text: Join CF because it is the only full service gym in the downtown Madison area I was attracted to the fact that they include a lot of free classes all the yoga you could want it is big enough to have your own space and it has a KidszonennPros nn As far as I can tell I have always been able to get on equipment that I want I normally do not go at peak hours so I cannot tell you if this is true all the timenn Locker room seems clean has two saunas and a steam room if you are into that Plenty of lockers between the two in the buildingnn Does not have a smelly gym smell to the workout area or locker room nn Easy to get into classes if you plan just slightly ahead Some classes are more popular than others Over all very good yoga instructors nnConsnn Kidszone is a complete jokennThey either need to embrace the concept or give it up Right now it is a poor excuse for a place to take your kids while you work out It would seem like the person who is responsible for managing the Kidszone is not a parent or forgets what it was like to have little kidsnnThe kids play area is lacking any real activities I have a yr old and they absolutely hate going there They say it is boring and I cannot blame them There are a few mats to play on and not much more There needs to be something more to play with ie TOYS You know those things kids love to play with They do not have to be fancy a few books some blocks a few cars and trucks maybe a small dramatic play area It does not take much to keep a kid busy for an hour but they really need more than a few gym matsnnAlso they will not change diapers or help older children use the restroom What If you are going to have a kidzone it comes with the territory Diapers maybe but little kids bathroom you need to help them if they are toilet trained The restrooms are not equipped for little kids so it would be hard for a little kid to get up on the toilet Also anyone who has little kids know that they may have to go mins after they just went If you will not change diapers you need to have a bathroom equipped to change diapers diaper changing table would help nnNonengaging kidszone employees Being so close to Univ of WI you would think Capitol Fitness would have access to a ton of early childcare majors or even early education students who would like to have a chance and work at a place to gain some real work experience At least from the the few times I was there there was no real engagement happening between the employee and the kids It is like my neighbors kids are watching my kids nnOn the flip side if Capitol Fitness is just doing the kidszone so they can say they have one but do not really want to have kids actually in the gym then they are very successful nn Parking is definitely a hassle during the week if you want to be close If you do not want to pay for parking go after pm when the meters stop or park a few blocks away in the neighborhoodnn The interior of the gym is definitely looking somewhat dated It is dark and dim The atmosphere is sort of muted and not very motivating The gym is starting to show it is agenn Not a lot of sanitize wipes hand sanitizer around which is why I see people skipping off the equipment without cleaning it I have been in gyms where they are all over the place so it unavoidable not to clean the equipment after you are donenn Towels I know people already talked about this I will say that they do have a ton of hand towels and a limited number of small gym towels available to use without charge If you need to take a shower but forget to bring your own you could make due with two smaller gym towel nnOverall the gym is about average and you get what you pay for mth My old gym in DC was twice the cost but provided twice the service So for this price range and if you exclude the consideration of a kidzone I would say the gym is average There are better gyms in the Madison which are probably a better value compared to service but you have to drive out in suburbs to go there if you live anywhere near west near east or downtown this is probably your only choice for a full service fitness center Until Capitol Fitness has a full service gym close by as it is competitive we probably will not see much change nnThe Bright SidenThere are a lot of new big buildings going up in the next few years on the E Washington Ave corridor so it will be just a matter of time until we will see so other gym move into the area It is up to Capitol Fitness Management to see if they can stay ahead and keep the gym relevant before people leave for something better