New facility open less than a year (at this writing.) It took over part of a shopping center that…read moreten years ago was half empty, but recently has had wonderful new life blown into it with a Dutch market and a lot of other stores. This location is next to the Dutch market where a Walgreens/Happy Harry's had been. So there is A LOT of parking. Even when the market is open (Thu-Sat.)
The facility is spotlessly clean and from what I observe, the patrons are pretty good about wiping down after they use the equipment. The floors are always clean. There is a small bank of lockers but they are kind of small. You can put in a gym bag and a coat but it's a very tight fit. You bring your own padlock. If those are full, then there are more in the locker rooms, which have showers, changing stalls and toilets. No sauna; holds the cost down. The sink-side dryers for hands (no paper towels) are too wimpy to dry your hands.
There are towel and sanitizing spray stations all over. You can grab one of those for your hands and there is NO excuse not to wipe equipment. In flu season, I'd recommend wiping BEFORE using, especially the panel! Don't forget to wipe the display, that's where ALL the hands go.
The equipment: banks of ellipticals, upright and recumbent stationary bikes, some with ergometer hand mills for those who need them, treadmills, rowing machines. They have mini headphone jacks for the banks of TVs across the room (my jack didn't work on one of the treadmills.)
There are free weights (some bars, some dumbbells, not a lot, and the low weights are limited in number and seem to wander off.) There are Smith machines, and sleds, plus a room with a set circuit and there are also Nautilus-type machines. And a very small area for yoga or stretching. It's usually crowded so if you do a lot of free floor exercise, this may not be the best place for you. (about 20 foot square area by my estimation.)
The weight benches for free weights aren't the best I've ever seen. I like the kind that angle up and there don't seem to be many, if any, of those. It's not so convenient for doing free weights but it can be done. The free weight area is off to the side in front and not very big. It can get a bit congested there. You may not have mirror space to check your form.
After working out, if you have a black card (the higher monthly subscription) you can use hydromassage beds, lounges or massage chairs which are quite relaxing. Tanning beds and a red light LED booth are also available with the premium membership. You can bring a guest, and black card can go to any other facility. It also entitles you to buy drinks at a discount which goes on your monthly bill, no cash facility. At the cost, even the higher subscription, the inclusion of tanning bed is a good deal if you indulge in those (I do not.)
You have to connect the membership to your checking account which I am not keen on, but they don't take any other form of payment. Nope. No credit cards. No cash. No checks.
The people working out seem quite serious and a few were dropping the weights onto the machine on occasion ( maybe it was too heavy, oops) but over all, no one was interfering with anyone else and there are so many machines, you won't be waiting. You can schedule lessons and there seem to be some classes.
No daycare available. Staff seems friendly enough. Have not tried a trainer for setting up a weight routine yet.
Summary: Very clean and well equipped with cardio equipment and machines. Massage beds after are a welcome perk. Makes you feel like you got a reward for hard work. Convenient central location in Middletown. Very glad they opened. A few friends joined and we meet up there which is a great way to enjoy a health break.
