I have often said that a gym is more than just weight and machines. You must check out the gym's personality. Notice the attitudes, commitment and sweat showing by those training. Notice encouragement to train verses people gabbing at length about non workout issues. Is this a gym where people train for competition or is it a social event for most. Are those training friendly or cold to new folks.

The bottom line is that a great gym is has the right push and personality, all else is just weights and machines. Gold's Gym in Venice gym has it that is why all the great bodybuilders gravitate to workout there.(Read More)

So what about 24 Hour Fitness?

I attended for a week at the facility on Kapiolani Blvd. in Honolulu and found it to be an adequate facility. For a cost of 60 bucks for the week, the gym was 3 levels and about 55,000 sq feet. The gym contained Cybex, Hammer Strength equipment and several others. Easily you could find a machine to fit your need. While they had an adequate number of bench presses, it was tough to get one because the gym was very crowded every time I attended. I attended at different hours between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

While most all was well, this facility needed three basic additions/changes.

1. More plates- I found myself constantly hunting for more weight and having scurry the floor foor such to keep my workout pace. I wasn't the only one hunting either. None of the weight denominations were plentiful and found that it might be best to round up my needs prior to starting.
2. More Cable Crossover- Cable machine is one the most versatile machine on the planet. Chest, Triceps, Biceps and Shoulders can all be worked on this machine. My routine through the week includes this machine. Only 2 cable cross over machines are on the training floor and they again were often busy. There was cable machine for chest but it was tucked amongst the circuit training with restrictions on time to 2 minutes.
3. Unbolt the benches. Almost all the equipment is bolted to the floor. While this may be fine for the bench presses, it is not so good for standard general utility benches. No movement of these benches prevented me from doing parallel bench dips.

Mike Dragna Hawaiian Bodybuilder (Unknown where he trains)

Facility conditions

HOT- I like a facility is not overly air conditioned but the general workout floor was just plain hot. I found I needed slow my pace to compensate. "Bring your own towel" is required by 24 Hour Fitness rules. A towel is well needed in this sweat box.

WELL USED- I don't mean this as a negative. The equipment was all in working order but you could see it had some miles it.

Gym Personality- The Heart of the Gym

This is where 24 hour fitness lost me. While I felt many training were dedicated to hard work, I saw very little encouragement or positive interaction between the regulars. I did not sense openness to outsiders to offer a spot. On the other hand, I did not see much senseless gabbing that detracted from a workout. Actually it was all fairly mechanical. Those working out seemed more like robots going through the motions. Training is better with a positive pushing spirit to do our best with each set, rep and workout.

For me, if I was to live in the Honolulu area, I would need to try a few other gyms before settling in on this one. If you are visiting, it was worth it for the week.

 

Sweat eventually hardens to Muscle".....Scott

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