There’s plenty of research backing how introducing activity into your day is better for sleep, mood, and mental performance. An active body leads to a sharper mind, and exercise in almost any form releases endorphins, making it an effective way of coping with stress.

One of the benefits of iQ’s shared office spaces on Yonge Street and University Avenue, is they’re prime locations for quick access to Toronto’s top fitness clubs. If you’ve thought about joining a gym or club to introduce some consistency into your day, or reap the benefits of physical exercise, here are some fitness centers in the area that you won’t have to go far to fit into your routine:

MedX Precision Fitness

If you’re unsure about what kind of time commitment you can give to a gym, but you know you want to take steps to improve your health, MedX Precision Fitness has a unique one-on-one training program that offers “complete fitness” in 20 minutes, once per week. Specifically designed for those with busy lives who want to take accountability for their health, their training is a tried and tested with proven effective exercise techniques.

Why one workout per week? Here’s the reason:

“Proper exercise provides a stimulus that gives your body a reason to make an adaptive response. Once this stimulus has been introduced the average person requires anywhere from six to 14 days to recover and overcompensate from a productive exercise session; therefore one exercise session per week is usually all that is permitted at MedX Precision Fitness. (Proven in a 2005 study at Nautilus North Strength and Fitness Centre located in Bracebridge, Ontario and published in the international fitness publication; Ironman Magazine)” -MedX Precision Fitness

One of the best review gyms in Toronto, MedX is a mere 4-minute walk from our Yonge Street location.

Goodlife Fitness Center

With locations sprinkled throughout the city, Goodlife Fitness offers the largest range of fitness classes in the country. Membership gives access to numerous amenities and services, such as massage tables, childcare, swimming pools, and much more.

No matter what your preferred workout style, chances are you can find exactly what you’re looking for at the level of intensity you want. Some of the classes they offer include:

Cardio: High and low intensity cardio classes including Zumba Dance, Jullian Michaels BodyShred, BodyCombat, and Goodlife’s unique low-impact cardio: NewBody.

Strength Training: Learn more about strength training and choose the intensity that works for you with guided strength training classes.

Mind and body: Calm your mind and invigorate your body with over a dozen kinds of yoga or pilates classes, including hot yoga, body flow, and pilates mat.

Goodlife Fitness Center locations are within walking distance from both iQ Office Suite locations, and our members receive special discounts at Goodlife Fitness as part of their Member Privileges.

Cambridge Club

The Cambridge Club believes that a strong body leads to a strong mind, and specifically targets the busy executive who wants exercise and leisure in one spot. The club offers both state-of-the art fitness equipment, as well as sports lounge to relax or build relationships. If your work involves travel, Cambridge Club members enjoy access to over 120 reciprocal clubs & hotels around the world, with dining and meeting rooms on site.

With one of the best-equipped gyms in the Toronto, as well as personal training, pool access, and classes including boxing and karate, it offers the ideal environment for busy executives to achieve their fitness goals.

FitChicks

If you’re a woman and want more of a motivating community experience, and less of a typical gym routine, then FitChicks could be your ideal path to better health. If you’re not getting the results you want from your standard workout routine, FitChicks offers numerous boot camps that require only 2 nights per week.

Make no mistake, the FitChicks boot camps and challenges are tough, but they are also incredibly motivating, social, and a great way of getting real results that work with your work schedule. They promise results in 8 weeks, just read their success stories to see some of the dramatic transformations.

As summer winds down and the colder months move in, it might be time to start thinking where you’ll burn off stress or extra energy during winter. With so many excellent fitness centers in our neighborhood, it’s easy to make health and exercise a part of your daily, and weekly routine. Because we value wellness and a good work-life balance, our members receive special discounts to Goodlife Fitness.