Just moved to the area and was recommended this Old School gym to try out. I went to do the free week trial pass and it was easy and simple process. The weights on the bottom near the boxing ring are mainly free weights,pulley systems, and some machines. All the equipment are pretty close to each other but I didn't mind it. When you first walk-in there are more open racks and a small field to do tire flips or walking lunges etc. the top half is mainly machines and cardio equipment. I was able to use the treadmill and watch some boxing matches which was pretty cool! The men's bathroom/locker room was pretty standard and clean. I went on a Wednesday evening and it wasn't too crowded. I was able to use any machine that I wanted to without waiting. Overall a really cool experience and well taken care of gym. read more

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I love Ford's! Everytime I am in Madison I make a point to visit. Such an amazing vibe. Ford's is what a gym should be. Great people, high energy, and place to work hard. Absolutely love it! read more

Best gym in town, best gym around. Friendly staff Quality equipment (3 squat racks, 3 power racks, 5 deadlift platforms, heavy dumbbells) Low price read more

The first thing I want to say is the people who work here are the nicest. David helped me set up my free week and answered all my questions, Sam chatted me up my second day coming in, and Ford helped me set up my membership. I'm typically pretty shy but they helped me feel at home. Covid measures here are taken seriously; people wear their masks, signs are posted for social distancing and hand washing, and everyone gets their own bottle of cleaning spray and a fresh towel to carry around and clean after yourself. No paper towel machine for everyone to gather around with one or two bottles of cleaning spray scattered to share. The upstairs has all the cardio equipment you could need with weight machines for every muscle group. I appreciate this as I work through some injuries to be up and away from the powerlifters/body builders until I'm stronger and more confident and can join in again. Also, the membership rate is affordable and while they aren't 24 hours, they have a wide window of time they are open and staffed. Definitely fits my odd time frames for wanting to workout. read more

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Sam Masino is easily one of the best fitness professionals I've met. He is a phenomenal trainer and will get you in amazing shape. Overall Ford's Gym has a great atmosphere and great people. I moved away from Madison but recommend Ford's whenever I can. It is also a very affordable. read more

Madison's Hardest Working Gym. With the closing of the Cemetery circa 1992, Ford's - formally Muscles & Fitness remains Madison's only real gym. It's where you go to get in shape when the mega clubs have failed you. It's where you go to get strong, to be strong. It also has arguably one of the countries best Boxing programs, which has been nurtured by the legendary Bob Lynch. If you don't know who Bob Lynch is, look it up. Ford's has something for everyone - Strong Man equipment, Olympic gear, classic Powerlifing equipment and more. The place is always a bit dusty and musty... Why... Because it's a Freaking Gym, not a club or a spa. This is a place where legends train and are made. read more

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Best gym I ever worked out in. Period. I would've renewed my membership in a heartbeat had I not moved out of state this past Summer. The best part about the place is the atmosphere. No TVs, no frills, brick walls. People are there to improve their bodies and health and most are serious and focused, but the people I've interacted with have been real down-to-earth and friendly. And it's not just for powerlifters and bodybuilders. I've seen all types (genders, ages, body types, fitness levels), there. However, I have to say that seeing a guy bench 500 or deadlift 14 plates definitely makes you want to put 100% into your own workouts. read more

Visiting Madison for the CrossFit games and needed a nice place to workout. Right away I was blown away by the hospitality of this place. It has an old school powerlifting look with a nice charm for an atmosphere. I recommend this place to anyone. They literally gave me the key to the outside area and gave me free reign over it! You can't find that kind of hospitality anywhere anymore. Owning my own crossfit gym and visiting only other crossfit facilities this was a nice change of pace to workout at. read more

Best Gym In Town. Joined up right after my Allthetime Fatness membership expired, and I've never looked back. Membership is simple straightforward, and affordable. Nobody hassling you about 'locking in your rate for the next two years', or trying to sell you extras - yet the staff are friendly, helpful, efficient, and knowledgeable. Caveat: this is a real gym. There is chalk in use. There is dust in the corners. Guys and Girls will lift heavy things and put them back down. There will be plates clanking, and those Guys and Girls will be sweating and grunting. There are no distractions (TV, pizza, etc.), except the ones you make for yourself (although they do have a couple chairs near the front desk with the day's paper). They have all the equipment you will ever need, from treadmills & ellipticals to tractor tires & giant dumbbells (no, really: GIANT dumbbells). You can squat & leave, or you can put yourself through hours of bodybuilding. You can train for strongman competitions, or you can sign up for boxing classes. You can just sit and watch the boxing classes (though you might get heckled for that). It's perfect for self-motivated people who handle their own programming, but the coaching there is also excellent. You can get valuable one-on-one time with highly experienced trainers, or you can bring friends & set up a workout group. The members are nice people, too. Many of them have been clients for years, and my interactions with them have been icing on the cake. I'm going to be a member of this gym for many years, and it's not because they made me sign a long-term contract (they didn't); it's because this is a great gym. read more

I walked by this gym many times thinking it was mostly a boxing place because that's what you see from the street but in the back of the boxing rings is where all the cardio and weight machines are. This is a super cool, friendly, neighborhood gym. No frills but everything you need is there. Staff is super helpful and easily approachable, always goes out of their way to make you comfortable and at ease. They have the typical cardio stuff and tons of weight stuff, also a tanning bed and tanning sessions are priced right. No signup, enrollment or membership fees, and no contracts ! I also appreciated the lack of sales pitch, no hard sell here ! As a female member I feel totally safe in there, the East Side location and parking are convenient, and the neighborhood is very cool. read more

I have been a member of this gym on and off for the last several years. My only complaint is that they only have one location. No frills, no 'health club' feel and nobody bothering you about anything. There is more than enough machines, racks, etc to be able to get a great workout in. Waiting for equipment is rare. Show up, get strong, leave, repeat. read more

Yes this place really as great as the reviews make you believe. Although this is a smaller gym and probably not for everyone (eg no pool, no track, no racquetball court, no sauna, no steam room, no TVs) BUT it is a super awesome gym culture where all fitness levels have a home. This is primarily a lifting and conditioning gym but located within the gym is Twisted Fitness which has a nice mix of classes. The personal training at this gym is fantastic and the primary reason I've been a member for 2.5 years. read more

I have been going to Ford's Gym for over a decade now. I started going when it was Muscles and Fitness right off of East Washington. This is pretty much my favorite gym that I have ever been to. Best atmosphere in Madison, or really any gym that I have been to for that matter. Everything that you need, and nothing you don't. Extremely helpful staff, and Ford is a great guy. Whether you are into powerlifting, bodybuilding, boxing, rehabbing an injury (me currently), or just want a good workout, this is the best place to do it. As others mentioned, no TV's, which I think is great, better to stay focussed. Quit throwing your money away at the big box places, and support the best local gym in Madison. I made the mistake of joining an Anytime Fitness a few years ago when they were running a special - don't do it. I couldn't wait until my contract was up, and towards the end, I ended up just going to Ford's anyway. read more

One of my favorite gyms I've ever been a member of. The owner was an ex bodybuilder, so there is a background here. This isn't some planet fitness type setup. They have platforms for power lifting, and powerlifting based equipment as well. Terrific old school field to the place, and you see a higher than average number of competitive powerlifters/bodybuilders walking through the place. Truly a hidden gem for serious lifters. read more

I love this friendly, neighborhood gym. It has everything you could want - cardio, weights, machines, trainers, power-lifting/strong man equipment, boxing, plus yoga and martial arts classes upstairs. This old-school gym is all about working out! :-) read more

I couldn't believe my luck when I googled gyms near my friend's house (where I'd be spending a long weekend) and found she lived two blocks from this treasure. I was able to stroll over three times during my brief stay and drop in for $7. This meager sum granted me access to a warehouse filled with fitness equipment of all kinds. Judging by its website, Ford's caters to powerlifters and bodybuilders. One of the latter set, I was thrilled with the sheer number of squat racks and free weights. And eager to try some of the rough-and-tumble tools I haven't had access to at home. Much of the equipment is well-worn (but still perfectly usable); plus, coupled with exposed brick and Arnold posters, pretty much guaranteed to make you feel more badass. The gym is divided into four "sections." The main building has an old-school side outfitted with barbells, dumbbells, older cables, a boxing ring, a few heavy bags, even some giant concrete balls; a new-school side contains newer cable machines, rubber-covered free weights, and cardio machines. Upstairs they host Twisted Fitness (various classes). And in separate building, which I didn't check out, they've got heavy tires, ropes, sleds, and other Cross Fit-sounding stuff. In other words: Any individual at any fitness level can fit in at Ford's. But it wasn't just the equipment that made me feel comfortable... the people made us feel welcome. I couldn't believe how often I seemed to have the place to myself (compared to the big box gym I work out in at home, which is always crowded and requires jostling for equipment). There were only a few other people working out each day. A couple of folks introduced themselves, asked if we were new. Others helpfully pointed out barbell pads when they saw me struggling through some hip thrusts. I felt totally 'at home'. But after the weekend in Madison ended, sadly it was truly time to head home. The set up and culture at Ford's are first-class; I'll miss it, and remain bummed that there's no equivalent where I live! read more

I love this place. I'm a competitive powerlifter, so when I'm looking for a gym while traveling I am very focused on the strength training equipment. While Ford's equipment is largely dated, it is functional and there are many options for free weight and machine work (if machine work is your bag). Squat racks are lovely, benches are adequate if a little worn, and there's generally enough room to get your work done. Everyone I ran across in my four or five days of lifting there while in town was absolutely friendly. I normally lift in a large, impersonal university gym in which everyone does his or her best to ignore one another, so I actually found this kind of surprising (and nice). $7/day is a very reasonable rate for daily visits and they have a 15-visit punch card for $90--again, reasonable if you're looking for a travel situation with a good gym. Hours are generally pretty solid throughout the week. Looking forward to lifting there again in a few weeks. read more

I love this place -- great barbell equipment of all types, a great atmosphere, and a low drop-in fee. I'll be back!

Lots of equipment, friendly staff, and a martial arts studio (twisted fitness) with various options to choose from just above. It's a great place to workout! read more