Bally's gym in Pasadena (hotel, safe area, shop)

[hatsjacob]

I'm staying in Pasadena next weekend but the hotel I'll be at doesn't have a very good workout place. I'm a member at Bally's gym and I noticed there's a location in the downtown area. Is this a safe area? I looked on Google Maps street view and I couldn't even find a parking lot for this place. Wondering if this is a good area, how the workout equipment is compared to other gyms, and is there good parking available? I want to add that the area looks so-so. I want to be in a safe area.

[uptown_urbanist]

Yes, downtown Pasadena (aka "Old Pasadena", is very safe, and VERY nice. I've never been to the Bally's, though. (is it the one on south Arroyo?) Leave some time to walk around afterwards and maybe grab a meal; Old Pasadena is beautiful, historic, and if you're into shopping, has lots of stores. Don't worry, as it's definitely a very nice area, and with a lot of very upscale businesses. Here's the Old Pasadena website, complete with maps; it looks like there's a lot directly adjacent to the Bally's.
Old Pasadena : Maps and Parking

[BluSpark]

Originally Posted by hatsjacob

I'm staying in Pasadena next weekend but the hotel I'll be at doesn't have a very good workout place. I'm a member at Bally's gym and I noticed there's a location in the downtown area. Is this a safe area? I looked on Google Maps street view and I couldn't even find a parking lot for this place. Wondering if this is a good area, how the workout equipment is compared to other gyms, and is there good parking available? I want to add that the area looks so-so. I want to be in a safe area.

As uptown urbanist stated, downtown Pasadena is VERY safe.

I can't comment on that specific Bally's but in general the Bally's in So.Calif. are not great. I am sure it will be fine for your purposes but the Bally's chain in So.Calif. has some of the most outdated gyms/work out facilities around.

Again, for a few days I am sure it will get the job done. And no worries about the area....it's a splendid historic downtown. You could walk the area at 2am and not be worried.

[Troof]

Very safe area.

Ballys in SoCal are garbage, but if you have a national plan, then just tough it out for the week.

If you don't have a national plan, and would have to pay by the day at Ballys, then I would suggest doing a free, one week trial pass at LA Fitness which is also nearby and is a nicer facility.

[agnt.starling]

Agreed, Old Pasadena is safe, I've walked there at nite shopping even. And that Bally's should suffice, since its a weekend, but agree the Bally's chain have gone down the toilet here in So. Cal, the outdated equipment that they keep having to fix & the musky smell of the old carpet(s). But in re to Hotel gyms, two treadmills & an exercise ball in a small room or closet do no justice to people who are serious about working out.

[stevebri]

Bally's in general is not the greatest chain to become a member of but I think this is endemic to all chain gyms.