Gym Dilemma

Training Bodybuilding
1

So I’m finally moved in and such, and I’ve been checking out a few gyms. Not sure which to join, but I was wondering what opinions the rest of T-Nation might have. Heres some pros and cons:

  1. Dolphin -
    $350 for the year
    Very close
    Crappy parking
    Medium-sized, “hardcore”
    1 Squat Rack
    1 Power Rack
    Lenient rules

  2. Star -
    $800 for the year
    Very close
    “Okay” parking
    Large-sized, pseudo-hardcore
    2 Squat Racks
    1 Power Rack w/deadlifting platform
    Strict rules

  3. Powerhouse -
    $1080 for the year
    At least 20 minutes drive away
    Great parking
    Large-sized, hardcore
    2 Squat Racks
    1 Power Rack (plus separate boxing area)
    Lenient rules

If distance weren’t an issue I’d go with Powerhouse, but seeing as its the furthest and also the most expensive it’s lead me to look into other gyms, and the best out of what I could find were Dolphin and Star.

Star is definitely well equipped, the gym is huge with 2 floors, plenty of free weights, all kinds of machines (including like every hammer strength machine). The locker room was also very clean as well.

To be honest I almost joined the gym after my 2nd visit, which also happened to be my back day. I recall doing deadlifts (noise of course) and kroc rows. At the end of my kroc sets I didn’t slam the DB to the ground, but rather just let it drop out of my hand. Apparently this lead to a big issue with their rules: no dropping weights. 2 or 3 times the staff told me to stop dropping weights. Meanwhile I’m pretty sure when Ronnie or Triple H strolled in there they could drop whatever weights they wanted. Whats with this discrimination? Fed up, I headed to Dolphin next, which was an equal distance away from me, albeit in the opposite direction.

At this point I should note that I wasn’t the “biggest” dude in powerhouse OR Star (I was the “biggest” guy in the gym @ my old gym which lead to crazy antics), which is a plus to me. Its definitely more motivating for me to be around strong guys and even more motivating to be around guys stronger than me.

SO, getting to Dolphin, the gym is pretty small but its very hardcore. It’s got that hole-in-the-wall, Dorian Yates type feel to it. There was one old Mickey (think Rocky) type guy who was working there and I asked him about dropping weights, using chalk, doing deadlifts, etc… and he said he didn’t care what I did as long as I was polite to the other members and I didn’t cause any trouble.

I had a great workout and got rid of the “lost” feeling of being in a new gym. The regulars were already checking me out (during my deadlifting anyway) and it felt like a positive atmosphere. On the other hand there were probably only 2 other guys around my level there, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

TL;DR version:
Powerhouse owns, except for price and distance
Star was great, except for price and discrimination
Dolphin was good, except for size and parking

Discuss. Retarded comments will be ignored.

2

I used to work out at a place that was close by, expensive, open 24 hours, full of equipment (although most of this equipment was benches, but racks were always available cuz nobody went in the leg area lolz), gigantic parking lot, with strict rules. It was alright.

I now work out at a place that is about a 20 minute drive, costs 20 bucks a month, is about the size of the pool area at the old gym, has a somewhat smaller amount of useful equipment, closes at 5pm on the weekends, and has very few rules.

I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever in a million years go back to the first gym.

3

Go to Dolphin man unless you are loaded and have enough time on your hands to spend 40 minutes traveling…800-1000 bucks a month is hella expensive for a gym membership…And if Dolphin’s as hardcore, Dorian Yates like, as you say it is, you should have no problem getting in some killer workouts…

And I thought I was paying a shitload at 600 a year for a gym membership lol…

4

Word, my previous gym was only 600 for the year as well. NYC is expensive!!! =/

5

[quote]solidkhalid wrote:
Word, my previous gym was only 600 for the year as well. NYC is expensive!!! =/[/quote]

You talking Bev’s when you say powerhouse? I am from the island myself…work out at home now as I’ve bought a cage…

6

Nah, I wish I were talkin’ about Bev’s, theres another Powerhouse not far out from the city, thats the one I’m talking about. Home training is where its at, I actually have space to set up a home gym area, but don’t have the funds! Catch-22…

7

Dolphin, hands down, unless you’re a rich motherfucker. But seriously, spend all that extra cash on food.

8

[quote]hungry4more wrote:
Dolphin, hands down, unless you’re a rich motherfucker. But seriously, spend all that extra cash on food. [/quote]

BOOM. ^100

9

lol, that reminds me of the ol’ BOOM. Headshot =D

10

[quote]solidkhalid wrote:
lol, that reminds me of the ol’ BOOM. Headshot =D[/quote]

I often say that loudly in the gym…for funsies =p

11

haha me too, must be the hair talkin’

12

Dolphin would be my choice.

13

Looking at it objectively not knowing the reputation and feedback of the gyms, and not living in the USA I’d still say Dolphin based on the cost and you’re getting all the perks you need. Parking sounds less than ideal but if you’re really concerned you should get a trial membership and see what parking is like around the time you want to go there (I don’t know if they allow trial memberships or if parking is a big deal but since you mention it in each gym comparison I thought it would be).

I guess we have no “weight dropping” rules over here - but it seems like it’s a big issue in the USA?

The rule that should have been introduced is to prevent dickheads hogging equipment, chatting on the phone and bro-mancing all over the bench press. Anyway that’s another thread :slight_smile:

14

Yes I cant stand that phone jibber jabber, even though I’m wearing headphones its still annoying to see people blab on between sets.

“Yea bro, totally, and then like, I’m gonna put it in her butt!” STFU or GET OUT

15

[quote]solidkhalid wrote:
Yes I cant stand that phone jibber jabber, even though I’m wearing headphones its still annoying to see people blab on between sets.

“Yea bro, totally, and then like, I’m gonna put it in her butt!” STFU or GET OUT[/quote]

It’s just disrespectful man, I mean the gym should never be for socialising, as much as I’d like to go with someone as a training partner to help spot me or whatever I much prefer training alone, with headphones, go in, get it done, get out.

16

‘Hardcore’ is what YOU bring to the gym. There are a bunch of gyms in my area, I choose to stay at the ‘hole’ that’s nearby because of accessibility. I have no excuse not to get there everyday. I have no excuse not to get in late on a Sunday night and hit my intervals even if I’ve been out all day. I have no excuse that traffic’s busy after work and it’ll take too long to find a parking spot.

With the right know-how and attitude, you can get your training in anywhere.
(Like H4M said, spend the money on food)

S

17

Honestly, I could care less about hardcore and ambiance. I need enough equipment and convienience. I work out at your run of the mill commercial gym (LA Fitness). The DBs go up to 125 (not bad, 1 Cage, 2 Racks) and its on the way home from work. Theres obnoxious dicks in all gyms hardcore or not, but I keep my head down do what I have to do and leave.

Mngmnt never busts my balls, about lifting w/o shoes, dropping weights, carrying a gym bag etc while these are rules there almost never enforced. With that being said seems like Dolphin is the best of both worlds.

STU summed it up hardcore is what you bring to the gym.

18

So far in my short life, I’ve carried gym bags, chalk, dropped 500lbs from waist height onto unpadded flooring, grunted, screamed, farted, trained without shoes and done almost every other gym faux pas - yet no one has said a thing to me…

You Americans must have it tough out there.

19

It really pissed me off, hence the “pseudo-hardcore” title I gave the gym. They have pics of pros working out there, apparently Victor Martinez frequents the place, but its a double standard. Fuck that. Going to give dolphin another shot tonight (trial membership expires tuesday so that’ll give me enough time to get my whole split in)

20

[quote]solidkhalid wrote:
lol, that reminds me of the ol’ BOOM. Headshot =D[/quote]