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Gold's Gym
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Downtown
725 S Figueroa St Ste 4000
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 688-1441
725 S Figueroa St Ste 4000
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 688-1441
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri. 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- No
53 reviews for Gold's Gym
I just joined this gym, after going to 24 hour fitness for many years I find Golds Gym a stop above. I have not been to many other Gold Gym locations, but this one in particular is off the hook. They have a pool, a boxing gym, cycling room, even nife fighting classes!. You name it they got it.
Yes it is an expensive gym by far the most I have ever paid, but I think it is well worth the cost. I would give it 5 stars but because of the price I will stick to 4 stars for all other emmenities that make up for it.
Get in here and get fit!
I have developed an extreme dislike for this place!
I keep getting mailers from this Gold's gym which offer free memberships (from 7 to 30 days). I went in for the 7 day free program, the 14 day free program, the 30 day free program. NONE OF THESE ARE FREE MEMBERSHIPS. What a scam! Someone should sue them.
I think if I get one more of these "fraudulent flyers" I will have to challenge their policies in court. I encourage everyone to contact an attorney after dealing with their lengthy and annoying sales pitch, which results in an interesting presentation on how the 30 day free VIP membership is not actually a membership. Also, the staff has different stories about what this offer is but I know what it is not IT IS NOT A 30 DAY FREE VIP MEMBERSHIP.
The gym is beautiful. It is probably the nicest, well equipped gym downtown.
However, I can not condone the scams they uise to get people in the doors. These policies are bordering illegal and they should be called on it.
Also, beware of the ID thing. Like car salesmen, they will ask for your ID (to photocopy it for some reason) and they will hold it so that you can not leave until hearing their sales pitch. Try to get your ID back, it's a fight.
Nicest gym, great pool, but prices vary
This is the nicest gym I have ever been too. I was a 24 hour Fitness member and this is way beyond that. This gym is very clean. I see people cleaning constantly.
They have all new equipments with personal tv and ipod ports. There is a 3 lane swimming pool and jacuzzi. It is very clean. They have towel service. Yay never need to wash a sweaty towel. They have a good amount of classes and a boxing ring. Women have their own personal sauna and steam room, so nice. Some of their personal trainers are very nice. My sister asked one of the women trainers how she got a nice butt. She was very helpful. But, my sister said there were other personal trainers that wouldn't help her.
Free 3 hours parking with validation from the gym. I got lost in the parking lot. You have to park your car near the elevator closest to 7th street. If you go to the other elevator, it won't take you down to the gym.
I agree with Melissa W. the locker room is a bit small. They need to put more benches inside. I feel like there isn't enough room to put my stuff and get dressed.
You get 1 free training orientation. We worked with Gerald. He was very nice and helpful. Never pushed us to buy anything, but said it would help us. I can believe that, my legs are so sore.
The gym is crowded from 5-8pm. I have been at the gym around 7pm, 1pm, and 4pm. During these times, the gym hasn't been that bad. I was always able to get a treadmill and go into the pool. The morning and early afternoon are filled with old women who like to complain. They started complaining that I didn't take a shower after I came out of the jacuzzi to go into the pool. I didn't know that made a difference, but apparently it was enough to make them complain about it for 10 minutes.
My only major complaint is that I came in with a 30 day promotion. They didn't tell me till after my work-out that I couldn't use the 30 day promotion without coming with someone already in the gym. This really didn't make a lot of sense since the 30 day promotion was on a random flyer I found. I did sign for the gym without paying a start up fee, so I was happy. Be prepared to negotiate your contract. It looks like they are giving different prices to people. The regular contract is $199 star up fee, $79 maintenance fee, and $59 monthly due. Dee Black signed us up and he was very nice. I did come here with my mom and had another guy help us, he wasn't so nice. If you want his name message me.
Overall, I'm very happy with the gym. I'm paying a lot more than 24 hour Fitness, but I feel like it is worth it.
My 1 yr contract is almost up and I'm really glad I made the decision to join Gold's Gym. The gym is clean and all the machines are new with ipod connections and tvs on every treadmill. Very nice pool with great lighting and the right temperature.
All the staff and trainers are very friendly, greet you by name, and provide towel service as you enter. If you're looking for a new gym, it's the only gym downtown that validates parking for 3 hrs.
I absolutely LOVE this gym.
I'm a member at LA Fitness, as well, and after 1 month at Gold's...I cringe every time I step back into LA Fitness.
I decided I wanted to start working out during my lunch break, so I went down and joined Gold's after getting a promotional offer in the mail for $0 start up, and talking them down to $39/month. Jeff was the person who signed me up, and he was very friendly.
I have been going to Mike for personal training sessions, and he is absolutely amazing. I'm seeing awesome results, and he pushes me really hard! I definitely recommend him for personal training.
The inside of this gym is awesome. They have towel service, and all of the cardio equipment has it's own tv...well except for the 2 step climbers. Can we get some tv's over there???
My only complaint is the size of the locker room. Every time I go in there, I'm having to battle for enough space just to put my stuff into a locker, because of all the naked old women who are in no hurry to get dressed, let alone move out of the way. It seems like the guys on here are saying their locker room is big...but can we get a bigger women's locker room please????
So i initially read the good reviews, saw the great facilities (before they upgraded to fill the whole space. But then, heaven forbid, I decided I might be moving soon. So, I check to see if there are Gold's Gyms around the SFV.
There is one in Northridge. Great. Let me call this gym and see how I can transfer my designation as home gym.
Well not so fast....since this place is a bunch of franchises (although they never tell you that) you can't just 'switch' your membership. And then of course if you ask about canceling, they give you a big attitude and say "you signed a contract", and you have to write a letter and send it in to do so even if you're past the year-long obligation. No 'get out' fees or other reasonable accommodation.
Not to mention the Gold's Gym in Northridge is a NON-WORKING NUMBER!!!! Wow, that's inspiring.....and when I mentioned it to the manager of this gym, he washed his hands of it (not his franchise, not his problem). And don't try to ask for the corporate number to complain or comment. That's a more closely guarded secret than the formula for coca-cola.
So, I guess I'm stuck with these guys and the fine attitude of their 'sales team and management'. Only six more months and I'm giving Gold's the old heave ho!!!
So, just moving to Los Angeles, I decided I would use the free guest passes at every gym in walking distance from my new place, and make a well-informed decision about where I wanted to invest my monthly fee. Why not, right? Gold's Gym downtown was my first stop, as I'm currently a Gold's member from San Francisco and figured it as good a place to begin as any.
The location is good. It's in the basement area of a shopping center on 7th and Figueroa. Three hours of free parking in the adjacent garage is a nice feature (though I walk), and the mall isn't so busy that you have to deal with irritating crowds to get there.
The equipment is VERY new and VERY nice. iPod connections to some of the treadmills... loving that... boxing ring which I'll never use (I'm too handsome to risk a face hit ;-) but it's a nice touch. Lots of classes too.
The employees are nice enough. Here's where they lost a star though... I emailed two Gold's locations, the closest two to me. 7th and Fig and the Hollywood location. 7th and Fig (this one) gave me a free week. Hollywood emailed me a welcome email, offered me TWO free weeks, and a free personal training session. Not sure why downtown didn't offer any of this, but if they had, they would have earned a five-star rating. Can't give the highest rating to a gym that was unstaged by its own chain-member...
Coming from Equinox in Santa Monica I was pretty spoiled when it comes to my work out facilities, but I must say Gold's stepped it up....
The machines are all brand new and state of the art, tons of great equipment, boxing ring, classes, very zen fountain and pool area, and best of all, there are some fine ass people workin out there....
I trained with Daniel Anderson who I love! he knew exactly where i was comin from and exactly what parts i wanted work on: what to keep big i.e. my T n A, and what to make small i.e. everything else.....
there is a parking structure right next to 7th and fig which usually isn't to tedious except for the million levels, but hey it's free when u validate.....
the staff is very friendly and did their best to hook me up with prices (free year membership by giving me someone's free-year-raffle-gift to me) when i bought a training package.....
I've run through several gym memberships: Bally's, 24 hour fitness, and tried out equinox (which is clean, but priced for above the average professional income); Since Gold's was near my work, I decided to give them a try.
A year passed and I'm still in love with this gym. They update the machines and the staff work tirelessly to make the gym as pleasant as possible (if it isn't, just let them know and they'll try to accommodate you). The staff are extremely friendly (though sometimes at 6a, you wonder how they could be so perky) and the personal trainers (esp. Lara) are phenomenal motivators.
Granted, occasionally it is really crowded and you have to wait for a strength training machine, but generally it's not too long. I don't remember ever waiting for a cardio machine (unless you're waiting for the two stairmasters) and towel service is really convenient though at times they ration them out 1 at a time instead of the usual 2.
I highly recommend this gym esp. since parking is validated for three hours and there is a pedestrian walkway located on the first level of the parking garage which makes access even more convenient.
beautiful facility, but the WORST service and overpriced membership...
The facility is small but it is very nice with a pool, good amount of cardio machines, a weight section and nice locker rooms.
So why did I decide to terminate my contract?
1. creepy phone calls from trainers
2. OVERPRICED: paid 200+ for initial fee and last month fee AND that months fee to sign up. Monthly fee was 59.99 OMG WTF BBQ I would rather sign up for Equinox!
3. Gets wayyy too crowded. I don't like waiting in line for machines, the showers or sharing a pool lane with 5 other people!!!
4. My bf is a 24 hr fitness member LOL
5. HORRIBLE SERVICE!
ok so Service... I'm sure this is pretty common, but these people are SO NICE when they are trying to sign you up, but when you are trying to get out of it... OH EM GEE it was a nightmare... never again Gold Gym. You are dead to me.
I'm cycling. Spinning, rather, at all possible speed; towards that little pink flag, symbolizing the checkered flag at the finish line.
It tantalizes me as it bobs up and down, as if waving "goodbye" or, perchance, saying "hello."
It taunts me as I gasp for breath, my determination almost spent, it remains elusively out of reach.
With each stroke I seem to be coming closer, but still not yet close enough.
Oh, it is so close. If I reach my hand out, I can touch it. But that wouldn't be appropriate.
The only constant is the beat of the music, the beat of my heart, the beads of perspiration convolving into streams of sweat, and the flapping of the little pink fabric.
Until finally, it's all about to end. The music. The spinning. The pain.
And just as I am about to reach out and touch the pink flag ...
* * *
... the girl who was spinning in front of me reaches behind her and tucks the pink panty clothing tag that was hanging out of her tights away.
4 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/28/2009
[An short essay to be read by the voice of Ira Glass.]
She spins, in the front row, and always leaves… Read more »
Good ol Gold's ...
Like many, I was quite reluctant in joining in the world famous Gold's Gym. The stares, the competition between other guys (I'm 6'5" 240lbs; always being sized up) etc. etc. Yet to my surprise this place is full of working-class stiffs such as myself. You'll have an occasional meat-head slapping himself in the mirror to pump himself up, but hey, it's charming right?
The cardio machines are plentiful; albeit they do break down often. Locker room is much better and more spacious due to the remodel.
FYI if you forget your lock, they sell them at the front desk as well as have rental lockers that take quarters. Nothing chaps my hide more than opening 5-6 lockers and seeing someone else's belongings taking up space. Those who have had their items stolen; I hate to say it, but it's a public place and not everyone's your friend. LOCK YOUR LOCKER...
With plentiful weight, cardio, stretching and resistance sections, cool laid back trainers (of course you have a few who are aggressive when making a sale) and being just a hop from the office; Gold's is alright in my book.
I'm giving this place unofficially 4 stars, but my girlfriend had some problems with the service.
Likes:
Very clean, well-designed, modest sized gym by any standard. See through glass windows around the pool and entrance create a sense of space.
Sauna and steam rooms are well-maintained. Clean towels are provided.
All of the machines are new. Love the free-resistance machines.
Free, validated parking.
Dislikes:
Negotiating contract membership can be a hassle. The sales reps. are friendly, but don't provide written documentation of your agreement up front. I had to ask 4 times to have them change my contract to what we agreed to until they made the change after some persistence. Do your homework and find out the best offer you can get.
Bottom Line:
Once you're a member, you'll enjoy it. Welcome to the Club.
GREAT GYM!
I love this gym for many reasons:
1. I'm there within 5 minutes after work
2. parking is so convenient
3. free validated parking is awesome
4. towels are always available
5. locker room remodel has made it easier to change without bumping into the guy next to you
6. cardio machines are so efficient: heart rate, miles, calories, etc.
7. free weights are plentiful
8. resistance machines are so practical
9. lots of space to stretch and do crunches
10. large pool that I have yet to use
And there are many more reasons to list, and you've got to see it for yourself. But don't get swindled and get overcharged. We certainly got a good deal on our membership.
While I love the facilities here, there aren't enough classes. I was really disappointed in the sculpting class Monday night, the instructor seemed less than enthused, some of the moves were bizarre, and I get a better workout with Jillian Michaels at home. Additionally, the best spin instructor works at only 6am, and this is no longer viable for my schedule.
However, the facilities are super clean, the music is loud, there are tvs everywhere and I like their selection of workout clothing in the mini-store. The women's locker room is gorgeous, and they have fixed the first floor entrance in the parking garage so you don't have to park on 5 and come down and all the way around the mall to get in. Thank dog.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/23/2008
I actually really like this gym. The pool area is very good quality, clean without too many humans.… Read more »
This gym- like all new Gold's- started out GREAT! But to date- Sucks!!!
First off the parking structure is a nightmare. They've been remodeling for 2 years now so you have to park and walk through an outdoor garden then a mall to access gym. Once inside- well- they are also remodeling. The sauna and steam room aren't available.
Positives: they expanded their spin room and it's airy now so you don't get a pungent slap of sweat stench when you walk in....
The classes are pretty good-especially Mark (6am spin class). The workout area is set up well plus an all female section if you don't want to see hot gay men (which I must say I do enjoy) and an occasional hot straight guy/man.
All in all my biggest gripe with this establishment has to do with the handling of red tape. Trying to cancel my membership has been a real pain in the arse and an inconvenience. They are very unprofessional.
Remember that old boyfriend you had that you just couldn't quite break up with? He's too short, he talks too much, doesn't dress well, not very sharp etc...etc... but... for some reason you stick around. Sometimes he makes you laugh, he's a pretty good cook, and not a bad lover. Well, that's how I feel about Gold's Gym. It's convenient. They have new machines but they're the cheapest ones on the market. (Made in China). They have an indoor pool but once in a while during summer, you will find some strange creepy people swimming in their underwear. (not cool). i use to be an avid spinner, sometimes twice a day. Some of the instructors use to have a following, in fact, that is how I got started. Bought the shoes, the cute work out bras, the 6 dollar sport drinks. Then... the best instructors left. * I HATE MARK. the morning instructor. I don't even break a sweat in his class, and if he plays the theme song from the Lion King one more f**kin time, I'm gonna throw my bike at him. Anyway... where was I? Oh! Yah... Why did all the best instructors leave??? Because they all hated working there and the cheap ass owner they worked for. Yes, ANGEL... I'm talkin about you, you lil Nepoleonic freak. They also have new spin bikes which suck ass.
The sales guys are all thieving lil snakes. If you're thinking of joining, make sure to read the fine print. I don't really care about the fees because I joined so many years ago, I don't think I can get anything cheaper than what I pay here. It's not the most sanitary gym I've been to but if you have any scrupples you should always be aware of germs at any gym you go to. They have a high theft rate in the locker rooms so I don't even bother leaving anything in there. (Don't let locks fool you. I've heard and seen my share of lockers being BROKEN into.) Luckily, I live so close, I just immediately go home to shower. I use to go to the gym lookin so cute with my lil halter bras and lowriding stretchy pants. Now? I just kinda take a good whiff of my wife beater and running pants, grab my sneakers and am ready to go. Once in a while, you might see a hottie.. but then you realize he's looking at the boy next to you on the eliptical machine. (I'm a girl)
So, my conclusion. Once I finally get the nerve to break it off with Gold's, I will never look back. But I'm still with him.
I joined this gym 2 days ago after my Equinox membership expired. I decided to sign up with Gold's instead of the YMCA or 24 Hour downtown because:
1. Amazing deal on a first-time membership thanks to a fellow yelper! The initiation fee is normally $199 (which they claim they will waive if you sign up on the spot - I don't think anyone ever actually pays it?) and monthly membership $60/month, but I asked about the 12-month+3 months free (15 month total) membership for $558.88 which works out to $37.26/month and a manager came over and seemed surprised that I'd heard about the deal but hooked it up for me anyway. Jason handled my paperwork and was very friendly and accomodating and even had a delicious strawberry shake made for me to enjoy while taking the tour. Thanks Jason! If you go in for a tour definitely ask for Jason and tell him Ivy sent ya. :)
2. Clean facility, not as spacious as the Y or Equinox but big enough to get the job done.
3. Nice variety of classes, if anyone has any recommendations please pass them along. I took a spinning class for the first time ever yesterday and almost died, it was awesome.
4. 3-lane pool that is surprisingly never busy plus wet/dry saunas and a jacuzzi.
5. Semi-confusing towel service which I finally figured out (get them from the front before you go work out - hand/face towels are on a table at the side, body/bath towels have to be requested from the person up front).
The facility is under construction right now and will be for the next 3-4 weeks. It ain't pretty but the price is right and it will be nice when the renovations are finished. It's only been a couple days but I'm happy with the easiness of the parking so far (3 hours free with validation which you can get as soon as you walk in), the spin class I took, the friendliness of the staff, and the availability and variety of equipment. See you at the gym!
Good luck canceling your membership, is all I'm gonna say about this one.
Oh, p.s. as soon as you threaten to quit, they'll give you like $20 off your monthly fee... kind of makes you feel stupid for paying full price all year, doesn't it?
If you asked me in my early twenties if I'd ever want my gym to feel like Cheers, I'd probably would have said I'd never get old and friendliness is for weak people, then ordered another tequila.
But now, it's pretty sweet that everybody at Gold's Downtown knows my name and they try to make my smoothie just the way I like it. It's definitely an incentive to go work out on a regular basis when it seems like they care if you show up or not.
The new tvs have a soccer channel, ole ole ole ole! The hot tub is quite nice, although I wish more women would use it so it felt less like I was intruding in a bath house. The facility is clean and busy and the new spin room rocks.
An added perk, like the trinket in the king cake, is that once in awhile this crazy, angry punker guy who wears his jeans and combat boots to the gym does his best young Judd Nelson impression and wails on the punching bag like it's his abusive father. No, dude, what about you?
Parking tip: enter the parking facility from 8th street-- it's much, much quicker down to the 1st floor parking area.
Great location if you live/work in the area. Great facility as far as cleanliness and modern work-out equipment. Plus, free towels! I also felt very comfortable working out here and it didn't feel like the kind of gym where people go to scope out their next mate. That said, I did notice a few prowlers here, you know the women who wear cutesy outfits and spend 15 minutes in the locker room re-touching their makeup BEFORE working out and then spend about 30 minutes just stretching and staring in the mirror. Yeah, there are a few of those types that frequent this gym.
The gym seems large and spacious if you can motivate yourself to work out early in the mornings before work. However, if you're the kind of person that just can't get it together for that morning jog on the treadmill, then be prepared to double your work-out routine time. It gets extremely crowded after 5 p.m. and you will have to wait for your turn on any kind of machine, be it weights or a cardio machine (a little less packed on Thursday and Friday nights). Though this gym doesn't attract a large crowd of meat heads, this is when a few show up and will monopolize the equipment you want to use for your wimpy 50 sit ups or 25 bicep curls while they grunt and moan doing whatever it is that wanna-be weight lifters do. I'm sorry, the grunting and moaning crowd annoys me to no end, especially when they have giant comic-book muscle arms and fat pot-bellies, just a personal pet peeve...
Good gym except for the crowded space after 5 p.m. They just recently renovated and their abs/core/stretch area is much roomier now and there are personal TVs on the treadmills and cross-trainers. Though I wish they would have invested in more than two sit-up benches. As a final note, I agree that it is quite a hassle to cancel your membership here. I pretty much got the third degree for wanting to cancel. I moved to Westwood and I was not about to wake up at 5 am to get to downtown, workout and then work a 12 hour day, no thanks. The manager seemed kind of confrontational when asking me about where I was moving, was my work in the area, etc. etc. Finally I told him that it was just too far and I was getting a cheaper deal at the UCLA gym where my partner is faculty, then he finally laid off.
I've had a membership at Gold's 7th & Fig for years because I got a really good rate and I use the Travel Pass a lot. I'm also pretty serious about exercising and have been to many gyms all over town. So I should have nothing but good things to say at Gold's Downtown, right?
To Pros: good air circulation (VITALLY important in a gym), good equipment (lacks only a few things), good lighting, decent pool & hot tub area, good smoothies, and free towel service. It's a good gym to use during off hours and on weekends. Parking is good by downtown standards.
The Cons: Many. Mainly? The people. The staff are a pompous clique of A-type salesmen who give vastly different rates to different members. I've met members who pay 4 TIMES what I pay per year. I suspect they also give lower rates to families and lower-income people, so the gym is now completely overcrowded and the quality of clientele is dismal. The hot tub has become a bathtub... it used to be clear and now it's green; people fight over the pool lanes; and its virtually impossible to work out between 5 and 7 PM with the packs of slow, mostly obese gym-goers who use the joint as a social club. The locker room is a nightmare, full of loitering herds of idiots or, even worse, gays who spend HOURS ogling men as they undress. The sauna is ruined by creepy sex addicts who look like they've never touched the exercise equipment in their lives. The staff turns a blind eye to all of that, because, hey, they got their $$. There's also this weird old guy who takes an hour to get dressed everyday, and just when you think he's finally finished? He pulls out a ham sandwich and eats it IN the locker room. Yum! But that's a-whole-nother story.
If you're looking for a gym downtown, I'd recommend just not going to a gym downtown. It's worth driving to a nicer area or paying a bit more if it means being around decent people.
I've been to many gyms. And this gym is quality. They are a bit sly on how they try to convince you to pay for the membership. Somehow they got me to pay a yearly upfront fee and I just wanted to pay monthly. Oh well. but the yearly deal is a bargain so I'm not going to whine too much about that.
Towel service is great. Not having to remember that is awesome. It's not so much meat heads attending this place as very fit and youngish professional types frequenting this place. Gets VERY busy during rush hour times from all the down town peoples. But that's every gym.
Juice bar is amazing, all the equipment is top notch. Parking is free with validation -- although I usually run from home. The proximity to the mall makes it interesting-- there is an optometrist there plus all the major bank ATMs like BofA and Wamu. There is dry cleaning, a shoe service, and a fed-ex kinko. so think of it as an all-in-one-get-it-done kinda place.
park anywhere in the parking structure and simply proceed to level 1. the walk way is nice and short and leads you directly to golds.
While it was under construction I could say it was a bit of a hassle and cramped, but now there are a ton of space. I think every single cardio equipment has a TV on it now-- most of them didn't have the signal hook-up last week, but I'm sure they will hook it up soon.
The steam room and the sauna are comfortably hot, and not at all luke warm. It's pretty clean, the air conditioning works great.
After moving to Downtown LA, I joined Gold's Gym. This gym is so nice. The sales people are friendly and ensure you are utilizing your membership to its fullest. For the month of February, I was in and out of town. Gerald, emailed me to ensure everything was okay. When he found out I was out of town, he told me I should have froze my account.
The place is uber clean. The classes are awesome. If you attend classes during the day, you practically have a private instructor. There aren't any cons to this gym. Below are a list of pros:
1. Everyone receives towel service.
2. The class sizes are pretty small.
3. The instructors know what they are doing.
4. There is a "women's" workout area.
5. Parking is free up to 3 hours.
6. They have TV monitors. One monitor plays music videos!!!
Happy Workout!
CONS:
-I saw a cockroach in the ladies restroom the other day
-Steam room is often crowded with loud women, and there is sometimes a funky smell
-Ongoing construction
-They are sometimes stingy with the towels
-Yoga with Mike, not so fun or relaxing...it is more like boot camp yoga, not my style
-Abs with Shawn, what happened?! It's like he's not even trying...
PROS:
-Added more elliptical machines
-Yoga with Sherida Saturday mornings - So fun and awesome, I left feeling great!
Sigh, guess you can't have it all...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/25/2008
I love this gym. It really is kind of a home away from home.
I'm brand new and still working out a… Read more »
Oh, how I miss you.
Gold's. I used to refer to Gold's as my boyfriend. It's true. *sniffle* *sigh* Then I moved, and we had a tragic breakup. Of course, I was the only one who went through withdrawal and had to seek counseling. My dear Gym easily replaced me.....I was never Gym's one and only. *tear* I have yet to find a replacement Gym to meet my new expectations.
I lOVE this gym!
Yes, it is super convenient if you work in Downtown LA. And, they validate parking. And it's a Gold's!
Swimming pool. Stretching mat area. Free weights. Machines. BOXING RING. Plus, it is in front of one group of ellipticals and treadmills, so as you are cardio-ing, you can watch one of the two tvs or watch the ring! Did I mention jacuzzi? Oh, and a smaller, quieter work-out room for those who don't like the masses.
Typical busy hours.
CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN!!! I hate when you walk into a gym, and you already feel dirty. Or when you go to a gym and worry about what you are wearing because people are there for a meat market instead of to work out.
Ah, but there are a few meat marketers there. You know. The guys who do a couple reps then walk around, checking out the girls and flexing their muscles for show. And the ladies who have their hair done (and I mean curled and down), makeup on, jewelry on, and are walking slowly winking at the guys.
But most people are there for a workout. Yay!
Staff is nice and helpful. AC works well. Music is good.
My favorite gym by far. I'm kinda quirky about gyms. I have to feel comfortable in them, and I can usually tell after a few visits. So, I completely take advantage of week passes and cut them out of the running shortly after the first visit.
Another gym I really liked was Spectrum near Howard Hughes Center. But it was just too pricey for me =(
As for Gold's?? I had a group discount rate through my place of employment ;-P $30/month
Ah, and for the fake-n-bakers.....they have stand-up tanners in the gym with great monthly prices (but buy your lotions elsewhere). And a massage place next door.
Okay, I minused a star because I never go, and I'm like paying Gold's to stay in business. I think my monthly "fee" should be tax deductible...
But dude, parking alone (you have to park in the giant 7th & Fig lot, remember to get validated, etc.) is enough to dissuade me.
I considered going after work. That was kinda the dumbest idea yet. From the hours of 5pm to about 8pm, it's a packed meat market. You have to hover over the machines.
And the "yoga" class I took had very little to do with yoga at all. Mostly just aerobics on a sticky mat.
BUT. The facilities are exquisite. It's like a very luxe spa! There's boxing (extra $), spinning, a stunning pool, a tanning salon (how awesomely LA is that??), an actual spa, a juice bar, the most well maintained locker rooms around.
Jesus, what's my problem?? I'm heading over there right now! Parking death or no!
Just joined in December (switching from another downtown gym, the YMCA) and so far so good. I like that there is a nice range of intense group exercise classes on the schedule and the three different types of weight machines (free weights, the clunkier mechanical stuff and the bowflex type with the free motion tension cords). It was also cheaper than the YMCA, with free 3 hour parking validation, and a pool.
Even at rush hour it is pretty packed after work but there always seems to be at least one elliptical, recumbent bike, or treadmill open though. From swimming, spinning to boxing, I feel much more energized to keep going and try a variety of things....heheh...just wait a few months and I'll report back.
P.S. If you want to sign up, I suggest the 1 year prepaid membership and you get an additionl three months "free". At that rate, I'll pay less than forty bucks a month (is that uncouth to be spreading word of the rates? consumers unit!) And they have a special where you don't pay the 99 dollar registration. Just say you saw it on an internet or advertised somewhere. And if you wanna give me credit for suggesting this deal to you (as you should) just contact me via Yelp and we'll work it out *wink* (that is only if I've determined that you're not a weird stalker)
I couldn't really ask for more in a gym. In early morning hours from 5-7, it's relatively mellow. In the 3 years I've been going, you see the same early birds getting the gym thing out of the way for the day. There are always enough cardio machines available, so take your pick.
The Women's locker room is kept very clean and the steam room is a nice added bonus.
The Saturday morning yoga classes are good and it seems the 7am weekday classes are pretty popular by the looks of crowd filled in early to get prime floor spots. There is also the crazy Spinning Class, which is a big "no thank you" for me! Too much yelling and blaring music for my sleepy ears.
This is an outstanding gym. It's Large. It's Clean. It's Contemporary. And it's wonderfully Scene-Free!
Very nice pool. There's also a hot tub, steam room, and sauna.
The gym is busiest between 4 - 8 pm, M-F. Even during these hours you shouldn't have a problem finding a machine. They do run out of towels around this time, so bring an extra just in case.
The only real problem I have here is getting out the door without stopping to buy a peanut butter banana smoothie.
SO nice I thought I had stepped into a Equinox! In fact the Gold's Gym written in glass throughout looks like an appropriation of the Equinox logo.
The gym was well designed, there is ample space for stretching, for classes and for doing your thing. A wide assortment of folks with enough cute boys to motivate you through a work out.
The locker room was very, very classy; Very clean, enough space at the sinks for multiple people and sinks with handles, not this automated nonsense they have here in the Bay Area where the water never stays on long enough and it is almost never Hot.
the staff are very professional and courteous. They made my time here pleasant and offered me free towels.
I can't speak for the classes as I didn't have time to attend any but perhaps in the future. The only negative is parking, what a nightmare that lot is at 7th & Fig. I had to wait for the attendant to drive up to my exit when it wouldn't properly read my card. No fun at all.
How can one ever go to another gym after this Gold's experience? I love this place more than anything else in the world. But me too, I moved and had to cancel my membership. This place taught me how to run six miles on a treadmil. This place also taught me Power Yoga with, whome I like to refer as, "Madona's Yoga Instructor". Fierce, baby! This place is fierce. I have spent so much time here. My ass has gotten rock hard here. I have lost an Ipod here. I have mastered the stair climber.
The music in the locker room is far more better than what they play in the actual gym.
Soon, one day in the near future, I am signing up again, for Madona's yoga instructor. Once you've been to his class, no other yoga class compares.
this is the review of first impressions (total workout time there: one day)
pros:
1. free parking. thats a major plus in LA.
2. doesnt seem to be a busy hour -- i was expecting 5 pm to be packed, and it wasnt
3. plenty of machines to go around, plus they all have tv, plus music is blaring anyways if you forget your ipod
4. good vibes
5. friendly staff
6. seems to be lots of classes available, at no extra fee (havent taken one yet but am thinking about giving sat AM yoga a whirl...)
7. clean locker room/shower/sauna areas
8. nice mix of members, i dont feel intimidated to be there
cons:
1. kinda feel like i was manipulated into buying a bigger personal trainer training package than i'd intended to buy. (i went in bc i saw the offer of "one week free vip whatnot" and i walked out with a year's membership plus two dozen p.t. sessions.) be prepared for a hard sell. ah well. when they're done with me i'll be hot stuff. they practically guaranteed it.
2. i dont know where this "women's workout area" that ppl are talking about is...
I am huge fan of Gold's in general. Personally, working out in a gym is a necessary chore, kinda like washing your underwear. Laundry sucks ass, but it's either that or have a stinky ass, so you just HAVE to do it. I played sports my whole life, so I was always in shape. After college, when my synchronized swimming and basketball years were over, and my metabolism adjusted according to age (no longer having mercy on my Italian-lover-of-grub lifestyle), a gym membership was a must-have.
Bally's was just way too fru fru and overcrowded for me, and the pastel explosion of a gym known as 24-hour Fitness makes me wanna puke. I joined Gold's 4 years ago cuz that's where my bf was, and I couldn't be happier that I did.
Gold's Gyms all have an industrial sort of warehouse kind of feel, that just make you FEEL like working out. They are more dimly lit that the other gyms, and not nearly as crowded. The classes are awesome, ranging from hip-hop to spinning to boxing. The downtown location has an indoor pool which is also dimly lit with a large circle backlight on the far wall. There is a hot tub and a sauna, and blowdryers in the dressing rooms. This location also provides you with towels which is great. There are tanning beds of course ($20 monthly unlimited membership), and a plethora of equipment.
My favorite part about Gold's is that they give you a travel pass to work out at every other Gold's in the world up to 14 times a year. When I go out of town I always have to check them out, and they are always really nice.
The jankiest one that I have been to is the North Hollywood one, so I don't suggest going there (it's small). However, Hollywood is good (it's the next closest one).
My all-time favorite Gold's is in Simi Valley though. It has an outdoor pool with lounge chairs, an outdoor basketball court, personal tv's on all of the cardio equipment, an the BEST THING EVER....a CARDIO THEATRE. I make the drive on the weekends just to go there because they have an actual movie theatre with treadmills, elipticals, and bikes, and before you know it 2 hours have passed and you have burned like four thousand calories!!!
Since I work downtown, the Fig location is perfect for now though, cuz it forces me to go straight from work, and by the time I am outta there, traffic is gone. It's perfecto! The only crappy thing right now is the parking there...something collapsed a while back on the first floor entrance, so you have to go up and over to go down tothe gym. Eh, well, I guess that could be considered you warmup ;-)
I decided to join Golds back in September because it is walking distance from my office and I got a great deal by signing up with a couple of co-workers.
It's pretty clean for a gym. I like that there are paper towels and spray bottles with cleaning solutions located around all the cardio equipment so you can wipe the cardio machines down before (and after) using them. Free towel service and the women's locker room is pretty well-kept. I don't really use the free weights but they have a large selection of those as well as cardio equipment. I've never really had to wait for a machine.
I mostly go in the evenings for the group exercises classes which are pretty good although they have been getting more crowded since I first joined. I guess that's what you get when you go at the peak after work/after USC classes get out times. Minus one star for being crowded and because I think that the whole gym could use just a little bit more ventilation.
I'm not a huge gym person but really like this golds! There's towel service, clean locker rooms, it's not sceney, not terribly crowded, and they have all the machines/weights you need. There's also a steam room and sauna in the bathrooms which may sound totally normal but I have been to some gyms where they're co-ed and that just won't work.
I haven't taken any classes so can't vouch for that. I've gone to the spa they have next door and that was a crazy experience and probably best left for a separate posting
If you have the money then sign up right away to this gym.
Excellent staff(ask for Terrick and tell him that I sent ya..most likely he will not charge you the fee that most gyms charge you when u first sign up).
Its around 60 dollars a month.
Super clean. Equipment does not smell. Plenty of treadmills and ecliptical running machines.
Variety of classes that you sign up for.
You dont even have to bring a towel. They provide them for you.
I hate working out...alas, thanks to the newly completed renovations here I am running out of excuses not to go. After what seems like an eternity, they finally re-opened the walkway from the bottom floor parking direct to the gym. Thank goodness, because that walk thru the mall to get to the gym was often an excuse to preoccupy myself with shopping rather than working out. Also, they have just finished installing the new equipment with the personal TVs. That means I can watch my shows while working out which is a good distraction from the fact that I'm struggling to catch my breath while on the treadmill. So thanks for making my gym going experience a little easier to swallow.
Golds in DTLA is for those on their lunch break, so you're in and out. Only for those who are serious about being hit on or trying to find their next soul mate, this is not the place. I know there are alot of places known for that, this locations is not. The monthly gym membership I got was ok. I wouldn't refer anyone to sign up there. The saleperson who helped me was too pushy. However the gym is nice. Good luck with your results.
I used to work downtown and would sometimes hit this gym. in the morning---yeah , right I tried that once or twice--I was like a zombie...even after 2 red bulls...(sorry im not really a morning person) after communting here from marina del rey (where I used to live--dont ask )I was not really in the mood to work..so, since that did not work I tried working out here at lunch --but by the time i got here and was changed I had to jet back to work... the only time I tried working out here at lkucn my boss gave me adirty look when I got back to work...ny tie was crooked and my hair was still wet....welll I guess I was now left with trying after work. so this review is based on that proimarly (the post work scene at dwontown's best (and only ) Gold's gym... if you are looking at gogin to a 'signature' gold's gym with high ceilings, an industrail feel to it and plenty of extra space...this might not really cut it..but, Generally I as happy with it...(although working out in what is essentially a basement with zreo windows, can somtimes sap your good mood and energy..). once I forgot my lock and so, like many of my fellow bretheren sometimes do (I cannot spewak for the ladies since i have never been in a girls ym locker room...okay fine... I have never been in a girls locker room after my high school days...anyway, i put my clotehs in the locker and my clothes were stolen out of my (obviously unlocked) locker. but that was my fault, I guess. I must havfe not been a good boy that week adn the universe conspired against me.... however this has never happend to me at other more suburban gyms..this is downtown LA, it is URBAN...you shoudl ALWAYS LOCK your crap at this type of gym...so I learned.. The gym has everything I needed as far as equipment. The crowd is a diverse downtown crowd and it changes depending on the time of day. USC students, office workers, hipsters etc.. the main gripe I had and why I could only give it 3 stars is unless you live near it and/or arrive by foot, bike, bus or subway... the parking is kind of...scratch that...IS a total nightmare. I'm refering to the elapsed time it takes from when you are on the street chillin in your car before turing into this garage (listening to markey) ito when you (finally) get inside the gym. its ridiculous. if you are an EXTREMELY laid back person, then this might work fro you...if you grew up in NJ, Ny, long island or philly...this long ass parking nightmare WILL probably NOT please you... When I went, it was pretty clean and did not have that meat market vibe (most of the time) that some other gyms have. another cool thing is that since it is downtown it is diviverse (if you are not into diversity then this will not be the gym for you, you might prefer a gym in santa clarita) what is COOL about it is if you get here and you are so NOT into working out..(why are you looking at me--I totally came here to work out..) you can leave your car there and venture out into the mall and find stuff to eat ..(or drink) i think there is even a CPK. and if you are really adventureous you can watk south on figuaroa and check out Riordan's bar , the original pantry (breakfast food) next door, the figaroa hotel bar (make sure you go in the back on the patio) and then down to LA LIVE where they have an espn zone, conga room, club nokia, and tons of restaurts and music venues and staples center next door etc. if you want to look for the hot USC coed thatg you met while on the stairmaster and go stalk them (uh , I mean try to run into them) then you can jet down there as well, you could even take in a BB game at the Galen Center or a FB game at the Coliseum...BUT I woudl recomend not walking that stretch (its a lil long) and at night a lil...uh I mean, HELLA sketchy (especially for a female) i think there is a DASH bus as well??? oh eyah this is supposed to be a gym review right...yeah they do have a ..pool it is nice but unfortunaely it is indoors (in a basement with no windows). all in all an okay gym but one that I dont particurlay miss..
