Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Is 24 Hour Fitness a Gym for a hardcore weight lifter?

I am looking to switch to 24 hour fitness from Mountain Side because of how much money i will save. I was wondering if the gym isn't just a bunch of treadmills and that's it. Does it have a really versatile free weight section that is meant for serious weight lifters. Also are they generally packed?Is 24 Hour Fitness a Gym for a hardcore weight lifter?Good lord, where to begin...



I have actually been considering getting a different gym membership because of these same exact reasons.



#1 It's freakin ridiculously packed in the morning which is around 7-9AM and also at night (5-8PM) which makes it really inconvenient for me to find time to lift. But recently it hasn't been all that bad because the one i go to has 3 squat racks, and usually no one is using the squat racks, but i've been to the other 24 hour fitness's around my area (san jose, CA) and they usually only have 1 or 2 squat racks. As far as the bench goes...good luck, those are almost always in use. But something i found pretty interesting is that whenever i ask someone who is on the bench or squat rack or any machine/weight rack how many sets they have left, they usually answer something along the lines of "Oh im done" with a nervous look on their face. This is most likely due to the fact that most people at 24 don't really have a training regimen, so they just kind of jump on whatever machine/rack is available. So concluding this part of the answer, 24 does have its time where it gets pretty packed and all machines/racks are in use but trying to work in or asking usually seems to work.



#2 The free weights equipment could be a lot better and i would consider subpar at best. Most of the ones i've been too have around 3-4 bench racks and 1-3 squat racks and maybe a military press area, and oh yes the preacher curl rack. If your looking more for machines, your in luck as this is machine heaven, I myself dont tend to really use any of the machines so much except for the cable station which i have found pretty useful,. Most of the 24's have usually 1-2 of this type of machine as well. There are 0 olympic weightlifting stations at all 24's as they do not advocate this type of lifting in any way shape or form, meaning no bumper plates and no olympic racks. They also do not have any power racks which is pretty useful if you want to use bands but since 24 does not invest in power racks you can throw bands (usually used for tension on a bar) out of your routine. Oh and to add they don't have any trap bars (generally used for deadlifting) at any 24 fitness as well. So again to conclude this portion, it's pretty decent for someone who is in their beginning/novice/intermediate stages of lifting, but depending on what you want (size vs strength and yes it does make a difference in your routine and equip you will use) its more geared towards bodybuilding but nonetheless you can strength train just as evenly as well, As i have done both at most 24's ive visited.



Hopefully this can clarify some things you had in mind, good luck on the transition if any, and always keep up the lifting.Is 24 Hour Fitness a Gym for a hardcore weight lifter?Depends. Most locations have everything you will need. 2-3 squat racks, 4-8 barbell benches, 4-8 dumbbell benches and dumbbells up to 125lbs in some locations. However, we do not have platforms for deadlifts and do not allow you to use chalk which some people prefer.

Report Abuse

Is 24 Hour Fitness a Gym for a hardcore weight lifter?You'll have to investigate for yourself. Nobody can answer for you unless they've actually seen the place, and even if someone answers and says one thing or the other, can you really trust that person?

No comments:

Post a Comment