Central Iowa members? Need a gym that doesn't suck

[Madd Hatter]

I don't even know if there's any Iowans here, but WTH...
I'm moving back down from Ames next month, and need a cheap, yet non-shitty gym. Just all the basic weight equipment, the most "special" things I need is calf machines, a dip station, and a smith machine. I couldn't care less about cardio equipment, pools, or anything else. I prefer my equipment usable, as in it's not all being used with lines of people behind it. And I need it to be as cheap as f'ing possible. I'll be living about a mile away from Oakmoor, anyone familiar with it? I belonged there when I was like 12, and I remember them sucking, but then again, I didn't know what a squat was then.

 

[Madd Hatter]

Ugh... I just found out the Y is $38 a month plus a $50 joining fee. Please, if someone out there can help me here.....

 

[casavant]

Don't know if I can help ya there.

I used to live in Iowa though- you know that little town called Jewell about twenty miles north of Ames? I lived there from '89-'94 while my dad taught Spanish at ISU. A lot of corn up there.

Good luck on the gym thing.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

Hey Killer, I know exactly where you are talking about.

I've belonged to most of the gyms here at one time or another. The gym scene here has moved to larger clubs.

There was:
Personal Trainer
5800 Fitness
Strength Institute
The Muscle Factory

All of these were smaller, more hardcore gyms. (no aerobics even) They all are out of business now though.

The Y's here suck unless your just into casual fitness. Downtown is dirty as a mofo and a bunch of homeless guys (literally) work out there. South is OK but is crowded and underequipped. I haven't been to West since they remodeled, but probably similar to South.

I go to Aspen South and Aspen West -- a little on the pricey side (all gyms here are expensive); and they are a bigger club atmosphere, but they have all the stuff you need and there are plenty of jacked mofos. South is better than West, but both are pretty good. Sometimes they have specials and you can get a better deal. I know the Operations Manager, so I can probably get you a deal if you are interested...

Fitness World West is OK; probably most economical alternative and they've got a pretty good setup.

7 Flags sucks ass; stay away from that place. Gold chains and wife beaters...

Prairie life is the posh gym -- high $$ country club types...

Oakmoor is still Oakmoor; it's the one gym that I haven't been a member of. I've been in it though, there are better alternatives.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

You know what, New Image would probably work for you -- it's a small, not-too-expensive gym on Franklin by the library -- about 3 or so miles from Oakmoor. They have all of the basics and their membership isn't too pricey. Shitty management, but if you can put up with that, it'd probably work out for you. I dropped from there earlier this year due to lack of some of the extras (after the dipshit owner got rid of the only squat cage; there's still a few racks), but if you just want the basics, it'd probably do.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

Don't know if I can help ya there.

I used to live in Iowa though- you know that little town called Jewell about twenty miles north of Ames? I lived there from '89-'94 while my dad taught Spanish at ISU. A lot of corn up there.

Good luck on the gym thing.

I've driven by Jewell many times...

 

[Madd Hatter]

Hmm, thanks for the info, I'll give this New Image a call, and see if Oakmoor's prices are as insane as I remember.

The Y had a new location out in Waukee I hear, supposedly pretty nice, but that's a bit out there.

It's BS that all the gyms here are so expensive. I've read threads with many respondents paying 25-30 a month, period.

 

[2 ton hoss]

SUPPLY AND DEMAND, BRO.

HAVE YOU CONTACTED THE UNIVERSITY. UNIVERSITIES USUALLY HAVE EXCELLENT GYMS BUT IT MAY BE PRICEY.

 

[casavant]

I've driven by Jewell many times...

Blink and you'll miss it. I'm surprised the suicide rate isn't higher around there. Fucking desolate moonscape. I guess the pesticide/herbicide induced cancer gets 'em first though- Hamilton County had one of the highest cancer rates around.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

SUPPLY AND DEMAND, BRO.

HAVE YOU CONTACTED THE UNIVERSITY. UNIVERSITIES USUALLY HAVE EXCELLENT GYMS BUT IT MAY BE PRICEY.

Drake's facility is pretty good, but it's closed to non-students. There's a few smaller colleges but no other universities in town.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

Hmm, thanks for the info, I'll give this New Image a call, and see if Oakmoor's prices are as insane as I remember.

The Y had a new location out in Waukee I hear, supposedly pretty nice, but that's a bit out there.

It's BS that all the gyms here are so expensive. I've read threads with many respondents paying 25-30 a month, period.

Waukee is way west; I've been by that Y, but never in. If you live over by Oakmoor, then its kinda out of the way...

Check out New Image... small and basic. Oakmoor might have a little more than them though.

Atmosphere counts a lot though -- if you can spring it, I'd still go to Aspen South or West... they're best gyms in town. Let me know if you want me to talk to somebody, I might be able to get you a deal. (my wife teaches at both of the gyms and we know the management well) (my wife has taught at almost every gym here over the last 10 years, so I've been to most of them)

I can at least get you a free week pass.

Anyway, let me know when you get in town if you want to hit a workout or something. It'd be kinda cool to meet another Elite member in person.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

Blink and you'll miss it. I'm surprised the suicide rate isn't higher around there. Fucking desolate moonscape. I guess the pesticide/herbicide induced cancer gets 'em first though- Hamilton County had one of the highest cancer rates around.

Yeah, there's not a lot out there -- kinda like Slater/Huxley.

At least you went to school in Ames where there were a few things to do...

 

[casavant]

Yeah, there's not a lot out there -- kinda like Slater/Huxley.

At least you went to school in Ames where there were a few things to do...

Unfortunately, I went to South Hamilton right there in Jewell. I spent every chance I had fishing on Little Wall Lake during the spring and summer.
Two of my little bros are up there visiting right now, actually. One's in Ames and the other's in Iowa City.

Ahh, the memories.

Whoops, sorry this is so off-topic.

 

[Raina]

I lived in the exciting land of Mt. Vernon for 2 years. I've spent lots of time in Iowa City. I have to say that I really prefer living in MN.

 

[casavant]

I lived in the exciting land of Mt. Vernon for 2 years. I've spent lots of time in Iowa City. I have to say that I really prefer living in MN.

Dad was born in Little Falls. Uncle lives in Minneapolis.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

I lived in the exciting land of Mt. Vernon for 2 years. I've spent lots of time in Iowa City. I have to say that I really prefer living in MN.

Damn, Mt. Vernon huh?

I got a job relocation offer to go to Minneapolis back in '97 -- turned it down at the time because I didn't want to live anywhere colder than here... I wish I would have done it now...

 

[Raina]

It's funny that Mpls is only 5-6 hours north of there and the temp difference is significant. I miss the magnolia trees.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

It's funny that Mpls is only 5-6 hours north of there and the temp difference is significant. I miss the magnolia trees.

Do you miss the relative humidity of 82%? It's like walking around in a steamroom...

 

[Madd Hatter]

Thanks for the offer for help Machine. What price range are we talking about for Aspen? I didn't say anything about it before because I figure it's still out of my price range, I will be a poor SOB

I'll call and visit New Image and Oakmoor, if I ever get a chance. Between working, working out, and closing on a house, that may not be until I'm moved in, I may be taking a week or two off unplanned, oh well.

And yeah, universities are the way to go when possible, I've been going to ISU's REC for the last few years. When I graduated, it became $90 a semester. It sucks that I'm moving away, but the cheap workouts are the ONLY reason to stay in Ames.

 

[Raina]

Do you miss the relative humidity of 82%? It's like walking around in a steamroom...

That's what it's like up here right now. I detest this kind of humidity.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

Thanks for the offer for help Machine. What price range are we talking about for Aspen? I didn't say anything about it before because I figure it's still out of my price range, I will be a poor SOB

I'll call and visit New Image and Oakmoor, if I ever get a chance. Between working, working out, and closing on a house, that may not be until I'm moved in, I may be taking a week or two off unplanned, oh well.

And yeah, universities are the way to go when possible, I've been going to ISU's REC for the last few years. When I graduated, it became $90 a semester. It sucks that I'm moving away, but the cheap workouts are the ONLY reason to stay in Ames.

Hey, not a problem. Aspen can be pricey -- I'm lucky to only pay $20/month since my wife works there... I've heard between $40-$60 -- but they have specials all the time...

Get free passes from all the gyms for awhile -- that should get you through a month or two...

 

[crackerlinebacker]

Riverfront Y has a good mixture of people.

BigC