[if this is a repeat post I apologize…I couldn’t find another like it]
What is the best gym in your area?
Everyone will of course have differing opinions (that’s what makes T-Nation and the USA so great). So include why this is the best gym. What makes it so great.
I work out at API Training Center in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are not a gym so much as a training center for athletes with hardcore workout classes (they call it CAVEMAN Training). Think high intensity circuit training with heavy weights, hardcore lifts and interval cardio all in one. Lot’s of heavy iron, heavy metal (music that is), tires to flip, ropes to climb, sledghammers, kettlebells, etc.
My university has such a good gym, it makes me very happy. The downside is that I either have to work out in between classes, or show up extremely early/late. Otherwise I’m looking at a 20 minute wait until the 120lb idiots with the backwards hat, shaggy hair, and wrist straps stops hogging all the benches to do dips.
[quote]Contrl wrote:
My university has such a good gym, it makes me very happy. The downside is that I either have to work out in between classes, or show up extremely early/late. Otherwise I’m looking at a 20 minute wait until the 120lb idiots with the backwards hat, shaggy hair, and wrist straps stops hogging all the benches to do dips.[/quote]
There are benches designed to allow you to do dips too. Mother Mary. I need one now.
Our unit gym…two PowerLift squat racks with scoops, trap bars, camber bars, safety squat bars, thick bars, DBs to 120(just ordered new IronGrip up to 100), KBs(just ordered bigger ones, 62 and 77lb), full Ground Base circuit(minus the Jammer), grappling mat with heavy bags, and Woodway treadmills.sigh…
Drawback: full Strive circuit which we can’t get rid of due to all the support guys. On the bright side, it keeps same support guys from gravitating to the real weights, keeping them free for us:)
Also: 2 Power Plates(still figuring out those things), multiple bands, slide boards, jump platforms and boxes, hurdles, Powerblocks, pulling sleds, and tires.
Red’s in Lafayette. Probably the largest gym in the south. 4 power racks with platforms. Original set of Nautilus strength equipment bought in 1973. Lots of fancy new equipment, like the endless rope pull machine, and the iso-something-or-another cable machines. Multiple pools. Boxing. Indoor track. Outdoor obsticle course. Racketball. Tennis. Indoor basketball court. World record holding powerlifters. Hot Broads in spandex.
The Gym in Carencro. Cheap yearly membership fees. Quality equipment. No dress code. No bullshit.