I recently moved to Greensboro from Bowling Green to start my doctoral studies at University of North Carolina - Greensboro. Yesterday I went to check out their rec center and found that the weight room is really small… even smaller than my previous institution!
I can only imagine how crowded the place is gonna be when the semester begins! I guess I’m trying to decide if I want to train somewhere else and just pay the membership fees. There is a Golds Gym about a mile from my apartment and I’m really thinking that I should just go there. I’ve never trained at a chain before, so I’m not sure what to expect. I started training t-mag style about 2 years ago and have made real progress since. I make sure that the 2hrs in the rec is my very own personal time and nothing should get in its way. I live about 7 miles from the university where the rec is at and I really like to get in and get out since I’m gonna be real busy. So the prospect of waiting for some moron doing curls on the squat rack is really unappealing!
Suggestions anyone?
If the weight room is very small, maybe that’s because only a couple dedicated use it–like when I was at University of Georgia and there were about three guys working out.
I’d say try out the place for awhile, then if it really is too much you should consider going Gold.
Sorry, I can’t say much about Gold’s quality as I have never been in one.
Gold’s Gym might not be that bad a deal for you. As a student, you may be able to work around the busy times there. Try to get in after 7PM or before 7AM. Anyone that is in there at these times is likely to be pretty motivated, and won’t get in your way. A few things to keep in mind-
Ask for a student discount, they usually have one.
Make sure they put a clause in the contract that if you move a certain distance (usually 25 miles)away from the gym, that they allow you to get out of your contract. If they have have a clause that says you have to join another Gold’s Gym near your new residence, ask them to take it out. They can, and if you bug them enough they will. They want your money. I’ve worked out at a number of Gold’s Gym’s, and for the most part they are decent.
Good Luck.
Thanks for the tip. I agree that there’s a possibility that not many people uses the gym at the rec. I might have to look into that. However, the prospect of being able to get in and out of Golds which is really close by is very appealing. I think I will check out the facility tomorrow so that I can have a better idea.
I do wish I could get a refund from the university’s rec fee though! Yeah, like that’s gonna happen!
The Gold’s in my area has been quite accomodating. They waived $30 from an entry fee for me; coupled with a ‘first month for $4’ deal, my month-by-month contract is actually cheaper than a three-monther, and very nearly the same price overall as that for 12 months.
A release from contract clause for moving a significant distance away is included by default. They have a two-week trial membership at no cost or obligation.
DI