Very, very good gym - especially as it's still new. If you aren't looking to do a lot of heavy…read morelifting and don't need a lot of interaction with employees or trainers, this place can be a good place to sign up. It's close to the mall and Hy-Vee too (easily walkable), so it makes it easy to bundle all of your errands at once if you're in a time crunch. This gym definitely seems focused on the "fit as much equipment and availability into this space as possible".
PROS:
-This is a brand new location, so EVERYTHING is so shiny and nice. The machines are new, the floor shows no wear and tear, everything works perfectly, etc. I have no idea if they'll keep up this level of quality, but it's a new gym, and it definitely shows.
-I've never had any problem with any of the machines. Everything, including cardio machines, has worked perfectly.
-Neat mixture of patrons. They do have some bro-lifting types around, but I've never been bothered or annoyed when I'm lifting. They also have lots of younger people who seem like they're here to do their regular gym routine, and there's even older adults as well. It's a very nice mixture of different types of people there for different goals of fitness.
-Signing up is definitely a breeze. You'll be right into your workout within 5 minutes of getting into the gym doors.
-Lots of machine-clean stations hanging around. You never really have to walk more than 10 feet to find multiple rolls of paper towels and cleanser sitting around for you to clean the machine you just used. Like most gyms, some people seem to do it religiously after they're done while others seem to take a more lenient approach.
-AMAZING amount of cardio machines. If you just like to use a treadmill or stair climber and find your usually haunt has them full, you won't be worried here. Probably over 50 cardio machines here. An insane amount of treadmills, 4 stair climbers, some reclining bikes, and some ellipticals. Rows upon rows of TVs playing various shows/news in front of the cardio equipment too.
-Good amount of weight training equipment too. They're designed for beginners, so each one has diagrams and information about how to use it. Some of the more-popular items have two copies of the machine, but most of the machines only have a single machine here. Great way to get into strength training if you're new. They also offer guided programs if you want help getting started.
-Planet Fitness uses two separate, optional programs. They have a 360 fitness program and a 30-minute express program. The 360 is 360 seconds of hardcore, intense exercise and weight training. The 30-minute express alternates between steady-state cardio and weight training. Both don't require an instructor, so you can just do them when you come at your own pace. Be aware that lots of people seem to use the 30-minute interval section for non-30-minute programs, but it's because the gym seems to use some unique, not-found-elsewhere machines in there. Everybody is usually respectful of others who are using things, though.
-If you have their Black Card upgraded membership, they have massage chairs and tanning beds for unlimited use. I could seriously go for a massage right now.
CONS:
-They use paper towels at the fitness cleaning stations. There are a plentiful amount of cleaning stations around (you rarely have to walk more than 10 feet), but all of the stations use paper towels. That's a TON of garbage at the end of every day. I'd really prefer to see them using reusable rags; when I bring my own rag, I can use the same rag the entire day, rewetting on occasion, with no problem. It would cut down on a lot of waste.
-No Olympian bar. They have quite a few machines, free weights, and a Smith press, but they don't have a lot of the free weights that people who get into heavier lifts tend to prefer.
-Location isn't open 24/7. It's open 24/5, though, which should be enough for most people in the area.
-Cardio machines are tight together. You might feel a bit close to your cardio-machine neighbor, but as I've never come during peak times, I usually have the option to choose a machine further away. While the weight machines have a decent amount of room around them, the cardio machines are close enough that you could easily touch your neighbor. The machines at the Cedar Falls Rec Center provide much, much more space around them.
