Ottawa's "Gay Gym" - Debate Rages

Unlike most major metropolitan centres with a visible gay village, Ottawa is lacking the one component simultaneous with stereotypes about shallowness: a "Gay Gym" - or as it's also known "Gay Church."

Most gay men in the downtown core workout at either GoodLife on Bank and Queen Street, or at the GoodLife in the Rideau Centre - although TrueForm Fitness on Bank and Sommerset is a popular, albeit, minuscule venue.

Both GoodLife locations offer excellent workout equipment, experienced personal trainers, and friendly counter staff. The advantage for Rideau is its younger, more dedicated-to-fitness membership, and of course - communal showers (for those guys that are into that.)

Ottawa queers should be proud that GoodLife is the only fitness industry business to sponsor the Pride Parade. Knowing which side their bread is buttered on, the gym will apparently have a group fitness demonstration on the main stage at the info-fair after the parade in August. So many gay men work out at their facilities that in private GoodLife management and the powers that be have taken to referring to the Queen Street location as "Queer Street."

While not having an official distinction, it's good to know that Ottawa gay boys have a gym to sort-of call their own.