What gym should i join?

[problemchild]

I'm thinking of joining a gym and want to know from you guys whats the best gym in terms of equipment,state of the art equipment, size, the #of hot girls, ,the features(sauna,bball court,pool,etc) for the price. HOw much does it cost.

What gym do you get most out of your $

Whats in my mine is 24hours, balley, Velocity Sports (mostly HS athletes), YMCA

Could you guys tell me more of any of those gyms or any other

which one do you guys pick and recommend

[Most Muscular]

I think you may have some different ambitions besides bodybuilding in deciding what gym to join just by reading some of the things you list... (# of hot girls, sauna, hot tub, etc)... the big thing I look for is an environment that is directed toward improvement in my training. That will include:

Good equipment and lots of it
Hours that fit my workout schedule
Clean
Not too busy or cramped

And the number one thing that helps....
People that share my same goals and passions

If you surround yourself with other dedicated individuals that are willing to provide and environment that is constructive and supportive you will find you will make much more progress because you enjoy working out in such an environment.

nuff said...

[westsnoop]

Proximity is my most important qualifier. My Powerhouse gym is five minutes away; if it was farther I wouldn't be nearly as good about getting there.

[stahlhart]

I went with Bally mainly because of location -- there are several of them in the metropolitan area where I live -- and also because I could get a membership that allows me into any one of their facilities nationwide. Last week I was in Colorado Springs visiting my sister for the holidays, and got to go to the Bally there twice -- just handed them the card and walked in. It was somewhat pricey to join, but it's all paid for now save the annual renewals after my three year contract runs out next October.

My main gripes with them are their membership drives, where you're just going in there to get a workout and they twist your arm at the door to bring a friend or relative in for free so that they can work them over to join, and also how much they charge for the extra classes, Pilates and things like that, considering how much I paid up front for the memberhip. Personal trainers are about $50 an hour, too.

But on balance, I'm glad I joined -- outgrew (not literally) the equipment at the Company gym, which is free.

C.K.

[stahlhart]

And I personally could pass on swimming pools at the gym; I'd bet that after you've been there for a while you'd begin to lament how much of a waste of space they are compared to how much equipment you could fit in the same space, for the number of people who actually use them.

C.K.

[HardBody]

Location, location, depending on where you live your not going to want to get in your car and drive and fight traffic. Also the hours that the gym is open, you don't want to plan your day around your gym time, you want the gym open when you want to go not when it's open. Other then that most gyms are have enough equipment for the beginner

[johnnyironboard]

You should join the gym that you will go to regularly.

[TrishB]

Location is number one.

Hot guys are number two.

[Most Muscular]

Yes, I did forget to mention location which is a big factor... if it's not close by you can often make the excuse that you can't afford the time to go there and back to get into shape. I have a new Golds gym nearly across the street from my office but travel down the road a few extra miles to get back to my original Golds as it has the atmosphere I enjoy... more hardcore than spa like.

[stahlhart]

Atmosphere has a lot to do with it for me as well. For a while I was going to one particular Bally in a blue-collar city downriver, as it had this earthy thing going on there that I really liked. Just a bunch of "regular" folks that I felt real comfortable around; there'd be these guys from the steel mill that would go there as a group and yak it up and joke at the top of their lungs while they were working out, and it could get real hilarious sometimes.

But I have since moved and I'm a bit too far away from it now for the trip to be practical, which is a shame because I really liked that place a lot, enough to where it kept me motivated to show up on a regular basis.

C.K.

[goatscrot]

.......24hours, balley, Velocity Sports (mostly HS athletes), YMCA

Could you guys tell me more of any of those gyms or any other

which one do you guys pick and recommend

Most important to me:
1. Hours of operation....I workout at some odd times due to work schedule and sleep habits
2. Location

I have two memberships: 24 hour fitness and a smaller locally-owned place.

[Charger]

That depends on you? You have to ask yourself why you workout and at what level. If you consider yourself hardcore, then joining a spa is the wrong thing to do even if there are hot woman there.
I agree with Most Muscular. Now after saying that, I belong to a local Y because there is a morning group that are mostly hardcore and it offers the most bang for the buck with a family membership. My first choice which I used to go to was a dirty hardcore gym a few blocks away. Couldn't afford both memberships, so besides location, money may play a role also.

[twood]

I've been a member at Bally's and 24 HF. I think they're both pretty good gyms. (Currently, I'm at 24HF)

Good Luck.

[A.FreeRadical]

My gym has a good cross section of people who are serious at about what they do at the gym. Some are bodybuilders, powerlifters, weight losers, police, fireman young and old. There is a four lane lap pool, 4 raquetball courts, an aerobics gym, a stationary bike and treadmill room and a circuit weight room. There is a suana, hot tub, shower and locker rooms. There are classes (various, yoga, pilates, aerobics, power crunches, etc.) all day from morning until 8 pm in the aerobics gym. And of course, there is what I refer to as "the gym".

The gym is divided up into 50% free weights (some smith machines and hammer strength) and 50% pulley/lever machines (This area also has about 10 ellipticals).

I like this place because of:
the people who use it
the convenience (it is on the way home from work and not too far from home).
the cost is reasonable

What I don't like is:
They close for every holiday (today at 1pm, all day tomorrow and Sunday at 1pm.).
Some of the instructors won't permit the use of chalk.
I see a big increase of resoluters (new members) coming through at this time of year.

Check out your options, choose a gym that is convenient to your work or home, check out the people who will be there at the time you will be working out. (There are different atmospheres at different times in many gyms.)

If you are uncertain, don't sign long term contracts.

*
aA.FreeRadical a

[<^>(0_o)<^>]

A good one....haha j/k YMCA you cant go wrong with them they got everything theres like 6 down here in Nashville,tn I LOVE EM

[Alinasmommy]

I'm in Nashville too---and also belong to the YMCA. I really like it for a few reasons:

1)I can use any location (I have my favorite when I bring my daughter with me, a mediocre one right by my house that works when I need to get in an early am workout, others in different parts of the city if I have other errands to do afterwards, etc...)

2)the hours are good for my schedule

3)they offer a variety of classes that suit my needs (yoga, spin, kickboxing)

4)the two locations I prefer have a great selection of weights/machines for me.

Bottom line----choose a gym that works for YOU. What works for one person may not work for another. If you are interested in picking up girls I suggest you try a bar or nightclub!

[stahlhart]

If you are interested in picking up girls I suggest you try a bar or nightclub!

And additionally it might not hurt to read this thread:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=328658

C.K.

[<^>(0_o)<^>]

I'm in Nashville too---and also belong to the YMCA. I really like it for a few reasons:

1)I can use any location (I have my favorite when I bring my daughter with me, a mediocre one right by my house that works when I need to get in an early am workout, others in different parts of the city if I have other errands to do afterwards, etc...)

2)the hours are good for my schedule

3)they offer a variety of classes that suit my needs (yoga, spin, kickboxing)

4)the two locations I prefer have a great selection of weights/machines for me.

Bottom line----choose a gym that works for YOU. What works for one person may not work for another. If you are interested in picking up girls I suggest you try a bar or nightclub!

Hey wich ones your favorite? I like marilyn Farms and Green hills

[RubenC]

I've been with 24 Hour Fitness for 3 years now, mainly due to convenience and clean facilities. When I joined they offered a three year package up front and any year after would be $49.00 for the whole year!

Good luck.