Best gym membership?

[bedrock]

Looking for a recommendation on a gym membership - and it seems like it boils down to the major corporate ones (LA fitness, 24 hour, etc). So which place has the highest hot girl to meathead ratio? I am not looking to go get yoked with chicken-legged dudes, in fact I enjoy doing squats and other exercising that actually benefit the sports I choose to participate in. Also, price is definitely a factor.

[DirkaDirkaJack]

the Y!

i go to the Y, and trust me, you wont get distracted from your workout by hot chicks--because there aren't any.

but more seriously, the Y is the cheapest gym, and i do like supporting them because i would consider them a force for good in the community, not some soulless corporate gym.

[hose-man]

Does it need to be a chain? For out of town use etc?

If not, find a crossfit affiliate near you. Most have a "first 3 are free" or some such trial deal. I'm about 6 months in, and feeling stronger, looking more muscular and have been super prepared for this ski season.

If there's more than one near you, check them all out. They're owner operators and each will have a unique environment & style. One will suit you better than others.

You'll thank me later.

(37 yoa 5'10" 195# firefighter)

[mdblows]

I don't know about where you live, but if price is "definitely a factor" I would NOT join a crossfit gym. Around here they run $120-$150 a month. I went the 24 hour fitness route, payed $300 upfront for a one year membership that's only good at the club which I registered. I believe I also could have payed up front for a two year membership and gotten in right around $350, but had to go through Costco

[Yeah!]

$10 a month at Planet Fitness. So long as I don't go between 7-9 am or 4:30-7 pm, I basically have the place to myself. There's enough equipment and free weights to do anything I might want to do. The only addition I'd like at mine is an erg.

Only reason I can see to pay more is if the gym has free classes. There's another gym in town that's $50 a month, but you can take unlimited spinning, cardio, yoga, etc. I dunno how good those classes are, but since I wouldn't use them anyway, I got the $10/month route.

[smmokan]

Yeah, like mdblows said, Crossfit gyms are ridiculously overpriced. $150+ a month is just plain stupid.

If you have a garage or a basement and are self-motivated, why not buy your own stuff and workout in your own space? Between a spin bike, a pullup/dip/pushup rack, medicine ball, weights, some mats, and a stereo I probably didn't spend more than $400 and I can work out on my own accord.

If looking at hot chicks while working out is a priority, then join a gym. Personally I can't stand the thought of going to the gym, sharing weights, and watching everyone else work out.

[RShea]

You basically have to ask yourself what you want- full gym with a pool, hot tub, sauna, etc. Just a room with the standard weights, universal machines, and cardio stuff like tread mills, steppers, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, or full schedule of classes and the like? It also depends on budget. Around here the Nautilus has everything and a big price tag and huge crowds at the prime times. The franchise chains (Planet Fitness, Snap Fitness, Best Fitness, etc.) do not have the pool, and some of the other stuff like the full service places, but are usually much cheaper for a general use membership.

The Y is probably the best deal for a fuller service fitness- pool, classes (some charge extra for the instructor), and full age range of members from 2 or 3 to into their 90's.... Priced reasonable and many will be income driven with sliding scale memberships based on ability to pay.

Above all you have to really visit a few to get a feel for how they are run, how the facilities are and how clean they keep things in my opinion. Of course go the times you are most available to do your work out and ask if they have a visitors chart by the day of the week and time of the day to see what their average count is for access to the equipment, etc.

[bedrock]

First off, thanks for the feedback.

I agree 100% with you smmokan, in an ideal world I wouldn't have to go to a gym and I would be on my bike or skiing every day, but weather and work schedules put a hamper on that - especially during winter months.

Crossfit sounds great, looks fun, but sounds like it costs way to much for a workout in my opinion. Maybe I will try the couple free days anyways and check it out.

I will look into planet fitness - sounds like a great cheap option to get in and get out without dealing with a lot of other bs.

If I had the resources and space I would be happy with just a squat rack and some dumbbells.

[RShea]

Planet Fitness has 2 membership levels. The $10 per month (plus they get a annual fee 1 time a year- I think it is $29) and have the basics in weights and stations, etc. They also have a Black Card membership- $19.95 per month- gives you things like tanning booths, discounts on the cooler drinks, an unlimited guess pass- where you can sign in one other person WHILE you are working out also, and use of the other franchise facilities in other cities if you travel. I moved to them a few years back after starting at our local Y.

I don't feel as guilty if say during the summer months I get in there 1 or 2 times a week for weights only as I am outside biking, hiking etc. for the cardio workouts. If I was paying $150 for a month and using it 4 or 6 times, that would be crazy. Building up to ski season I try for 3 to 4 times a week depending on the weather and work in some stuff to help the ski legs.

[4matic]

Used to be three years.

http://www.costco.com/24-Hour-Fitnes....11753116.html

[hose-man]

Crossfit done right gives you coaching from a certified instructor at every work out, intro to a community like-minded, like-motivated peers, introduces you to new movements, new skill, and keeps you safe while you do it. Introduces challenges and rewards you for your intensity.

I'm not the type who goes to the gym and works out alone, or to see people, or to be seen by people. However, the sense of challenge and accomplishment has me going again and again to crossfit. For me, it's worth it. Not saying its for everyone, just don't dismiss it as an option because its not cheap. Im getting my monies worth. Heck, like skis, or outerwear, or (usually) lift passes, or dextrous gloves.... The ones that cost more are usually worth it.

[Shredhead]

How much one on one do you get at crossfit? When I workout, I find it difficult to push the pain threshold solo.
I use the local park district gym's personal trainer. He's a high school gym teacher, baseball coach. Played aaa ball and used to be the Cub's strength coach.
$35/hour but he pushes my ass much more than I ever would alone.

[mcsquared]

How much one on one do you get at crossfit? When I workout, I find it difficult to push the pain threshold solo.
I use the local park district gym's personal trainer. He's a high school gym teacher, baseball coach. Played aaa ball and used to be the Cub's strength coach.
$35/hour but he pushes my ass much more than I ever would alone.

It depends on the affiliate and the coaches. But IMHO, you get as much attention as you need. I go to a rather small crossfit gym where each class has a maximum of 8 people. Usually more like 6 people. So the coach is right there correcting your form and giving you pointers and the other people, and the clock, push you. Crossfit is expensive, and I am notoriously cheap. But in this case I feel fitness is one of those areas where you get what you pay for. For me Crossfit strikes a happy medium between having a personal trainer (which I would never do) and wandering about aimlessly in a global gym (which I hated). Sure you can do most of the workouts with a modest set of equipment in your garage but it takes a certain type of person to workout to blackout solo. But if you can do it, more power to you.

[jibij]

How much one on one do you get at crossfit? When I workout, I find it difficult to push the pain threshold solo.

I got my CrossFit Level 1 certification this past summer and train part-time at a local affiliate. The amount of attention you get will vary from gym to gym. Personally, I like to give our clients as much attention as they want/need. Some folks respond well to a trainer screaming in their face. Others respond better to gentle persuasion/affirmation. It all depends on the individual. A good gym will have well-rounded trainers who understand and respond to the differences in people.

One of the many things that drew me into CrossFit was the feeling of having a personal trainer with me for every workout.