This gym just opened up in the strip mall next to Bass Pro and I couldn't be happier! Here's my take on it:
COST
Right now the cost is $45 per month with no joining fee and a charge for the key fob (somewhere between $25 and 50...I can't remember). I was talking to the manager and he said that the $45/month was an introductory rate and once they establish a membership base, they would start charging the joining fee and raise the rate to $55 or 65 per month. Right now, it looks like they are only offering an 18 month contract (which seems a touch long to me), but there is an opt out clause if you move away.
The monthly fee includes use of this gym and any of the Anytime Fitness locations around the country (and a few overseas) 24-hours a day, 7 days per week. Your key tag opens the front door. This gym also has a hydro-massage chair that gives a great massage, but costs an extra $10 per month for unlimited uses. I'm still on the fence as to whether or not it's worth it.
LOCKER ROOMS
There are no actual lockers here. Instead, there are two bathrooms with private showers and a third bathroom with just a toilet and sink. This place is brand new, so everything is in pretty good shape. Towels are NOT provided, but if you forget yours, there's a Bed, Bath, & Beyond right across the parking lot. There is a shower gel/shampoo combo available in the showers if needed.
Instead of lockers, there's a cubby area just past the manager's office. These are just open cubbies with no chance to lock up valuables, but with the restricted entry and security cameras all over the place, I don't feel like my stuff is at risk of being stolen. You can pretty much see your stuff from most of the gym (minus parts of the free weight area).
CARDIO EQUIPMENT
There is a pretty good mix here. There re 5-6 Life Fitness treadmills, 2 elliptical machines, a stationary bike, a stair climber, a rowing machine, and a crazy looking lateral something or other that I've never used. All the cardio, minus the rowing machine, has an individual TV (I think it's Dish and has quite a few channels). Again, the place is brand new, so everything is...well...like new.
WEIGHTS
There are a perfect mix of weights for people of all levels. There are plenty of machines for every muscle group, Hammer Strength equipment, and dumbbells up to 100 pounds. There is also a Smith machine, and two multi-purpose power racks that can be used for pretty much anything you would do with a straight bar. There is also a single curl bar and preacher bench.
There are no bumper plates or area to do Olympic style lifts, but I'm not into any of that, so it doesn't really bother me.
CLASSES
It's an Anytime Fitness, so you might think, "No classes." You'd be wrong. They have this pretty cool computerized system that lets you pick one of around 100 (that's a total guess) video workouts. Once you make your selection, a screen in the fitness room lowers and the class is played on a big screen. They have Zumba, spin (they have three spin bikes), P90x/Insanity style workouts (they have all necessary equipment in the room), and some pretty good Yoga and cool down routines. I've never been a class guy, but I've found that I really enjoy taking a class on demand without having to schedule a time. I'm a huge fan of the system.
SUMMARY
Overall, I'm pretty happy I decided to move over to Anytime. The manager is nice, the layout is perfect, and the equipment selection and layout are well thought out. If you live or work in the area or like to workout at hours, this is the best place around. read more