GAGers: What would be a good gym to join?

[Xelebrum]

A little over a week ago, I'd say 10 days, I had started taking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class as well as Muay Thai class and so far I've lost 15 lbs (still have at least 80 more to go). While I am enjoying myself and am losing a lot of weight, I want to be able to shed fat and build muscle before my classes and during the weekends when I don't have class.

I was considering Planet Fitness because of what they charge vs what they offer, which looks VERY good on paper, but I've come across a disturbing number of bad reviews online for Planet Fitness.
(https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health_clubs/planet_fitness.html)

Then I was considering Gold's Gym for the same reasons: They offered a lot of perks for a seemingly cheap monthly price. But just like with Planet Fitness, Gold's Gym also had a shit load of bad reviews online.
(https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health_clubs/golds.htm)

I'm still new to the whole gym/bodybuilding scene, so I don't really know what gyms are out there. I had considered Planet Fitness and Gold's Gym because of their pricing, what they offer, and the fact that they're both like 10 minutes away from where I live. In fact they're right across the street from each other. But since I am now cynical of them, I need help finding a better (and more importantly, affordable) gym.

Those who go to the gym fairly often, could you please tell me which gym you go to or would recommend and why? Also please state or provide a link to that gym's pricing and hours if you can. By the way I live in Central Florida, so no out of state gyms.

Gold's Gym

Planet Fitness

LA Fitness

24 Hour Fitness

YMCA

Other (Please specify)

[Theguyoverthere]

I've gone to planet fitness and I go to golf's and I can tell you what they're like. When I went to planet fitness the people were always ultra friendly. The thing is when I used to go there they had more equipment. Now the one by me had what sounds like no free weights. When I used to go there they had free weights and a squat rack even. Now It Is only machines.

Now Golds Is A full on gym. It has what you need. The main problem you may encounter is problems like bent barbells and such because there are a lot of stupid lifters out there. They also have wannabe "know it alls" who will want to condescend you here and there. So I suggest you keep to yourself as much as possible and keep headphones on. This can happen in planet fitness too but I see it much more often in golds. Gyms have the problem of having undercover trainers sneaking into gyms to get clients. They'll watch people and try to give them "advice" overtime and eventually hope they'll train in their program and pick up a client. It is an overall good gym but you also gotta keep in mind that experience will vary per gym.

If you're only looking to do cardio, use planet fitness. I do strongly suggest getting down to your desired weight before going into weight training. That is just my personal opinion though. Planet fitness is only 10 a month so you'll save a lot this way. Unfortunately other gyms like golds will make you show up before giving you a rate which seems to constantly vary. I do notice golds giving out student memberships though so if you do go there do mention that.

As for the stuff you read online, the complaints tend to come from people wanting to cancel their memberships.

[Xelebrum]

While you are correct in stating that most of the bad reviews are based on them having problems cancelling their memberships and having to pay a bunch of extra fees, I am still wary because money isn't exactly abundant for me right now. I don't want to only spend a few months at PF in order to get to my goal weight, just to pay a bunch of money to finally cancel that membership and THEN switch to Gold's Gym in order to start bulking up.

But yeah thank you for the very informative answer, I think I'll sign up with Gold's Gym.

[Theguyoverthere]

The only extra hidden fee you should have is the annual fee which both gyms have. Planet fitness wouldn't up signs letting their members know it was coming while golds wasn't so upfront about it and would only mention it as dome side comment.

If you're worried about spying fees to cancel just ask them if there is a contract involved and early termination fees. While I do want to say there shouldn't be a problem, it will vary with the owner of the gym.

[Octavius]

Here's what you need to remember with reviews. If people are content or happy with something they aren't gonna give enough of a crap to actually review it. If someone had a bad experience they will be really vain and just slander it in whatever way they can. Planet fitness is mostly for beginners. Their weights don't go too high and they have a bigger emphasis on cardio than weight lifting. It's good if you're just trying to be fairly fit. But if you're an athlete or want to build muscle it's not the place to be. I think Gold's Gym is a solid choice. It really depends on the Golds you join. Some have great staff that are enthusiastic about helping out. Others are full of meatheads that are dicks to anyone that isn't a regular and some are people that just don't care.

[Xelebrum]

That is true. A lot of times when I'm using websites or apps that I enjoy, I find myself being too lazy to give it a review haha

I think I might go with Gold's Gym if any, because while I'm a beginner when it comes to going to gyms, I am not a beginner when it comes to exercising. Plus I get plenty of cardio done at my BJJ and Muay Thai classes lol I also walk about 3-4 miles a day beforehand

[aamy811]

I know a guy who went to planet fitness because the price was good. He said basically you walk in and there's a couple mats and like 4 weights. He said it doesn't have the best equipment or tons of equipment options.

[doodleheads]

either go to one that's close to where you live or work because it'll make you save a lot of time, and if on budget then choose a gym that's the cheapest per month

[meatballs21]

Planet Fatness makes a point of saying they aren't a proper gym, and they're right. It's all cardio, very few free weights, and stupid gimmicks like pizza and Tootsie rolls!

You sound serious about what you're doing, so join a serious gym like Gold's. I'm a Goodlife member (biggest chain in Canada) so I can't really advise on anywhere you've got down there but take a look around before you sign up to make sure they have a lot of good equipment, and be careful of what's in the contract - you don't want to think you're getting a bargain until you see admin fees for every tiny little change.

[Xelebrum]

Thank you for the helpful info, I am going to sign up with Gold's Gym when I have the chance.

[Flex4Ever]

Don't EVER join planet fitness if you are serious about your gains. You can't grunt, if you lift heavy weights and they make the slightest sound when you put them down an alarm will go off and they'll tell you to be quiet. Just a few examples of how their rule-set is. Planet fitness is a sad excuse for a gym, mostly having members that are lazy people afraid of training hard. Oh, plus they serve pizza and doughnuts, FREE. In a gym, wth?

[Xelebrum]

Yeah I saw on their website that they have "Pizza Mondays" and "Bagel Tuesdays". And I have to say, it's very counterproductive. I could understand them having that if they were a serious gym, like Gold's, since even heavy lifters have their cheat days and they could easily burn it off. But for a "not a gym" dedicated to those who are new to fitness, it's not exactly helpful.

[PiuBelloAmante]

Don't join commercial gums their contracts have holes and shit that will bite you in the ass
I have to go to small claims court to get $500 dollars from NYSC and I recently had a problem with Ballys fitness

Too be honest try and find a local gym and see what's up those tend to be the best

[blondfrog]

My gym I will teach how to beat anybody using the marital arts troll techniques :P jk its not about the gym its about how much time and how hard you are willing to work.

[Dtegesd123]

if you live in LA go to barbell bridage

[Xelebrum]

I live in Orlando

[Realfire22]

Zumbia... i might have spelt it wrong

[Lumberman53]

Planet Fitness isn't that bad though