Which Peter Kraus Fitness Location Is Right for You?
A clear guide to PKF’s Madison clubs so you can choose with confidence.
Madison feels big, but you can usually drive from downtown to any Peter Kraus Fitness club in just 15 minutes. That means you do not have to pick a gym only by zip code. Pick by vibe, coaching style, recovery options, and the kind of training that keeps you showing up. Use this guide to compare locations at a glance, then choose the one that fits your goals and your life.
Middleton : Flagship, walkable, community feel
Right in the heart of downtown Middleton, this club feels like your walkable home base for training and community. You’ve got Personal Training and Group Fitness on the schedule, plus true convenience with 24/7 access using your fob or phone.
The space itself is bright and welcoming, think rustic-farmhouse touches, floor-to-ceiling windows, spotless floors, and a front-desk team that greets you by name. Members call it “friendly, clean, beautiful, and accessible,” and that vibe shows up in the training, too.
Classes move with purpose, often wrapping a full-body burn in about 45 minutes, and coaches are hands-on about form so you can push without guessing. Reviewers highlight small group sizes that still feel personal, a wide variety of equipment (from sleds and kettlebells to Bike-erg, Ski-erg, and turf with an overhead garage door for fresh-air sessions), and coaching that’s both high-caliber and approachable, one member even compared the team to “professional athlete/celebrity-level” pros with a distinctly Midwestern-friendly feel.
Health professionals notice it, too; referrals from local clinicians show up in the feedback, alongside notes from travelers who drop in and make this their go-to when they’re in town. Who you’ll see here most: young professionals, families, and retirees from Middleton, Middleton Hills, and West Madison who want a clean, upbeat, form-focused gym they can actually look forward to visiting.
Verona : Performance meets recovery
On the far west side in Verona, this club feels like a polished “train hard, recover smarter” hub you can slip into any time of day. You’ll find Personal Training alongside sauna, cold plunge, and hot/cold contrast therapy, so lifting and recovery live under the same roof.
It’s 24/7 access with a fob or phone, and during staffed hours you can walk in or book a quick tour.
The space is bright and modern with a clean, elegant layout and easy lot parking. On the floor, the equipment is exactly what you want for real progress, treadmills, free weights, ellipticals, turf with an overhead garage door, bands, kettlebells, slam balls, stability balls, Bike-erg, Ski-erg, a stair climber, squat racks, a Smith machine, and cable machines.
Members consistently call out quality equipment, friendly staff, spotless floors, and even good music, a detail people notice because it sets the tone without getting in the way of your workout.
The crowd often includes young professionals, Epic employees, and families who love the convenience of finishing a lift, then stepping straight into contrast therapy before heading back to work or home.
If you want a sleek, motivating environment where results and recovery go hand in hand, Verona is an easy yes.
University Row : Minimalist design, train plus recover
Set in a central corridor with easy in-and-out, PKF University Row feels calm the moment you step in, sunlight through floor-to-ceiling windows, a clean Scandinavian-inspired layout, and a flow that helps you train with purpose.
This location centers on Personal Training with a thoughtful recovery experience built right in: An on-site sauna, cold plunge, and hot/cold contrast therapy make it simple to lift, restore, and get on with your day. Members regularly call out how clean the space is and how friendly and helpful the team is at the front desk (Max, we’re looking at you).
On the floor, you’ll find everything you need for strength and conditioning: treadmills, free weights, ellipticals, turf, bands, kettlebells, TRX, slam balls, stability balls, Bike-erg, Ski-erg, a stair climber, squat racks, and cable machines.
Access is easy, 24/7 with a fob, plus walk-ins during staffed hours or a quick tour by appointment. Street and lot parking keep arrivals simple.
Inclusion is not a slogan here, it is the practice. University Row hosts an adaptive training group that welcomes individuals with physical disabilities into the mainstream gym environment.
Sessions are coached with movement options and progressions, so everyone trains safely, builds confidence, and belongs. As Meetra N. shared, “Being part of the adaptive group at University Row has been one of the greatest experiences & positive changes in my life… Dis-ability to THIS-ability.”
The crowd in this location is a friendly mix of young professionals, families, and retirees alongside neighbors from Spring Harbor, Glen Oak, Village of Shorewood, and University Hill Farms, all drawn to a walkable, low-distraction space where every ability is supported.
If you want focused coaching, full recovery on site, and a bright, minimalist setting, University Row will feel like home.
Park Street : High-energy groups in a boutique space
Right on South Park Street, this club brings city energy with a boutique feel. You’ll find Personal Training and small-group classes in a bright, glass-filled space that lets the daylight pour in.
The floor is set up for real work and real variety, treadmills, free weights, ellipticals, a stretch of turf with an overhead garage door for fresh-air sessions, plus bands, kettlebells, TRX, sleds, slam balls, Bike-erg, squat racks, a Smith machine, and cable machines, so coaches can tailor sessions without missing a beat.
When the season cooperates, members love the sunrise sessions on the rooftop, which add a little Madison magic to your morning.
What people say most about Park Street is how supported they feel in the room and how thoughtful the coaching is. Logan’s classes get frequent shout-outs for smart programming and precise form cues, and Morgan’s one-on-one sessions are praised for making goals feel doable and motivating. As Kinnic E. put it, “I’m able to show up, feel supported, and leave feeling stronger, mentally and physically.”
When you first visit Peter Karus Fitness, Park Street Location, expect to meet a mix of young women and men who thrive on a fun, charismatic group vibe, along with neighbors from Greenbush, Vilas, and Bay Creek who want a walkable gym that still brings the heat.
This location also offers the convenience of 24/7 entry for members. Use your fob to unlock the door and train when it fits your schedule. If you’d like to see the space first, tours are by appointment.
Madison East : Spin, strength, and wide-open training
If you like options, PKF Madison East gives you two great lanes, JoyRide spin classes for high-tempo cardio and an open-gym environment for focused strength with minimal waiting. It’s 24/7 fob access for members, and tours are by appointment.
The space is bright and open with easy covered parking.
You’ll see treadmills, free weights, ellipticals, bands, kettlebells, TRX, slam balls, stability balls, a stair climber, Jacob’s Ladder, squat racks, a Smith machine, and cable machines. The crowd often includes young women and men who love the group spin energy and young to middle-aged men who prefer the freedom of open gym without a lot of distractions.
Quick chooser: match your must-have to the right club
Personal Training: Middleton, Verona, University Row, Park Street (Park Street tours by appointment)
Sauna + Cold Plunge on site: Verona, University Row
Group Classes: Middleton, Park Street • Spin (JoyRide): Madison East
Prefer open gym with fewer distractions: Madison East
Turf + indoor, outdoor flow: Middleton, Verona, University Row, Park Street
Phone entry (in addition to fob): Middleton, Verona
24/7 access: All PKF clubs via fob
Showers & lockers: Available at all PKF locations
Ready to see your new gym?
Book a quick tour at the PKFit location that fits your schedule, and we’ll walk you through the space, show you how 24/7 entry works, and if you’d like help you drop into a class or try a quick workout so you can feel the vibe.
At PKFit, we offer several membership tiers, so we’re confident you’ll find one that fits your goals and your budget. We’re always excited to welcome new members. That's one more person we get to help live an active, fulfilling life through movement.
To request a tour, just click the button below and fill out the short form. We’ll reach out shortly to coordinate your visit. See you soon!