I just cancelled my membership at LA Fitness. That place sucked in so many ways.
I'm thinking of switching to Gold's.
Anyone have any recommendations for good gyms? Or should I check out some small, private ones?
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I just cancelled my membership at LA Fitness. That place sucked in so many ways.
I'm thinking of switching to Gold's.
Anyone have any recommendations for good gyms? Or should I check out some small, private ones?
So...you're in AZ, what part of the Valley do you live in? It depends on what type of amenities you would like and how much you are willing to pay for membership.
I go to LA Fitness for convenience, the price, and new equipment, but yeah, other than that I hate it. The location I go to is such a social scene, especially at 5pm... Oh god, and the trainers there are complete morons.
I have been a member at many, many gyms. I like Pure Fitness b/c it is not too big but you still have quite a bit of overcrowding. World's and Gold's Gym are okay but the equipment is usually older. Except there is a new Gold's off Raintree and the 101 in Scottsdale.
I've always liked 24 hour Fitness "Sports" Clubs but there aren't too many in Phoenix area.
If you can pay for it, there are several elite/private clubs that I love to go to once in awhile (I have a friend that teaches aerobics so she gets me in!). I love Camelback Village Racquet & Health Club.
PM me and let me know what area you live in and I can give you further suggestions.
All time favorite are Lifetime fitness gyms.... they are hard to find but worth it.
Actually I live in Tucson. ;)
LA Fitness was way too busy. It was brand-new and nice but they oversold memberships big time. I just found out mine had over 12,000 members. It sucks to leave because after going there for three years I am quite comfortable, but there is no way I am dealing with the people.
I know to expect lines before and after work hours but I've been waiting in excess of 30 minutes to get on ANY machine at 5:45am. NOT COOL.
The Gold's I'm thinking of just remodeled, so maybe they are a little more updated.
I'm price flexible, although I don't see spending over $50/month.
^^^Well, I guess it's time for you to move! ;D
New York Sports Clubs (Boston, and Philadelphia Sports Clubs too... same company) are probably the best private gyms that I have ever seen in a long time. I've also heard great things about Gold's, but I've never personally been in one. Just tour a few and see which one you like the most. Smaller private gyms might be the best though...
Edit: You spend only 50 dollars a month on a Gym membership... man... I need to rethink where I'm going for my workout. >:(
I've been spending $25!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockette
okay... i've been spending 125 dollars a month... wow... yes it's a great gym... but not that great.
Wowie!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockette
That's crazy!
Yes, it's far too much, but what they offer just dwarfs the other gyms in the area. They have their own hockey rink, pool (olympic sized), tennis courts, basketball courts, full cardio area, beautiful locker rooms, private showers, and their own health spa. I know it's a bit much... but there are no young high school punks there that just hang out and talk on their cell phones all day and annoy the crap out of everyone.
That alone might be worth it! (No high school punks.)
That's why I won't go to my university's gym. Too much of a pick-up zone.
I remember those days. I used to go in with my Ipod and headphones on and try to go in the early afternoon when no one was there...
Gah, I remember avoiding UofA's gym like the plague because of the "pick up zone" factor.
I love LA Fitness, it's the one on Broadway right? I haven't gone in a while, but I never have to wait longer than 5 minutes for anything; maybe I pick good times to go?
I like Bally's, but the one close to me is really nice, while the one that's 30 minutes way isn't very good.
I always preferred the little "body builders gym". I hate going to the gym and having the punks hogging everything and getting mad because you want to use the equipment. At the local body builder gym, they have a little more respect for people who are there to work out...and the people who are there to work out are serious...not there to check out your ass or anything...and when you ask them a question they answer it. It's also nice because the personal trainer in me doesn't feel the need to correct what everyone is doing (at the big gym, people do just fucking stupid stuff...and I just want to go correct everybody). So, it's a nice reprieve.
"Oh hey look! Someone's ass sweat on the headseat of the bench! Thanks for wiping!"
The thing about gyms, is if you look near hospitals you'll find hidden ones with 0 marketing that all the physicians use. It's like a secret club of proffessionals and everything is well maintained and taken care of. More Expensive, but much nicer. Every city I've needed to find a place like this in, I have.
Mast.
Oh, just call your nearest big hospital and ask if they have an affiliated or staff fitness center.
cool tip Mast, thanks
Hooray! I'm useful!
Yup, the one off Wilmot.Quote:
Originally Posted by CorsicaFire
Three years ago when I was going in the middle of the afternoon it was great, but now it seems like I can never go when there isn't a huge crowd. Careful when you try to quit! It's like pulling teeth.
Crap. And I just signed up for the first LA Fitness to be built in the midwest! (It's walking distance from my estate. :D ) Anyhow, I'm going to give it a chance. Because it's a brand new facility, I have confidence it'll be cleaner and more enticing than the crummy YMCA a few blocks away. Actually, the cost was less than the Y.Quote:
Originally Posted by hardkandee
i go to a club where i pay 118 a month for my boyfriend and i. it's got an outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, hottubs, masseuse, basketball court, racketball, boxing,classes, tv on every cardio station. i really recommend spending the extra amount for initiation and monthlys because it really scares away the younger crowd and keeps the gym from being super packed. you might look into spectrum..
No Spectrum Fitness in AZ, not to mention I can't imagine spending 4x the amount (sorry Bridgette!! ;) ) I am spending now. Even the fancy-pants places here in Tucson top out at $60/month (unless you are including personal trainers).
I've gone to the Gold's twice in the past two days to see if it is ok and fits into my school schedule. So far so good. Everyone who works there is very nice and they have pretty good amenities (pool, jacuzzi, masseuse, tanning beds, personal trainers and nutrition consulting). Oh and the TVs at every cardio machine make the time fly by! That part is awesome.
My LA Fitness was brand new too. They had set up the business in a nearby strip mall with a couple machines and all while they finished up the building. So they sold memberships for several months before the opening of the gym. Two of my friends signed up during this period and were told they were to pay $99.99 initial and $27.99/month plus a $5 towel service fee. And if they wanted raquetball court access another $5 (one got it).Quote:
Crap. And I just signed up for the first LA Fitness to be built in the midwest! (It's walking distance from my estate. ) Anyhow, I'm going to give it a chance. Because it's a brand new facility, I have confidence it'll be cleaner and more enticing than the crummy YMCA a few blocks away. Actually, the cost was less than the Y.
Fast forward 2 months to the opening of the gym when memberships are $24.99/month with first and last month's dues due at signup. No initial fee. No towel service available and no plans to make it available. And raquetball is included for free.
So, my two friends asked why they were being charged for services not available and more than they should pay anyway. They were told they signed a contract that said that's what they agreed to pay and there was nothing to do about it. They would have to quit, wait the 30 days until they were no longer members and rejoin to get the new lower rate. And there was no way to get their additional fees (towel and raquetball) taken off in the meantime.
Little did LA Fitness know that friend A works for a primo law firm here in Tucson, which also happens to be run by his father. :O
what a cool way to meet hot doctors! ha!Quote:
The thing about gyms, is if you look near hospitals you'll find hidden ones with 0 marketing that all the physicians use. It's like a secret club of proffessionals and everything is well maintained and taken care of. More Expensive, but much nicer. Every city I've needed to find a place like this in, I have
If I move back to New Orleans I'm going to have to find a new place to work out. I really like where I go here in tampa because it's small and not far from where I live and I have a really sweet trainer.
I really like the Gold's near me. They're never too busy (between 4:30-7 it's hard to park, but there are never lines for any of the machines), they have a TON of equipment, and about 15 yoga classes a week, so I have no excuse not to go. They also got a new circuit, so those machines are brand-new and very nice. The only thing they don't have is a pool, but my membership isn't much ($45/ no contract b/c I'm a flake) so I don't feel gypped. I endorse Gold's.
the no contract thing is good. I joined a couple gyms in New Orleans and had to pay a contract for a year and it sucked.