Gyms? (Schertz, Alamo, Alamo Heights: how much, high school, college)

[katyb]

What are, in your opinions, the best gyms in this city? I'm in the NE, but if it turns out that every gym on my side of town is awful (conditions, staff, etc) then I can deal with a bit of a drive. I'm looking to sign up for a new membership within the next week or so.

[bsofa04]

The Golds Gym at 1604 and I-35 isn't bad. Still pretty new and memberships are around $36 total for the month. I'm a Gold's member and like their gyms. Most gyms have just upgraded their cardio equipment for the beginning of the year.

You can go high dollar for the Lifetime Fitness membership (heard it cost near $90-100 per month) near 1604 and Sonterra if you want a gym with all the bells and whistles. Probably the finest equipment/staff/conditions like you're looking for.

Anytime Fitness in Schertz will run you $25-30. They're more of a basic, no frills gym. They have a lot of locations around the city so there's probably one near you.

If you're employed, talk to your HR department to see if they work with any gyms for discounts. Most will knock off a few bucks but every little bit counts.

Good luck!

[BenjaminNicholas]

Stay away from Lifetime: Sure they're new, but they don't put caps on their memberships and their facility is always like a zoo. Lots of children running around. The locker rooms when I've been have always been filthy. They just have too much turnover to justify what they're charging.

I'm currently with Spectrum and love it. I bounce mainly between the Alamo Heights and Downtown locations, both new, both clean and well-maintained. I'm sure they're running deals right now, as it's January. I suggest dropping into a club and taking a tour.



BN

[burgrat]

I don't recommend the Lifetime at 281, it's way too busy and the locker room is not cleaned enough. I go to the one by the Rim and they do a better job of maintaining the facility. The times I've been to Lifetime at 281/1604, it was like I was in a high school gym class, meaning there were packs of 13-16 year olds there. I like kids, but when you have groups of teenagers their behavior is not always ideal for a fitness facility. I know I sound like a grumpy old coot, but if I'm paying a premium for a quality facility, I'd prefer a nice environment. The best thing you can do is tour different facilities, especially at the times you'd be using them, to get an idea what will work for you.

[BenjaminNicholas]

Originally Posted by burgrat

I don't recommend the Lifetime at 281, it's way too busy and the locker room is not cleaned enough. I go to the one by the Rim and they do a better job of maintaining the facility. The times I've been to Lifetime at 281/1604, it was like I was in a high school gym class, meaning there were packs of 13-16 year olds there. I like kids, but when you have groups of teenagers their behavior is not always ideal for a fitness facility. I know I sound like a grumpy old coot, but if I'm paying a premium for a quality facility, I'd prefer a nice environment. The best thing you can do is tour different facilities, especially at the times you'd be using them, to get an idea what will work for you.

I can't agree more. This is exactly what I've experienced... And I'm only 29. I don't want to deal with group teenage think or their parents using the facility as cheap babysitting.


BN

[ashbeeigh]

Depending on where on the northeast side you are (1604 versus 410) Planet Fitness may be an option. I like the Planet Fitness on McCullough although I know there is one on Nacodoches. I've only been to the one on McCullough and the one at Crossroads though so don't quote me on saying the one there is nice.

The McCullough one is crowded now because of the start of the years and all their promotions, but even with the start of the new year I haven't been unable to find a treadmill or a machine (although I do dislike it when i have to run next to someone I don't know..I feel like their judging me...wait aren't they the judgment free zone? Ha!). Once the New Year crowd dies down it's a nice little place. There's a crowd after work but it dies down quickly. No teens, unless they're with their parents. You'll get your occasional college kid who is just trying to show off with their friends, but I think the only small complaint I have is that that type of person doesn't wipe off their machine. Otherwise it's a nice gym. There aren't any classes or anything but they do have personal training. I haven't tried that yet though.

[janejanejanejanejane]

I am a fan of Triton Sports Center- it is a lot like Lifetime, but smaller and not as fancy looking on the outside.
There will be a new childcare center- the current one is getting rugged- but it's just dependent on a new owner.

[LovingSAT]

You can also ask for a trial membership. Sometimes a week to a month free to try which one you like.

[SAAggiemom]

Does anyone know how much Spectrum costs and if you have to sign a long contract?

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

We just cancelled Spectrum today. You have to sign a contract for a year and pay the first and last month's up front. Then if you go in to cancel, you have to give 30 days notice to stop the autodraft process even though the contract states that when you cancel they will use the last month's dues you paid at the contract signing.

I like Spectrum, though. Nothing wrong with it at all, loved the cardio equipment and the pool.