Gym Reviews - Bally's, Gold's Gym, World Gym, etc...

smiles · Thu, March 25th, 2004, 01:26 PM

Hi,

I'm thinking about joining a local gym here in Rochester, NY, and we have all the big chains mentioned above. I always think these places are high priced or notorious for having you sign contracts (Bally's) - experiences anyone?

I used to belong to a gym in Winston-Salem, NC which was $50/month, but compeletely awesome. No one was ever there, it was multi-level with all the Cybex equipment (multiple machines for each excersize) and all the trimmings (cardio, in-out pool, tennis, raquetball, etc..). But the best that in this huge multi-level place there were usually less than 10 people there...

Anyway, it seems that here choosing a local gym doesn't offer much, so I'm going to go with a chain. I'm leaning towards World's gym...

Steve

karatetricker · Thu, March 25th, 2004, 01:36 PM

All I can say is I went to a "World Gym" in Florida to workout in January when I went to visit my family down there and it was the most amazing gym I had EVER been in. I mean, that's only out of about 5-6 gyms, but still, it was incredible. The equipment was all practically brand new, there was tons of it and it was not overcrowded at all.

Just my experience.

StevieD · Thu, March 25th, 2004, 02:01 PM

It's completely dependent on the specific gym, not the chain.

I work out at a Gold's Gym currently. It used to be a World Gym. Before that, I worked out at Future Firm, but that was bought by World. Prior to that, the World Gym was a Gold's. Etc. Same gym just keeps changing names.

Through all of the name changes, the place has stayed the same. Too little equipment, WAY too few plates (try to find 2.5lb or 5lb plates), too crowded, and the locker room is WAY too small.

They have occasionally added equipment, but the last time I remember is when they got in about 20 elliptical trainers to replace a bunch of old stationary bikes. Of course, a few years later about 25% of the ellipticals are broken down at any time.

The latest "improvement"? A bunch of televisions that play the same music videos over and over, interspersed with Ads for Gold's gym and supplements.

20 minutes away, in the same town, is a sparkling new Gold's gym. It is about a million times better than the one I go to, but that's just because it's new.

The main reasons I continue to go there is that I can renew at a very low rate (about $160/year), and it's about two minutes from my office. Plus, it's POSSIBLE to get good workouts, just not as easy as it could be.

The best (commercial) gym I ever used was a Powerhouse Gym in Nebraska. The place constantly upgraded equipment, it was always spotless, and only crowded at absolute peak hours (e.g., right after work during the week). It was heaven. Of course, it was bought out by 24 Hour Fitness and is now nowhere near as nice.

Last week, I worked out at a private residence that had a commercial quality gym in the basement (where the owner runs his personal training business.) At least as good as any commercial gym I've ever been to. Plus it was only the owner, my brother, and me at any time. That was BETTER than heaven.

Long story short, look at the GYM, not the name on the gym.

karatetricker · Thu, March 25th, 2004, 02:13 PM

^^^ Good point.

I was just about to suggest you ask for a 1-week trial to each gym and pick your favorite. I know most offer them.

Nico · Thu, March 25th, 2004, 02:41 PM

Read the fine print. And I would avoid Bally's like the plague. Their practices are completely unethical and border on extortion.

Evil Hx Coupe · Thu, March 25th, 2004, 10:31 PM

Do not go to ballys... They'll try to screw you over on a dirty contract and rape your pocket and credit. Plus it's always crowded.

seeDerekNow · Fri, March 26th, 2004, 03:49 AM

I've been a loyal 24 Hour Fitness member for 4 years now. Only complaints I have are that it can get overcrowded during peak hours...and people don't restack free weights when they're done with them!

ThatOldGuy · Fri, March 26th, 2004, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeDerekNow

Only complaints I have are that it can get overcrowded during peak hours...and people don't restack free weights when they're done with them!

I realize that this is not a "pet peeve" thread but you just made my blood boil. Those inconsiderate egomaniacs who walk off from a loaded leg press machine leaving me to unload it for them infuriate me!

Back to the topic at hand, I'm a member at Gold's but only because they have the best gym in town. I really don't pay much attention to the franchise name as the local management is really what makes the difference.

Bo Jones · Fri, March 26th, 2004, 11:16 AM

I go to Pure Fitness out here in Phoenix. There is no contract, rates are good, you can use any of their locations with your membership (about 6 in the greater area). They are 24hrs Sun-Thurs which is nice but Friday and Saturday they close at like 7:30. I don't know if thats how most 24hr places work but that seems a little early.

My main complaint is the amount of product they will try to sell you. They are good about taking new members in and getting all their measurements, checking bodyfat, and keeping this info updated as you go. However, they quickly usher you to a table and promptly outline all the supplements you are going to need, all of which of course they sell at the front counter. I walked with MRP shakes and vitamins but they also wanted to sell me something to break down fat deposits in my liver (to increase metabolism) ??? And they also pushed their "meal designer" program which is basically what everyone here does in planning out what they need to eat, except they wanted $200 for it. Their monthly rates are good, and I see now that a large part of that is due to their push for sales at all angles. If you are strong willed no problem but if you are prone to temptation just ignore the pitch at all costs.

Jim G. · Mon, March 29th, 2004, 02:50 PM

Please stop it! You guys are making me so jealous! I work out at a gym in Belgium and it's nowhere compared to all of your big American gyms. Or so I've heard. I got this dream of coming to America next year and just be working out for as long as my vacation lasts. Has any of you ever trained in Gold's Gym in Venice Beach? It's like a mystical wonderful place to me...

take5 · Mon, March 29th, 2004, 03:55 PM

Don't sign contracts! Because you never know what life will deal you- unemployment, moving, fire, etc. Gyms make a sweet-ass take by people not using their memberships.

Monthly deals are better. Some have a sign-up fee. The small, expanding (which means crappy for now but will be nice by the time I stop going) costs me $100 for three months, no sign-up fee.

Also beware of insane rules for quitting a membership, like a 30 or even 60 day "notification period."

analogue · Wed, March 31st, 2004, 07:38 PM

Do NOT go to Bally's.

-Crowded
-Shoddy, old equipment
-Nobody racks the f-in weights! Where are the fives? Hmmm....I don't know!
-Unprofessional staff
-Bad customer service
-No real perks of membership for the $50+ a month you pay

My advice, go to Crunch!

born sleepy · Thu, April 1st, 2004, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smiles

Hi,

I'm thinking about joining a local gym here in Rochester, NY, and we have all the big chains mentioned above. I always think these places are high priced or notorious for having you sign contracts (Bally's) - experiences anyone?

hey, I used to live in Rochester. the YMCA downtown (E. Main) seemed to have a nice range of equipment. I didn't join at the time, but I did go through the place once. There's another location on Monroe Ave. The fees seemed pretty good compared to the giant suburban glitz-gyms but I forget if there was a contract or not.

http://www.ymca.net/index.jsp?assn=4384
http://www.ymca.net/index.jsp?assn=4398

TFXP-Zeke01 · Thu, April 1st, 2004, 05:42 PM

Unfortunately, I go to Bally's.

I don't think it's as bad as some of you proclaim other than it being crowded and having some older equipment. The Bally's I go to isn't all that bad, but I've been in some pretty old and small gyms in my lifetime growing up in a small town in Kentucky. Out of the closest gyms to me, Bally's is the best, I suppose. It's about 2 miles from me and I avoid traffic which is the best part. I don't like the signed contracts, but there is nothing I can do about it as most gyms do this. All the gyms here, that I know of, do, at least. If I want out I can get out without a problem. All I have to do is say I'm moving and show proof which is easy for me since there are no Bally gyms any where around my parents in KY...lol! I've done it more than once with other gyms when I was at U of Ky, in college.

There is a Golds Gym about 10 miles away that I used to lift at a couple years ago, but it's EXTREMELY small.

I couldn't deal with having to wait to use the machines which ultimately interrupted my precious workout. And, I'm sure others felt the same about me also. This particular Golds Gym is WAY to small. [sarcasim]I think some garage home gyms can rival it's size[/sarcasim]. Anyways, there are several other Golds Gyms around Cincinnati that are nice and big, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna fight rush hour traffic to go to them which sucks cause I'd rather lift at Golds than Bally's. I think there are some other gyms around too, but none are close to me damnit!

I dunno, Bally's is gonna have to do I suppose due to the location........no traffic going there. I just can't deal with traffic or I turn into the Hulk and start raging...lol!