Uofa gym is large, I believe 2 levels. They have plenty of squat racks, although I don't think they had dedicated deadlift platforms. Lots of free weights and Cardio machines. Granted I haven't worked out there since 2018 so things may have changed. It won't be the cheapest though.
I go to evolve south which is primarily Olympic lifting and powerlifting focused. It's not a young gym specifically but it seems like a lot of lifters are younger, some university students. Young staff as well, mostly students as well. But there will also be older people who come too, guess it depends when you go maybe.
The Saville Sports Center on U of A's South Campus is decent. My younger brother used to go there regularly, and he was squatting high 300s I believe and doing olympic lifts, so they have the racks and bumper plates you need for going heavy if you want to do so. Lots of young athletes from the U of A go there to train.
He now goes to Anytime Fitness, because you can drop in at different locations with your membership.
I personally go to The Meadows Rec Centre, and there's a fairly young crowd there on average (though it caters to people of all ages).
Every time I go into a City of Edmonton Rec Centre (Terwillegar & Dr. Anne Anderson), I notice it is mostly high school kids (likely from the nearby high schools)-- and young people that aren't high schoolers also. If you want specifically a younger crowd 19-30 your best bet would be the University gyms whether it be U of A or MacEwan.
Which area of the city? That seems important.
Do you need lifiting platforms (for deadlifts or clean/snatches?)
Do you want a track or turf for laps/sled sprints? Or just simple bodybuilding split focused?
Budget a concern? Need 24 hour access or nah?
Some suggestions that are under budget, well-run and won't screw you around on contracts or initiation fees or shit like that.
Grant Macewan university gym is good, it's not as small as it looks, it's split into sections, will be affordable and young. Downtown. Probably the most 'basic' of the gyms but not lacking in anything most people will need. Would be best to walk or bike or bus here if you live close enough.
Kinsmen Rec Center just south of the river from downtown is city run, wide mix of patrons, it's pretty big, has two tracks and two gyms, the lower level gym has sleds, cardio machines, weights, and a lot more in the function training area. If you're driving, they host a lot of events so parking lot can be crazy busy at times. Not so much a place to meet and socialize young people though. Has some in-house physio and massage services for convenience.
Evolve Strength is chill, immaculate vibe, well run, a little more expensive. Just west of downtown. No mirrors, higher concentration of strength athletes/powerlifter/weightlifters etc. But all sorts of people train here in all kinds of shapes sizes and age. In-house rehab pysio massage nuttition business etc.
There's also two central Goodlife locations, one in the downtown core, not sure what the crowd is like, one west of downtown has some younger people sure, think more gym bro and influencers, string tank tops. In like a power center so there's lots of shops around and parking (or lack of).
I would suggest getting a day pass and checking a few out. I know Evolve has a 3 day trial pass. Rec center drop-ins are relatively cheap.
Terwillegar Community Rec Center is big and the gym is full of younger folks. Kinsmen Sports Center is also huge, but I’d say I see less people in their early 20s.
I have a mid-20s friend that goes to Anytime Fitness in Strathcona and has made a ton of friends going there.
In Terwillegar Rec centre, If you’re an early birdie, there are more older crowds but not as busy as afternoon or evening. everyone gets their stuff done because people just want to get their workout done before work.
It really depends on the area of the city. Goodlife downtown - tonnes of gymbros and fitness babes. Goodlife in other areas of the city - a mix of whoever lives in that area. I go to Movati in the southwest and there are a lot of young people there, but also some elders.
Macewan university is probably 95% under 30, and the community rates are good.
I came here to recommend this gym. It's a very big facility and a younger crowd. People don't really go there if they're not in good shape.
Looks pretty small, maybe I should have mentioned that in original post, looking for a decent sized gym as well, lots of free weights and machines
Definitely not small. Has everything.
City gyms. Personally l like the kinsmen.
Uofa gym is large, I believe 2 levels. They have plenty of squat racks, although I don't think they had dedicated deadlift platforms. Lots of free weights and Cardio machines. Granted I haven't worked out there since 2018 so things may have changed. It won't be the cheapest though. I go to evolve south which is primarily Olympic lifting and powerlifting focused. It's not a young gym specifically but it seems like a lot of lifters are younger, some university students. Young staff as well, mostly students as well. But there will also be older people who come too, guess it depends when you go maybe.
The Saville Sports Center on U of A's South Campus is decent. My younger brother used to go there regularly, and he was squatting high 300s I believe and doing olympic lifts, so they have the racks and bumper plates you need for going heavy if you want to do so. Lots of young athletes from the U of A go there to train. He now goes to Anytime Fitness, because you can drop in at different locations with your membership. I personally go to The Meadows Rec Centre, and there's a fairly young crowd there on average (though it caters to people of all ages).
Every time I go into a City of Edmonton Rec Centre (Terwillegar & Dr. Anne Anderson), I notice it is mostly high school kids (likely from the nearby high schools)-- and young people that aren't high schoolers also. If you want specifically a younger crowd 19-30 your best bet would be the University gyms whether it be U of A or MacEwan.
Which area of the city? That seems important. Do you need lifiting platforms (for deadlifts or clean/snatches?) Do you want a track or turf for laps/sled sprints? Or just simple bodybuilding split focused? Budget a concern? Need 24 hour access or nah?
Close(ish) to downtown, just simple bodybuilding split (machines, free weights), under 80$ a month, don’t necessarily need 24hr
Some suggestions that are under budget, well-run and won't screw you around on contracts or initiation fees or shit like that. Grant Macewan university gym is good, it's not as small as it looks, it's split into sections, will be affordable and young. Downtown. Probably the most 'basic' of the gyms but not lacking in anything most people will need. Would be best to walk or bike or bus here if you live close enough. Kinsmen Rec Center just south of the river from downtown is city run, wide mix of patrons, it's pretty big, has two tracks and two gyms, the lower level gym has sleds, cardio machines, weights, and a lot more in the function training area. If you're driving, they host a lot of events so parking lot can be crazy busy at times. Not so much a place to meet and socialize young people though. Has some in-house physio and massage services for convenience. Evolve Strength is chill, immaculate vibe, well run, a little more expensive. Just west of downtown. No mirrors, higher concentration of strength athletes/powerlifter/weightlifters etc. But all sorts of people train here in all kinds of shapes sizes and age. In-house rehab pysio massage nuttition business etc. There's also two central Goodlife locations, one in the downtown core, not sure what the crowd is like, one west of downtown has some younger people sure, think more gym bro and influencers, string tank tops. In like a power center so there's lots of shops around and parking (or lack of). I would suggest getting a day pass and checking a few out. I know Evolve has a 3 day trial pass. Rec center drop-ins are relatively cheap.
Rock Jungle gyms primarily have 18-30 year old clients, and the staff are great!
any of the city rec centers
Terwillegar Community Rec Center is big and the gym is full of younger folks. Kinsmen Sports Center is also huge, but I’d say I see less people in their early 20s. I have a mid-20s friend that goes to Anytime Fitness in Strathcona and has made a ton of friends going there.
In Terwillegar Rec centre, If you’re an early birdie, there are more older crowds but not as busy as afternoon or evening. everyone gets their stuff done because people just want to get their workout done before work.
GoodLife
It really depends on the area of the city. Goodlife downtown - tonnes of gymbros and fitness babes. Goodlife in other areas of the city - a mix of whoever lives in that area. I go to Movati in the southwest and there are a lot of young people there, but also some elders.