Hey all

I'm getting fed up with my gym (Bannatyne's in Manchester city centre) - the free weight area is too cramped. They've shoved too much equipment in one small room, and it has odd corners and pillars to make things even more awkward.

So what are the things that you prioritise when thinking of the ideal gym? I've learned that plenty of space (and mirror space) is necessary. Are there other things you factor in? The employees, fer instance?

Thanks

switch.

My Journey to Getting Buff

First day training: 30 June 2008

Atmosphere, equippment, and rules are the big 3 for me.

Strength - Power - Hate

Success breeds success

hello mate, i used to train in their before it became bannatynes.

just figure out what you are looking for. make a list of things that are must have and things that are just would like to haves. then compare any gyms you look at to that one.

if you want a hardcore gym then you have flex n tone in salford, betta bodies in denton, john hodgsons gym up in north manchester, cosmos down in sale. there are others too.

bannatynes used to be the best of the city centre gyms though.

Equipment, space, opening hours, proximity from home/work, car parking, price....

bdw, thanks for the list, I'll be checking those others out!

switch.

My Journey to Getting Buff

First day training: 30 June 2008

Something that doesn't have a 3 year membership, for example. If you should change your mind about the gym in 6 months, the last thing you want to do is be stuck with another 2.5 years of payments for a place you no longer want to go to. :p

chalk allowed
free weights
squat stands
olympic barbells

bumpers and platforms are always nice

no music
no pt

Lemon fresh lifting journal

Lemon fresh vids

db range
number of benches
number of racks
how high in weight the stacks go on cable machines
atmosphere
people who train there

i have just moved gyms and cannot for the life of me think how i stuck out so long at my previous gym.

the gym owner gives me drinks on tick if i'm short on cash that day, prepared to build new dumbbells for me and restocks the chalk whenever i ask.

i feel at home

Bulking for Mr Titan 2009 - My Journal

Equpiment, staff/rules, other users, and pretty much in that order.

"Play Stonehenge!"

equipment,
opening times ( i train at 7AM)
price
showers - ( i can't go to work sweaty)
location.

Try one of the fitness firsts, I train in gorton but it gets mad busy if you train at tea time.

If you can make it to Rochdale it's a no brainer http://www.evolutionphysicalexcellence.com/

A muscle that's weak in isolation will be weak in integration.

www.underground-muscle.co.uk
www.mealplansite.com

Absolute essentials: must have barbells with enough weight, a bench, squat stands or a rack, ability to deadlift and do overhead work, able to use chalk.

After that it's the quality of the people around you that matters imo.

ORIGINAL: JohnOvManchester

Try one of the fitness firsts, I train in gorton but it gets mad busy if you train at tea time.

If you can make it to Rochdale it's a no brainer http://www.evolutionphysicalexcellence.com/

yeah fitness first in gorton was ok, but only one squat-rack,one olympic-bench,weights area not big enough,and as you say to busy, the best equiped gym is the sugden centre,couple of benches,squat-racks,hammer strength machines,but it gets hammered with students,the best gym i used in manchester town centre was the sporting club on oldham street,weights all together,cardio sepperate,studios with punchbags etc.

Ive just moved to pendleton just off cobden street flex n tone , i had a quick look down the other week but it looked shut, does anyone from here still go? Ive been out of training since feb!! and am looking for a new gym

doesn't Sherlock train there?

A muscle that's weak in isolation will be weak in integration.

www.underground-muscle.co.uk
www.mealplansite.com

well opening times - if its not open when you want to train its pointless you joining.

equipment - if they don't have big enough dumbbells then again there is no real point.

12 month contract - don't sign one of those

other users - no good if its full of people that are stuck up their own arses

the gym is like women - takes up all your time, energy and money if you let it.

ORIGINAL: mishima
chalk allowed
free weights
squat stands
olympic barbells

bumpers and platforms are always nice

no music
no pt

That's bang on the money

Never underestimate the positive effect of a kind word

ORIGINAL: steamer

Ive just moved to pendleton just off cobden street flex n tone , i had a quick look down the other week but it looked shut, does anyone from here still go? Ive been out of training since feb!! and am looking for a new gym

flex n tone is still open mate. open till nine at night. it can look like it is shut but it is open. go into the car park and the door is always open. just go up the stairs and you will find it alright.

is a good gym with plenty of equipment to keep you busy. mike the owner is a sound guy too, his dogs look dangerous but are actually softies. is my normal training venue (am injured right now though :(