It was AMAZING it was fun and it heled out ALOT! And the machines are so useful, and they have…read moreevery machine you can imagine!

It must have been a bad week for Xcel fitness with me. Having just moved to the area i visited…read morethree Gyms. The first day i went to Xcel and a very pleasant woman showed me around and outlined the various plans. I liked the variety of machines and cardio equipment . While the locker room has a strange layout it didn't matter as i seldom use it. In her spiel and on the web site they pitch their Personal Training ability and how they guide you. So when i signed up i specifically asked how PT works. Well, actually they don't have PT themselves but instead they have independent contractors who work for them. In order to get PT i have to call one of their trainers and organize it myself. This seemed very odd but the woman then handed me two cards and suggested that i call them. Okay, i thought it odd but i took the cards. I then left and called both trainers and left messages with them...twice. 4 days later i still hadn't heard back from either of them. So, i went back to the gym in the morning. The gym was essentially empty so i asked the guy at the front desk if he could walk me through a simple circuit using the machines. He told me sure and that he would be right with me. I wanted to get started so i said i would start on Cardio and when he had a chance just come grab me....50 minutes later i was still on the treadmill and i had watched this guy walk by a few times and chat with friends and wipe down a few machines. Twice i waved at him and he gave me the "be there in a second wave." Finally i finished my cardio and went back to the desk and now he was gone. So I left. 3 days later and still no word from the trainers I went back in and talked to the front desk yet again. I explained the situation and pointed out that no trainer had called me back . The woman at the front desk asked who i called and i literally pulled the two cards sitting on the desk and showed her. She said looking at one card "Oh he doesn't work here anymore"...huh? them why is his card on the desk...That seemed to baffle her as .much as it did me. The other trainer "she hadn't seen for awhile" Huh? She said there was a trainer hanging out there she could call. To be honest I had had it . I explained that on my last trip I had tried to get help for 50 minutes and was ignored. She seemed uninterested. Finally, i decided i would just cancel my membership. Of course , having been a member for a week, and having no trainer call me and be given a card from a guy who didn't work there at all anymore and having been shuffled off by the front desk guy on the last trip she still would have to charge me 75 dollars to cancel. Seriously? To be honest i would have paid 100 to get out of this disorganized mess. Clearly, misinformation and false promises meant little to these folks so it seemed an expensive yet valuable lesson. I ended up joining Spa Athletic where the owner took me on a tour and had a personal trainer call me to set up an appointment an hour after joining. Like i said maybe it was just a bad few days at Xcel but i find it hard to believe that i'm the only one who experienced this. Again, its a nice workout space but thats all i could see going for it after my experience .

Great facility and knowledgeable staff. I've been working out with Daniel for the past eight or…read morenine years. He's always been professional and focused on my goals. He changes our routine constantly, keeping my body engaged and challenging me a new ways.

Awesome place to learn jiujitsu/mma. Training partners are great and a its a fun place to practiceread more

Stopped by here while attending a conference. This is a nice gym; very clean, the equipment is in…read moregreat shape. They have a nice selection of equipment; cables, free weights, turf, ropes, sled, machines, and cardio equipment. Locker room was clean and organized. Small but efficient group fitness room. Class schedule looked a little sparse. There was a hip hop fitness class going on when I went, and it was one instructor and one attendee. The instructor was bringing it like the class was full, so props to him! If I lived here I would join this gym!

The weekend hours are not great. Not a bad place to workout. If you like to do cardio and people…read morewatch this is your place as the peeps here act like there still in hs Lol

the management of the YMCA downtown Hickory is alarmingly poor at organization, communication,…read moreconsistency and customer relations. The 'new' gym is hideous. in contacting the management,, the person couldn't have cared less, she was condescending, flippant, she didn't listen to what I was saying and she was dismissive. it was clear her missive was to get me off the phone. The staff is put in a terrible spot. they aren't being communicated with from management. people are wandering around lost in the facility because of the lack or non existence of staffing. Rooms aren't available when you talk to one person but another person says they can unlock it. they are RUINING the experience of going to the gym. They are of course charging full price for a lot less than 100% availability of what we had prior. She uses the phrase ''sorry you feel this way" clearly its NOT a feeling, its cognitive thought, something they do Not understand at the Hickory Foundation YMCA. id be embarrassed to tell anyone I was management at this place. No-one cares, its apathy to the Nth degree and it starts At The Very Top who refuse to interact with membership because well, they just do not want to hear it.

I must admit... I've been pleasantly surprised by this YMCA. I've been to other Y's (Atlanta,…read moreCharlotte, Greensboro) and Hickory can hold its own. There are so many activities and different programs to help anyone get into/stay in shape without getting bored. There are no joining fees or contracts, just monthly dues. Very affordable, around $40 a month for a single person and $65 for a whole family. There is both an indoor and outdoor pool where they offer water aerobic classes, private lessons, and lifeguard training. A wide range of group exercise classes are offered such as Zumba, Martial Arts, Step, Spin, and Yoga to name a few. Swati is an amazing Yoga instructor; highly recommend her Yoga Reflection class. The gym is pretty standard with free weights, machines, treadmills, etc. Personal trainers are available for those who want one-on-one motivation and coaching. Also, can't forget about the basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields and the new climbing tower! I have only been up the tower once...on the easiest side... with 8 year olds zooming up the wall beside me ...but still it was inspiring to make it to the top! Summertime is super busy with campers all over the place but the camp counselors do a good job of keeping them in check. Last but not least, the staff is sooooo friendly and helpful! Especially Thelma, who greets nearly every member by name and goes out of her way to help the elderly members.

Finally found my new gym. Clean and spacious club with all the equipment you could ever need…read more Owners are super friendly. Reasonable rates. Today was our second workout and we are still smiling. What a welcome find ! This is my new fitness home. Can't wait to try a Zumba class !!

From the owner: Finding the motivation to get up and go exercise can be trying, but our experts at Guazo Fitness…read morePlus can help you. We are ready to get down to work and help you take control of your health and lifestyle with a full fitness center. We offer classes for all abilities, massage therapy by a licensed massage therapist, a comprehensive fitness evaluation led by doctors of physical therapy, and personal training by certified personal trainers. We offer an enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere that will help you enjoy the fitness journey. We want to help all people and have the skills and abilities to pump you up without stressing you out. Our staff has the medical knowledge to decrease unnecessary injuries while helping you achieve your fitness goals. If you happen to get injured while working out, our medically trained staff can offer assistance and guidance. All our staff is CPR certified. For more information on our variety of services in the Hickory, North Carolina area, contact us today and let's get moving. Movement is medicine.