Greenbelt, MD Gym
Written: Aug 05 '03 (Updated Aug 13 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: No hassle lifting/aerobic training, has some classes, indoor basketball court
Cons: Traffic outside gym/mall is bad, mall is run-down
The Bottom Line: If you have experience and know what you need, Gold's Gym is a definite choice. All the extras (classes, etc) aren't as nice at some places but it's a tradeoff.
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| wangarific's Full Review: Gold's Gym |
Overall Impressions:
Gold's Gym, clearly, is a franchise and everyone is slightly different from every other one, but they all hold one thing in common: providing a no-hassle lifting experience. This is definitely catered to the individual with intermediate to advanced knowledge of how they wish to train in terms of weight lifting and aerobic conditioning. At this particular facility, there are personal trainers that roam the floor and will gladly give advice to beginners so it will lessen the intimidating factor. Additionally, there are classes throughout the day for spinning (stationary bike riding), kickboxing, yoga, and several more. The main strength is in the quality of its lifting equipment (high quality weights, benches, and machines) but it supplements it with lots of aerobic equipment (stationary bikes, step machines, elliptical machines) and courses.
Weights ( + )
This is the greatest asset of Gold's Gym and what the chain was founded on. The weights are completely solid, no moving parts, nothing that can go loose or fall off. They have four sets (8 total dumbbells) in five pound increments starting at 5 lb. and going up until 80, from there there is only one set up until 150.
Benches ( + )
Nothing sucks more than not enough benches or low-quality benches that shift or slide or crack. This site had about a dozen benches, from regular flat benches to adjustable incline to the midget benches used for shoulder exercises, and all of them were in pristine shape. The same can be said about the "benches" of the machines too. None of them were cracked, none were excessively slippery, I think they are a tremendous testament of the maintenance at this site. Sort of related is the quality of the matts, especially in the area of the crunch machines. Nothing is nastier than lying on a disgusting sweat soaked mat when you're trying to do crunches to get rid of that fat gut (maybe that's just me). The high level of maintenance of benches just seems to impart a feeling that my money is being well spent.
Bikes/Elliptical Machines/Treadmills ( + /-)
I don't really like to do a lot of these because I try to get my aerobic exersize outdoors. In total there are over 50 stationary bikes, easily, as there is one tiny floor devoted to them (where the spin classes are). There are probably a dozen treadmills and half a dozen elliptical machines. While I've never waited to use one, they are usually pretty close to capacity.
Environment ( + /-)
This is a little mixed. The quality of the equipment improves the environment, as well as all the mirrors, but the mall in which this is situated is in a really low-income area. There are a lot of shops, the mall is kept, and it drops the overall appeal of going to it. Also, traffic outside the mall is horrible because it is a thoroughway between Route 1 and MD-198. That's the only part of the bad.
The good? There is a GNC less then 200 feet away in the same mall, improving convenience, as well as a Sports Authority.
Those were the only issues that had an impact on my decision, the personnel were very friendly and informative, and I felt the price was a reasonable one. My price was $29 down, $29.95 a month; which may or may not be a rip off depending on your market but when I broke it down to about $1.00 a day, it made sense.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
wangarific
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Member: jim
Location: Elkridge, MD
Reviews written: 53
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
I'm a software guy for a government contractor who thought writing reviews would be fun.
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