tour of Wicked, we get health clubs all over the country and by far this is the best club that I’ve had the pleasure of working out at. Not only were people friendly but the equipment and the facility were extreamly clean. I’ve been in some very nasty gyms and just flat out refuse to go back. For those shows staying in the downtown area this is a great location as it is less than a 10 min. walk from most hotels in the area.
I’m training for a climb to Mt McKinley in the spring, so I really had to elevate my workout routine. I hired Donnie as my trainer and never looked back. He showed me how to really push myself. So, now, instead of doing the same routines I now push myself physically and mentally. As my trainer, I felt Donnie showed real interest in what I’m about to do, not just going through the motions.
The other great thing about this gym is, that I know management cares about making sure all the equipment is in good working order because there’s nothing more frustrating than getting on a machine and it does not work, that did not happen here. The pool and sauna are clean and also well taken care of.
I highly recommend this gym.

The best thing about this gym, for me, is that it’s two blocks from my apartment. This is crucial for me, since it means I actually go. It’s SO much less of a to-​do when you don’t have to get in the car and drive somewhere.
It’s not the cheapest gym membership I could’ve gotten, but again, proximity’s big, so I was willing to shill out a bit more for it. I like that it’s low key and casual. Being a downtown resident rather than employee, I tend to go at night, when it’s pretty much dead (their peak hour, according to the staff, is lunchtime).
There aren’t a ton of bodybuilders, usually (most of the people I see there at night tend to be guys endeavoring to bulk up, but they don’t seem to be the douchey, roided-​out caricature). Nice variety of machines. Pool. Hot tub. Sauna. Steam room. Massages and tanning are available across the hall for extra.
Gripes include:
— I wish they were open a bit later. Maybe until 10 or 11. Sometimes I feel a crunch to get in there with enough time to be out by 8:30 or 9.
— I wish they had later classes. I never get to attend any classes because of my schedule finding me there in the evenings.
— I wish they hadn’t cut a deal with the Hilton to let their guests use the pool. Many vacationing parents send their kids down unsupervised and the gym staff does nothing to actively prohibit this. Kind of not fair for paying members who took the pool into considration when joining.
— Small towels are a hot commodity. They’re often out.
But overall, I do love this gym. Works great for me. I’m very glad it’s there.

The best thing about this gym is that it’s convenient. I’ve gotten myself into the habit of going on my lunch hour. There is always a fitness class at that time — free with membership. The gym itself is o.k. Nothing special. They have treadmills, weight machines, elliptical, etc. Though it can get crowded at lunctime, I’ve always been able to get a machine when I want one. I really like the class offerings, although I’m sad that my favorite instructor is moving out of town in the fall. The classes are skewed towards strength and toning with some step and one Zumba class a week thrown in. The only class I don’t love is the yoga. The teacher is very nice and the class is actually fine, its just too gentle for my taste. But if I’m in the mood for a relaxing stretch, the yoga fits the bill. There is also a pool, but I never use it.
The front desk staff is friendly but the management is a bit disorganized. They don’t always post the monthly class schedule online by the first of the month and they are incapable of notifying us of a change in the schedule or class cancellation even though they have our emails. Classes are rarely canceled though. If the instructor can’t come they usually find someone to fill in. They have, on occasion, run out of towels, which is just ridiculous.
They also offer Power 3 personal training, but I have not used these services.
I keep going here because it’s the most convenient time and place for me. I mostly like the classes and instructors and after a year and a half, I feel like I know the other patrons. It’s a fine gym, but nothing special.