Best Gym to go to ? Price wise and feature wise ?

[compguy786]

So, today me and a friend of mine decided to go check out a gym that just opened up in Charlotte. This place is called Energy Fitness, and they are offering a free 5 day trial. So we go in, talk to the lady, who tried to persuade me in getting the membership right away, i obv. didnt. The place is amazing, everything is brand new, state of the art. the facility is about $9 million worth of equipment and such. The place however, is $50 a month, and $100 startup fee, but month to month.

There is another place, Planet fitness, which i saw pictures of, doesn't look all to great compared to energy, but their higher end package is $20 a month, no startup fee, but a annual $39 extra billed(for no reason) still comes out cheaper.

Peak fitness has a contract which is confusing...so i dont plan on going with them.

any other fitness chains that could possibly get on the track and help me lose weight ? i am 19, 5'4 and 237 pounds. i need to lose to get to 200 first, and beyond. I am not lazy, i try to do as much activity i can, but , i need to do more. Any suggestions on where i should go ?

Energy fitness is great, but im not wanting to spend alot...and planet fitness seems like it will fit my budget

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I'm not quite sure "state-of-the-art" is really all that necessary for what you want to do. You'll need a power rack, barbells, weights, and a bench. All those fancy machines won't really do you as much good. If you're seriously interested in losing weight, you should read the fat loss sticky for more info.

 

[compguy786]

I read it , great work !!! Energy also has a sauna

 

[StageLeft]

Very specific to the city. You'll have to just see locally what the options are, as it would be hard to recommend much without being in your actual city. Other thing that is of great relevance is how crowded it is at hours you're likely to visit it. Gyms are universally the most crowded after work, I believe and second most crowded probably before work.

 

[MotF Bane]

I called my local Planet Fitness a while ago, and they're pretty restrictive. Ostensibly, they don't want bodybuilders. No overhead presses, no Olympic lifts at all. Depending your goals, that might work fine for you.

 

[StageLeft]

I am not sure I've ever seen an Olympic lift routine at any gym I've been at. Overhead presses is a bit crazy. However, at my YMCA, which is gargantuan, very very few people even do squats or deadlifts. Since January when we switched to it I am almost not sure I've ever seen anybody deadlift except me.

 

[Kipper]

Are you looking to lift weights, or do you want classes, personal training, etc.? If the latter, then you don't need much in terms of machines, etc.

I get the feeling that you're more focused on weight loss, in which case you might find the classes beneficial. As far as exercise is concerned with regard to weight loss the equation is pretty simple, find some physical that you enjoy doing and then do a LOT of it...

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: MotF Bane
I called my local Planet Fitness a while ago, and they're pretty restrictive. Ostensibly, they don't want bodybuilders. No overhead presses, no Olympic lifts at all. Depending your goals, that might work fine for you.

Planet Fitness has no Squat Racks or BBs, they use Smith Machines instead. In addition their DB's only go up to 80LBS and 60 LBS in some locations. What they do have that's good are a shit load of State of the Art Ellipticals and Treadmills all equipped with HD TV. They also have $10 month to month fees so you know that they are always crowded

 

[mchammer187]

What kind of routine are you looking for?

What I would want is several power racks, and lots of bumper plates and barbells and dumbells. A few bikes, ellipticals and treadmills and a clean locker room. Pool, racketball court, and rock climbing would be a plus.

 

[KoolDrew]

powerliftingwatch.com

Search for gyms in your location.

 

[compguy786]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
powerliftingwatch.com

Search for gyms in your location.

thats cool !

ill look in to that !

 

[silverpig]

I just use the local community center. $20 a year + $2 drop in.

 

[KoolDrew]

Also, I agree with SociallyChallenged. Most "state-of-the-art" gyms around here are total ass. The one I've enjoyed the most the past few years is far from state of the art (half the equipment is like 10+ yrs old), but it's still the best damn gym around here. There are much more important things to look for than how fancy their equipment is, since you don't really need anything too fancy.

 

[Mikey]

I'm moving to Houston, TX in a few days and will be attending Life Time Fitness gym there. Does anybody know if they have a squat rack?

 

[brikis98]

Just thought I'd toss out that the best gyms I've been to are at Crossfit affiliates. However, it really depends on what kind of exercise you're looking to do.

 

[kyparrish]

I haven't logged into AT for a while, but saw this thread today and figured I would chime in.

Where do you live in Charlotte? If you are close the the Planet Fitness on S. Tryon (intersection of 485), I would recommend that place. I went there for a few months when I first started my regimen.

For what you want to do, I would recommend Planet Fitness, but I would recommend the cheaper plan. It is a $39 start up fee, then $10 a month with no commitment. Also, in October, they will charge you a $29 "rate guarantee" (it's just a way for them to make $...when I cancelled, I thought they would try to charge me a prorated rate gurantee fee, but they didn't...so, I guess you could cancel on September 30th and avoid the fee). You pay the proated first month when you sign up, so you might have to pay $50 or so upfront (but then it goes to $10/month in 2 months). It's a no frills gym where nobody bugs you. There aren't any group classes. Don't listen to people who don't like it because you can't work out certain ways. PF works for 99% of the public who wants to get in shape.

(edit: Sometimes they run special where they waive the start up fee, or charge $5, etc....for what I got out of it, the $39 sign up fee was well worth it)

I actually switched to Peak about 6 weeks ago, but only because I got a killer deal (there is a location literally IN our neighborhood, so they offered HOA members $99/year). if you go with Peak, pay in cash up front. Do NOT give them any credit card info or checking account info. Their billing company (ABC Financial) is shady and it is a nightmare trying to get them to stop billing you. Also, Peak's parent company in Raleigh has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Charlotte locations say this will not affect their operations, and from the amount of people in the gyms, they are probably right.

So...if you live within a few miles of either of the PF locations, I'd recommend that place. If you don't, and a Peak is close by, I'd call up a location and ask to speak to the General Manager, and say that you and a friend were calling to find out what their best rate would be if paid in full up front. Since you're signing 2 people up, they might play ball.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

forget all the glitz and glam give me a dirty dank basement gym with nothing but free weights, benches, power racks and pull up bar and I'll be happy as a pig in shit.

....machines are girls.

 

[compguy786]

Originally posted by: kyparrish
I haven't logged into AT for a while, but saw this thread today and figured I would chime in.

Where do you live in Charlotte? If you are close the the Planet Fitness on S. Tryon (intersection of 485), I would recommend that place. I went there for a few months when I first started my regimen.

For what you want to do, I would recommend Planet Fitness, but I would recommend the cheaper plan. It is a $39 start up fee, then $10 a month with no commitment. Also, in October, they will charge you a $29 "rate guarantee" (it's just a way for them to make $...when I cancelled, I thought they would try to charge me a prorated rate gurantee fee, but they didn't...so, I guess you could cancel on September 30th and avoid the fee). You pay the proated first month when you sign up, so you might have to pay $50 or so upfront (but then it goes to $10/month in 2 months). It's a no frills gym where nobody bugs you. There aren't any group classes. Don't listen to people who don't like it because you can't work out certain ways. PF works for 99% of the public who wants to get in shape.

(edit: Sometimes they run special where they waive the start up fee, or charge $5, etc....for what I got out of it, the $39 sign up fee was well worth it)

I actually switched to Peak about 6 weeks ago, but only because I got a killer deal (there is a location literally IN our neighborhood, so they offered HOA members $99/year). if you go with Peak, pay in cash up front. Do NOT give them any credit card info or checking account info. Their billing company (ABC Financial) is shady and it is a nightmare trying to get them to stop billing you. Also, Peak's parent company in Raleigh has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Charlotte locations say this will not affect their operations, and from the amount of people in the gyms, they are probably right.

So...if you live within a few miles of either of the PF locations, I'd recommend that place. If you don't, and a Peak is close by, I'd call up a location and ask to speak to the General Manager, and say that you and a friend were calling to find out what their best rate would be if paid in full up front. Since you're signing 2 people up, they might play ball.

There is one in matthews that i am trying to go to. The PF Black plan, the more expensive one, is $20 a month, and no startup fee. A annual rate of $39 will be charged. The place seems like a straight place, and its 24 hours, i am the only person signing up, not my friend. The place, Energy Fitness, IF they give me a $99 year deal, or something like that, ill go for it ASAP, its a amazing place, with a great environment, but i just want to lose the weight !

 

[compguy786]

well, later today i got a call from the gym i went to, for the trial.Normally their membership is $499..they are offering $249. I declined it even though its a excellent deal, but as a college student...dumping $249 is not the best option. Im gonna go for planet fitness..its cheaper..and will get the job done.

 

[mchammer187]

Originally posted by: brikis98
Just thought I'd toss out that the best gyms I've been to are at Crossfit affiliates. However, it really depends on what kind of exercise you're looking to do.

How much are crossfit gyms in your area because I was looking at mine and they are $120 a month for unlimited classes which I find kinda insane.

I'd rather have very little instruction and pay half of that since I prefer to not be limited to some kind of class schedule since my schedule varies wildly and I am frequently working out at 8pm at night

My work gym I pay about $20 a month and they have a power rack and multiple benches. The only thing that is missing is bumper plates and I'm not looking to spend an additional $100/month on just that.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: mchammer187

Originally posted by: brikis98
Just thought I'd toss out that the best gyms I've been to are at Crossfit affiliates. However, it really depends on what kind of exercise you're looking to do.

How much are crossfit gyms in your area because I was looking at mine and they are $120 a month for unlimited classes which I find kinda insane.

I'd rather have very little instruction and pay half of that since I prefer to not be limited to some kind of class schedule since my schedule varies wildly and I am frequently working out at 8pm at night

My work gym I pay about $20 a month and they have a power rack and multiple benches. The only thing that is missing is bumper plates and I'm not looking to spend an additional $100/month on just that.

Well, as I said, it very much depends on your goals. CF facilities charge $100+ per month for unlimited group classes. That means there is a certified CF instructor there everyday to teach you the exercises and organize the workouts and that kind of expertise doesn't usually come cheap. However, if that's not what you're looking for, then obviously it wouldn't be worth the money.

There are also some CF gyms that charge a lower monthly fee to get access to all the facilities in the gym on your own schedule. For example, Crossfit Sunnyvale is $80 per month, which gives you unlimited access to all the Crossfit equipment, cardio equipment, and even the huge climbing walls (it's actually part of Planet Granite). They have classes too, but you don't have to use them if you don't want too. Granted, it's not $20 per month, but I haven't seen any gym that's that cheap and gives you access to bumper plates, rings, kettlebells, climbing ropes, plyo boxes, C2 rowers and so on.

 

[state 08]

I go to Fitness 19 for 10 dollars a month.

Solid lil gym.

 

[bommy261]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
forget all the glitz and glam give me a dirty dank basement gym with nothing but free weights, benches, power racks and pull up bar and I'll be happy as a pig in shit.

....machines are girls.

hell ya sir!