I'd like to give this 2.5 stars.
I'm a forced newcomer to the LA Fitness community after LA Fitness bought Urban Active. While I'm pretty happy to now have more gym locations open to me, I maintain that the Urban Active location in Bakery Square is still the best. My biggest gripe so far (I might be spoiled by UA) is the lack of women-friendly weight sections.
(Perhaps I'm playing too much into a stereotype, but I like to use weights that are smaller than 8 lbs, like to incorporate the ball, the bosu, a mat, and those stretch bands into my workout, none of which are found in the primary weight section. I also am slightly uncomfortable working out with my 5 lbs weights next to a guy bench-pressing 140.
Anyhow...while these items are available, they can be found accompanying one little weight set in some random corner. But this corner is without mirrors. Seriously? Women like to make sure their form is right when using weights (or lunges, or squats...or ANYTHING!) too...I rely heavily on mirrors. I'm not asking for a women's only room like UA (which I LOVE!), but a little more effort, please.
A smaller gripe is the lack of availability and easily-accessible ways to wipe your machine off, and when you are done (and adequate signage to indicated that this is expected behavior). You are just asking for a MRSA infection. Ew, ew, ew.
Positives? I like that treadmills have ipod chargers and that there are free lockers for small items.