My Experience:
The name alone drew me in and told me I was about to get my booty kicked! I saw the promotion for three free workouts online, signed up with my email and received emails with more information pretty quickly! I then went on their website, created an account and registered for the three classes of my choosing that week: one in the morning before work, one in the late afternoon after work and one on a Saturday morning.
I showed up for my first class and was greeted by a friendly trainer and a cute dog (bonus points)! The gym wasn’t very big, but a cozy size, big enough for the classes that ranged from 7-12 people. Plenty of equipment for each person and plenty of room to move. The instructors began each class with a warm-up and instruction on the stations you would walk through for your workout that day, and then the workout began. No time for doddling around, we jumped right in. 30 minutes of intense workout moves that you could modify to fit your fitness level. The instructors were helpful with this as well, explaining accommodations or adding challenges for those who looked like they could do more. I did feel a little uncertain about some of the moves and my form while doing them, and at most times felt the instructor was there to help. The music and fast pace made it a little difficult to yell out for help, so I mostly just waited until they came around to my station. The music was fun, but not overpowering and everyone seemed to be in a pretty good mood. I could tell that some of the members knew each other and were catching up and encouraging of one another. I definitely got my sweat on and was sore throughout the week, indicating that this was an effective workout, especially for the small amount of time I had to put in. Added bonus: it was member appreciation week, so they had themes everyday, which added to the fun! I attended on 80’s day, superhero day, and black-light day. The black-light workout was especially cool! Glow in the dark fun, with motivating music, definitely an enjoyable experience!
Downfalls vs Perks:
This is a pretty pricey monthly membership, but the increase in cost makes sense due to the built-in structure, effectiveness and ease of use. I’m not sure I could handle paying this much long term, but their deals are pretty nice, and if you are looking for a shorter membership to kick your butt into shape, I could see the money being worth it! I could also see the added benefit of building a small community at this cozy gym to help hold you accountable and increase your motivation to show up. I felt the benefits of having my classes scheduled ahead of time, I had no space for excuses to come up and for me to back out and it was all the easier to feel like I had time in my day for exercise, especially since each class is only 30 minutes.
It was advertised that a large part of this membership includes diet planning, I was not approached about this and so I cannot speak to this part.
I do appreciate that they didn’t hound me about buying a membership, but reached out via email and text to offer answers to any questions I had. I love the variability in times available, but did wish they had a later evening option as I sometimes work later at night and need this. Latest class option available is 6:40pm. Earliest class is a 5:15am, which is fantastic!
Logistics:
Location: This club is located in Sun Prairie, right on Main street, not too far into town.
Deals: -3 free classes for newbies
-Saturday classes are free!
-21 day deal right now with unlimited classes for $67 and a free 6 week challenge, both including help creating a diet plan to help maximize fat-burning.
Membership: 12 month membership: $137 per month
18 month membership: $117 per month
6 months paid in full: $822
Month to month membership: $167 per month
Technology: They send out regular emails and have a facebook page with updates and tips for improving health/losing weight. They also have an app where you can manage your membership and sign up for classes, which is super handy!
Explanation of Ratings Ease of Access
How easy was it for me to access this gym? (Distance to travel not accounted for since I want this to be relatable no matter where you drive from.) Was it easy to find or did I have to search a building map? Was parking simple? Do they charge for parking? Do I have to walk a long distance from my parking spot? When I enter, is it clear where I should go and where lockers and bathrooms are?
1- It was a beast for me to get to this gym; the stress of getting started with my workout made me not want to workout.
7- Getting into the gym and getting started was a breeze!
Cost/Budget-Friendly
This rating is pretty subjective, but I will try to compare to the average cost of gym memberships, which according to Statistic Brain Research is $58 a month in the US…. WHAT?! Maybe I am cheap, but that seems absurd at first glance. In fact, thinking about it initially made me laugh and imagine all the Manhattan Yogis or California Crossfitters shelling out their monthly paycheck to stay buff and zen... until upon further research, I found this to be absolutely average and actually pretty close to what I was paying at my previous gym (although I was paying slightly less because I paid 2 years up front and had a deal I kept carrying over). Many gyms are actually much higher in price, and other gyms are much lower in price (think your basic Planet Fitness and Anytimes). So, yes, this is truly an average. I will base my rating on the following: A budget friendly gym would be based on both how their monthly rate compares to the national average and how much value I see in what is paid. So, while a high intensity boot camp may be more highly priced than a basic gym, you are also basically getting personal training time for each whole hour you pay for, which is obviously worth more. The question will be, is it budgetable and is it worth the cost (subjectively).
1- This gym would cause me to ration out peanut butter and jelly for the month to make it a part of my repertoire.
7- HOLLA for a DOLLA! This gym both fits easily into my budget and feels worth the cost. I’m paying money for my health, but it feels darn worth it.
Friendliness of Staff
This rating is important, especially if the gym requires a lot of time with gym staff. I don’t know about you, but when I’m working out, I am feeling pretty vulnerable, sweating, probably using equipment wrong and looking like a fool. The last thing I want is to pay for some jerk to make me feel worse about it. This rating is all about whether staff members were kind and encouraging; helpful, but not judgmental, extra points if they also make you laugh.
1- I may have felt like crying in the gym bathroom and/or had to turn while doing reps so I could grumble or avoid eye contact with the unpleasant staff.
7- These guys are my new best pals. They were definitely laughing with me, not at me.
Knowledge/Helpfulness of Staff
This is pretty self-explanatory. Did the staff know what they were doing? Were they experts in their field and able to instruct me in an accurate way and a way that was dumbed down enough for me to get the workout right? Did they cater to my individual workout needs and challenge me when appropriate or give accommodations when appropriate?
1- I think the gym picked these trainers up off the street. I purposefully had bad form and they said, “Great job!”
7- No wonder we pay them for what they do! They instructed with great precision and catered to my individual strengths and weaknesses.
Effectiveness of Workout
This rating begs the question: Did this workout pack a punch? Did I get what I asked for when I showed up today? Do I feel like I sweated and moved as much as I would have hoped? If there wasn’t much structure, was there enough equipment or space to do what I needed for an adequate workout?
1- Did I workout today? Or did I pay money to change into my gym clothes and people-watch?
7- The sweat is real. I left this place with a strut in my step, feeling like I’d accomplished a feat for the day, and I called my mom to tell her about it.
Cleanliness
Self-explanatory, I hope. Looking at hygiene and organization.
1- When was the last time this place was cleaned? I felt like I was contracting a disease with every step. I also left with a limp from tripping over equipment.
7- This place shined. I felt free to move and sweat knowing that I wouldn’t be soaking up the last guy’s sweat or tripping over his dumbbells. They run a tight (and very clean) ship.
Atmosphere
Is this a place in which I feel comfortable and look forward to being? Do I feel like I can jam to my own tunes or the gym’s tunes without the distraction of roidy man grunts? Is there enough space for everyone to do their own thing? Is it a warm and inviting place or a cold and stoic place? Does this place promote good vibes or did I feel like I entered a dungeon?
1- This gym felt like the DMV. Shared glances and conversations are not welcome, unless you want peace and quiet-then your neighbor is probably the loud one. No one smiles. Everyone is waiting to get the heck out of there.
7- This place is where it’s at. Music fits the workout. Conversation is easy and minimal unless I’m feeling chatty. Smiles>grimaces, but not forced or cheesy "who-drank-the-Kool-Aid" smiles. I feel like I have a cool club I belong to, kind of like how it felt going to the community center for snacks and games in Middle School.
Fun!
This is also self-explanatory, and not really a necessary rating. The gym is not meant to be fun at all times, nor do I expect it to be, but if I workout and happen to have fun at the same time, what a win!
1- Zero fun had, sir. This was all work, no play. Or no work, no play.
7- I feel like I just left the state fair of gyms! Everything was exciting and kept me engaged, and I just didn’t want it to end.
Challenge Level
Yet again, self-explanatory.
1- There was no presentable challenge. My 4-year-old niece could have done this.
7- I felt significantly challenged! This gym pushed my limits in an effective and safe way.
Class Options/Schedule Variability-
1- I can only get to this gym on the weekends because their hours don’t fit my work schedule.
7- This gym has various early morning, afternoon, and evening options available!
Ratio of Members to Equipment
1- I had to wait 30 minutes to use an elliptical and the only dumbbells available were ones I could lift with my pinky or couldn't lift at all.
7- There was plenty of equipment for everyone!
Independence vs structure
This rating isn’t necessarily bad or good on either end. It depends on what you’re looking for!
1- This is a very independent gym. I had free reign to do whatever I wanted, when I wanted, how I wanted. Zero instruction was offered. No plans followed.
7- This is as structured as a gym can get, They tell you where to go, what time to be there, what workout to do, and how to do it. Not much free reign in what you’re doing.
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