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| - I'd only recommend this gym if you're on an exceedingly tight budget. Honestly, I think that even beginners can get better results elsewhere for not much more.
It is very cheap, and I do understand that this will appeal to some. Like I said, if money is extremely tight, this might be the best choice for you. If you want results though, please consider the following factors.
First, the selection of machines is extremely limited. Most of them are the type that constrain one's arms or legs to move in a tightly restrictive way. This results in less functional fitness and much lower strength gains, since all of the important stabilizer muscles are no longer engaged. (This problem could be easily mitigated by having a few cable machines.)
The second problem is the "lunk alarm," which goes off if someone grunts while hefting a weight, accidentally drops it to the floor, or even breathes heavily. While the intent is to keep the place quiet, the result is that members will be discouraged from pushing themselves hard and making optimal fitness gains.
Third is the inadequate free weights equipment. There are no bench press stations or squat racks, for example -- and these are two of the most efficient, most beneficial exercises around. When I asked the front desk employee about that, he explained that their gym wasn't meant for bodybuilders. In response, I pointed out that I"m not a bodybuilder either, and that these exercises are not for bodybuilders only. Even absolute beginners can benefit tremendously from doing these moves. (Doing these exercises on a Smith machine is bad for one's joints and nowhere near as effective.)
There are other problems, such as their free pizza nights, which can quickly undo several days worth of gym work. Suffice to say that while it's possible to improve one's health here, one can definitely make much better progress by going somewhere else.
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