I always choose the gym that is closest to home for convenience. While there is an L.A. Fitness across the street, I made an exception because Mountainside is also close and brand new. I have this theory that old gyms smell like locker rooms and there doesn't seem that much can be done to mask the smell. In any event, Mountainside is better than 24-hour Fitness and L.A. Fitness. The gym is clean, the equipment is new and the staff is friendly. I took off one star because LIfetime Fitness is a notch above Mountainside. However it is too far from home to join. I also removed a star because of the terrible spin classes. Monday night was the last straw, the instructor just grunted at us for an hour. I couldn't understand a word he said. It was like being locked in a bad disco in Ibiza with bad red lighting. Good spin instructors motivate, great spin instructors make the class fun...haven't found a good spin instructor at Mountainside yet.
Overall Mountainside Fitness is a good gym and convenient for people in the area. I'm going to try some new classes and personal training. Maybe I'll be impressed and add stars.