Review of a few National Gym Chains
There seem to be more gyms in the United States then there are actual people. Even in my small town of 60-thousand some odd people, there are at least 15 gyms, with one closing down and another one opening every couple of months. That may not seem like a lot, but they keep building these gyms bigger and bigger. These megaplexes are huge, and you could probably fit four regular sized gyms into their buildings.
For about the past 7 years I’ve been a member of 3 gyms for at least a year each. I know what I like when it comes to a gym, which is a substantial amount of weight training and free weight space. I’m also very keen on customer service, because as you know gyms have a horrible reputation of locking you into a contract you can’t get out of unless you move out of the country or injure yourself on purpose.
So without further delay, I’ll give you the pros and cons of each national gym chain based on my experiences. While there are plenty more chains out there, I can’t speak for them because I’ve never been a member.
Some of the pros and cons will not apply to your location. Location is everything, so while my experience with a gym may have been horrible, it can be the exact opposite at another location depending on the staff, total number of members, and the city it is in.
Lifetime Fitness
I recently signed up for Lifetime Fitness and I must say it is the most impressive gym I have ever been to. The complex is absolutely huge and it’s easily the biggest gym I’ve ever seen. I don’t know if they build all Lifetime Fitness gyms like this, but if you can find one in your area then I suggest you sign up immediately!
The rates for Lifetime Fitness are much higher then I’ve seen. I think I’m paying $60 a month, which is double what I’m used to. They cap off their membership at a certain rate, and bump it up to $80 or something when their quota is reached.
One thing that sets Lifetime Fitness apart from any other gym that I’ve seen is that they do not lock you into any contract. You’re basically paying month to month, so if your lazy ass gives up trying to get in shape after 6 months, then you can just quit, no questions asked. Otherwise, you’re locked into whatever rate you sign up with even if they raise their rates.
This is a very unique approach to running a health club and it’s easy to see why they are so successful.
My only gripe with this gym is that the area dedicated to free weights and weightlifting is incredibly small compared to the size of the entire facility. It can get a bit hectic if you hit this gym during rush hour and you want to lift some weights.
Pros
No Contract Membership
Open 24 Hours a Day
Huge Complex
Cons
More Expensive than most gyms
24 Hour Fitness
Most 24 Hour Fitness gyms on are in the West Coast and Central States. I was a member here for about a year, but it was just too far a drive for me to continue. It’s hard enough to make yourself go to a gym, especially in the dead of winter, but driving 20 minutes to get there can also put a damper on things.
24 Hour Fitness is a great gym all around. Their rates are moderate, and you can probably get a good deal if you sign up under someone who is already a member. I think I was paying $30 a month at the time.
They tend to cater towards weight lifters and strength training, which isn’t saying much, but at least the entire gym isn’t made up of Treadmills and stationary bikes. Also the crowd is much younger then the other 2 gyms I review, so if you’re a young sexy single this is the place to be! (You should be working out anyway, not cruising for chicks!)
Pros
Open 24 Hours a Day
Caters to weight lifting and strength training, younger crowd
Cons
Contract Membership
Can get very, very crowded
Bally Total Fitness
When I first started weightlifting right after high school, Bally’s was the first gym I joined. My friends and I would go there religiously when we were young and naïve. After a couple of months, we started to realize that we didn’t really like Bally’s. The facility was very small, the people working there were not that likable, and it just kind of sucked. And I don’t know if this is an East coast thing, but the gym was not open 24 hours like the ones mentioned above. It was really over priced for such a small gym.
I’m sure you could enjoy Bally’s, or any gym that has the equipment you want, but my experience with them has been fairly dismal. They lock you into contracts, and the only way out is to move or get a doctors note. I somehow managed to get out of a Bally’s contract, but that was only because I moved out of state.
When I went back during the summer during college to my hometown of Philadelphia, I signed up for one of their summer programs so I could work out. I recall it was $40 down and $40 for 3 months, no “contract.” The person who signed me up told me I wouldn’t be billed after the summer, but low and behold, I was. It took me a few months to realize, but after a very long phone call to customer service (well over 3 hours) I got my money back.
They will straight up lie to you, so read their fine print very carefully. This doesn’t apply just to Bally’s, as most gyms work this way, even 24 Hour Fitness. Gyms make money on the fact that you will eventually stop going after a few weeks or months, but you’ll still have to pay them!
They must be hiding something, because their employees are always moving from location to location. Every couple of months you would see some new employees, and when you asked about the old ones, they always went to another location. Why is that?
Pros
Any gym is better than no gym, I guess.
Cons
Expensive for such a small location
Not Open 24 Hours
Fairly Generic Experience
Impossible-to-get-out-of Contract Membership
August 24th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Most gym members are conscientious about wiping down the equipment, but it only takes a small number to spoil a gym for the majority. Sergio Fitness
August 26th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I live in Minneapolis, headquarters of Lifetime Fitness. Yes, all of the facilities are like you mentioned. They want it to be more than a trip to the gym, but rather an “experience”.
Great information and blog!
Keep up the great work.
–Corey
August 26th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Back in the day I used to be a big fan of meatheads. I used to train with them, hell I used to more or less be one. These days, the meathead population of Gold’s Gym makes me never want to train there in the evenings. There are some good Gold’s but the one in Manchester, NH sucks.
I also used to work and train at some World’s Gyms. They seemed like pretty decent gyms for both hardcore lifters and exercise bunnies, but I don’t know if they even exist anymore.
Bally blows. 24 Hour Fitness blows.
August 27th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I just checked out the 24 Hour Fitness site, and they’re having a bunch of online-only specials.
- $249 prepaid for 1 year, all clubs (comes out to $20.75 per month)
- $199 prepaid for 1 year, one club (comes out to $16.60 per month)
These are pretty good deals!
August 29th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
All commercial gyms rely on the fact that most people that sign up stop going before too long. Having spoken with people in the industry, it really is the case that if all the members of a gym decided to start going on a regular basis, the gym would not cope.
When looking to join a gym, you should first ask yourself, why are you joining? Many gyms do not have many well trained staff on duty to aid you if needed. In fact, in some gyms you have to pay extra for tuition. Many people would probably be better off investing their money in some home gym equipment.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Good point Motley. Afterall, commercial gyms are in the business of making money.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I agree with SuperFoods. Nowadays it’s become fashion to go gym and aim of many gym owner is to make money only.
September 18th, 2008 at 11:45 am
A very nice and informative post indeed. To some extent super food might be right. But I go to a gym here in fairview NJ and the guys there are extremely helpful and apart from suggesting targeted exercises they also suggest balance natural diet plans.
So I guess we shouldn’t generalize.
Jessica
September 25th, 2008 at 7:05 am
The life routeen is becoming more and more hectic with every passing day. The more time we spending in office and then come back and sit in front of TV or computer. This is really not helping us in our goal to remain fit and healthy.
I used to go to a local gym which wasn’t as expensive or as sophisticated as “24 Hour Fitness” but was ok. Recently am not able to find time.
Hopefully in some days from now will start going over there again. Your posts sort of inspired me to take action. Lets see what happens.
John
September 29th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Basically, most of the big gym chains are a pain one way or another–either they are big meat markets with a bunch of members going because it’s the spot to be, a bunch of meatheads, crapping customer service, lame contracts–whatever.
I have found that I would rather go to a more local, independent gym. Unfortunately, I also travel a lot, and the obvious downside to independent gyms for me is that I can’t get into one while in another city.
A friend of mine here in Tucson actually saw a similar problem for people who do a lot of commuting between cities (for me it is looking for Tucson gyms and Phoenix gyms). Being heavily involved in the health and fitness space, he decided to start a company called Gym Fusion. Basically, it is a network of independent gyms that allow you to have a universal gym membership…they are new, so their network is still growing, but the gyms they partner with are very good and the rates are competitive. Keep an eye out for them as their network continues to expand.
October 7th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Hi,
I think your blog is terrific, and I would like to feature you on Wellsphere (http://www.wellsphere.com). Would you drop me an email?
Good health!
Geoff
–
Geoffrey W. Rutledge, MD, PhD
http://medblog.wellsphere.com
October 11th, 2008 at 4:54 am
We’ve never had a lot of money, so going to the gym has always been a bit of a luxury for me. Since I retired, I can’t afford to go at all, but I’ve discovered an alternative. Gardening.
I get all the excersise and fresh air I need looking after my garden. I also get the benefit of free fruit and veggies and a beautiful view. I wish I’d discovered gardening years ago!
October 30th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
You know I have always wondered why they move the people from gym to gym. I was a member of Bally’s for awhile, and now I am a member of Gold’s Gym here in Florida, and sure enough you see workers there for a few months, and then they just disappear, and sometimes reappear some months later…hmmm…guess its some internal policy.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:09 am
I’ve been with Lifetime Fitness before, my one and only gym. I had to get out though due to financial concerns. Besides, nothing beats a run through a park
Nice reviews BTW.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Gym memberships are what you make of them. Most gyms are banking on the fact that you will sign up for a whole year and show up only in January. I personally would rather work out outside!
November 27th, 2008 at 3:22 am
Hi,
Going to a gym is definitely good,but as you said the worst part is even if youstop going ,you need to pay them.
-Nancy
December 19th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Sounds just like cancer industry everything about dollars. I’d sign up with Lifetime exactly because of their less attention towards money. No deposits, no hidden admin costs like other Gyms would come up with. I don’t get bugged unnecessarily too with promotions. Too bad the gym has no franchise stores around my area..
December 25th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Its kind of sad that everything has to be about money these days. All of those commercial gyms only think about one thing “MONEY” . I personally have never tried any of those gyms you have reviewed. I try to use more natural means to stay in shape. I prefer running outside in the park than running inside on a tread mill, just my 2 cents.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I agree with you.I have always wondered why they move the people from gym to gym.
in some gyms you have to pay extra for tuition. Many people would probably be better off investing their money in some home gym equipment.