What is the closest gym to the Pennsport area? I know there is a Ballys near 24th and Oregon. Besides that, I haven't see any others.

Fitness Works, at 7th and Reed, is fairly close. Although it's not in Pennsport, it's much closer than the Bally's at 24th and Oregon!!

There's also a gym called Pennsport Club, or something, which oddly enough is not in Pennsport but Queen Village, located at 4th and Bainbridge, or thereabouts.

Also not in Pennsport but there's Sweat on Passyunk, 1/2 block south of Bainbridge.

I go to Fitness Works, and it's a large gym with nice people. Definitely a South Philly hangout, though.

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Is Fitness Works crowded? I've heard good things about Sweat.

I usually (Ok -- USED to) work out in the mornings, and Fitness Works was never crowded that early. My friend Terry at the desk says the afternoons get pretty busy.

I used to really like the Pennsport gym on Bainbridge, before I moved south. It was open 24 hours a day, and they had really early classes (Fitness Works' don't start until like 9). I don't remember what their new name is.

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I go to Fitnes Works and I make it a point to not go at the absolute peak time (5:30-7:00pm) to avoid any crowds. From 7:30 on it's not too bad, never had to wait too long for any machine and I stay on the eliptical for almost an hour with no issue. I go in the AM sometimes and it's not crowded at all.