I should state that this is only the 3rd gym that I have been a member of, and the first privately…read moreowned one (one was a YMCA and the other was a gym at my university), so I don't have a lot to compare with, but I love this gym!
Price: 5 stars
The memberships are higher compared to other gyms I was a member of before, but there is no contract to sign. The higher price is totally worth it in my opinion. I don't know how they compare to other privately owned gyms in the area. I'm more than willing to pay the higher price because it's clean and I feel safe.
Cleanliness: 5 stars
I've never been to a gym this clean before! My husband went around Norman trying to find a new gym about 4 years ago, and said this one was by far the cleanest of all the ones he saw. They have a policy that you have to wipe down machines after each use with a cleaning wipe from buckets that are scattered around the gym. Only about half the people actually do that, but enough follow this policy that the equipment remains very clean. The locker rooms are extremely clean as well, and there is no weird "gym" smell throughout the building like all the others.
I've only used the tanning beds a handful of times about 3 years ago, and they were very clean. They provide a bottle of some sort of spray and paper towels in each room for keeping them clean. I have issues being barefoot in public spaces, but I never had any concern being barefoot in the tanning rooms.
Usually when a staff member is there, they do some kind of maintenance cleaning: taking out trash, vacuuming the carpet, sweeping/mopping the cement floor, sweeping the sidewalks outside, picking up trash outside, shaking out rugs, cleaning windows, etc. I'm a clean freak and I'm super impressed with how well maintained they keep this place!
Equipment: 5 stars
They have just about everything you would ever need! I mostly do the cardio machines and weight machines, so I don't use everything they offer, but I don't know what else you would need beyond what they supply. They also keep everything in top working order. I once complained about the degrading elliptical machines, and was informed on my next visit that they were working on replacing them. I was happy to know they were already aware, working on it, and followed through. I also complained about a weight machine that was sticking, and they took care of that too.
Amenities: 4 stars
The ladies locker room has 2 full-sized vanities, 3 sinks, 2 showers, 4 bathroom stalls, and more lockers (nice wooden ones) than you would ever need. There are several tanning beds available for members. Each one is equipped with a spray bottle of cleaner for the beds, a paper towel dispenser on the wall, a cushy chair or stool (I can't remember), a full-length mirror, hook(s) to hang things, ceiling fan which you can control, music volume knob to control speaker, speaker at end of tanning bed, and a light switch to turn off the lights if you wish. I wish they had a small fan at the end of the tanning bed so it didn't get so hot inside. There is a wonderful array of ceiling fans located throughout the entire gym. They keep them on high, and it's much appreciated.
They recently added a group fitness room and they host classes throughout the week on a rotating monthly schedule.
There are 6 big screen TVs and a smaller TV mounted on walls and columns throughout the gym. They keep the remotes on the front desk so you can change the channel. No sound comes out of them and you connect to them via a device on the cardio equipment. They have XM radio that is broadcast throughout the gym, except the locker rooms. I'm not sure if they keep the remote out for members to change the channel because I've never tired, but it does change from time to time.
There is no towel service, which is one major complaint I have, and the only reason for deducting a star here. I suppose this is how they keep costs down, but I'd be willing to pay a little more for a towel service.
There is no track, which is something I miss over my previous two gyms. This seems to be a hard thing to find in a gym in Norman, so it's not that big of a deal. On the other hand, there is nothing else equipment wise that I've not been able to find.
24/7! The biggest perk to this gym is that it is ALWAYS open. They do offer staffed hours at some point each day if you have something that you need to see someone about. They staff is also very friendly and down to earth.
Safety: 5 stars
They have a locked door that is controlled electronically through a key fob system. Upon joining the gym, each member gets a key fob and is instructed to not allow anyone else in. They have security cameras everywhere, inside and out. I feel very comfortable coming here alone as a young female and never worry if I'm at the gym alone or with just one other male, even at 10pm.
Overall: 4 stars
I really like this gym and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a clean, quiet gym.
