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The top 10 saunas and steam rooms in Toronto

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saunas steam rooms torontoSaunas and steam rooms in Toronto offer a taste of our multicultural influences. Bathers can travel the world while staying within the city's limits: to Turkey for a traditional Turkish bath, Russia for a banya, and to Korea for a relaxing jjimjilbang. Besides our specialty sauna offerings (if those aren't your thing), the 416 has plenty of top-notch spas to choose from for an afternoon spent soaking in tranquility.

Here are my picks for the top saunas in Toronto.

TURKISH BATHS

Hammam Spa
Hammam Spa is the only facility in the 416 that offers a traditional Turkish bath, a ritual that involves relaxation in a warm steam room filled with cool and hot air, followed by a bath on a marble table in a very hot, candlelit room.

RUSSIAN BANYAS

South-Western Bathhouse
Mississauga's South-Western Bathhouse offers an authentic banya made of cedar with varying levels of heat in different areas of the spa. There's a brick stove within the sauna, as any traditional Russian spa should have, and tea room offerings for when you're done.

Sanduny Spa
The Sanduny Spa has a few key rules for your visit: take your time to relax, and enjoy a cold plunge once you've finished. For this North York banya, a few hours in the sauna can be as rewarding as time spent running. Try the Sauna Whisk to burn calories while you rest.

Vladimirskie Bani
The facilities at Vladimirskie Bani in Vaughan centre around a shallow pool surrounded by park benches, vines, and other greenery. There, bathers can refresh from their time in the banya or prepare for a long sit in the wood and stone sauna (also equipped with enough space to lay down while you sweat out all your stress).

Steamul Sauna
Steamul Spa is the only location on this list that provides the option for co-ed, family, and single sex services. While the type of customer may change from day-to-day, these Russian and Finnish spa services are there every day to cleanse your system and relax your mind.

KOREAN JJIMJILBANG

Seoul Zimzibang
The word jjimjil, in English, loosely translates to heating, an apt title for the process of entering a Korean spa. Traditional jjimjilbangs involve a commitment to healing through heat, whether in the form of hot tubbing, sitting in steam rooms or mineral sauna rooms. Seoul Zimzibang is the only spot in the city that provides the practice of relaxing in six mineral sauna rooms, each of which provide different therapeutic benefits for the body.

SPAS

Body Blitz
In between bouts of cold-plunging, resting, and showering in Body Blitz's über-relaxing water circuit, bathers are invited to spend some time in the spa's infrared sauna for a tranquil escape from the outside world.

Novo Spa
Yorkville's Novo Spa is home to a practice they call Steam Bed Body Therapies, a process that begins with exfoliating the entire body before laying the client down on a steam bed for a body wrap and foot/head massages. The entire experience mimics the relaxing properties of a traditional steam room, though amped up for the individual.

Spa My Blend and Ritz-Carlton
The tranquil environment at Spa My Blend - white walls, green tea-infused vitality pools - is enough to start the experience of true relaxation, though bathers often return for the location's aromatherapy steam rooms and luxuriously spacious sauna.

GYMS

Equinox Fitness
Equinox Fitness is the only gym in the city that provides spa services to non-members. The complete service list includes all types of facials, massages, and specialty treatments (like their seaweed body wrap), alongside their restorative sauna, an awesome start or finish for any good workout.

Did I miss any? Leave your picks for the top saunas in Toronto in the comments.

Photo via Hammam Spa on Facebook.


World class British architect tasked with Stollerys site

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Norman Foster Toronto buildingThere's been a lot of discussion about Toronto's record on heritage preservation since the process of demolishing the Stollerys Building unceremoniously began on the weekend. Opinion has been divided, to be sure, but today an important piece of the conversation has been filled in as pertains to the future of the marquee site at Yonge and Bloor. Developer Sam Mizrahi revealed today that Prtizker prize-winning architect Norman Foster will be tasked with the design of the building that will eventually rise from Stollerys' ashes.

This is big news. In case you're not up on your international starchitects, Foster is the mind behind such gems as City Hall and The Gherkin Building in London (pictured above), as well as the Hearst Tower in New York, the Reichstag Dome in Berlin, and many more. Foster has also designed a building in Toronto in the form of U of T's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy on College St. neat Queen's Park.

How much Foster's involvement changes the debate that surrounds the Stollerys site remains to be seen. Certainly the swift demolition of a historical structure leaves a bad taste in preservationist's mouthes, but should a corner as important as his one receive a truly iconic piece of architecture, it might not be worth mourning Stollerys a whole lot. Despite how beautiful the old Toronto Star Building was, for instance, few are dissatisfied with the existence of First Canadian Place. Will something similar happen at Yonge and Bloor?

Photo via Wikipedia

Dean Blundell set to return to Toronto airwaves

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Dean BlundellDean Blundell is set to return to Toronto airwaves with a new show to debut in March. The former radio host at 102.1 The Edge was turfed from the station back in December 2013 amidst controversy surrounding homophobic remarks made on air. Now, Blundell will return with Sportsnet 590 The FAN to host its morning show, as a shakeup has ensued from the move of Tim Micallef and Sid Seixeiro to an afternoon/evening television spot.

Dean Blundell & Co. will air from 5:30am to 9:00am starting on March 2nd. Social media reaction to the addition of Blundell has been swift and negative on the whole, with many questioning his track record as a shock jock. In a press release, Sportsnet characterized the hiring as an acquisition of "big talent" and referred to its ratings domination in the Toronto sports radio market.

What do you think? Will this prove a controversial move for Sportsnet?

Photo by Victoria J Polsoni on Flickr

Sound Academy to be reinvented as new nightclub

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sound academy torontoIt's still a few days before the Guvernment's massive closing weekend drenches Queen's Quay in vodka sodas for one final time, but it looks like we already know who will take up the mantle of Party Central on the Harbourfront. That would be the Sound Academy, which is set to be completely overhauled from its current state as a part music venue/part club into a full-on nightlife destination.

Toronto nightclub czar Charles Khabouth, who owns the nightclub under his INK Entertainment banner, told Vice that he envisions the music venue will be part of "the next generation of clubbing. That means everything ― the layout, the sound and lighting, technology and the overall comfort."

Until now, INK had made no indication they'd be changing anything at Sound Academy to compensate for the Guv's closure - it was apparently rock band Interpol who spilled the beans, announcing via their website that an upcoming Sound Academy show would be moved due to the club's closure. There's no timeline yet on when the venue will close or reopen, but Khabouth's promising some big changes - and if they'll be replacing the venue's much-maligned sound system, it can't be all bad, can it?

Photo by Brian Morton.

Goodlife Fitness might take over Target store locations

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goodlife target torontoIf you've been wondering who might possibly move in to the dozens of massive structures Target will leave vacant when it pulls out of Canada this year, here's a clue: Goodlife Fitness has expressed interest in potentially taking over some of the 133 soon-to-be empty stores.

In a statement released today, GoodLife founder and CEO David Patchell-Evans said the former Target locations "provide spacious and convenient locations that would be an excellent space for people to achieve their fitness goals." The company already has plans to expand to more than 350 clubs across Canada by the spring, and is aiming to get to 400 clubs by the end of the year - meaning this could be perfect timing for shopping centres concerned about finding new tenants.

Photo by Ben Roffelsen via the blogTO Flickr pool.

House of the week: 148 Borden Street

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148 borden torontoThis Harbord Village home at 148 Borden St. has returned to the market with an updated look and asking price of $1,800,000. Back in 2000, the new owners wanted to turn the detached property into two semis and convert the garage on Croft St. into a single family dwelling. The Committee of Adjustment rejected the application and a triplex was built instead.

According to neighbours (and the grainy floor plan), the house is actually four-storeys, not three, as the listing indicates. Neighbours claim the house was constructed as an illegal four-storey dwelling, and was contested by the community (the realtor did not respond to my email for comment). Residential properties in the area have a maximum height restriction which usually allows for three-storeys, unless approved by the city's Committee of Adjustment or appealed through the Ontario Municipal Board.

Regardless, Borden is an eclectic street with a mesh of million dollar houses occupied by a mix of professionals and university students. The street even has a men's rooming house at the corner.

The rental income from 148 Borden pays for the home's monthly mortgage payments but is the property worth the $1.8 million asking price?

148 borden torontoSPECS

  • Address: 148 Borden Street
  • Price: $1,800,000
  • Lot Size: 26x138 FT
  • Bedrooms: 9
  • Bathrooms: 10
  • Parking: 3
  • Taxes: $11,595.37
  • Walk Score: 94

148 borden torontoNOTABLE FEATURES

  • Triple car insulated garage/rental unit
  • Triplex (two-storey units)
  • Washer/dryer included
  • Central vacuum

148 borden torontoGOOD FOR

For foodies, there's no shortage of delicious restaurants along the Harbord strip like Harbord House for upscale pub grub and the new Rasa by the Food Dudes for a cornucopia of international flavours. Borden St. is literally sandwiched between the longtime Boulevard Cafe (with its great summer patio) and newcomer Windup Bird for brunch and late night eats at College. If you're looking for even more restaurants, Kensington Market and Little Italy are just down the street.

148 borden torontoMOVE ON IF

You don't like very, very old houses. In 2011, one resident on Borden discovered an unexploded military shell under her front porch. The Emergency Task Force was called and neighbouring houses were evacuated.

MORE PHOTOS
148 borden toronto148 borden toronto148 borden toronto148 borden toronto148 borden toronto

Read other posts in this series via our House of the Week Pinterest board.

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate for sponsoring our House of the Week.

Fabricland to take retail space at Honest Ed's

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Fabricland Honest EdsHonest Ed's valuable retail space continues to be divided up as the iconic retailer runs out its last months at Bathurst and Bloor. The latest retailer to take space within the walls of iconic discount retailer is Fabricland, who announced its plans for a new location there earlier today. The space is reported to be between 16,000 and 18,000 square feet, and will open next month.

It will join Bad Boy as the second major retailer to set up shop at Honest Ed's since Sonic Boom vacated in fall 2014. Both spaces will be temporary as the building is set to be shuttered come January 1, 2017. I suppose that makes this new store something of a pop-up, although the idea of referring to anything related to Fabricland as a pop-up is at least somewhat absurd (you need local or artisan-made or at least useless products to use such a designation, don't you?).

In any case, it would appear that Honest Ed's won't exactly ride out the string in one piece. But, hey, the signs have been sold, so it's all about the big fade now, anyway.

Photo by Matt in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Sauron of Toronto


Today in Toronto: TO DO Party, Toronto I love you, Dr. Strangelove, Team America, Anti-Glamour, Hawk Jones

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art shows torontoToday in Toronto the Junction will party for Design Offsite with a bash at SMASH, an edible marshmallow sculpture, a Norwegian design show at Mjolk, and more. Ryerson Image Centre's two new photography shows make an interesting contrast: Burn with Desire will feature images of Hollywood stars from RIC's collection, including commercial portraits and work by Cindy Sherman and Andy Warhol. Anti-Glamour: Portraits of Women will take closer look at women's public personas.

The Garrison wants to warm you up on Wednesdays this month with free cult movie screenings, drink specials, and snacks. Tonight's screenings will be Dr. Strangelove, Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb at 8:30pm and Team America World Police at 11pm. At Union Station's Villa Toronto set up, only 10 people at a time can attend Tyler Coburn's I'm that angel reading. For more events, click on over to our events section.

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

Photo: Manfred Linus, Untitled [Marilyn Monroe], date and location unknown. BS.2005.190119/113-1226. The Black Star Collection, Ryerson Image Centre

The top 10 events on Robbie Burns Day Toronto 2015

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Robbie Burns Day TorontoRobbie Burns day in Toronto is as fine an occasion to have a few drinks as one could image. Among Burns' achievements are the fact that he penned some of Scotland's most famous and memorable poems, became a cultural icon and a beacon to liberalism, and was even recently chosen by his people as The Greatest Scot of all time.

He was a celebrity during a time when being a celebrity meant not just taking pictures of yourself on social media but having actual talent, skills, intelligence, and/or abilities. Accordingly, to pay tribute to him, on his birthday on January 25th, we now gather to drink Scotch, eat traditional Scottish fare, and share his poetry. If that's the kind of celebrity worship you want to be a part of, here are 10 places in Toronto where you can toast the man. And take a selfie with your haggis for Instagram. Obvi.

Allen's
Burns' Night at Allen's seems slated to be a rather spirited tribute to The Ploughman's Poet on Sunday January 25th. For $65 you'll get a three-course meal kicked off by a traditional address to the haggis and accompanied by The Scarborough Pipes and Drums, songs by Diane Raeside, and highland dance performances. For reservations call: 416-463-3086.

Auld Spot Pub
According to their Facebook page, The Auld Spot Pub will be celebrating Robbie Burns' day on Sunday and has typically done so with passed haggis, highland dancers, live bag pipers and, in truly Scottish style, drink specials. Address to the haggis is at 6pm

The Caledonian
Toronto's best Scottish restaurant (try to name a few more though...) and whisky bar has already sold out its main events: two sittings of a Burns dinner on Saturday and a three-course, Glenmorangie-sponsored dinner on Sunday. But you can still celebrate the week leading up to the Bard's b-day with a January 20th edition of their regular Women and Whisky Tasting and a January 22nd Old Pultenay/Balbair/AnCnoc tasting!

Mill Street Brew Pub
Mill Street's traditional Robbie Burns supper and brewmaster's dinner on Sunday January 25th features five courses and a different beer paired with each course. Accordingly, it's once again my pick for the best place to toast the ploughman's poet (I'm a bit beer biased). In addition to the Mill Street beers, there's a great line up of food that includes the giggle-inducing cock-a-leekie soup. Cost: $59.99.

The Monk's Table
The Monk's Table will host a trio of Burns events including Haggis Three Ways (yum?) on Friday, a three course meal with beer and whiskey pairings chosen by Toronto Star beer columnist Josh Rubin, and a traditional dinner Sunday night. Call for pricing details and reservations: 416-920-9074

Cameron's Robbie Burns Cask Night
Robbie Burns Cask Night at Cameron's Brewery in Oakville is back for the third year on Thursday January 29 from 6pm-9pm. The evening will feature food from Whole Foods, live music, and most importantly, cask beers. Tickets are $20 before Jan 27th and then $25 at the door (with an extra drink ticket if you come in "Robbie Burns attire"). There will also be an opportunity to win tickets to the upcoming Burlington Beer Festival.

A night of poetry at the Windup Bird Cafe
A night of poetry from featured readers George Elliott Clarke, Catherine Graham, Ayesha Chatterjee, James Lafferty, and Michael Prior, this event will also feature bagpipes and Scottish inspired cuisine designed by award winning chef, Yumiko Kobayashi.

McGugan's
Leslieville's Scottish bar, McGugan's, will feature two seating os Rabbie Burns Day Suppers, one at 5pm and one at 7:30pm. Both will feature a four course meal, three wee drams and a pint of Tennents $49. Be warned: the McGugan clan's motto is "Victory or death" so if the event isn't a success...Well, you've been warned. Call 416-901-9859 for tickets.

The Pipers Pub and Grill
On January 24th, Pipers in Hillcrest Village (don't call it St. Clair West!) will be hosting their third annual Robbie Burns Supper featuring haggis and yes-this-is-the-name-of-a-food neeps and tatties. Bagpipes will be piped, toasts will be toasted, and, as is traditional, there will be karaoke. $25 gets you a three course meal, but you can come to the party and not eat for $15.

Urban Acorn Catering's Vegan Supper Club Series: Ode to Robbie Burns
If, for some crazy reason, the idea of eating a sheep's minced heart, liver, and lungs crammed into a stomach doesn't float your boat, you might opt for this second installment of a vegan Burns day dinner offered by Urban Acorn. Food will include Yam and Cabbage Pie and Chunky Carrot and Red Lentil Soup. Plus, I'm pretty sure scotch is vegan, so...Seating is limited to just 16 people. $45. Click here for details.

Got a Robbie Burns Day event worth sharing? Let us know in the comments.

Distillery District gets a stylish salon to call its own

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mcmanus campbell torontoThough it's home to more than its share of upmarket restaurants and boutiques and a burgeoning condo population, the Distillery District was without a salon of its own - until two veteran Toronto stylists set up shop in the area last November, bringing with them years of experience (and even a few big movie credits).

Read my profile of McManus and Campbell in the fashion section.

What will happen to Toronto malls with Target gone?

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target malls torontoTarget is beating a hasty retreat out of Canada. In four or five weeks, the company says the majority of its stock will have been liquidated and every single one of its 133 locations north of the border closed. Target has four stores in Toronto--near the Stockyards on St. Clair W., East York Town Centre, Cloverdale Mall, and Shoppers World on the Danforth. So what will happen to those locations when the company shuts down for good?

Although GoodLife founder and CEO David Patchell-Evans says he would like to see Target's massive retail spaces become gyms, that's unlikely to happen. Not only are many of the stores too big to easily convert to viable fitness centres, but the desirability of gyms as anchor tenants at large malls is dubious at best.

Research by CIBC predicts two retailers will bid for the available retail space: Walmart Canada and Loblaw Companies, the parent of Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart, among others. "Walmart would kill to get these sites; Loblaw would kill to keep Walmart from getting these sites," the report, published last week, says. Canadian Tire and Lowe's are also likely to be in the running for some Canadian locations, which have a combined value of $1.1 billion.

CIBC predicts "an aggressive bidding war" between Walmart and Loblaw (they like to use the word "war") that could see Target's real estate fetch $2 billion.

Some of the Toronto sites, however, have restrictions that prevent Loblaw from simply dropping in a supermarket. "Adding these sites could force Loblaw into the general merchandise business in a bigger way than they might like," possibly opening the door to the introduction of a new Loblaw-owned store concept, CIBC says.

Walmart Canada, on the other hand, would find it relatively easy to simply repurpose former Target locations for its own use. Target deliberately selected Zellers stores away from Walmart locations, and so, if Walmart takes over, there will be few geographical clashes.

As a result, the report predicts Walmart will bid for and win most of the 133 Target locations nationwide, and there's no reason to predict that scenario wouldn't play out in Toronto, too.

That's good news for East York Town Centre, Cloverdale Mall, and Shoppers World (if not for Target's 17,600 employees.) The malls will likely avoid losing significant amounts of cash as a result of an anchor location lying vacant. The Stockyards, however, is already within two kilometres of a Walmart location, so it's not clear what will happen there.

Bottom line according to CIBC: Expect more Walmart locations in Toronto.

Photo by Flashbracket

All Toronto streetcars to get Presto by the end of 2015

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toronto streetcarsThe existing fleet of Toronto streetcars could be fitted with Presto card readers by the end of 2015, according to the TTC, speeding up the planned rollout by several years.

The Globe and Mail reports the transit commission will try to procure a Presto reader for every bus, streetcar, and subway station by the end of 2016. Originally the TTC planned to save money by installing Presto on only the new streetcars as they arrived.

Speaking with the Globe, TTC CEO Andy Byford said he hopes to have at least one reader on all every one of the existing streetcars by the end of the year, buses by mid-2016, and the subway by the end of next year.

Seven smaller Ontario transit providers currently accept Presto. When the rollout is (finally) complete, riders will be able to the contactless card to pay transit fares on in towns and cities across the province. 1.4 million people currently use Presto.

The Globe reports the new TTC Presto readers will eventually support payments from credit or debit cards with contactless technology and cellphones.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Chris Bateman/blogTO

More shelter space for women and LGBTQ youth coming to Toronto

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womens shelter torontoCommunity activists have been pleading for more shelters for some of the city's more vulnerable women and LGBTQ youth for years. Now, it looks like that's finally going to happen: The city's proposed 2015 budget includes funding for two women's all-night drop-in centres, as well as funding for two shelters for the city's LGBTQ youth.

There will be one drop-in centre in the east end and one in the west -- ditto for the shelters.

This comes after a decision made last week to provide 90 emergency shelter beds in some of the city's motels. Councillor Joe Mihevc has been stressing the importance of creating more shelter space in the city after two homeless people died in the cold a week and a half ago. He explains that the drop-in will be open 24-hours per day, and its purpose is for women who live and work on the street to "drop in, warm up, hang out and get a little bit of food."

He said there might be a few beds, but that isn't the purpose of the space, and it won't be quiet in the middle of the night--it's more likely to be active. The point is to provide a safe space for women who are homeless, and those who use drugs, or do street-based sex work.

The LGBTQ spaces, on the other hand, will be traditional shelters where homeless LGBTQ youth will find food and a warm place to sleep. Activists have been calling for a shelter of this sort for years, as well, after it was found that one in five of the city's homeless youth identified as LGBTQ.

Mihevc says the drop-in spaces won't open until March at the earliest, because the funding first needs to be approved by the city's budget committee. Depending on the resulting RFPs, one could open at the end of March, and the other would likely be open a couple of months later. The LGBTQ shelters are likely to open in the summer.

"A woman involved in the drug trade was [sexually] assaulted on the steps of a social service agency. That provided the impetus for us to say 'We've got to fix this,'" Mihevc says. "Women needed a safe place where everyone would know you can come hang out."

I ask Mihevc if he has rough numbers of women using shelter facilities. He says he used to receive that information, but no longer does. According to the city's website, though, 586 women used the city's women's shelters last night, meaning they were at 97 per cent capacity.

Also true: There are 13 women's shelters in the city. A 2007 study of 97 homeless women in Toronto found that 50 per cent had been unable to find shelter bed at least one in the past year, and that 43 per cent go hungry at least one day per week. We know that homelessness in our city is growing: 3,700 people use facilities for the homeless each night--or 30,000 annually.

We also know that, over the past seven years, there has been a steady 7 per cent increase in women's homelessness. And, according to the Wellesley Institute, homelessness is growing six times faster than the city's population at large. The YWCA's Beatrice House alone houses 378 women and children per year, and provide services to about 11,000, and Nellie's, which has 36 beds, provided services to 700 women, and served over 40,000 meals to women and children last year.

While the numbers are high and climbing higher, Mihevc adds that, at least week's community development and recreation committee, staff decided to operate by the 90 per cent rule, which means that no shelter's capacity will exceed 90 per cent. Sometimes, he explains, people will reserve a spot and not show up, and so if capacity reaches 91 or 92 per cent, the shelter ends up having to turn people away from its doors.

'We've been breaking that rule for a long time--for the past two years. And that's not healthy."

As far as Mihevc is concerned, these added drop-in facilities, combined with the shelter provided for LGBTQ youth, will meet the city's needs for the time being.

The pizza battle heats up north of Toronto

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paolettis torontoThis newly opened pizzeria north of Toronto has adopted the family name, but only because it's positioned in direct competition to the 40-plus-year business that bears owner Dante's first name. While there's still some kinks to work out, expect top-notch pizzas, salads and pastas for take-away or delivery ... not to mention $5 lunch specials available for walk-ins.

Read my profile of Paoletti's in the restaurant section.


The top 25 gyms in Toronto by neighbourhood

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gyms torontoLooking for a new gym in Toronto? Whether you're on the hunt for a great new gym near where you live or work, or something specific to fit your fitness needs, Toronto has you covered. I can't tell you what workouts to try, but I will say this: working out gives you endorphins, and endorphins make you happy. If that's not a reason to squeeze in a sweat session, I don't know what is.

Here are my picks for the top gyms in Toronto by neighbourhood.

THE ANNEX
If in addition to your typical workout you want incorporate some pool action, the Miles Nadal JCC is a must-try. With a salt-water pool, you won't need to worry about the harsh effects of chlorine while gliding through the water.

BLOOR WEST VILLAGE
In the summertime, you can join in on Generate Fitness's classes in High Park, and in the winter feel free to hop on a machine - like a stationary bike that will literally 'generate' the energy to power the eco-friendly facility.

gyms torontoTHE DANFORTH
Tidal Crossfit provides east-siders with a solid option for Crossfit training. While the spartan, frills-free gym caters to all levels of fitness, there is a strong focus on Olympic-style training (because hey, it's always good to have goals).

DON MILLS
The spacious LA Fitness is not only great for getting your fitness on, but if you're in for a competitive (or fun) game of squash or basketball, the courts come in handy. This location also has a women's only section, which some may prefer.

ETOBICOKE
With a massive 33,000 sq. ft. of space, Xtreme Couture is the place to be for your MMA wants and needs.  Here you can hop in the ring for a round of boxing, or learn some new Muay Thai or Jiu Jitsu skills.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT
Bay Street money-makers, Equinox is for you. The luxury gym (two words you don't hear together often) offers a fantastic workout and for post-sweat sesh, detox in the steam room and layer on the decadent Kiehl's body products.

gyms torontoFOREST HILL VILLAGE
If you're the type of person that likes to keep your workouts interesting, Track Fitness's group classes will probably be totally appealing to you. With rowing, boxing, yoga, their signature Circuit 60 (a combo of cardio and resistance training) and more, you'll certainly never get bored.

JUNCTION
Regardless of your skill level, the top-notch trainers at West Toronto Crossfit will help tailor your workouts. Trainer Jeff MacWilliams has gotten nothing but rave reviews for his encouraging and skilled training ways.

JUNCTION TRIANGLE
Another Crossfit gym on this list (do you know the benefits of deadlifting? Look it up), Auxiliary Crossfit is located in a massive warehouse - so no matter how many fellow crossfitters join you in class, you'll never feel cramped.

KING WEST
The boutique-style gym Totum Life Science can be a great choice you're not into how overwhelming mass chain gyms like Goodlife can be (particularly during busy hours). The space is clean and bright with an array of machines and great staff. If you're in need of some physio or rehab, this place is great for that too.

LEASIDE
With over 30,000 sq. ft. of space, you'll never feel crammed while taking part in one of Pure Fitness's classes, like their Cardio Pump or Pilates. They also have a Wellness Centre for chiropractic care or massage therapy to kneed out those sore muscles post-workout.

gyms torontoLESLIEVILLE
Coming to Primal MMA/Primal Movement, you basically get a great two-in-one. If you want some serious conditioning or group circuit training check out Primal Movement. If you'd rather learn some hardcore fighting skills, head downstairs to Primal MMA (or better yet, do both).

LIBERTY VILLAGE
Regarded as one of the better Goodlife locations in the city, the Liberty Village gym is kept clean and the staff are friendly. Open 24/7, the space is large and with tall windows, you get a great view of the city.

LITTLE ITALY
The family-friendly West End YMCA is great for people of all ages. With an indoor track, a pool, and a plethora of workout machines, this is a great place to keep fit during the harsh winter weather.

gyms torontoMOUNT PLEASANT
On the more luxurious side of your average Crossfit box (which also means a bit of a heftier price tag), Crossfit Metric offers a free class for various levels of skill so you can decide if the Crossfit life is for you.

NORTH YORK
If you're looking to shake up your fitness routine, head to TRX TrainStation for a unique (and highly effective) workout. This suspension style training uses your own body weight to build strength and endurance.

OSSINGTON
With a great staff that will show you the ropes, Academy of Lions is perfect for Crossfit beginners. Whether your goal is Olympic weight lifting or merely looking gain strength, their coaches are each specialized in various areas.

QUEEN WEST
They say Fuel Training Club is more of a lifestyle than a gym. Here you can take part in small group classes with a focus on proper form and functional movements with founder and top personal trainer Greg Hetherington.

RONCESVALLES
Snap Fitness is a great option for those who may want to sneak in a midnight workout. Open 24/7, this gym is pretty standard but will suit most of your basic fitness needs.

Gyms torontoROSEDALE
While Ultimate Athletics is located in one of Toronto's richer neighbourhoods (have you seen those houses?!), this gym is totally unpretentious. If working out on two wheels is your thing, check out their spin class on state of the art bikes.

SCARBOROUGH
Since opening about a year ago, Afterburn Fitness has grown in popularity due to its unconventional dragon boat training facilities, which feature stationary rowin

YONGE & DUNDAS
Hard Candy is the brainchild of hard-bodied songstress Madonna. With a vast 42,000 sq. ft. of modern space, this gym holds state of the art equipment and high intensity classes (including some soundtracked by a DJ) to make sure you break a sweat.

YONGE & EGLINTON
Ferris360 is a boutique (meaning on the smaller side and not a chain) gym, perfect for burning calories and getting in tip-top shape. With their signature Full 360 class, you'll spend an hour doing high intensity circuits while working out your whole body.

gyms torontoYONGE & WELLESLEY
The Central YMCA has a few advantages over its west-side counterpart, including a larger pool, an elevated running track, and even squash courts. There's no signing a contract when joining this gym, and if you're having troubles paying the monthly fee, you can look into their membership-assistance program.

YORKVILLE
If you have a full wallet (and if you live in this area, who doesn't?), the Yorkville Club is a good option if you would prefer a smaller setting compared to the nearby Goodlife. Come to this swanky gym to use the machines or try out a class.

Did I miss any? Leave your favourite gym in your neighbourhood in the comments.

Follow Chynna on Twitter @chynnawilson.

Early morning "raves" coming to Toronto

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morning rave torontoAll the best rave memories come from grimy warehouse sunrises when you're sixteen years old, hugging sober and bleary eyed security guards and staggering outside, plastic beads clicking against each other, to catch the bus home - the same bus productive adult members of society are riding to school and work.

But this is a new world, you've exchanged your Alex Grey posters for nondescript condo-appropriate decor, and your memories need an update. Brek-Fest is about to land in Toronto, touting itself as a pre-work, London rave inspired fitness program. I mean, of course this is a thing.

Modelling itself on Morning Gloryville, which has found success in other cities and the huge appetites of urban dwellers for both fitness and EDM, Brek-Fest starts up its drug and alcohol free den of calorie burning from 6:30AM-10:30am tomorrow, January 22, at Wu Xing Studio (upper level), 374 Dupont Street. Dress code, I assume, is as neon as you can manage pre-coffee, but maybe skip the pasties.

Photo via Morning Gloryville

Correction: an earlier version of this post stated the program is upstairs at Blast, which is incorrect.

Toronto toque pop-up benefits homeless youth

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brokeandliving torontoThe toque seems to be the do-gooder's fashion accessory of choice in Toronto this winter, with good reason -- they're on-trend and inexpensive to make, but most importantly, they serve as a bearer, and a symbolic reminder, of warmth in frigid times. Hot on the heels of local maker Nathalie Roze's Lennie Project, which saw donated sweaters being recycled into warm toques, another local fashion brand has decided to put their heads together for a charitable initiative.

Local company broke&living will be hosting a pop-up shop/party on February 1, offering their signature toques (as worn here on fashion blog Connected To Fashion) for sale at Sole Survivor's new location on Dundas West. The company promises that for every toque sold, another toque will be donated to Youth Without Shelter, which offers emergency shelter space for homeless youth ages 16-24.

Photo via Connected To Fashion.

The Best New Restaurants in Toronto, 2014

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best restaurants torontoThe best new restaurants in Toronto for 2014 embrace the cultural diversity of this city and culinary traditions culled from near and far. New innovative interpretations of Chinese, Middle Eastern, Indonesian-Dutch and even old-world Canadiana are just a few of the highlights on this year's list.

Here are the best new restaurants in Toronto for 2014.

See also:

The Best New Cheap Eats in Toronto, 2014
The Best New Brunch Restaurants in Toronto, 2014
The top 25 new restaurants in Toronto by neighbourhood
The Best New Restaurants in Toronto, 2013

Toronto Raptors worth $400 million more than last year

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Toronto RaptorsThe Toronto Raptors stock is on the rise in more ways than one. While the team is enjoying a successful campaign on the hardcourt this season, a trip to the playoffs last year and some very savvy marketing on the part of MLSE has witnessed a dramatic increase in the worth of the franchise, at least if you believe Forbes annual rankings of NBA teams. The Raps leapfrogged four spots from the 2014 list -- from 18 to 14 -- with an estimated value of $920 million. The Leafs NHL franchise, for those who are interested, is valued at $1.3 billion.

It's not really surprising that the Raptors have increased in value, even if the amount seems staggering. As much as Toronto is still considered a hockey town, the basketball team has becoming increasingly more popular with young fans in particular. It probably doesn't hurt that the product on the ice from the Leafs hasn't exactly been stellar over the last few seasons.

While the Leafs' playoff appearance in 2013 ended in disaster against the Boston Bruins, the Raptors losing campaign against Brooklyn Nets bolstered the team's TV viewership by as much as 25 per cent according to Forbes. I suppose the team is exciting enough that many people decided to keep right on riding the bandwagon.

Photo by Howard Yang in the blogTO Flickr pool.

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