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Many gyms in the United States claim to have state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated staff willing to cater to their customers’ needs. But we all know that this is just a trick to get people in the door and get their money - Unless you’re talking about the gyms on EliteFitness.com’s top 10 list of course. And trust me; you’ve never seen anything like these places!

Nothing brings back memories quite like the gym I grew up working out in. It was about the size of a gas station and, from the outside, looked more like someone’s garage more than a place where you’d find people pumping iron inside. The interior wasn’t much classier either as the gym was poorly lit, the weights had far more rust than shine on them, the padding and covering on the machines were in shambles, and a good coat of paint was about 10 years overdue for the walls.

And if you think the gym ever got updated once in while with any modern equipment like an Elliptical Cardio Machine, you’d be dead wrong! Hell, I don’t think the gym owners had ever even heard of an Elliptical Cardio Machine. Their idea of state-of-the-art was a Pec-Dec machine that creaked when you used it.

But I do have to admit, this gym was like a second home to me. I made many of my early muscle gains in here and it would be hard to trade in that kind of nostalgia for anything. Anything that is except for the chance to have a membership to one of the top 10 gyms in the country! If anybody had offered me a chance to work out at one of these places, I would have left my small, crappy gym in a heartbeat. Screw memories!

* A quick note about this list is that these are the 10 best gyms for those who want to workout. Not for getting a mocha latte served to you while you’re doing leg curls.

10. JP Fitness; Little Rock, Arkansas

For those who like large staffed and well-equipped gyms, JP Fitness is definitely the place to be. This 8,200 square foot training palace offers just about anything one could desire in order to meet their fitness goals. But that’s not to say that JP’s is just some fancy, commercialized gym that gets your fees upfront and then throws you to the wolves. Owner Jean-Francoeur prefers that a variety of workout methods are used at his gym such as the giant rubber band, which he touts as being just as effective for building muscle as free weights.

9. Brian Grasso’s Backyard; Hawthorn Woods, Illinois

Anyone who’s ever seen the old movie Rocky IV can remember the primitive training techniques that Rocky used to train for his fight. Lifting wheelbarrows filled with people, raising rocks in a sack, and running through the snow were just a few of his methods. Well, Brian Grasso’s Backyard training facility isn’t much different and may be the most unique “gym” in the country. His idea is that a person can get excellent training results with little to no equipment at all and he trains people outdoors. His limited equipment ranges from cement and sandbags to using a tree branch for pull-ups. His emphasis is on nonlinear movements such as doing pushups in a clockwise manner because he believes this helps muscle grow much better.

8. D1 Sports Training; Nashville, Tennessee

Located amidst a city of passionate college sports addicts, D1 Sports Training is quite properly named. D1 is actually owned by a group of professional athletes and the type of quality training they offer reflects this very much. Their programs center on maximizing the ability of athletes through the usage of rogue, but very effective, training methods like running and jumping barefoot in an indoor grass-floored facility. Anyone looking to become more explosive, agile, and stronger will greatly benefit from D1 Sports Training.

7. CrossFit Hardcore; Boca Raton, Florida

If you’ve ever been to a variety of places to workout at there is usually one very noticeable thing: Lots of people going half-assed while they are training. Luckily, this isn’t a problem at CrossFit Hardcore because, as the name implies, this place is seriously hardcore about working out. High intensity is the key here and the designed programs normally focus on strength, power, flexibility, and speed. Other things offered at CrossFit include a renowned nutritionist and an interesting Israeli self-defense course that helps people protect themselves.

6. Super Training Gym; Sacramento, California

It’s amazing how commercial the whole gym industry has become. These days, you’ve got six-figure businessmen casually riding exercise bikes next to working moms who want to trim a couple inches off their waistline before the spring. How can one seriously train for muscle in this environment? You won’t find these types at the Super Training Gym in Sacramento though as people here are working out for one reason: To get big and pack on muscle! This gym promotes a team environment which encourages lifters to get better with every passing day. Check your job and social status at the door because the only thing that matter here is your desire.

5. Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning; Winchester, Massachusetts

Too much of the bodybuilding and fitness world works around the concept that there is one training method for all people. What many don’t understand is that one can always benefit from personalization and the use of a knowledgeable coach and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning. Boyle’s staff works with the individual to develop a training program that is designed to meet the specific needs of that person. There is no one size fits all here where people learn the proper weight training and injury prevention methods catered to them and only them.

4. Philippi Sports Institute; Las Vegas, Nevada

You certainly won’t need to worry about having your own space to workout in at Philippi Sports Institute. This 9,000 square foot facility houses tons of equipment that is designed to train people of all abilities and ages. Every program at PSI is made with quality warm-ups, better movement, strength and power training, and flexibility in mind. But if owner, and seven-time World’s Strongest Man competitor, Mark Philippi designs your plan you’d better believe that there will be a heavy emphasis on strength and power.

3. 87Eleven; Lost Angeles, California

Your average person isn’t going to get into 87Eleven. After all, the training team here utilizes a converted warehouse to whip some of the world’s top actors and Hollywood stuntmen into shape. Clients have included the cast of “300” and Jason Statham. But that certainly doesn’t mean that it can’t be included as one of the top gyms in the US. This gym is run by a group of stuntmen and their methods include training people with kettlebells, trampolines, heavy bags, and climbing ropes. What makes 87Eleven’s program so unique though is that the same workout is rarely repeated which constantly shocks the body into new gains.

2. South Carolina Barbell; Columbia, South Carolina

Many gyms put a good selection of weights, machines, and exercise bikes out on their floors and pretty much leave the rest up to their customer. But you’re not going to experience this at South Carolina Barbell. Sure, they have plenty of equipment and even try to stay ahead of other gyms with regards to modernism in this aspect. But a person will get a lot more variety than they would expect from a gym at SCB. There’s everything from mixed martial arts and yoga to bodybuilding and powerlifting programs offered here. A full-service supplement shop is even located in the gym too so people don’t have to leave to get them!

1. Metroflex Gym; Arlington, Texas

We in the bodybuilding world are semi-familiar with the man known as Ronnie Coleman. The eight-time Mr. Olympia has become a legend for all to remember in the sport of bodybuilding. And where does he choose to train? Metroflex Gym in Texas and Coleman isn’t the only serious bodybuilder to pump iron here either. Many champion bodybuilders have graced the weights at Metroflex and for good reason too. Owner Brian Dobson is a world renowned personal trainer and is far more concerned with the results his clients achieve than on deciding whether he should stack his shelves with the plain or pink frosted energy bars.