I'm a weight trainer who's been using FF in NP for about a year. I use the gym in usually in the evening during peak hours, and on the weekends in the morning/early afternoon, also during peak hours. I train my entire body and use pretty much everything the gym has to offer in terms of training equipment and cardio equipment. This gym is good for regular to intense lifting and cardio.
Pros:
- Minimal BS, relatively not crowded, good representation of available equipment (I go at peak hours and rarely need to wait for/work in on a squat rack, bench, treadmills, etc.)
- Contrary to another review I read, I find that the gym IS well ventilated/air conditioned. The thermostat is always set to 72 or 73 degrees, and there are ceiling fans always on throughout the gym.
- Decently clean showers, lockers, and wet/dry saunas
- Unconventional cardio choices like the new curved treadmill and Jacob's Ladder are great to have
- Surprisingly big
- Helpful/friendly staff and trainers
- great wifi
Cons:
- Hours can be restricting. It would be nice if they opened at 4 or 4:30 am on weekdays, and if they stayed open a few hours later on Sat and Sun. It's difficult if you plan on having a long morning workout and start work early.
- Overpriced: I'm paying $40 a month for a two-year contract. Given relative size and equipment, I would expect to pay between $25 and $30 a month.
- My personal biggest complaint: WEIGHTS ARE VERY FREQUENTLY OUT OF PLACE AND NOT PUT BACK BY OTHER LIFTERS. The staff does not seem to do much about organizing (dumbbells out of place, left out on benches, plates put back on racks, such as a 45, 35, 25, 10 and 5 all shuffled together on one prong). I have used several gyms, including multiple college gyms, and I have never seen it this bad.
- Lots of areas seem to be rarely cleaned (dust on top of machines and structures)
- Often missing paper towels from the Men's bathroom (petty complaint, I know, but it happens pretty often)
- Missing key machines/structures: no seated lateral delt raise machine, no T-bar rowing bench, no captain's chair (half yoga ball suspended in the air like the back of a chair with handles for lower ab work), No D-handle pulldown bar, to name a few. It would also be nice if the had a few less treadmills and more Stairmasters.
- People waiting to start classes often crowd around and block the water fountains and cable machines in the gym area next to the group training room.
Overall, I give it 3.5/5. I find my sessions enjoyable from an environmental standpoint and am satisfied with the gym.