...Two orders of business today. First, I would compare gym options within the metro area. That will be followed by a gallery with grainy pictures taken today of the amazing National Cathedral.
Those that know me best are well aware of my dedication to physical fitness. Those whom know me less, should still be aware because I mention my passion for conditioning to the right, and provide a link to my workout log to the left (and also HERE).
Upon relocating to Falls Church, one my first goals was to find myself a suitable gym to which to become a better. If you reference my workout log, linked above, you will see that I have a simple workout regime, but one that requires specific equipment.
In the course of my workouts, I do a lot of Olympic style lifts. Some gyms frown on exercises such as deadlifts, jerks, and lifts starting at the hang position. But these are the core of my routine.
Moreover - and I am saying this because it is fact and not necessaily to brag – I need a lot of weight availble to move around at any given time. For example, my deadlift hovers around 400 lbs and, when I use dumbells for my incline press, I like to use the 90 or 100 pound sets. Some gyms do not have weight sufficiently available.
If a gym doesn't have a power rack or, at least, a squat bar available, or discourages me from near herniating myself, then it may not be worth the financial investment that membership entails.
So, with all that being said, I will now review the gyms I have so far visited in the area.
I will rank each gym on three criteria, and also provide an overall score. The three scores will be judged on five point scales with "5" being the maximum points attainable, and "1" representing the lowest possible rating for that particular detail in review.
The overall grade will be provided in letter format, A-F, akin to typical school pass/fail systems.
The details being reviewed include: Equipment (Does the gym provide the workout machines needed for me, in particular, as described above), Cleanliness/Staff (Is the staff helpful, but not overbearing? Is the equipment maintained? Will I get Staph working out here?), and Price (How much does it cost to become a member? Do I need to submit to a long term contract?).
So, here goes:
Vantage Fitness
402 West Broad Street
Equipment: 1
Cleanliness/Staff: 5
Price: 3
Overall: D
For nearly anyone else, this gym may be perfect.
It is located on Leesburg Pike, so it should be easily accessible to nearly all residents of Falls Church. The staff was helpful and willing to allow me to workout without pressuring me to commit to purchasing a membership. The facility was clean, maybe immaculately so.
The problem, for me, was that the club had none of the equipment that I needed. For my purposes, it would be worthless for me to work out there. There was no squat rack, and only a Smith Machine in which to do squats. There is no other single exercise more vital to my routine, so the omission of such a piece of equipment was a critical flaw for Vantage Sports so far as I was concerned.
However, the overall score, as well as the score for the staff, is bumped up because the trainers were willing to assist me in finding ways to make my particular routine work. That being said, I take training too seriously not to have access to the proper equipment.
This gym would have only been a realistic option for me to join, given its equipment deficiencies, if it were much cheaper than other options; as I recall, it was not.
Bally Total Fitness
2000 L Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20036-4911 -
(301) 229-6676
Equipment: 3
Cleanliness/Staff: 2
Price: 5
Overall: C
Unlike Vantage Sports, the Bally Total Fitness (in the District and accessible, without need for me to transfer, on the Orange Line via the Farragut West Station) had the equipment I needed. It also came with a price that I initially thought I could not beat.
That affordable price, however, became more beatable when I considered what ramifications it brings.
Because the gym is relatively cheap, it is also busy. Bally Total Fitness has both a squat rack and a power rack. However, of all the gyms that I visited, this was the only one where I incurred a wait when trying to use one of these machines.
I should tell you that my standard of cleanliness, when it comes to gyms, is different than most. I like a dirty gym, so long as it is not dirty in such a way that is going to get me sick and derail my training. Nothing gets me more fired up to lift than an old weight set, stained with salt, and smelling of sweat, in some musty basement.
Such an environment screams, “WORK!”, and I love it.
The Bally Total Fitness in Midtown is exactly this. For some, this may be a deterrent; the gym is literally in a basement. It's dark and the equipment is old. However, at Bally Total Fitness, this quality, which to some can be enjoyed, takes a negative tone.
For one, no one keeps accountability of the weights, and dumbbells are strewn without organization. It seems as if none of the members feel the need to rerack unused weights, and no staff members are present to do it on their behalf. Finally, upon using the showers, I found the soap dispenser to be empty. While a minor detail, it is one that I will remember when I consider the benefits of joining here, in comparison to those offered by more well maintained gyms.
The staff was helpful and, to my surprise, did not pressure me to become a member. As America's largest franchise gym, I figured Bally's to be corporate in nature, with staff focused on sales. It was satisfying to discover that this was not the case.
The membership dues at Bally Total Fitness are ten dollars cheaper for the regional plan than the nearest competitor in price, as I have so far found, at least. That being said, I have heard horror stories of Bally Total Fitness saddling their members with overburdening contracts with ridiculous cancellation fees, and penalties hidden in the contract's print.
I am tempted to sacrifice comfort for money saved and become a member here. Given my frugal nature, money normally talks. My only concern is whether I am actually saving ten dollars a month, or will I come to find that, via loophole, Bally Total Fitness is getting that money from me monthly anyway?
And, is it worth taking such risk in an effort to save money when, for a mere ten bucks more, there is a more reliable option?
Results
1101 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC
Equipment: 5
Cleanliness/Staff: 5
Price: 1
Overall: B
If money were no object, Results would be my gym of choice.
Results, Gold's, and Bally's are all gyms with multiple locations in the metro area. For the use of all area gyms for each of the companies, here are the monthly membership dues in approximate terms: Bally Total Fitness: $25, Gold's Gym: $35, Results: $79.
And, therein, exists the problem.
Everything about Results, outside of its price, was superior to the other gyms I visited. And its location can not be beat as its entrance is literally five steps to the left of where one exits the Farragut North Metro Station.
The staff was extraordinary. The facility is clean and the equipment new. I believe there were a total of three or maybe four power racks available, so no worry in that regard. Results also offered some amenities not available at the other options including both a dry and steam sauna. Results has one of those “treadmill” type pools, where an artificial current allows swimming as if in a full sized pool.
Unfortunately, $80 per month is a fee that I can not currently handle. Given the club's perks, I actually believe this to be a fair price. Had I had the means to spend it, I would not feel this fee to be particularly extravagant.
For the experience you are receiving, Results is worth $80 a month – for someone that has it.
Gold's Gym
1120 20th Street Northwest
Washington, DC
(202) 293-4200
Equipment: 5
Cleanliness / Staff: 3
Price: 4
Overall: B+
Like the Bally Total Fitness, this Gold's location shows scars from its use. Unlike Bally's, this Gold's is not wholly in a basement, although it is partially, and, truth be told, is about 130 times better lit than Bally's.
I did notice, however, the distinct and nearly overwhelming odor of old sweat in the free weight section. I can understand why some may be discouraged by this, but the scent only reminded me that I hadn't yet begun working intensely enough as to where my own stench had overtaken it, as it rightly should.
I only saw two squat racks but, from what I could tell, there wasn't danger of overuse. I spent an hour on one of them and another dude, working out, did the same on the one next to me. And neither of us were once bothered by any one else interested in using the racks.
The selling by the staff was a bit more explicit than any of the other gyms that I had visited. But the staff was also more memorable, which may be worth something in the end.
The front desk was staffed by two gentlemen, one younger, and an older man whom I gather is the location's proprietor. The younger staff member tried to get me to commit to membership while we discussed my military experience, but he was also understanding when I explained that I wanted to workout first, and check out other options next. The elder gentleman countered my statement that I wanted to explore my options with a wry, “Why? You're already home” that was said in such a way that I nearly became convinced that he was right.
Notable is that, while I have not yet returned to Gold's since that initial visit, no one has called me reminding me to join. This is a tactic typically used by the chain gyms after an individual utilizes a complimentary pass. However, I have yet to experience this, and the lack of this sort of harassment is another detail positively noted in Gold's favor.
For ten dollars more than I would have to pay at Bally Total Fitness, Gold's offers a more clear financial commitment, moderately cleaner facilities (including shower containers actually full of soap), the same basic equipment, and staff that I could foresee enjoyably interacting with.
WINNER....
...
Gold's Gym!!
An option that I have yet to visit is the Washington Sports Clubs. While I have heard good things about their facilities, I am reluctant to make the trip for various reasons.
From what I have read, the monthly cost of membership at the Washington Sports Clubs is about the same as Results and, therefore, out of my price range.
Moreover, Washington Sports Clubs does not explicitly offer a complimentary pass any where that I could easily locate. I communicated with a contact there via email and was invited in, but when all of the competition offers and advertises a free workout, and Washington Sports Clubs does not, it indicates to me something negative about what I may find upon working out there.
If you have experience working out in D.C. area gyms, feel free to comment and provide advice. I have yet to join any of the gyms reviewed above, or...well...any gym, actually. So there is still time to persuade me as why your preference should be mine and D.C.'s gym of choice.
Now for today's photo gallery:
While I have heard the term “breathtaking” used repeatedly throughout my life, I had never actually experienced the phenomenon until today.
This morning, I visited The National Cathedral. The magnificence of the structure left me awestruck. I had never before been so emotionally moved by an inanimate object. Upon cresting the hill on which the Cathedral reigns, I felt immediately drawn nearly to tears by its beauty, the overwhelming sense of its significance, and the fine details of its architecture.
I never knew that something like this could have such an impact on me. Yet, I promise, no adjective I use here is hyperbole in describing how the Cathedral made me feel.
Prior to visiting, I had imagined The National Cathedral to be something grand and amazing to behold. I feared that I may have over-anticipated its experience. But the cathedral delivered. It was all I imagined, and more. I spent around four hours in the structure, and probably had chills on my skin for three hours and a half.
For whatever reason, visiting the National Cathedral was a deep, powerful, and emotional experience for me.
I marvel at what it must be like to be in the presence of the architecturally similar, but historically more significant cathedrals in Europe.
I should note, for those unfamiliar with the area, that the National Cathedral is not the easiest place to get to within D.C. I like the Metro and prefer walking to riding the bus. My route there included taking the Metro to the Woodley Park / Adams Morgan Station. I then made the leisurely mile and a half walk slightly up hill toward the Cathedral on an absolutely beautiful day. For my return home, I walked Wisconsin Avenue, toward American University, and caught the Metro at the Tenleytown Station.
I have linked the pictures I took of the Cathedral in a slideshow because of their quantity numbers about thirty. Please note that my camera was clearly outmatched by the Cathedral's magnificence, and I apologize, in advance, for the photographs' lack of quality.
Breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteI would love to attend a service there. Now there would be a experience.
http://www.supremesportspt.com/
ReplyDelete