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.

The facilities at this location are great, especially the locker room…read more Pros: The showers are the best I've seen at any PF so far. The stalls are spacious and deep, so there's a changing area inside which stays dry with plenty of room to put your stuff. The shower heads are the luxurious rainfall type, plus there are secondary shower heads in the walls. No soap dispenser though, so be sure to bring your own. In addition to the showers there are two change rooms and tons of locker space. They have full size and half size lockers. You can bring your own lock or buy one at the front desk. There's plenty of workout equipment and space, so even though I went at a busy time I didn't have to wait for any machines. The Black Card Spa is nice and private, and has all the typical amenities. Con: I really, really wanted to give a 5 star review because I like this location a lot, but I had to take away 1 star for the cleanliness. The workout floor was fine, but the ladies locker room was crying for help. There were used facial tissues on the floor (both in the locker area and the shower area), TP on the floor of the stalls and the hand washing sinks were in need of cleaning. Granted, I was there at a very busy time, but I've been to many PFs where they have staff cleaning ALL of the time and they keep things tip top always. The locker room wasn't gross or unusable by any means, it just didn't meet the high standard that I've come to expect at a PF. Overall though, it was a good experience. I'll come back here again in a heartbeat if I'm in the area.

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.

I like the area of this place, next to the Peoria River and near a trail outside to enjoy the view…read more A playground right outside for the kids to play in with mini rock climbing and an obstacle course. The only downside is that the parking is a tad difficult with a majority of its spots being reserved. So you have to park at the far end of the lots. Charging stations are available, and clean locker rooms. Different types of pools are available. One with lanes, a free swim pool, another that is heated with rails installed, a jacuzzi, and a steam room. Also one with wavy lanes at the pool playground. There is a rock climbing wall but it's always covered up. I wish they had a sign saying when it'll be open or how to use 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.

Loooove Peoria Gold's! The instructors are the best around if you're into group fitness and if…read moreyou're not, try it out since it comes free with the membership anyway. The only class that doesn't come with the membership is Grit. It's a thirty minute HIT class similar to Insanity and it's amazing. I used to take it a couple times a week for a month and it does wonders. You'll see changes in your endurance and stamina. My running improved immensely after taking the classes and Nate, Kim, Taylor, and Holly are awesome, motivational instructors. It's $20 per class but you can get a month unlimited for $100 or buy a punch card. The gym itself gets a bit crowded around 4-6, so try to come before or after if you don't like working out around a bunch of people. No, membership isn't $10 a month, but you get what you pay for. Top of the line equipment, very spacious, and group fitness. They offer a free week pass to non-members looking to join so take advantage of that!

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!

I currently have two gym memberships, and I have had several gym memberships in my life time and…read moreTitan is one of the friendliest and most welcoming gyms I've even had the pleasure of encountering. The staff always greats everyone who walks through the door, and I've been to many gym's where it is not a very clean environment. However that is not the case with Titan Fitness. My experience here has been amazing and I appreciate the atmosphere and comroderie.

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.

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.

This gym is great. Very clean, great equipment and a fun environment to work out in. The staff and…read moretrainers are courteous, fun, helpful and encouraging. Great group of people. Love the gym. Keep up the great work guys!!!!!

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.