Recreation Center - Chanhassen

This is a cheap, no frills place to get a work out if you live in the Southwest suburbs. No contract, no membership, no annual fee, no pre-registration. You can show up and work out for only $2.50 a visit (technically, it's $3 for non-residents, but they didn't check). There is a gym, fitness room, aerobics/dance room, and meeting rooms. The City of Chanhassen offers personal training and fitness classes too. The locker rooms and showers are basic, but new and clean. It's a small facility, tucked into the east side of Bluff Creek Elementary School, so it's not glamorous. No rows of flat screen tvs or monitors and MP3 connections on every treadmill. All the cardio and weight training equipment is located in one room, but the machines are new and well maintained. It seems pretty quiet in the evenings, so their having only 3 treadmills shouldn't be a problem. There are also several ellipticals and stationary bikes, a rowing machine and what looked like a very complete weight lifting circuit. Sure, the Eden Prairie Community Center, the YMCA or the numerous private fitness clubs are larger and have more amenities. But they're also crowded, pricey and usually want a commitment of variable duration. For $2.50 (or even $3) a visit, this is the best deal I've found.

This is a very nice community facility. The gym is busy but a great option for kids in the winter. Workout facilities are also nice. For the price you can't possibly beat it. Overtime I hope the city continues to improve this little gem.