5 /5 R Lopez: Ive been going to this gym for about a year now. I dont usually write reviews on places I visit so often, and to be honest, folks that find a gym like this, typically dont want to spread the word!
In short: its a great gym.
The owners no doubt put a ton of thought into the types of equipment they set up. I dont think I use even half the stuff here, but I understand their purpose. Options are great.
Ive been part of a gym sense the mid 90s, and while they all have a common purpose (pick-things-up-put-them-down), this is my first larger gym that feels like a small gym. Its certainly not the largest gym Ive been a member of (24 hour fitnesss in the LA area can be ridiculous), but when you have the amount of options that this gym offers, it cannot be considered small anymore.
I wont bore you with all the options, Im sure they have a website if your interested. What I mean by small-gym-feel is that the owners are present and seem to care about your gym experience. The trainers that are onsite also seem to care. It feels personal. They care if your doing a particular exercise wrong (which can result in injury), and are very tactful when pointing it out. Also, while I myself dont utilize personal trainers, Ive observed them working with clients enough to know that they know what theyre doing and they are vested on a personal level. Having been a competitive athlete, I have no doubt that it is difficult to find good trainers. I have seen the same gym members over the last year making obvious (and sometimes great) gains in body physique... this is unusual in my experience. Obviously you are responsible for your own dedication, but when a gym is accessible 24 hours a day, and feels inviting and encouraging, you tend to be more consistent with your training week.
Orland is a small town - so people tend to know each other. That said: folks here are friendly. Not always the case in my experience. Here, you dont (often) get 5 guys on one machine for an entire hour. And what I appreciate the most is the respect everyone has. I have witnessed ZERO body shaming or creeper staring. I have witnessed very few (over a year - remind you) instances of what the woke kids call "toxic masculinity" (Us old guys just call that being a douchebag).
I think if your looking to change your life and live happy and healthy, but are worried about how you may be treated or viewed at a gym - this gym is for you. I know this gyms focus is strength training, and they are very good at that, but they have also cultivated a culture of acceptance here.
Like any gym, they are more busy around 5pm and also more busy at the beginning of the week or month or year. This is how it has always been with gyms, and you can probably chalk that up to human nature.
