• Location Address:3924 Montlake Blvd. NE 98195  view full map & directions
• Website:http://depts.washington.edu/ima/IMA_ima.php

The University of Washington's Intramural Activities Building (the IMA) offers a variety of activities and fitness resources. Several include: golf, swimming, tennis, waterfront activities and rentals, rock climbing, as well as the traditional cardio and strength equipment you'd expect to find at any large gym. Fitness classes, intramural and club sports are also available. Students, faculty, staff and others associated with the UW are eligible for membership. For details and more information check out the IMA website.

I'm currently at UW, and I tried to work out regularly at the IMA, and it's just not accessible enough. It requires at least 1/2 mile walk from campus (up stairs on the way back) or you can drive and pay for parking.

Also IMA doesn't have any group classes included in membership (I believe 3 yoga classes costs $90 whereas most gyms have group classes included in your membership for a lot less than $90 a month).

The IMA has a lot of great resources, but I found it more worthwhile to join a gym close to my house that is more accessible. The IMA also isn't open regularly, during breaks between quarters its hours shrink. Any time I tried to get on a work out schedule using the IMA, I flopped.

For any one who has the motivation to get there and has the time to fit into its schedule, I do recommend utilizing the IMA, but I would prefer otherwise.

If you are eligible to become a member (or already are but aren't using it yet), I highly recommend you go! I certainly didn't take advantage of this top-notch facility when I was a student at UW, and recently became eligible again when I married a student. It's *affordable* and has such a myriad of activities, courts, pools, weights and machines that you should never become bored with it!