Looking for Good Health Club in Southern Brooklyn (Madison: home, live in)

[arel]

There are lots of gyms in southern Brooklyn, some better than others, some frankly offensive.

I am looking for a good one to join. Working out at home is very limited, even though it is free and I could always hire a trainer.

I live in the Madison-Marine Park-Sheepshead Bay area.

What do people think of the following clubs? Empire Fitness, Studio 54, that club a block away from Studio 54, Paedergat Sports Clubs (appears to have terrific facilities, but it is a bit of a drive and the locker area did not seem that clean when I visited.).

I'm interested in good equipment, friendly people, diversity (ethnic, age and fitness level) patrons serious about their activities and not just about fashion and meet-marketing, classes (especially Pilates and Yoga), availablility and quality of personal trainers, convenient hours, parking, cost and general ambience. I don't want a club I won't go to, either because of inconvenience and/or (bigger problem) discomfort with the ambience. I want a reasonable cost, but I don't want to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

I think I would endure some travel and inconvenience for a place I really liked than go to a convenient place where I were uncomfortable with the people, ambience and facilities. There are clubs less than 1 mile from my home that I don't like, because of the ambience and/or the facilities. No brainer on that one.

I'm also interested in feedback about Yoga Studia and Yoga Spot.

I'm interested in feedback about the Kingsbay Y on Nostrand Avenue and Ave. V. It's inexpensive, it has a pool, and it has lots of other things going on. It's a real community center. But its hours are limited. And there is no TV to offset the boredom of the aerobic machines.