Gold’s gym

So since the start of the year I have been a member of the Gold’s Gym at 54th and Eight Ave. As part of my goal to review various things in Hell’s Kitchen, here is my review of Gold’s Gym.

First, this is a biiiigggg gym, with three levels and nearly 40,000 square feet. The equipment is modern, and the gym is kept very clean. There are plenty of machines, even during busy times. And there’s so much variety, it’s easy to spend two hours here, if you want to do that.

There is a pretty good juice bar if you want $4.50 protein smoothies — sometimes I come to get one after a Central Park run, with no plans do any weights.

I have to say that I think the music is more akin to that of a dance club than a serious lifting gym. Tonight they were playing “Castles in the Sky” … wtf? That is not going to inspire me to push hard on that last set.

I have not been to any of the classes, so I can’t comment on those. My sense is that they’re not nearly as varied or as cool as those at Crunch, where I used to be a member.

Gold’s is open until midnight on weekdays, 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 p.m. on Sundays. They have a Wall Street location coming soon, but for now this is their only nyc facility.

I paid $1000 for a two-year membership at Gold’s as part of some special New Year’s deal. They offer free one-week passes, but know that if you try to take advantage of those, they’ll give you the “hard sell” and try to get you to join straight away.

All in all I am pleased with Gold’s. Alternatives in the area include:

• Bally’s, at Eight and 50th. My teammate who works out here calls this the “Nasty Gym.” I undestand it is $49/mo., though, a bit cheaper. It closes at 10 p.m. weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends.
• Mid-City Gym, 49th and Eight. They’re currently offering 14 months for $399, which is a great deal, although that ends today. They’re open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on weekends. I haven’t been in, but from the photos it looks much smaller than Gold’s.
• Crunch at 42nd and 11th. This is a lovely gym with a pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. I’d go here when I was a Crunch member after Sunday races, sometimes, just because it was close to work and it was relaxing to hang out in the pool. (I work Sundays at noon). There’s not a ton of machines, though. It closes at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 7 p.m. on weekends. I think I paid about $80/mo at Crunch. It annoyed me that their slogan is “No Judgements” — it’s “judgments”! (At least here in the U.S.)
• Equinox at Columbus Circle. I’m not sure how much this costs, but if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it! But this is a full-service gym with coat check, spa, steam room, pool and sauna.

Anyway, if you do join Gold’s, please tell them I recommended you, I get free stuff! (But I’ve tried to be unbiased, here). Word on the street is that you can also run into a certain Bexish blogger and her “Amazon roomie” here too, but I’ve yet to see either of them…