Opinions needed on choosing a gym

[kuri]

I'm in the midst of trying to find a suitable gym in the Santa Monica area, where unbelievably there are not many decent gyms. You've got your upscale fossil factories and then your 24 Hour Fitness/Bally sort.

Has anyone been a member of 24 Hour Fitness or Ballys? If so what are your opinons of them?

Does anyone know of a good gym in the SM/West LA area?

Bodies in Motion is the leading candidate thus far. Anyone know about this place?

I just had to go and move from where I had the ideal gym setup ...

I'm sure most of you can sympathize so thanks in advance for any help.

[Ruma]

Kuri, do you specifically want to know about the 24 hours in Santa Monica area or just 24 hours/Bally's in general.

I have been a member of 24 hr Fitness in Dallas as well as in Sunnyvale, CA. I was quiet satisfied. 24 hr is also open to start a corporate membership, if you can find couple at work who are fitness freaks [img]smile.gif[/img]

Bally's I would not recommend. I walked in to find out about the Gym and was still trying to decide if I wanted to join them, the sales person almost bullied me for not signing up right then. Regarding Bally's

Hope you are able to locate the right Gym for you.

[mgomez41]

im also in the processes of finding a new gym so i can relate ive been a member of la fitness for a while but i really wasnt pleased it was always packed and very difficult to get a good workout so im sure its like that at all those huge chain kind of gyms like 24 and ballys

i dont have any specific places for you but from my own experience in searching ive noticed that alot of the smaller lesser known gyms are the best because usually at these types of gyms u have all dedicated people who know what they are doing understand lifting and nutrition and plus the prices are alot more reasonable and they foucs more on free weights

[Jean-Paul]

Doesn't Alwyn have a gym down in Santa Monica?

[kuri]

Unfortunately Alwyn's gym is in Santa Clarita (about an hour north), where Dos also lives. If I lived there I'd be in there in a second!

Thanks for the info Ruma. I've never heard anything good about Ballys but thanks for confirming it. I HATE those salespeople. Now I've got them calling from World Gym and another everyday, "hey buddy, so do you want to come in and sign up? Do it today and you'll save $$$" I'd like to ask them if anyone actually falls for their incredibly weak pitches...

I'll venture over to 24 Hr Fitness and check it out.

Ruma - what were your rates at 24 Hr?

Has anyone heard of Bodies In Motion? I think they only have So Cal. locations but just in case anyone here has heard of them. The thing that puts them above 24hr right now is that they have a boxing ring, grappling room, and heavy bag room all inhouse--though it is likely more expensive

Thanks again,

[Phaedrus49er]

I'd SO pay extra for a wrestling room.

[Ruma]

Originally posted by kuri:

Ruma - what were your rates at 24 Hr?

With the corporate membership it was $50 at Dallas. This included 24/7 access. The regular rates were a little higher. This gym in Dallas was initially an independent gym named the "Q. Fitness Center". Later it got bought over by 24-hour fitness but the facilities continued to be marvellous.

At Sunnyvale I used to pay about $45(non-corporate). This was only Tue-Thur-Sat access.

Personal trainer charges were separate though. Not included in this. But this was couple years back. The rates may be different now.

[kuri]

Thanks for the input Ruma. Trying to get armed with as much info as possible before deciding.

Phaedrus - do you wrestle?
The mat room + the bag room is more a factor now that I compare with other places.