Need help finding a new gym - JP Fitness Forums

pjb923 · 08-08-2006, 11:25 AM

My gym is closing, and from what I hear it could be as early as today, so I am on a frantic hunt to find a new place before the end of the week.

I tried searching online and I keep running into the high end gyms that are willing to spend the money to advertise. They all try to cater to the high end clients who want their every need catered to. I just want a place where I can go after work and move some heavy weight without waiting on line for the squat rack.

Does anyone know of a good resource for locating local gyms?

Or, even better, does anyone know of a good gym in southern Westchester County, NY. I live in Yonkers, very close to a Bally's, but it gets so crowded at peak hours that I'm not even considering going there.

Eric and Tony, before you answer... I'm not driving an hour and a half to south side gym 3 nights a week.

eastcoastsurfer · 08-08-2006, 11:58 AM

I would talk to the people you see in your current gym before it closes and see what they are going to do. Then, open up the phone book and start calling around. Most gyms will give you a free week pass to try them and see if you like what they have to offer at the times you workout.

Lisa~ · 08-08-2006, 12:04 PM

Yes, most do give a free pass to potential members, and if you still haven't found exactly what you want, you could at least get your workouts in by using a free pass while you're still looking! What a great idea.

Lost Dog · 08-08-2006, 12:24 PM

Look for one of those hardcore places.

Drive around industrial areas and sniff the air for sweat and listen for speed metal blaring.

Tony Gentilcore · 08-08-2006, 01:19 PM

Wait. You actually have to wait in line for the squat rack at your gym?? Are people actually squatting or are they idiots and stretching in it?

pjb923 · 08-08-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony G

Wait. You actually have to wait in line for the squat rack at your gym?? Are people actually squatting or are they idiots and stretching in it?

I have only seen people squating in the squat rack 2 or 3 times at my gym. But i've seen plenty of curling.

I should have said that I don't want to have to wait in line to bench press. That would be a much more common problem in most gyms.

Most of the gym in my area are more concerned about laundry service, spa treatments, cardio classes, and valet parking than weight lifting. Kind of like South Side.

I'll be lucky to find a gym that actually has a squat rack. I'll give Lost Dog's technique a try later tonight, but it might lead me all the way to CT.

Tony Gentilcore · 08-08-2006, 02:07 PM

Be honest......did you shit yourself when you walked into South Side?

I miss it.

skim · 08-08-2006, 02:12 PM

PJB, did you check out the local YMCA's, YWCA's and JCCA's? Most of these orgs have gyms on the side (basic stuff, no spa treatments offered!). What about a local university or college?

pjb923 · 08-08-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony G

Be honest......did you shit yourself when you walked into South Side?

I miss it.

If I wasn't meeting you and Eric there, I might have.

Eric Cressey · 08-08-2006, 02:31 PM

Paul - We've still got a lot of buddies at SS, so if you ever want to head back for some technique refining, just say the word and I'll get you in touch with them.

djhaycock · 08-08-2006, 04:02 PM

Like eastcoast said about talking to the people in your gym. If there are people in there that you are friendly with and enjoy seeing/talking to, I would find out what there plans are and if you like the gym they're going to use all of you go together and try go get a discount.

When I was in college a bunch of my fraternity brothers and I went to the local Gold's and they waived our "initiation" fees and reduced our monthly charge because we all signed up together.

Just some food for thought since some will try to squeeze at least $100 out of you for "initiation".

pjb923 · 08-09-2006, 07:02 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions. My gym closed so suddenly that I didn't really have time to talk to anyone about where they were going. I think some people got word ahead of time and alread had moved on, because the last few times I was there it was pretty empty. So, we were kind of on our own.

We made the mistake of going into a New York Sports Club first. First of all there is more cardio equipment than free weights. They have crazy sign up fees, which are discounted if you sign up right on the spot. As soon as you walk out the door the discounted rate is gone. The hard sell tactic does not work well for my wife and I, so it was onto the next place.

My brother recommended a place that is only 2 miles from my house. He doesn't actually go there to work out, he just hangs out with the cute girl at the counter. We walked in and she recognized my name and we talked about my brother for a little while and got the tour. There was no pressure to sign up, they gave us the prices without having to beg and because of my brother we may even get a discounted rate. We have free passes and are going back tonight to work out. If everything goes well we will be joining.

And yes, it does have a spa.