You’ve probably seen it from the road—that massive, sprawling structure sitting right off Highway 130. It looks more like a professional sports training facility or a secret government warehouse than a local gym. But Team 85 Fitness in Bordentown, NJ, isn't just another place to run on a treadmill for forty minutes while staring at a muted TV. Honestly, it’s one of the most ambitious fitness projects in the tri-state area.
Most gyms are cramped. You’re fighting for a squat rack at 5:30 PM, smelling the guy next to you, and trying not to trip over a stray kettlebell. Team 85 is the opposite of that. It’s 120,000 square feet of sheer space. To put that in perspective, you could fit a couple of football fields in there and still have room for a smoothie bar.
What is Team 85 Fitness exactly?
It’s a "Member Lifestyle Center." That sounds like marketing fluff, right? I thought so too. But when you get inside, the scale of the place makes the name make sense. Founded by Kevin Johnson, a former NFL player who clearly understood that athletes need more than just a bench press, the facility was designed to be a one-stop shop. It’s located at 8500 K. Johnson Blvd, which is basically its own little ecosystem in Bordentown.
People come here for the variety. You have the standard cardio and strength floors, sure. But then there’s the field house. The aquatic center. The recovery suite. It’s the kind of place where a Division I prospect can train on the turf while a grandmother does water aerobics in the next room over. It’s weirdly inclusive for a place that looks so intimidating from the outside.
The Turf and the Field House
This is usually what stops people in their tracks. The Field House at Team 85 Fitness Bordentown NJ is massive. We’re talking about 35,000 square feet of multi-sport surfaces. If you’ve ever tried to play a pickup game of basketball on a floor that feels like concrete, you’ll appreciate the hardwood here.
They have:
- Four full-sized basketball courts.
- Professional-grade turf for football, soccer, and lacrosse.
- Batting cages that don't feel like a basement.
The turf isn't just for show. Local high school teams from Bordentown, Florence, and Chesterfield basically live here during the off-season. Because the space is so large, the "gym-timidation" factor actually goes down. You aren't on top of people. You can find a corner to do your lunges or sprints without feeling like you're in someone's way.
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Diving into the Aquatic Center
Swimming is the best workout you're probably not doing. Most NJ gyms have a "pool" that is essentially a large bathtub with too much chlorine. The aquatic center here is different. It’s a six-lane, 25-meter competition pool.
If you’re training for a triathlon or just trying to save your knees, this is the spot. They also keep a separate therapy pool which is kept at a much warmer temperature. This is huge for anyone dealing with chronic pain or recovering from surgery. They offer swim lessons for kids (the "Sea Dragons" program), which is a lifesaver for parents in Burlington County who need a reliable indoor spot in the winter.
Not Your Average Weight Room
Look, the "Fit Floors" are what you’d expect, but on steroids. They use Life Fitness and Hammer Strength equipment, which is the industry standard for a reason—it doesn't break and the ergonomics are actually designed for human bodies.
But what’s actually interesting is the layout. They’ve segmented the gym. You have a dedicated CrossFit style area (Team 85 Functional Training) for the people who want to slam tires and do muscle-ups. Then you have the more traditional machine lines. They even have a "Women’s Only" fitness suite.
Some people think women’s only sections are outdated. But honestly? Talk to any woman who has been stared at while doing hip thrusts in a public gym, and they’ll tell you it’s a godsend. It’s about comfort. It’s about getting a workout done without the "bro" energy if you’re not in the mood for it.
The Recovery Aspect (The Stuff Most People Ignore)
You can’t just beat your body up seven days a week. You'll break. Team 85 leans heavily into the "Wellness" side of the equation. They have an on-site physical therapy office (Jag-One Physical Therapy), which is a brilliant move.
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If you tweak your shoulder on a Saturday morning, you aren't waiting three weeks for a referral; you're walking across the hall. They also have a sauna, steam room, and a cafe. The cafe, by the way, isn't just selling chalky protein shakes. They have actual food, which makes the whole "I’ll just spend three hours here" lifestyle actually feasible.
Classes and Community
The "Team" in the name isn't just for branding. The group fitness schedule is pretty exhausting just to look at. You’ve got:
- Spin classes in a dedicated theater.
- Yoga and Pilates for the mobility junkies.
- Zumba and high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
- Boxing and MMA-style striking classes.
The instructors here aren't just part-timers who took a weekend course. Most of them are career fitness pros. You can tell. There’s a difference between someone reading a workout off an iPad and an instructor who corrects your form before you blow out a disc.
Is It Expensive?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. This isn't a $10-a-month "purple gym" where they give you pizza on Tuesdays. It’s a premium club. You’re going to pay more.
But value is relative. If you’re paying for a gym membership, a yoga studio, and a pool separately, you’re hemorrhaging money. Here, it’s all under one roof. They offer different tiers—Individual, Family, Senior, and Student—so it’s worth going in for a tour to get the actual "real" price for your situation. Sometimes they run "no enrollment fee" specials during the New Year or early autumn.
Dealing with the Crowds
Even with 120,000 square feet, 5:00 PM on a Monday is busy. That’s just the reality of fitness in New Jersey. However, because the ceilings are so high and the footprint is so wide, it never feels claustrophobic. If the weight floor is packed, you can usually jump onto the turf for a bodyweight circuit. If the pool is full, the sauna is probably empty.
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One thing to note: The parking lot is huge, but it fills up fast during youth sports tournaments. If you see a line of yellow school buses outside, maybe save your heavy lifting for an hour later.
Why Bordentown?
It’s a strategic spot. You’re right near the junction of I-295, the NJ Turnpike, and Route 130. It draws people from Hamilton, Trenton, Columbus, and even across the bridge in Pennsylvania. It’s become a bit of a hub for the local community. It’s not uncommon to see local cops, business owners, and pro athletes all grabbing coffee in the lobby at the same time.
The Realities of Team 85
Nothing is perfect. Because the facility is so large, maintenance is a Herculean task. Occasionally, you’ll see a machine with an "Out of Order" sign for a few days longer than you’d like. And if you’re looking for a small, boutique, "everyone knows your name" vibe, this might feel too industrial for you. It’s a big machine. It’s efficient, it’s clean, and it’s professional, but it’s definitely not a "mom and pop" shop.
Also, the sheer size can be overwhelming for beginners. If you’re new to working out, I highly recommend booking a session with one of their trainers just to learn the geography of the place. You could literally get lost looking for the locker rooms your first time.
Getting the Most Out of Your Membership
If you decide to join Team 85 Fitness Bordentown NJ, don't just be a treadmill walker. That’s a waste of the facility.
- Use the Turf: Even if you aren't an athlete, doing walking lunges or sled pushes on the turf is significantly better for your joints than a hard floor.
- Check the Aquatic Schedule: Don't just show up to swim laps during a water aerobics class unless you want to be very frustrated.
- Leverage the Kids’ Programs: If you have children, the Youth Speed and Agility camps are legitimately some of the best in the state.
- Recovery is Key: Don't skip the sauna. It’s one of the cleanest in the area and is actually included in most membership tiers.
Actionable Steps for Newcomers
If you are considering checking the place out, don't just sign up online. Go there.
- Request a Guest Pass: They almost always offer a trial. Use it at the exact time of day you plan on working out. If you're a 6:00 AM person, go at 6:00 AM to see if the squat racks are open.
- Bring Water: It’s a long walk from the back turf to the front fountains.
- Check the Jag-One Partnership: If you have a lingering injury, ask the front desk about a consultation. It’s one of the best perks of the building.
- Download the App: They use a dedicated app for class bookings. It’s much easier than trying to navigate the website on your phone.
Team 85 is a rare beast in the fitness world. It’s a massive, pro-level facility that somehow manages to feel like a community center. Whether you’re trying to lose ten pounds or trying to get a college scholarship, the tools are there. You just have to actually show up and use them.