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| - So I'm sitting with a friend of mine who's been harassing me to join a gym and I finally say, "name the place and the time and I'll be there" - He immediately calls my bluff and says tomorrow morning at 5:30 at the David Barton Gym.
The next morning, my alarm clock assaults my senses in a pitch black room. I swat at my phone and slide out of bed, bleary eyed and dizzy from lack of sleep. After blinding myself with the light, I manage to put on what I think is the appropriate clothing and collapse into my car. As I drift down the street I wonder who's more dangerous, me half asleep, or the late night drunks racing the sun home.
Parking at the gym is great at this hour, the yellowish lights in the underground garage make my flabby palid skin look less healthy than usual - maybe I really do need a gym? A quick elevator ride and I arrive at the gym. Since I'm here on a guest pass, I'll leave pricing until later.
My friends are already here, marching forward on a machine meant to keep them in one place. The gym is clean, the machines are clean, and the towels are included to help keep it that way. At 5:30 am, there are two other patrons, leaving the majority of the equipment open for use.
This pattern continues throughout the week as I weakly try building my cardio, and push, pull and lift helplessly small amounts of weight. By the end of the week, all I have to show for my initial efforts is sore muscles and an awkward walk days after my first leg exercises.
After a couple of days, I sat down with one of the staff to discuss my intentions, their pricing and to see if we can come to an agreement. My goals are not important, but it may help you to know what their goals are.
David Barton Gyms are targeted to folks who want to experience a more exclusive atmosphere. They are working towards a cap to the number of members that they will eventually allow to make sure that the exclusivity is maintained. The pricing is higher than most other gyms also to help drive that exclusivity.
What you get for that price is a very clean, well maintained facility. They have professional trainers on staff that are excellent at their craft. The weights are almost always exactly where you would expect them, in order and ready to go. The locker rooms and rest rooms are well appointed and immaculate. The lighting and artwork that fills the gym is top notch and striking.
What you may miss is some specialized equipment like stair and ladder machines, they do not have a pool on site, so no aqua classes. If you are looking for a social atmosphere, this may not be the place for you as most of the patrons are their to sweat and work, not hang out.
Finally lets talk a bit about the pricing. These numbers are based upon late 2012, so if you are reading this months or years from now, they may be different. The enrollment is $400 and the monthly dues are $149 with a minimum one year commitment. Personal training sessions are sold in packages starting at $115 for one and going down to $68 if you buy a package of 100. Depending on how far along they are towards their membership cap, they may be willing to negotiate some or all of these prices, but again, their ultimate goal is to maintain an atmosphere of exclusivity.
For me, I was not ready to make this large of a commitment while still being a gym noob. If your priorities are to work out in style, no kids, no screaming power lifters, just hard work and self investment, check this place out. If you are on a budget, less motivated, or unconcerned with atmosphere while you sweat, try somewhere else.
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