It can be a Great Gym, If you avoid the peak times. (updated 6/23/01)
Written: May 03 '01 (Updated Jun 24 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Open 24 Hours a day, as the name states.
Cons: Crowded, with lots of socializers tying up the machines.
The Bottom Line: It can be a great gym, if you avoid the peak times.
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| grimjack2's Full Review: 24 Hour Fitness |
I chose to join the Larkspur branch (in Marin County, California) of 24 Hour Fitness over the half dozen or so other gyms in my area primarily due to the fact that it is open 24 hours a day, just like the name implies. I paid for two years, and got a third year free, with a continuing lifetime membership around $22 per month. This was very good for me, since normally the cost would be at least $29 per month, if I only signed up for one year. There are different plans available depending upon their special of the month, and how much you want to pay up front, etc.. Generally speaking, $29 per month is the average if you want to join for one year or less.
The only other local gym that had any equipment that this one doesn't have is the World Gym in Corte Madera, which does have a very low-end climbing wall. (Also, the local YMCA has a pool, but not being a swimmer, this didn't pertain to me.) 24 Hour Fitness has a good variety of almost all the various pieces of weight lifting equipment that I'm looking for, with only a few doubles of any of them. However, they aren't laid out very efficiently in terms of what equipment is near one another. I'd prefer shoulder machines near other shoulder machines, etc.. Instead they appear to be laid out based upon where they fit when a new piece is added.
My biggest complaint with the gym is that at peak times (5pm to 9pm) the gym gets very crowded, very fast, and not just by the stairmaster / lifecycle crowd. There are a large number of casual weightlifters who seem to spend unusually long times socializing in between sets which really slow down any attempt at a serious workout. If you go at other times, the gym is much less crowded. Just after an aerobics class, or one of the dance classes can be the worst.
The freeweight section is very small and not laid out too well. I always feel like I'm carefully trying to walk around people swinging the weights, which is distracting for the people exercising. Sometimes you see people blocking the aisles in order to help spot their partners.
There is a large room used for aerobics, dance, and other cardiovascular exercise. It usually has something going on in it during the peak times, and is a great room to stretch or cool off when there isn't a class in there. The gym also has a very good Jacuzzi, which is seldom crowded, a steam room and a sauna. Parking is ample, and featured next door to the Marin Brewery, which can be either a good thing, or a counter-productive tease, based upon your self-will.
There is also a small shop that sells slightly over-priced equipment like T-shirts, weight belts and sweatbands. There is also a small day care room which I seldom see being used at the times I go, but obviously a plus for mothers who want to use a stairmaster without carrying her child.
There are two internet machines attached to seated bicycles. I've watched people trying to type email on hotmail.com using a touch keypad. This looks both frustrating and distracting to the rider at the same time. It looks hard to lean forward and type while you are pumping the pedals as fast as you can.
There are a large number of personal trainers that are there to help set up a schedule for you. I have noticed they never seem to have any that last more than a few months, however. I imagine they pay very low, and many of them double as salespeople, so without good commissions they have to move on to another job and don't mind paying to use the gym. I've never taken advantage of one, but people who use them say they can be very helpful if you are a beginner.
It should be noted that there are dozens of 24 Hour Fitness in California, and at least three others are within 25 miles of me. My membership allows me to use any of them, even those in foreign countries.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
grimjack2
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Location: San Rafael, CA, Marin County
Reviews written: 181
Trusted by: 124 members
About Me:
Film is my favorite art form. I live a life of constant amelioration.
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