View Full Version : Where/ What kind of gym do you train in/at?
CanadianIron
02-11-2009, 05:26 PM
Just out of curiosity. Where are you guys training? Public rec center, YMCA, Golds, World Gym?
What dont you like about your gym, what do you like?
I'll start, I train and Golds. I like everything except for the fact that they dont have heavy enough dumbells, only goes to 120. I would like to train somewhere a bit more hardcore, but every place I've been to that has decent weights looks disease infested...
You guys?
GYMBRAT
02-11-2009, 05:57 PM
I train between 2 gyms which are the only 2 gyms in my town, the one I mainly use for my cardio and the other I use for my hard core weight training.....the "cardio gym" is the yuppy type gym and the other is a bit of both I guess (not as bad), both have great ppl working there with great equipment at only the one, the other is for light weights ;)
I train at the Y most of the time as it's close home.
What I like: not crowded, brand new hammerstrength equipment, good selection of cardio equipment, clean, they let you use chalk.
What I don't like: rubber coated weights, fat handled DBs.
I also train at the U of Ottawa gyms when convenient.
What I like: good selection of equipment, chalk, eye candy.
What I don't like: too many people there for a social gathering
Danger
02-11-2009, 06:08 PM
Golds in West Edmonton Mall, the only thing I dont like are the assholes who break shit for no reason.
CanadianIron
02-11-2009, 06:12 PM
I train at the Y most of the time as it's close home.
What I like: not crowded, brand new hammerstrength equipment, good selection of cardio equipment, clean, they let you use chalk.
What I don't like: rubber coated weights, fat handled DBs.
I also train at the U of Ottawa gyms when convenient.
What I like: good selection of equipment, chalk, eye candy.
What I don't like: too many people there for a social gathering
Just out of curiosity, why dont you like the rubber coated weights?
GYMBRAT
02-11-2009, 06:12 PM
trained there on the day they opened.....Danger ha
I train at the Goodlife fitness.
What I like about it is that is close and cheap and not too crowded.
What I don't like about it is that there are too many douche bags that workout there and since it's a co-ed gym with a lot of chicks they stack up the weights on the rack and then take 30min to do a 1/2 rep exercise so that all the little girls will see and think they are really strong. When they are done they just walk away from the weights which pisses the hell out of me.
There is this douchey fat guy that wears a cut off shirt with and MP3 player around his arm that cuts into his fat and he always stacks up 3 plates on the squat rack then look left, look right makes sure someone is watching and then does 10 ¼ squats. After he is done he looks around again to see if anyone saw him. **** that fat fag pisses me off.
It's a small gym so there is only one of every bench and a not so great squat rack.
This was the only gym when I moved to this area 2 years ago so I had no choice. My contract expires next year and I think I will be moving to Gold's.
Just out of curiosity, why dont you like the rubber coated weights?
It's the first time I've ever had to use them and they bind when putting them on and taking them off. I try to minimize energy output when loading and unloading and binding hinders this.
cheesesteak
03-11-2009, 01:08 AM
Goodlife Fitness
Pros: 24 hours, when I go barely anyone there or nobody there, clean, lots of equipment, no wait for cardio machines, tanning
Cons: lots of people staring each other down (but that's been at every gym i've ever been to), kinda expensive ($30 bi-weekly), db's go up to 120, rubber coated weights, benches and dbs are always scattered all over the place
Shortdave
03-11-2009, 01:14 AM
Just out of curiosity, why dont you like the rubber coated weights?
The sound of clanging metal motivates me to lift more, the sound of rubber is lame.
kloan
03-11-2009, 01:32 AM
Home gym. I think I would prefer being able to work out in a gym, but don't have the $$ for it. I could use some more equipment, but I have enough to get by.
The sound of clanging metal motivates me to lift more, the sound of rubber is lame.
That too. :)
cheesesteak
03-11-2009, 09:04 AM
Rubber doesn't make a sound
Shortdave
03-11-2009, 11:13 AM
Rubber doesn't make a sound
Which is pretty lame.
Andre
03-11-2009, 11:17 AM
Goodlife Fitness
Pros: 24 hours, when I go barely anyone there or nobody there, clean, lots of equipment, no wait for cardio machines, tanning
Cons: lots of people staring each other down (but that's been at every gym i've ever been to), kinda expensive ($30 bi-weekly), db's go up to 120, rubber coated weights, benches and dbs are always scattered all over the place
Why is DB's up to 120lbs a con? Do you need heavier ones?
$30 bi weekly is pricey as you end paying $780 for the year ($30 x 26)... My promo rate for board members is $360 for the year and it can be paid monthy :D
Andre
03-11-2009, 11:17 AM
I train at all 3 of my Anytime Fitness gyms!
nitrous
03-11-2009, 11:37 AM
i mostly train at a rec gym... like others have said i wish it was more of a hardcore gym... too many fat guys walkin around like they are king shit... sorta expensive 47.50 a month.. they only have dumbells up to 100 so i'd like bigger ones.. and they dont have that many machines either... and there is no music playing
as for the good things.. it has an indoor track which i love.. and the place is like brand new
cheesesteak
03-11-2009, 11:39 AM
Why is DB's up to 120lbs a con? Do you need heavier ones?
$30 bi weekly is pricey as you end paying $780 for the year ($30 x 26)... My promo rate for board members is $360 for the year and it can be paid monthy :D
Won't I eventually need them heavier?
flapjack
03-11-2009, 12:06 PM
Well, my opinion is kinda biased because I'm the manager, but Probodies in Calgary is my gym of choice. It has a hard core feel to it, all metal weights, dumbells to 140's, it's huge and has doubles and triples of most pieces of equipment. Huge change rooms with over 120 lockers, 4 tanning beds with really cheap rates, 2 massage tables (outsourced), and a good shake bar. Lots of REAL bodybuilders and powerlifters train there too. 17 years in business.
http://probodiesca.host-manager.com/images/gallery/%7B748C0BE2-D6B3-401F-8AF2-EAA7C0358935%7D_Gym%20Facilities%201.jpg
http://probodiesca.host-manager.com/images/gallery/%7B9815C859-5FBA-43C5-BFF1-11EAD1556B6B%7D_gef.jpg
http://probodiesca.host-manager.com/images/gallery/%7BF074646A-FC12-47CB-A25E-B53882542D4A%7D_Juice%20Bar.jpg
And this guy will greet you at the door when you come in... If your not serious about training...he'll turn you away! :troll
metalman
03-11-2009, 12:32 PM
YMCA. Decent weights that are never in use. Just a bunch of people doing machine bicep curls and running on the treadmill. It's great never having to weight for the squat rack.
Andre
03-11-2009, 12:41 PM
Won't I eventually need them heavier?
You crack me up :) I am not a litte guy and the 100lbs-ers are fine for me... most of the time I use the 80lbs-ers... Worry about it once you get there :flagC
swolegantor
03-11-2009, 05:50 PM
You crack me up :) I am not a litte guy and the 100lbs-ers are fine for me... most of the time I use the 80lbs-ers... Worry about it once you get there :flagC
If I can incline the 100 dbs for a set of 20 will you buy 120s ?????
I train at anytime. It's the best thing in my area so I have no real complaints. I wouldent mind if they threw out all the machines, installed some squat cages, a few more power racks, maybe a monolift, more dbs, got a safety squat bar, a swiss bar, a cambered bar, a log, a yoke, Farmers walk implements, some texas power bars, a deadlift platform, bumper plates, chains, bands, a sled, a prowler, maybe some atlas stones, maybe a ghr and a reverse hyper as well, oh and a forza bench, oh oh oh and chalk.
But in all seriousness my gym is pretty good and Andre is more then accommodating to most peoples needs
Andre
03-11-2009, 05:55 PM
When you lose 100lbs I will buy you a set of 120lbs... and let me know when you find a gym that has all the toys you mentioned below and I will join it as well :bch
If I can incline the 100 dbs for a set of 20 will you buy 120s ?????
I train at anytime. It's the best thing in my area so I have no real complaints. I wouldent mind if they threw out all the machines, installed some squat cages, a few more power racks, maybe a monolift, more dbs, got a safety squat bar, a swiss bar, a cambered bar, a log, a yoke, Farmers walk implements, some texas power bars, a deadlift platform, bumper plates, chains, bands, a sled, a prowler, maybe some atlas stones, maybe a ghr and a reverse hyper as well, oh and a forza bench, oh oh oh and chalk.
But in all seriousness my gym is pretty good and Andre is more then accommodating to most peoples needs
tiramisu
03-11-2009, 06:26 PM
I tried to check out a co-ed shapes this afternoon.
"Hi I'd like to check out your gym".
"Can I see some ID?"
"I'd like to look at your free weight area and change rooms."
"What's your phone number?
"I'd just like to see your equipment."
"If you'ld like to sit down, I'll have someone come and see you for a tour".
...
"So would you like a membership?"
"I would like to look at the free weight area".
"How about a workout pass?"
"I just want to see whether I want to work out here."
"Why are you being so aggressive?"
Arrrrrrrgh, I'm certain I don't want to work out at shapes. I never did actually get to see the gym.
Are there any gyms in the durham region with an indoor track? I might be getting transfered there in a few months?
CanadianIron
03-11-2009, 07:10 PM
You crack me up :) I am not a litte guy and the 100lbs-ers are fine for me... most of the time I use the 80lbs-ers... Worry about it once you get there :flagC
Having a ceiling of 100lbs is a huge psychological trick... as soon as I moved to my new gym where they had 120s I was repping over 100lbs like never before. Just seeing some huge weights next to your max makes you push further. My incline dumbell press hasnt progressed much at all, because it cant' I always manage to hit the 120s for my last set and they never get easier. However, im sure If I had 130/140s, id get to a point where 120's were "easy"..
Andre
03-11-2009, 07:20 PM
Having a ceiling of 100lbs is a huge psychological trick... as soon as I moved to my new gym where they had 120s I was repping over 100lbs like never before. Just seeing some huge weights next to your max makes you push further. My incline dumbell press hasnt progressed much at all, because it cant' I always manage to hit the 120s for my last set and they never get easier. However, im sure If I had 130/140s, id get to a point where 120's were "easy"..
I don't have a track, but I do have 3 24 hour gyms in Durham... plus you get access to all 1300 clubs around the world... all this for only $30 a month :cflag
bcmedic
21-12-2009, 02:31 AM
Fitness Edge is where I go. No sign up fees or monthly dues. You either sign up for a ten day pass, three month's, six months, or a year. when You sign up for three months or more you get a 1/2hr with a personal trainer for free. For a newbie like myself it is great! Up stairs they have the cardio machines, machine weights, and a boxing ring. Down stairs is where they have all the free weights, as well as a big room where they hold spin classes as well as group workouts. They also have a tanning bed for those who like to tan.
So far I have not found any cons about the gym equipment or personal taht work there.One or two cons might be having to deal with the odd loser who loads up a weight bar or grabs some db and takes 1/2 to do his three sets, because he is too busy talking to people.
Thorgrim
21-12-2009, 03:52 AM
Club Fit here in Edmonton. Clareview branch usually. There are 5 branches in Edmonton I think.
Pro's - Lots of nice new equipment, dumbbells to 130 I think, 120 for sure, decent free weight area with a couple power racks and 1 squat rack, no problems using chalk and I've never been told not to slam the weights yet
Con's - Not quite hard core enough for me, lots of idiots, fairly busy right after work and not enough hot chicks
I shouldn't really complain too much it is only a few blocks from my place and overall is a pretty good facility.
_Ragnar_
21-12-2009, 09:53 AM
I train at Jim's Gym in Parksville (formerly known as fitness connection). It has 4 squat racks with oly lifting platforms, bumper plates, iron grip dumbbells, chalk is not only encourage but is actually supplied.
RagingRandy
21-12-2009, 10:46 AM
In my basement. The only down side to this is when my wife decides to play Lady Gaga. Actually, it is not to bad. After telling her I will smash her Ipod the next time I hear that crap I can usually muster a couple extra reps.
Delt King
21-12-2009, 11:26 AM
I train at a family type gym in town...nice equipment with 140lbs DB's but the atmosphere is totally geared away from serious bodybuilding training. I can't wear a muscle shirt there (gotta have sleeves) to pass dress code. Once precontest starts in April i'll join a couple other additional gyms to have different atmospheres.
CanadianIron
21-12-2009, 03:45 PM
Sleeves are required!? ... lame.
I cant wear sleeves anymore since switching to tanks... so much arm pit chaffing on back day.
ps.. I hope they enforce this rule on women too! No double standards!
gsxr750
21-12-2009, 03:49 PM
Premier Fitness here. Best hours in my city.. only reason. Pools always closed, hot water always broken, showers always getting busted.
Ritch
21-12-2009, 10:26 PM
Sleeves are required!? ... lame.
I cant wear sleeves anymore since switching to tanks... so much arm pit chaffing on back day.
ps.. I hope they enforce this rule on women too! No double standards!
My gym has that double standard rule, but they let guys wear tanks anyway. Saw one today wearing a tank that said "momo" on it!
ta-kid
21-12-2009, 11:12 PM
I like this thread.All in Maple Ridge BC
1978--Started at home on my coffee table and plastic wieghts from Sears.Those were the days.Real wieghtlifting LOL
1979--Started training under the Guise of a former powerlifter in a dungen gym at the local rec center.Gym Members ---6 of us.That was hard core!
1980,s trained at home for awhile Raquetball West sytarted a minor wieghtroom with a Global Universal Gym and some dumbells.I joined.Iwas one of the first 10 members.
About 1984 a couple guys moved into Maple Ridge and opened up a gym called Loverocks.Nice name!It was owned by Steve Loverock and Dave Jackson.Trained there until about 1988 when it closed.Lack of members.
1988 went back to Raquetball west who had expanded there gym to a large fitness center.They later many years later expanded and changed there name to Fitness Unlimited.I currently train there.
About 1999 I quit Fitness unlimited and had a complete home gym for awhile hoping my two sons who were 14 and 15 at the time would become intertested,but they never did.So a couple years later I sold everything and quit bodybuilding for a few years.
After about 6 years of doing nothing I am back at it at Fitness Unlimited.Thank God for muscle memory because my other memory does not work that well anymore.LOL Sorry for the history lesson guys.I got carried away.
pseclint
21-12-2009, 11:31 PM
YMCA in Edmonton south and University Gym...... both kinda suck
Premier Fitness here. Best hours in my city.. only reason. Pools always closed, hot water always broken, showers always getting busted.
Seriously? I went to a premier once and I thought it sucked. It had about 5 incline benches all bolted to the ground and crowded together. The fountain didnt work, there was no toilet paper in the bathroom, a bunch of the tvs on the treadmills were broken and a tech actually started servicing a treadmill while I was running on it.
monkey
21-12-2009, 11:53 PM
I work out at Denman Fitness in Vancouver...
had enough of it by now. The gym itself is all right.. two squat racks, fairly big ( I hate tight gyms.. need rooom).. everything there what I need .. BUT
The gym is loaded with pussies... most are gay, few train hard, more people use the "butt blaster" then doing ****ing squats...
I barely ask for a spot there.. simply cuz I don't even wanna put up with getting hit on...
My main problem is the atmosphere.. I am competitive and being around stronger people that I can learn from is always beneficial.. I've had it...
Can anyone suggest a "serious" gym in Vancouver ( downtown).. ??
bcmedic
22-12-2009, 04:31 AM
I train at Jim's Gym in Parksville (formerly known as fitness connection). It has 4 squat racks with oly lifting platforms, bumper plates, iron grip dumbbells, chalk is not only encourage but is actually supplied.
Hey Ragnar, I use to train at that gym when it was Fitness Connection. Does Randy, Dave, or Chad still work there? If I remember right, Dave was the owner?
_Ragnar_
22-12-2009, 09:35 AM
No man none of them still work there. I am not sure what Randy is up to, Dave got his strata management license and has been doing that for the last few years and last I heard Chad was building houses.
_Ragnar_
23-12-2009, 10:02 PM
This is my gym. I really love it there.
http://www.jimsgym.ca/slide%20show/album/slides/s1.jpg
http://www.jimsgym.ca/slide%20show/album/slides/Free-Weights.jpg
http://www.jimsgym.ca/slide%20show/album/slides/chalk.jpg
CanadianIron
23-12-2009, 10:12 PM
^ Sweet gym... thats in Parksville?
_Ragnar_
23-12-2009, 10:14 PM
Sure is. It used to be called Fitness Connection.
agingtechie
23-12-2009, 10:44 PM
I'm still working out in my garage. With the space heater I got it all the way up to 4 degrees today.
ta-kid
23-12-2009, 11:30 PM
I'm still working out in my garage. With the space heater I got it all the way up to 4 degrees today.
Now thats dedication
JacktheThriller
24-12-2009, 04:13 PM
hey ragnar GFY you lucky son of bitch
I train at home, I just uploaded some pics of my gym in my profile.
marino
24-12-2009, 06:48 PM
Ragnar your gym looks great. I'm jealous
Chaps
25-12-2009, 01:05 PM
Goodlife Fitness it's 24 hours and it's nice and big with just about everything you need, i would like to see dumbbells over 100lbs and a new glute-ham raise to replace the one they got rid of :(
_Ragnar_
25-12-2009, 02:16 PM
Bigger DBs are my only real complaint. The new owner kicks ass. Anything we want, within reason, he will get for us.
agingtechie
25-12-2009, 05:31 PM
>> I train at home, I just uploaded some pics of my gym in my profile. <<
Nice!
beserker
25-12-2009, 05:50 PM
Iron works in saskatoon......hardcore gym. Pros , awesome atmosphere , bells up to 150's , never have to wait for equipment .....cons... the place smells from time to time and the owner is some times a bit grumpy :)
bcmedic
26-12-2009, 10:51 AM
Nice looking gym Ranger. Sure has changed since the last time I was there. Looks like it has way more weights!:hu
gmoney
31-12-2009, 03:07 AM
ymca edmonton west. db up to 115. $45/month
pros: tons of eye candy, indoor track, heavy dumbells all to myself/friends cuz most people there are puussssays. they have squash courts which gives me a fun way to get cardio and keep my agility up.
cons: very busy in the evenings, not hardcore at all lot's of idiots doing stupid things but its easy to look like a big man in front of all the eye candy lol. only one squat rack and limited amounts of benches, etc.
all in all, i really like my gym. feels homey.
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