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'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.

If you want to smell like weed after your workouts then come here. Nothing more refreshing while…read moregetting cardio in than breathing in waves of burnt cannabis.

No hot water since Wednesday. Nothing like going to the gym for a work out and then you have to…read moretake an ice cold shower. My bad I thought I was paying for the ability to shower after my work out also. not the first time I've experienced this at this location.

My first impression here was pretty sour due to racism. A staff member showed me around and when I…read morewas in the weight room, some gym members started making random Asian noises and laughing with each other. The guy showing me around didn't say anything. Made me hesitant to go back until a month later since it's near where I live. Reception here is very weak, most of the time I do not have a signal. There is a trail nearby which is nice. Also an outdoor basketball court and bar gym. The equipment is in good shape. The bathrooms are clean. Front desk employees always greet me with a smile. But that one experience with racists is something I just can't brush off. I wish the staff member would have addressed it.

I am at a conference for work. I wanted to be able to continue my workout routine while I was on…read morethe road. I emailed the YMCA about requirements to bounce from one YMCA to another. The lady at the registration desk was so friendly and helpful. She completed my paperwork in a timely fashion so I could get to the workout class on time. I was immediately greeted by the instructors. I went to two classes and I was greeted the same way in both classes. My fellow work out partners were friendly and helpful as well. I stopped at the desk to ask about lap swimming and classes for the following two day. This attendant highlighted classes that she thought I might be interested in attending.

Great place! I took Muay Thai there years ago. Couple years afterwards I was going to start taking…read moreBJJ but unfortunately my schedule changed then job changed making it impossible to. One day I'll go back and take BJJ. Brad is a great owner and just a genuine good guy...someone who keeps his price low because he cares about the martial arts itself instead of just taking peoples money like most martial arts places do. Give PAC a try!

This place is top notch with REAL black belts. Don't be fooled by other local places claiming the…read moresame. You will EARN your ranks here by showing up and working hard! A+ all the way. The folks in the school are good people too. Give it a shot, what do you have to lose? And remember REAL black belts and world champions.

I've been going to Eastside center since it first opened when I was a child. I worked in the…read morebabysitting room in high school. Now, as an adult, I occassionally go when I happen to be visiting town. The staff are caring and truly great people. The teachers are full of energy and positive. Pricing, according to the website, appears to be very, very reasonable for a gym, but they don't have 'perks' that I've come to find 'normal' for most gyms -- such as towel service. The infrastructure hasn't really been updated since I was in grade school, so while clean, its showing its age. The equipment is also showing its age a bit/there is sometime not enough equipment for large classes (only 14 spin bikes for example). Overall, this is a fine gym. I'd recommend a re-visit of the class schedule as the class times overlap if you want to go from one to the next, you have to leave the first early.

This is quite possibly the worst gym I have ever had the displeasure of being a customer for. Try…read moreand end your membership and they will give you run around and find all sorts of charges to try and tack on. Second rate - at best - equipment. Poor attitudes and customer from the manager/owner. TYou have so many better choices for gyms in this area. Do yourself a favor and do not use Golds Gym in Morton.

Pros: -Very friendly front desk staff…read more -Wide variety of machines. Help hit a wide variety of muscles. -Classes, juice bar, and WiFi -Very clean inside. Employees are constantly mopping or cleaning the gym. Bathrooms, equipment cleaners, are always stocked. Cons: -Some trainers stand around and talk to clients on machines for long periods of time. Not just explaining lifts, but random conversations that could be had while moving the equipment or while not taking up a machine. And use multiple machines at once. Taking up a bench, cable station, and dumbbells, all at once with one client. -Some trainers rarely disinfect machines after use. Either personal use or with a client. -Might sound small but there's a decent amount of people that wear jeans in there. Just makes the gym feel cleaner when people are not wearing their street clothes around the gym. -if you don't use/don't have a need for all the services, like the childcare or classes, the membership is pretty pricey. Overall I like the gym, with the Golds name on the building it was the first gym I looked at when I moved to the area. Really enjoyed the Golds at college, even though this is run privately. All gyms have their issues, from people standing around, not re-racking weights, and using multiple machines at once. Can't fix the people but maybe more signs could remind people of the basics.