Travel Health and Fitness - Power / Heavy Gym's?

Where do you go for a heavy / power workout (bench, squat, deadlifts, etc.)?

I am tired of the fu-fu gyms in hotels. So I end up searching for a place to move some metal. Where do you go?

Birmingham, UK - Temple Street Gym
New Orleans - Elmwood - $15 for a day pass

Welcome to Flyertalk zerafa!

If you travel extensively in the US, I'd suggest joining a multiple-location gym where the locations mostly match where you'll be going.

I've heard that Gold's Gym is one of the best for serious lifting, but I haven't been to one for many years.

I find that many Gold's Gym smell like testosterone, lots of heavy lifters there.

Add Planet Fitness to your list of "Do not lift here" gyms

Planet Fitness has strict policies about the types of equipment they will have. They have a no grunting policy.
Planet Fitness has a device called the "Lunk Alarm" at all of its facilities. The Lunk Alarm is sounded when patrons "grunt, drop their weights, do unapproved "Bodybuilding", deadlifting, or Olympic lifts, overexerts him/herself (EG CrossFit or P90x type circuit workouts), or judges." The "Lunk Alarm" sign has a spinning light, and sounds like a tornado siren. The sign also defines a "Lunk", and it reads as this: "Lunk , n, [slang], One who Grunts, Drops Weights, or JUDGES". [11] Some of the Lunk Alarms also have an inscription below the definition of a lunk. It reads "[Ricky is slamming his weights, wearing a body building tank top, and drinking out of a gallon water jug... what a lunk!]"

24Hour Fitness always seems to have a lot of "lunks" hanging out around the free weights.

overexerts him/herself (EG CrossFit or P90x type circuit workouts)

I get that grunting, flexing in the mirror and slamming weights down can be annoying, but no CrossFit/P90x? What makes that a "Lunt"? I guess they ban all plyometric exercises then?

Life Time Fitness has a large selection of heavy weights but I believe a day pass is $40 so unless you're a member it's pricey.

I find that many Gold's Gym smell like testosterone, lots of heavy lifters there.

seriously???

I find that they are now catering to families and women more than ever; its far from what it was 10 years ago

24Hour Fitness always seems to have a lot of "lunks" hanging out around the free weights.

I go to 24 Hour Fitness. In the average week, I'll drop by 3 or 4 different locations in the PHX area. It really varies wildly by location and time of day. I've seen some crazy lifting in the cage thing in early morning and on the rare occasions I go on weekends.

As I commented on another thread though, when I go to the Mesa Riverview location after work, it is more of a nightclub atmosphere. But I've heard there's some serious heavy lifters there in the early morning.

The best thing about 24 Hour Fitness is the price. If you're a member of Costco, they've had (maybe still do?) certificates for a 2-year membership for $299.

Oh, and the, "lunks," can be pretty nice people. Took me a while, but after I was going for 3-4 months, some of them started to give me advice, and they'll always spot for me if I ask. But it is rather annoying when I'm swimming in the morning, the pool at the Tempe location is beneath the area on the 2nd floor where the heavy free weights are. I've been startled by the sound of sudden dropping of weights, felt like the roof would come down on me.

I go to the gym that my hotel has a deal with. I will say that gyms in the USA seem way cheaper than in the UK.

I go to the gym that my hotel has a deal with. I will say that gyms in the USA seem way cheaper than in the UK.

I hear ya, I use one right by the Earls Court station and its 10 GBP per visit and its a dump. However it does the trick when I'm in that part of town

I get that grunting, flexing in the mirror and slamming weights down can be annoying, but no CrossFit/P90x? What makes that a "Lunk"? I guess they ban all plyometric exercises then?


I thought the whole point of CrossFit or P90x was to not go to a normal gym anyway. I don't understand the ban on gallon jugs. You can have smaller bottles, but not gallon jugs. They also have an interesting dress code compared to the Y. At the Y a lot of women would just wear sports bras. Planet Fitness requires the stomach to be covered.

I thought the whole point of CrossFit or P90x was to not go to a normal gym anyway.

Agree for the most part, but I know of people who do their P90X or Insanity or whatever at a gym. (yes they pop DVDs in a video player and do it at the gym)

But those workouts aren't exactly unique and I don't understand why they'd be banned.

Oh, and the, "lunks," can be pretty nice people. Took me a while, but after I was going for 3-4 months, some of them started to give me advice, and they'll always spot for me if I ask.

Oh, I totally agree! I used the word "lunks" because of the quote someone posted earlier from Planet Fitness.

I actually have one of those increasingly rare "lifetime" memberships that 24Hour no longer sells - I pay $19.99 a year - and I've worked out at numerous 24s over the 9 years I've had my membership.

You are absolutely correct that they can vary wildly depending on location and time of day. The one by me is heavy hard-core lifters and triathletes in the mornings, a pick up spot in the late afternoon/early evening hours, and a lot of hard core cardio buffs later at night. Because of the proximity to the military base, we also get a lot of true 24 action. I've been in at 2 am to run when I had insomnia and was shocked at how busy it was. I've been in other 24s where the place is a ghost town after 10 pm.

.....I actually have one of those increasingly rare "lifetime" memberships that 24Hour no longer sells - I pay $19.99 a year - and I've worked out at numerous 24s over the 9 years I've had my membership.....

I think I can speak for the rest of broken Britain and say that we are now sobbing in our breakfast.....

I bought my Ballys in 1990 and pay $60 a year to renew for my lifetime membership; I think my original payment was $36/yr for 36 mo at the time,no cash down

the only cavet, is that I can't go to those specialty gyms they havebut I can go to 95% of the ballys out there

Oh the day someone decides to open a chain of gyms with bumper plates and an olympic lift platform and power/squat rack at airports worldwide. I would pay 50 bucks a month for that!

I hate traveling and missing workouts. Argh!

I need to ask the FD at Golds if the Lunks get a special rate LOL

I find dropping/slamming down of weights to be incredibly annoying and it seems like it is pretty common at my regular FitnessFirst gym.

That said, I rarely hear it any more since I have plenty to distract me (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-health-fitness/1189902-do-you-how-do-you-distract-yourself-while-working-out-esp-cardio.html). ;)

I find dropping/slamming down of weights to be incredibly annoying and it seems like it is pretty common at my regular FitnessFirst gym.

That said, I rarely hear it any more since I have plenty to distract me (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-health-fitness/1189902-do-you-how-do-you-distract-yourself-while-working-out-esp-cardio.html). ;)

Is there an "understatement of the year" emoticon ? There is some little "club" that does this in tandem at the gym I use when I am travelling. Not only is there a competition to lift the most but also who can slam it into the floor the hardest judging by the increase noise. Boys and their toys.....

Is there an "understatement of the year" emoticon ? There is some little "club" that does this in tandem at the gym I use when I am travelling. Not only is there a competition to lift the most but also who can slam it into the floor the hardest judging by the increase noise. Boys and their toys.....

i'll take slamming/dropping of weights over grunting anyday

the grunting goes on forever

the slamming is only periodic

Oh the day someone decides to open a chain of gyms with bumper plates and an olympic lift platform and power/squat rack at airports worldwide. I would pay 50 bucks a month for that!

I hate traveling and missing workouts. Argh!

There have been a few airports with gyms, and for the most part they haven't lasted, apparently it is not a viable business model. PIT was a notable example, they had a gym on the airside concourse, it closed long before US de-hubbed PIT.

So as much as some of us would like a better option than power walking and pushups in the concourse, don't hold your breath.

There have been a few airports with gyms, and for the most part they haven't lasted, apparently it is not a viable business model. .

There was a 24 Hour Fitness at LAS, on the landside, but I've been told it was shut down about a year or so ago. I did use it a couple of times. Once I was trying to get an earlier flight, but just missed it. So rather than just hang out in the terminal, I got in a little workout. It wasn't a full club (no pool), but had a decent amount of treadmills, nearly full weights, even a sauna.

There was a 24 Hour Fitness at LAS, on the landside, but I've been told it was shut down about a year or so ago.

I used it a couple of times but unfortunately it wasn't accessible to all passengers so most of the time I wasn't flying the right airline to use it.

I find dropping/slamming down of weights to be incredibly annoying

It does have it's place for certain power exercises/movements but you need to have the right type of weights and platforms. That's why ideally there are different gyms that cater to different exercise styles, but you know that's not a sustainable business model and would be more profitable to just roll it up into one.

Or you could just join Curves and get away from all that.

There was a 24 Hour Fitness at LAS, on the landside, but I've been told it was shut down about a year or so ago. I did use it a couple of times. Once I was trying to get an earlier flight, but just missed it. So rather than just hang out in the terminal, I got in a little workout. It wasn't a full club (no pool), but had a decent amount of treadmills, nearly full weights, even a sauna.

What was the fee? It was rather high wasn't it? Or were you a member?

I was working LAS for 9 months and commuting it weekly and thought that I would use this on Fridays on my way home. I just remember thinking Not at those prices

What was the fee? It was rather high wasn't it? Or were you a member?

I was working LAS for 9 months and commuting it weekly and thought that I would use this on Fridays on my way home. I just remember thinking Not at those prices

I'm a member of 24 Hour now, but wasn't then.

The drop-in fee for nearly any 24 Hour location is/was $10, and that's what I paid at the LAS gym. I thought it was mostly reasonable, probably less than I would have wasted hanging out in the airport (and being tempted with slot machines). There were even a couple of monitors to give the status of outgoing flights. It wasn't located particularly conveniently for any flights.

The 'ultra' locations, or whatever the highest level is, charge more, and usually aren't included in the basic membership. There's only a handful of these, some in the LA area (but not all there), and all the locations in NYC.

I would love to see a thread or multiple threads with gym recommendations across the globe in different cities.
My home gym is Gold's Gym in Deer Park, NY. By far the best gym I have ever been to for the person serious about their workout. Lots of weight being moved here CORRECTLY, so be forewarned about weights being dropped. 130lb dumbells make a noise when they hit the floor no matter how easy you put them down. If you want to workout in a library, this isnt the place for you. This gym also boasts one of the best spin classes in the area with some great instructors on staff.

In my travels, here are some of my picks:

Anaheim, CA - on premisis gym in the Anaheim Hilton and Towers
Minneapolis, MN - toughest city to find a good gym. I use the local YMCA.
Rosemont, IL - Bally Total Fitness
San Jose, CA - Bally Total Fitness
Boston, MA - Boston Sports Club

Minneapolis, MN - toughest city to find a good gym. I use the local YMCA.


The Marquette (Hilton) used to give passes for the Y, I think they were geared for swimming. But that wouldn't stop you from doing anything else. It was possible to get to the Y from the skywalk, but if the weather isn't bad, it was faster to just walk outside.

That was one of the few pools I've been to that wasn't on a ground floor/basement. And it was rather shallow. But better than nothing.

I presume you use the GG travel passes. Seeing you go to Bally's as well, do you have a bally's membership

Seldom do I travel to areas where I can't use one of these chains. However the Lake Charles Louisiana's of the world do cause a problem and those become running weeks

I would love to see a thread or multiple threads with gym recommendations across the globe in different cities.
My home gym is Gold's Gym in Deer Park, NY. By far the best gym I have ever been to for the person serious about their workout. Lots of weight being moved here CORRECTLY, so be forewarned about weights being dropped. 130lb dumbells make a noise when they hit the floor no matter how easy you put them down. If you want to workout in a library, this isnt the place for you. This gym also boasts one of the best spin classes in the area with some great instructors on staff.

In my travels, here are some of my picks:

Anaheim, CA - on premisis gym in the Anaheim Hilton and Towers
Minneapolis, MN - toughest city to find a good gym. I use the local YMCA.
Rosemont, IL - Bally Total Fitness
San Jose, CA - Bally Total Fitness
Boston, MA - Boston Sports Club

I presume you use the GG travel passes. Seeing you go to Bally's as well, do you have a bally's membership

Seldom do I travel to areas where I can't use one of these chains. However the Lake Charles Louisiana's of the world do cause a problem and those become running weeks

I first try for a free pass when I use and non Gold's Gym.
I usually tell them Im in town for a possible job relocation and I wanted to check out the gym. They usually offer up a pass;)
You can only use that one so many times though since I visit the same cities year after year.

The topic was looking for power gyms, while on the road.

My approach has been to ask the hotel staff, etc.

Gold's is a bit of mess, some gyms are okay, but most have been run into the ground. Last one I went to, the rubber floor was coming up, and i fell on my butt with a pair of big dumbbells. Left them on the spot and left! I am not going to risk injury due to an unsafe gym.

I am looking for Gyms that:

1 - Have a squat rack (Smith Machine is not a Squat Rack)
2 - Bench Press with olympic bar
3 - more than 8 plates in the place! (I am gunning for benching 400 raw this year, but need 400 for squats and deadlift)
4 - Dumb bells into the 100s - 150 preferably.

Also nice - power racks, chains, bands etc.

So, onto the question? Do you have any good ideas on gyms that meet these criteria that you like to use?

Temple Gym in Birmingham was great for me over Christmas. I got 7 or 8 good sessions in, when I would have otherwise been sitting around getting fat. (Dumb Bells up to 200 lbs! - Cool!)

I have not found a nation wide chain that meets my criteria, but I suspect I am in the minority. So I generally keep a couple of body weight training books in the my travel bag, and just do push ups, run the stairs, pull ups, body weight squats, leg raises, etc. when I can not play with a heavy bar.

I first try for a free pass when I use and non Gold's Gym.
I usually tell them Im in town for a possible job relocation and I wanted to check out the gym. They usually offer up a pass;)
You can only use that one so many times though since I visit the same cities year after year.

I hear ya on the relo trick. Although for me the cities I hit regularly are taken care of by GG and Bally's

I've been to some small towns where a gym is not an option as there are none period. that becomes a running week. thank goodness for the internet as I can check all this stuff out ahead of time

Just worked out at golds gym in Orlando on Turkey Lake rd. Awesome gym! Power lifting friendly and some fantastic equipment. Great food place inside as well with a full grill and shakes.

Just worked out at golds gym in Orlando on Turkey Lake rd. Awesome gym! Power lifting friendly and some fantastic equipment. Great food place inside as well with a full grill and shakes.

Been to that one, and definitely a ^

It wasn't too far from the hotel I was staying at.

I can't remember the last time I bought something to drink, much less eat at a gym.. too over priced for me when usually there are a million choices nearby at half the price

There was a 24 Hour Fitness at LAS, on the landside, but I've been told it was shut down about a year or so ago. I did use it a couple of times. Once I was trying to get an earlier flight, but just missed it. So rather than just hang out in the terminal, I got in a little workout. It wasn't a full club (no pool), but had a decent amount of treadmills, nearly full weights, even a sauna.

Ugh....I didn't know it closed. I had a customer out there a couple summers ago and used this gym every week.

I used it a couple of times but unfortunately it wasn't accessible to all passengers so most of the time I wasn't flying the right airline to use it.

?
How was it limited?

I am looking for Gyms that:

1 - Have a squat rack (Smith Machine is not a Squat Rack)
2 - Bench Press with olympic bar
3 - more than 8 plates in the place! (I am gunning for benching 400 raw this year, but need 400 for squats and deadlift)
4 - Dumb bells into the 100s - 150 preferably.

Also nice - power racks, chains, bands etc.

I have not found a nation wide chain that meets my criteria

Take out the chains/bands and IME most bigger chain gyms have:
1 -- can't remember one recently that didnt'
2 -- same
3 -- same
4 -- mostly I see 110s or 120s on the high end. Few places top out under 100

I'm easy - I can make do with just about any level of equipment. national chain gym is just a bonus if there is one around.

I'm a 355 bencher (375 is my goal but honestly I'm not sure I'm going to get there)

Heck I'm currently in an indian casino for work with a very limited gym so I've been doing a lot of burpees/pushups. I like to do 100 burpees for time then as many pushups as I can in sets of 15 with 60 seconds on a bike or ellipse between sets.

*dropping of weights....I really don't care much but I was always taught that if you can't control the weight (this includes setting them down) then go lighter ;) I can set down 120's (heaviest my normal gym has) without dropping them. *shrug*
**Bumper plates are a different story

I think I can speak for the rest of broken Britain and say that we are now sobbing in our breakfast.....

yeah, i pay 30/year foreva! I paid around 950 for the first three years, then 29.99 thereafter, not bad!

Any gyms with serious free weights in Paris?

set up at home now...

just picked up a set of 120s and 150s for the house, and a power rack with 200 lb cable attachment.

I now need to spend more time at home. Or go to the hotels / locations that I have good gyms.

Elmwood Fitness at one shell square in New Orleans
Ekco hotel in Lagos
Crowne Plaza in Kuala Lumpur
Shangri La in Singapore
Temple Gym in Birmingham England

Have not found something good in London or the Hage. So still looking, but not very hard...

I am also using the convict conditioning book for body weight exercises.

?
How was it limited?

I fly AA and at that time you couldn't get to that part of the airport with an AA boarding pass.

I fly AA and at that time you couldn't get to that part of the airport with an AA boarding pass.

Ugh. Its been a long while, I was thinking it wasn't on the other side of security.