Though this Bally's is in a convenient, close-to-highway, directly off Towson circle location with great parking and near plenty of other businesses in case you want to run errands after the treadmill run, the quality of the experience here has gone down in the past several years from when I first joined ~5 years ago.
My first gripe is about the decrease in the number and type of group exercise classes offered. I really enjoyed having the option of attending a free class to spice up my workout schedule. The skeleton frame of classes now offered is tragic and many require a co-payment on top of fees members already pay--no wonder the gym hasn't been able to maintain interested group class users!
Though the gym recently upgraded to flat screen TVs, they had to take one off each row to accommodate spacing (lost 4 TVs and associated variety of programming). Unfortunately, with the removal of TVs also went good program balance--so you can easily be stuck watching all sports (thumbs down) on all receivers or all CNN. The latter is mostly yay by comparison but options would be nice and I really miss being able to watch a movie & the news & maybe figure skating while at the gym! So, if you are in row 2 on either the treadmill or the eliptical side, don't expect to peek at different shows in row 1--on either side; as an FYI, occasionally, you can ask for an attendant to switch channels. Note that you can listen in on the audio of the broadcasts by tuning it to the radio station listed below each TV.
The weight lifting section is in a separate area so lifters can get some peace-and-quiet from other gym enthusiasts trying to push through their space. The is a sufficient number of treadmills, elipticals, bikes, etc but you might be somewhat SOL for upper body workout machines--expect a wait.
Traditionally, I've much enjoyed this location's late hours but the economy's been affecting open times. Overall, decent gym but glitches have been developing so hopefully management will take notice and get back to quality of the good 'ol days. read more