I've been going to Farrell's since October 2011 and have been holding off on reviewing it till I…read morewas sure about what I wanted to write, but I think I'll finally give it a shot. I'm going to tell you what it is, and then why I like it. What is it?: Farrell's isn't your standard gym, and it isn't your standard approach to a fitness plan. The program is a mixture of kickboxing and resistance training. Monday-Wednesday-Friday is kickboxing, and Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday alternates between Upper and Lower body band resistance training. The classes are 45 minutes, and you pick a time to show up 6 days a week. I chose the 5am class, but there are many options. When you first join Farrell's you are enrolling in the 10 week transformation program. Everyone that you see in Farrell's has gone through the 10 week program. This includes the people working behind the counter and all of the instructors. The instructors aren't personal trainers, they are just normal people that have gone through the program. When they aren't instructing, they're working out right next to you. You get a coach that's in your class for the whole 10 weeks to help you stay motivated and answer any questions you may have. There are 3 fitness tests during those 10 weeks. At the end of the 10 weeks the most improved male and female of each 10 week program wins $1,000. Seriously. With your enrollment you get a nutrition/workout manual, boxing gloves, and hand wraps. When I signed up it was about $360 for the 10 week session. What to expect: The first Saturday you will go to Farrell's for orientation. Your body will be measured. This includes body weight, BMI, and dimensions. They will take a before picture (Guys in shorts, ladies in shorts and tank/bikini). You will also do a step test to get your heart rates, and a reach test to check your flexibility. You will see how many situps and pushups you can do in a minute. Finally, you will run 1 mile outside. All new members do this. You will meet your coach and all of the new 10 weekers that will be in your class and going through the program with you. The nutrition program is explained to you, as well as how to put on your wraps and what to expect when you start the workouts. The first couple of weeks of workouts are focused on teaching the new 10 weekers the form and techniques of kickboxing and resistance training. The expectation is that you don't know anything about kickboxing or bands. The pace is slow and there are plenty of FIT members (graduates of the 10 week class that continue the program) that will help you and answer questions. You will be sore, and you will be tired, but everyone picks it up fairly quickly. As the 10 week program progresses, the workouts get more involved. With kickboxing you add in combinations of kicking and punching, aerobic sets in between combos, and 'fun fridays' that really push you. For resistance training you add circuits, drop sets, and super sets. At 5 weeks you take another fitness test to check your progress. The final test is at 10 weeks. There is a completion celebration that weekend when the winners are announced and everyone can appreciate their results. Why I like it: So if you've made it this far, the question is probably "So is this worth my time and money? Does it work?". My answer is unequivocally yes. During my 10 week session, I lost 20.5lbs. I'm much stronger. I shaved 1:30 off my mile time. I got great results, and so did most of the others in my session. I've tried some things in the past, but there are some reasons why I think this worked for me. First, staying motivated while working out is hard for me. This program kept the workouts interesting, and you had a support structure built in to get you to come to class. Everyone there is normal, and you don't have any of the gym rats or super buff people that often intimidate others. The $1,000 prize also provided motivation. I did not win the prize, but I felt that I could, and many others were in the same place. Like I said, everyone had great results. Second, the nutrition program wasn't a 'diet'. The program allowed you to still eat things you liked, but got you thinking about eating smarter. This is honestly where most of my weight loss probably came from. The meal plans and recipes made it easy to do, and even if you don't stick to it 100%, you'll still see some results. Finally, this program is fun. Kickboxing feels great, and the program makes it enjoyable (yes, enjoyable) to wake up at 5am. The way the program is set up you get to know and like the people you work out with. When you miss a day, people comment that they missed you at class. They motivate you to push harder and keep it fun. Farrell's worked great for me, and I've recommended it to everyone I know. If you're looking for something different from the normal gym, try this. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I cancelled my membership today due to an extremely unprofessional interaction with a staff member…read morenamed Aliz. She approached me mid-workout, loudly and rudely, and told me to put a shirt on over my sports bra due to "company policy." I've been a regular at this location for 4 months, come almost daily, and have worn this exact sports bra (and others) many times without issue. If this was truly a policy concern, it should have been handled privately and respectfully, not announced loudly in front of other members. What made this even more frustrating was the clear inconsistency in enforcement. Male members regularly work out in cut-off tanks with their chests and nipples fully visible without being addressed. Singling me out for a sports bra while allowing that creates an obvious double standard. The way this was handled felt targeted and humiliating. Planet Fitness advertises itself as a "judgment free zone," yet this experience was the opposite. Very disappointing.

The kindest employees work there and the place is SO clean! I always see the workers tidying up…read more Not to mention this location has so many smith machines and so so many lifting options. love it!!!

I used to belong here. I joined because the location included a pool and a large hot tub…read moreoverlooking the Illinois River. While soaking in front of a huge glass window in the hot tub, you can actually see the bald eagles nesting in the trees on the other side of the Illinois River! But that's about it. The place is being run by idiots, all on the city payroll -- usually guys wearing tight body shirts who spend most of their time working out on the machines while giving scant attention to the "problems" all around them. The workout machine area overlooking all of this is virtually deserted with no supervision and no customers, particularly in the evening hours after work (one has to wonder why?). This encourages pilfering and chronic theft in the locker areas, among other things. Then a white school bus arrives and unloads various people on a hot summer day, who stand around talking to each other in the Olympic-size pool, thus preventing anyone from swimming laps until after they and their white bus leave two hours later. If one tries to complain, a guy in a tight body shirt comes over to tell you your behavior is not acceptable. Meanwhile, the people off the bus could be drowning from no supervision for all he knows because, up to then, he and his "crew" are busy talking to various types about tomorrow's big game at the events center! It is a big political operation to keep everyone happy during the summer heat and the drop-dead months of cold winter, so they will not throw rocks or steal hubcaps (as well as cars parked nearby) due to the lack of personal safety on the streets around the place --which has been funded by tax monies -- that is from those who pay taxes. Somebody made a lot of money building this place. Then they use it to stick it to the taxpaying citizens to keep some people "happy" who are "needy" and unhappy for whatever reasons. But watch for Mr. Body T. Shirt to run for mayor next time around, since he knows how to make the big shots with the real money happy.

Incredibly unsafe environment. After several months of harassment by another member, we escalated…read morethe case to the building level management who informed us they had no instrument at their disposal to enforce the code of conduct they expect of their members, and that we should just ignore the intimidation of the other member. We hate to leave this place, particularly because of the relationships that we have formed with so many good people here, but the dereliction of the duty of care by management is just unacceptable and morally questionable. I hate to say it, but you'd be safer going somewhere that values member safety over money.

I have worked out in hundreds of different gyms due to travel and the fact I am old, and this is in…read morethe top 5 I have ever been to! The staff is so nice, it is always clean, most members clean after themselves and out the weights back, and you can leave your keys and bag out while your working out. They equipment is maintained, they have great variety and the recent renovation made it even better! I look forward to coming back to Peoria just because of Gold's!

Great gym with great people working there. Highly recommend this staff and the equipment and…read moreclasses they offer

I have never in my life experienced customer service like this -- and I don't mean that as a…read morecompliment. Walked in ready to sign up, walked out ready to write this. Basil, the guy at the front desk, greeted me with the enthusiasm of a DMV clerk on a Monday morning. I asked about membership options, and instead of answering, he just pointed vaguely at a wall... that had nothing on it. When I asked a follow-up, he sighed like I had just asked him to run a marathon in flip-flops. At one point, mid-conversation, he started scrolling on his phone and chuckled at a meme while I stood there waiting. I left feeling less like a potential customer and more like an inconvenience to his day. If you're looking for a warm, welcoming, and helpful staff... keep looking. Long story short work on your costumer service.

Best gym!! Great facility and employees! 24/7 access is convenient and so is the smoothie bar!read more

I joined not really knowing what to expect, but this gym made it easy to build consistency. The…read moreenvironment is supportive without being pushy, and I've actually started enjoying working out again. That alone makes it worth it.

If you're looking for a trainer, I highly recommend Patrick Thompson. I've been going to the gym…read moreand lifting weights for fifteen years, so I wasn't sure what I would get out of having a trainer. I could not have been more wrong. Pat always designs great workouts that test my stamina, strength, and mental fitness. It's nice to be able to workout and not have to worry about anything except showing up and giving your best. I've seen definite results in my overall fitness and increased muscle mass. I know Pat works with a variety of clients, so to anyone that's ever wondered if a personal trainer can help them reach their fitness goals, the answer is yes, and Pat is the one to work with.

I love Crossfit 309. I would recommend anyone of any age to join them. The community in this gym is…read morefriendly and always willing to help each other. I love the coaches, the people and the workouts.

Amazing instructors with great instruction. I've learned a lot and feel comfortable working out…read morehere.

Very clean, amazing staff. Staff is knowledgeable and always willing to help give advice in…read morebettering your fitness. Overall highly recommended gym to join

From the owner: Welcome to your friendly neighborhood gym in Germantown Hills! Whether you're a beginner or a…read morefitness fanatic, Anytime Fitness will help you get to a healthier place.