They took my squat rack and gave me a Smith machine!

RhineDHP

AUGH! My gym recently moved locations, to a vastly larger building than the one they were previously in. Everything is clean, open, and new, there's a crap ton of treadmills, a circuit training section, a massage room and tanning room. BUT AT WHAT COST.

They took away all the strength training equipment: the squat racks, the bench press, the overhead press, calf raiser, basically anything that allows you to add traditional weight to it. Oh, no more squat rack? No worries! Here's two smith machines to make you feel better! RAWR

I talked to the girl who works at the front counter and she said that they decided to make this particular gym "more casual" and "resort-like" for people. I get it, this is a business move, and probably a smart one for the return they get on all the newcomers. But what about the regular gym goers who used said equipment (there are/were a lot)? This is not what I signed up for.

So I asked her what it would cost to upgrade my membership (because they have a monopoly on all the gyms in the area) so that I could go to a different gym that has a legitimate weight section, and I'd basically have to pay 5x more to extend my membership elsewhere.

Ugh.....I wish there existed a gym locally that was purely strength training equipment and weights and all that jazz.. I realize this is not everyone's cup of tea, but heavy lifting is my preference.

Sigh....ok, end rant.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Ugh that sucks

LazSommer

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

meshashesha2012

That sucks OP. maybe check if there are some powerlifting gyms near you. if not then there's always a crossfit gym which may be cheaper. or if there's a university near you they might have a gym you can join

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

that simply isnt an option for many people who live in cities, urban areas and other places where there is limited space. i'm very serious about lifting but i will probably never own a power rack because i refuse to live in the burbs :laugh:

RhineDHP

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

I would, believe me I love a one time investment for a lifetime of free more than anybody, but I do not have the space (tiny apartment).

lishie_rebooted

Is this by chance a Gold's Gym?

I lived in CT and all the GGs stopped existing while I was there.
I chatted with the owner of one of them ( he owned 1 and someone else owned the 4-5).. he has changed the name of his gym because Golds was bought by Omni hotel and was trying to do to his gym what happened to your gym. The other gym owner followed suit. I'm not 100% sure its true but I wouldn't be surprised

LazSommer

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

I would, believe me I love a one time investment for a lifetime of free more than anybody, but I do not have the space (tiny apartment).

It's actually not a lifetime of free. Plates are expensive, especially if you decide that you want bumper plates.

LazSommer

That sucks OP. maybe check if there are some powerlifting gyms near you. if not then there's always a crossfit gym which may be cheaper. or if there's a university near you they might have a gym you can join

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

that simply isnt an option for many people who live in cities, urban areas and other places where there is limited space. i'm very serious about lifting but i will probably never own a power rack because i refuse to live in the burbs :laugh:

Crossfit "boxes" are normally $100+ a month. Powerlifting gyms also tend to be pricier than your average Gold's/Planet Fitness. I would consider that not making decisions based on your ability to lift in a certain environment would probably disqualify you from the very serious group of lifters.

RhineDHP

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

I would, believe me I love a one time investment for a lifetime of free more than anybody, but I do not have the space (tiny apartment).

It's actually not a lifetime of free. Plates are expensive, especially if you decide that you want bumper plates.

:indifferent: I meant AFTER getting all the equipment. As in, not paying a monthly fee or being locked into a contract. A cousin of mine who owns his personal home gym (lives 5 hours away, so no go, before someone asks) has given me the lowdown on the costs and the pros and cons of an at home gym.

Also, not having to worry about re-racking someone else's weights (a large part of why I go to the gym in early mornings when no one is there) and not being rushed due to wait lines for equipment (again, why I go in the early morning when no one's there). I would love to own my personal home gym.

Bottom line, they had the equipment, then decided to take it away in lieu of being more like....well, kind of like Planet Fitness (in my opinion). Is there anything wrong with appealing to the casual gym goer or newbie? Absolutely not, but I feel, with that much extra space, there would've been more than enough room to accommodate both. They decided to axe out one side for another.

AliceDark

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

that simply isnt an option for many people who live in cities, urban areas and other places where there is limited space. i'm very serious about lifting but i will probably never own a power rack because i refuse to live in the burbs :laugh:

Exactly. I dream of one day being able to have place with a garage with room for lifting equipment, but I'd also like my very own unicorn. They're about equally as likely, because I won't move to the 'burbs.

lishie_rebooted

That sucks OP. maybe check if there are some powerlifting gyms near you. if not then there's always a crossfit gym which may be cheaper. or if there's a university near you they might have a gym you can join

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

that simply isnt an option for many people who live in cities, urban areas and other places where there is limited space. i'm very serious about lifting but i will probably never own a power rack because i refuse to live in the burbs :laugh:

Crossfit "boxes" are normally $100+ a month. Powerlifting gyms also tend to be pricier than your average Gold's/Planet Fitness. I would consider that not making decisions based on your ability to lift in a certain environment would probably disqualify you from the very serious group of lifters.

You're a Debbie Downer

LazSommer

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

I would, believe me I love a one time investment for a lifetime of free more than anybody, but I do not have the space (tiny apartment).

It's actually not a lifetime of free. Plates are expensive, especially if you decide that you want bumper plates.

:indifferent: I meant AFTER getting all the equipment. As in, not paying a monthly fee or being locked into a contract. A cousin of mine who owns his personal home gym (lives 5 hours away, so no go, before someone asks) has given me the lowdown on the costs and the pros and cons of an at home gym.

Also, not having to worry about re-racking someone else's weights (a large part of why I go to the gym in early mornings when no one is there) and not being rushed due to wait lines for equipment (again, why I go in the early morning when no one's there). I would love to own my personal home gym.

Bottom line, they had the equipment, then decided to take it away in lieu of being more like....well, kind of like Planet Fitness (in my opinion). Is there anything wrong with appealing to the casual gym goer or newbie? Absolutely not, but I feel, with that much extra space, there would've been more than enough room to accommodate both. They decided to axe out one side for another.

I got the bottom line from the first post. Most of us have experienced a similar situation - your options are few and will cost extra money either way. If lifting is important to you, write it off as a hobby/healthy expense and therefore not useless spending. The simple fact is that most gyms don't want to accept the liability of the few people who use free weights, especially since half of those people most likely don't know how to use them properly, despite what they think they know. They'd rather put in another bike that costs 3x the amount of a squat rack and weights.

LazSommer

That sucks OP. maybe check if there are some powerlifting gyms near you. if not then there's always a crossfit gym which may be cheaper. or if there's a university near you they might have a gym you can join

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

that simply isnt an option for many people who live in cities, urban areas and other places where there is limited space. i'm very serious about lifting but i will probably never own a power rack because i refuse to live in the burbs :laugh:

Crossfit "boxes" are normally $100+ a month. Powerlifting gyms also tend to be pricier than your average Gold's/Planet Fitness. I would consider that not making decisions based on your ability to lift in a certain environment would probably disqualify you from the very serious group of lifters.

You're a Debbie Downer

I'm a Debbie Downer for giving someone who was complaining about something real options and real perspective?

Lol.

meshashesha2012

That sucks OP. maybe check if there are some powerlifting gyms near you. if not then there's always a crossfit gym which may be cheaper. or if there's a university near you they might have a gym you can join

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

that simply isnt an option for many people who live in cities, urban areas and other places where there is limited space. i'm very serious about lifting but i will probably never own a power rack because i refuse to live in the burbs :laugh:

Crossfit "boxes" are normally $100+ a month. Powerlifting gyms also tend to be pricier than your average Gold's/Planet Fitness. I would consider that not making decisions based on your ability to lift in a certain environment would probably disqualify you from the very serious group of lifters.

why the need to be condescending?:yawn: do you even lift? or are you just new to lifting :laugh:

depending on where the OP is, (i know i know you probably can't understand that not everyone lives in east buttscrew, given your original comment, the crossfit option is cheaper than 5 times what she said she was quoted for the upgrade. i know where i live crossfit is twice as much as my regular gym, as is the powerlifting gym which is still better than 5 times as much

LazSommer

That sucks OP. maybe check if there are some powerlifting gyms near you. if not then there's always a crossfit gym which may be cheaper. or if there's a university near you they might have a gym you can join

If you care that much, buy a power rack and work out at home if you are serious about lifting.

that simply isnt an option for many people who live in cities, urban areas and other places where there is limited space. i'm very serious about lifting but i will probably never own a power rack because i refuse to live in the burbs :laugh:

Crossfit "boxes" are normally $100+ a month. Powerlifting gyms also tend to be pricier than your average Gold's/Planet Fitness. I would consider that not making decisions based on your ability to lift in a certain environment would probably disqualify you from the very serious group of lifters.

why the need to be condescending?:yawn: do you even lift? or are you just new to lifting :laugh:

depending on where the OP is, (i know i know you probably can't understand that not everyone lives in east buttscrew, given your original comment, the crossfit option is cheaper than 5 times what she said she was quoted for the upgrade. i know where i live crossfit is twice as much as my regular gym, as is the powerlifting gym which is still better than 5 times as much

I really enjoy it when people who can't squat/bench a 1:1 ratio of their body weight try to use the DYEL comment.

I didn't disagree with your pricing quotes. I simply presented that they are all expensive alternatives and that OP will need to suck it up and dole out the extra cash if lifting is important. I guess reading comprehension is lacking in places that aren't in the Eastern Buttscrew region.

meshashesha2012

i see LazSomer got jokes today.:drinker:

LazSommer

i see LazSomer got jokes today.:drinker:

All day every day.

RhineDHP

Ugh that sucks

I'm stealing this for use some trolling thread down the line, haha.

kgeyser

I would talk to them and get out of your contract.

mereditheve

Also, not having to worry about re-racking someone else's weights (a large part of why I go to the gym in early mornings when no one is there)

Aww come on, re-racking other people's weights is a big part of my workout routine!

I would ask if they would let you out of your contract since they substantially changed the service they are providing you. Then find a gym that caters to people who lift and isn't likely to change their business model anytime soon.

beertrollruss

The OP lives in Merced, CA. I did a Yelp search and there's not a lot of options that come up for gyms. The best option might be using the UC Merced facilities, if that's reasonable. The next best option may be going to a gym in Modesto or Fresno, a good hour's drive. Adjustable dumbbells might work in a small apartment. Other factors that the OP hasn't provided is her family and work situation.

shor0814

The only way to get the gym to listen is to cancel your membership and tell them why. I second the UC Merced facilities as an attempt because they do have some limited memberships for the community, you might be able to get in.

For your apartment you might be able to go with a half rack and bench. A half rack with removable spotter arms is less cumbersome than a full rack and a bench can be stored on end if you are creative. Just another option to consider.

A final option is to start your own gym. A huge undertaking but might not be a bad idea since your other gyms went all Planet Fitness. I wonder how much of their strength equipment is now on Craigslist for cheap

RhineDHP

Thanks for all the ideas, they're really making me think outside the box.

UC Merced gym rate for me (if they have a space, it said limited spots for non students/faculty), would be $40/month. That's very doable.

I looked at the rates for parking permits though, either $288/year (one time payment up front) or about $4/day for visitor parking ($4/day x 6 days = $24/week :: 4wks = $96/month :: 4 months = $384, not including the cost of gas). Taking a bus would be $2 per bus ride, so $4 a day just like visitor's parking, minus the cost of gas. So $96/month. Coming up with this, it would be the best option were I to ride my bike, which is a 14 mile ride round trip. I mean, in the grand scheme of things that's not that big a deal, but I'm not sure how much cardio takes out of the stamina for strength training, as I've been told it's a little dangerous to lift heavy when your muscles are fatigued.

Crossfit is $119/month for a 1 year contract, and $149 month-to-month.

I guess to expand on myself, I'm in the process of applying to schools, and I currently work at a job where I make roughly $700-800ish/ month (fiance pays majority of rent and bills, to my shame). I think I use roughly $120-180/month for gas driving only in town, so while not ideal, it definitely is an option to go to a gym in another city -- I'd adjust my budget so that I could save more for gas.

If it weren't for the UC's stupidly expensive parking, that'd probably be the best option.

Tomorrow I'm going to get a guest pass to see if that expensive gym would be worth the increased price. It has oodles of amenities I'm told, but that means squat when you don't use them. But then again, along with strength training I can modify my routines to include exercise that utilizes said amenities. I can be flexible in such a circumstance.

But to the second poster, you're absolutely right. It's gonna cost money either way. Gonna have to research all options thoroughly. But, once again, thanks guys for the tips. The new gym has been open only a week, which is why I'm so peeved that I'm only discovering this fun little fact now.

shor0814

Thanks for all the ideas, they're really making me think outside the box.

UC Merced gym rate for me (if they have a space, it said limited spots for non students/faculty), would be $40/month. That's very doable.

I looked at the rates for parking permits though, either $288/year (one time payment up front) or about $4/day for visitor parking ($4/day x 6 days = $24/week :: 4wks = $96/month :: 4 months = $384, not including the cost of gas). Taking a bus would be $2 per bus ride, so $4 a day just like visitor's parking, minus the cost of gas. So $96/month. Coming up with this, it would be the best option were I to ride my bike, which is a 14 mile ride round trip. I mean, in the grand scheme of things that's not that big a deal, but I'm not sure how much cardio takes out of the stamina for strength training, as I've been told it's a little dangerous to lift heavy when your muscles are fatigued.

Crossfit is $119/month for a 1 year contract, and $149 month-to-month.

I guess to expand on myself, I'm in the process of applying to schools, and I currently work at a job where I make roughly $700-800ish/ month (fiance pays majority of rent and bills, to my shame). I think I use roughly $120-180/month for gas driving only in town, so while not ideal, it definitely is an option to go to a gym in another city -- I'd adjust my budget so that I could save more for gas.

If it weren't for the UC's stupidly expensive parking, that'd probably be the best option.

Tomorrow I'm going to get a guest pass to see if that expensive gym would be worth the increased price. It has oodles of amenities I'm told, but that means squat when you don't use them. But then again, along with strength training I can modify my routines to include exercise that utilizes said amenities. I can be flexible in such a circumstance.

But to the second poster, you're absolutely right. It's gonna cost money either way. Gonna have to research all options thoroughly. But, once again, thanks guys for the tips. The new gym has been open only a week, which is why I'm so peeved that I'm only discovering this fun little fact now.

Park off campus but still close and bike in as your warm-up? 7 miles at a light pace pre-workout might not be a bad warm-up in the grand scheme. Depends on how hard you push the ride in.

Cortelli

Dammnit. I can't even see this thread title in the forum list without hearing Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" -- (". . . they paved paradise and put up a parking lot").

Maybe spreading that little bit of "joy" to others will ease my aching brain. You're welcome.