Best local health club?

**dmclone** · 03-18-2013, 10:34 AM

Last year I did both P90x and Insanity. I had good results but after going through a few rounds, I'm over it. Since stopping these programs I've put on about 10lbs and need to get back to doing something.

I don't want to do a * week program like Kosama, Farrels, etc

I'm thinking about joining the Y downtown. I was a member for a long time but it's been about 10 years. If I remember correctly, all their classes are free.

Any other recommendations that don't require a year long membership? Downtown, Johnston, WDM, Urbandale, etc. are all fine (no ankeny).

**brianhos** · 03-18-2013, 11:03 AM

7 flags is only $18/mo now. I hear they are getting all new equipment to replace the stuff from the 70s they have now.

**dmclone** · 03-18-2013, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

7 flags is only $18/mo now. I hear they are getting all new equipment to replace the stuff from the 70s they have now.

Have you been a member there?

**Cycl1** · 03-18-2013, 01:49 PM

I go to North Liberty Community Center, had a 50% off price for the weight area. $62.50 for six months...

**im4cyclones** · 03-18-2013, 01:57 PM

Depends on what you want... cardio, weights, classes, etc. It's been a while but Prairie Life Fitness had a great all-around facility in WDM. Aspen has a decent facility too in Clive. 7 Flags is okay but was a meat-market type atmosphere then. May be different now. Fitness World West wasn't bad for cardio. The weight room was an old racquetball court, I think. The fitness industry in DSM is very competitive and a bit of an arms ace... Small specialty outfits like Kosama and low-cost places like 24hr Fitness have really pushed things a bit. New equipment, remodeled facilities, additional locations, etc. Good for the consumer. Most will give you a free week trial to see if you like it. Of course, they will try to give you an incentive to join right then but you can probably still get that same deal at the end of your week, if you ask.

**im4cyclones** · 03-18-2013, 02:05 PM

Or watch Craigslist and EBay and buy your own equipment. Don't have to worry about driving to gym, crowds, hours, etc. You can get a good a flat bench for $200, a decent power rack for $600 and a 300lb set of weights (with bar) for $300.

**Cycl1** · 03-18-2013, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by im4cyclones

Or watch Craigslist and EBay and buy your own equipment. Don't have to worry about driving to gym, crowds, hours, etc. You can get a good a flat bench for $200, a decent power rack for $600 and a 300lb set of weights (with bar) for $300.

you can get some good deals on craigslist. got a set of 55 lb and a set of 60lb dumbbells for $60.

**zwclones51** · 03-18-2013, 02:41 PM

Anybody know about Planet Fitness?

Or any place with a Bball court? I miss playing now that I'm gradumatated.

**capitalcityguy** · 03-18-2013, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by im4cyclones

Or watch Craigslist and EBay and buy your own equipment. Don't have to worry about driving to gym, crowds, hours, etc. You can get a good a flat bench for $200, a decent power rack for $600 and a 300lb set of weights (with bar) for $300.

That works for some people, doesn't work for others. Big problem with home workouts is many people don't have a decent place to set up a home gym, so the equipment ends up in a depressing corner of an unfinished basement soon to be listed on Craigslist.

**Cycl1** · 03-18-2013, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by capitalcityguy

That works for some people, doesn't work for others. Big problem with home workouts is many people don't have a decent place to set up a home gym, so the equipment ends up in a depressing corner of an unfinished basement soon to be listed on Craigslist.

unfinished basement sounds like a great place for weights. jsut need a giant wall mirror so i can admire myself in it

**cymate** · 03-18-2013, 05:46 PM

im currently doing kosama ive lost about 25 lbs, and 10% body fat in 11 weeks. best thing i have ever done for myself

im curious why do you not want to do kosama or farrels?

**ISUAlum2002** · 03-18-2013, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by zwclones51

Anybody know about Planet Fitness?

Or any place with a Bball court? I miss playing now that I'm gradumatated.

Aspen on Hickman has a couple of basketball courts, a total of 12 hoops available. Been going there for years. The courts get busy around 4pm on weeknights and starts slowing back down around 7pm. Plenty of weight and cardio equipment. Even during Resolutioner Season I never have to wait for the machines I want.

**cycloneted** · 03-18-2013, 06:23 PM

I've been going to the Downtown Y for years. If you haven't been there in 10 years or so it'll be just like old times - I'm positive they have the EXACT same equipment as when you left. Maybe a new machine here or there but I just spend my time pretending to lift in the weightroom so I guess I wouldn't know for sure.

They do have lots of classes, plus racquet ball, basketball and the pool. They also had a sign up a while ago in the sauna in the men's locker room reminding members that "horseplay" is not allowed in the sauna, so there's that.

**dmclone** · 03-19-2013, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by cymate

im currently doing kosama ive lost about 25 lbs, and 10% body fat in 11 weeks. best thing i have ever done for myself

im curious why do you not want to do kosama or farrels?

Because I see a lot of people who do these programs lose a lot of weight and then 6 months later they're fat again.