This gym is a lot smaller than its local affiliates (Poughkeepsie sister has a soccer field and 2 restaurants inside it; Newburgh sister has a pool inside of it), but it is far from cramped. When you check in, the front desk clerks are almost always friendly and helpful. Great tip - you can get a bottle of water for $1 if you forget yours which is close to the tanning salons (and the orange tanning salon clerks have never been helpful or seem like they have a clue), but regardless, ignore them and go to the helpful gym desk clerks. In regards to the people who sign you up for a membership, I kinda feel that they're not always completely honest with membership terms and what the scoop is, but I will say that this gym has a LOT less fine print and red tape than Planet Fitness (comparing that gym to this gym is night and day, and you're about to see why).
A previous user had mentioned to avoid looking at the mirrors when you're walking in but honestly, Contrary to what the previous poster said, the gym is very segmented and spacious so no one notices you when you walk in - which is the opposite of how I used to feel at other cramped, local gyms.
Also contrary to the previous poster, the main floor is NOT all weight lifting. If you go all the way to your left, this is what they call "classic gold's", you will see a lot of buff guys there and a lot of 'diesel girls' there (I often like to peek over there because what those girls can do makes me realize that I have a long way to go! I can't even do ONE pull up!) There's an empty floor section by the Classic Gold section that has a bunch of Kettlebells, bosu (sp?) balls, resistance bands and a lot of other cool stuff for core workouts. In case you like working out with kettlebells, make a note of this b/c this is the only place where they are.
Next to Classic Golds are about 10 cardio machines, all of them with televisions on them (about 6 treadmills, 2 ellipticals and 2 of those 360 gliders). There's also a couple of PT bikes near by too. Towards the right, the room is split - on your right, there are your typical nautilis, circuit machines, which can be good but I prefer what's on the left, the cable balanced weight lift machines (that puts separate but equal pressure on each of your limbs instead of using one solid piece of metal to distribute the weight). Haven't seen any other gym in the area that uses it and I think it's great. Behind this area is the GGX class room - which offers everything you can imagine from strength training classes, dance classes, zumba, kick boxing...all for free! You have to pay extra for Yoga but at $4 a class, it's much cheaper than the per class cost at local Yoga studios.
Upstairs is the RPM room (spinning class). You always have to sign up in advance and it's intense but everyone I know who takes it loves it! Walk past this room and you'll see a wide array of cardio equipment, new and old. You have a wide variety of stuff to choose from, and even though the machines are close together, you never feel 'up in somebody's biz'. There's a bunch of tvs and great music stations and Gold Gym itself offers a great motivational music channel.
The cardio cinema room is my favorite! Did you know that if no one else is in the room, you can request them to restart the movie from the beginning? It's so great in there, and just a tip, if the movie is a little too slow to work out hard to, pop your ipod in for some motivational music!
When you go downstairs next to the Cardio Cinema room, you'll see the boxing room (which they offer regularly and is a very great price for what you get!!) and then there is the Ladies Gold room. It's a great place to work out free weights or have a bunch of equipment close by at your disposal but a word of advice, 1.) it can get unbearable when it gets crowded in there, especially if you're in the zone and 2.) the A/C seems to be off in there 50% of the time.
From the Ladies Gold room, you can walk into the locker room. A very great, always clean locker room that I only have one complaint about - it's not really segmented enough to allow for you to have some privacy getting dressed/undressed away from other people.
I don't participate in the paid, small group training or personal training packages but I have done demo classes and the instructors are always great and energetic. They have a great deal going on now that makes their small group training classes very affordable. Also, for $52/month, you can get membership to all 3 of the local Golds in the area-including the one I mentioned earlier with the pool and the soccer field. :) Lastly, never be afraid to ask for help. Contrary AGAIN to what the previous poster said, everyone at Gold's has always been amazingly helpful which is why I've been a member there for 3 solid years. Gold's is a warm place that offers a lot of different options to stay in shape, either by yourself or with a group. Definitely give Gold's a chance - you won't be sorry!!! read more