Excercise/workout facilities at DVC resorts......

[panfan]

In my "past life" I would NEVER have dreamed of excercising while on vacation! Too many all you can eat Character Buffets to enjoy! I did not even ever take notice to the facilities at BWV or VWL on previous stays. I'm now making a change towards a healthier lifestyle and might consider actually utilizing these areas....gasp!

For those of you who have used the "gyms" can you tell me what is available...which resort has the best facility etc....

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[sleepydog25]

Can't speak to the other resorts, but VWL's is excellent. Lots of up-to-date machines, and it has an exit to the small pool near the villas (as opposed to the larger, more crowded pool near the main lobby). You can sweat in the health club, then hit the pool to cool off. Need to soothe those muscles? The small pool also has its own warm water spa. Besides all that, VWL, in fact all of WL, is a charming place. It's quiet yet close to MK. Loved it.

 

[Gluman11]

Ditto.....................


I can add that I've also gone to the gym at the Beach Club....same deal with lots of nice new equipment, but much more crowded than VWL, probably because you have 3 hotels over there..................as opposed to one hotel (VWL).....

I prefere the VWL gym (Sturdy Branches) just due to the fact that it never seems to have any crowds to speak of.........Just FYI, I'm one of those guys who works out in the a.m. when the place opens, but I've never seen it really crowded even mid day........

 

[OneMoreTry]

I've worked out at BWV, BCV and OKW. I like BWV the best because it has big windows and you have stuff to watch while you exercise. Best I can recall they have ellipticals, treadmills and bikes -- I'm not sure about stair steppers. A minimal number of weight machines -- what you need while on vacation. If you run, the path around the lake (BWV and BCV) is great in the mornings!

BCV exercise facility looks very nice, too, although I didn't ACTUALLY work out there. I just used the locker room while at the pool. But the view's not as good. Plenty of equipment for a vacation workout -- weights and cardio.

OKW has a dinky little overcrowded room. A reasonable amount of equipment. I hope they enlarge this when they redo the pool. The drawings looked like they were going to have to build a new facility. OKW is a great place for a morning run.

Never saw the VWL facility. Sounds like it's nice, though. All the exercise areas are near pools.

 

[Poorman]

I usually work out at BWV , very good, in July we stayed at OKW, horrible! I went over to SSR and it was very good also. I would rate all but OKW the same. OKW was telling me they got all new equiptment recently, but they don't have any room ,everything is on top of each other.

One reason I like BWV is it is near the elevator. I go about 6:30 so it is very easy to get to and you are inside the whole time.

 

[LIFERBABE]

but can anyone tell me off-hand the distance around the lake at BWV and BC past S&D. I will be at BWV next week and plan on working out daily so I can fit in my bridesmaid dress. LOL

SSR has very nice facilities also and you get to use the private spas in the spa locker rooms.

 

[mickeyc]

I have used most of the exercise facilities and find the one at SSR the best. However, I should note I used this spa while it was still the Disney Institute. It was very quite and had a nice spa, which in my opinion was better than the one located at the Poly & GF. I will be going to SSR in October and hope it is still as nice.

BWV, BCV, and VWL are great. I enjoy runing and the gym after my run. I am not sure of the distance since I usally time myself.

Enjoy all the exercise facilties!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
but can anyone tell me off-hand the distance around the lake at BWV and BC past S&D. I will be at BWV next week and plan on working out daily so I can fit in my bridesmaid dress.

It is .79 of a mile. (Thank Caskbill for that measurment). I am a runner and wanted to find out the distance myself. They didn't know it in either the BWV or BCV fitness areas. Leave it to the Dis to provide the correct information.

It's fun to run around the lake because you have so many of the bicycles pass you as they are going down the hill and they always call out in a fun way with comments but then when they are struggling to get up a hill, it's more fun to run right past them and ask them if they need some help.

HBC

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
but can anyone tell me off-hand the distance around the lake at BWV and BC past S&D.

LIFERBABE:

According to <a href=http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=130187> THIS POST</a> by Caskbill, it's about .79 miles around the Boardwalk / YC / BC loop.

Hope that helps.

 

[disneycrazed139]

I have used BWV and SSR facilities. BWV was small and very quiet the times I used it, which were late in the afternoon. I also liked the windows there and the bit of a view you could have while on some of the cardio equipment.

SSR's facilities are, of course, brand new, and very modern equipment. Lots of TVs but no view. The room was practically empty back in June. It was a little dark in there and I didn't like the atmosphere quite as much as BWV but still nice. What I did like here was the shower room across the hall, which I used on check out day after going to the gym and having a swim. I had it all to myself. I didn't try the one at BWV since our room was centrally located right upstairs, but maybe they have the same facilities.

 

[Kelly Nelly]

I have worked out at all the gyms at the DVC resorts and VWL is the best in my opinion. The one thing though is that if you are a hardcore bodybulder like myself, you really do not want to go to the gym when you are on vacation, I get enough of the gym at home 2- 3 hours a day 6 days a week. A vacation is a time to relax and do things you normally do not do at home. I got to admit I am quite the Specimen.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Originally posted by Kelly Nelly
I get enough of the gym at home 2- 3 hours a day 6 days a week.....I got to admit I am quite the Specimen.

You must be. Between the gym and reading the dis-boards, I'm surprised there's time left for you to eat and sleep.

HBC

 

[Kelly Nelly]

Hey no pain no gain, I have to work really hard to look as good as I do, but you know what it makes it all worth while when I flex my pecs and kiss thunder and lightning ( my two biceps) right at the pools and seeing the looks on all the womans faces.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
but can anyone tell me off-hand the distance around the lake at BWV and BC past S&D. I will be at BWV next week and plan on working out daily so I can fit in my bridesmaid dress. LOL

SSR has very nice facilities also and you get to use the private spas in the spa locker rooms.

Something like 0.9 mile. I always tell DW that we'll count it as a mile, since we're on vacation.

Ralph

 

[LIFERBABE]

I will be sure to add that number to my Passporter! I have a stepometer and I am actually looking forward to hitting the trail in the mornings.

 

[Peterd]

http://allearsnet.com/acc/jog.jpg

Here's the map showing different jogging routes and distances around the BW/BC area.