Raw Gym - Portobello- any good?

JuiceTerry

Hi Guys,

Long time reader- first time poster.

I am currently in another gym except it is barely openend on Saturday and closed on Sunday so I am thinking of moving. However it is not as busy. I was in that Gym above the Spar on Camden Street for nearly a year however it was simply over-crowded so you couldnt get a locker or get access to equipment during peak hours. It was also a little over-priced for what it was.

I would like to move to somewhere a little more focused on serious bodybuilders - the place I am currently in only has dumbells and a few machines. I have been working out since 2001 (started in Westwood, which was 70euros a month in 2002!)

What is this new gym like? I have passed it and mean to drop in.
Is this different from the Pinaccle gym near by?

Thanks guys!

JT

Dubdude

Pinnacle is gone and has moved into this building and as far as i know its under new management check out the link below some info there.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054971163&page=30

Magic Eight Ball

I’d highly recommend Raw gym. It’s got a great selection of free weights, machines and a great cardio area.
It’s 6,000 square foot open plan layout, so believe me, you won’t get crowed.

It’s very power lifter friendly, but I’ll leave it to the lads in the know to fill you in on what they have.

Sure check out their website, decent fees as well.


http://www.rawcondition.com/home.htm

RacoonQueen

I assume Raw is new? Lived in Portobello most of my life, up until a couple of years ago and never heard of it. Looking at their site it sounds good though.

grimloch

I assume Raw is new? Lived in Portobello most of my life, up until a couple of years ago and never heard of it. Looking at their site it sounds good though.

It's only been open since a week or two before christmas.

fatal

Its a good gym alright.Alot of the regulars from pinnacle still train and the equipment is top notch,so I would recommend it.Busiest time is usually between 6 and 8.One downside is that they close at 9pm on weekdays.

chancer_007

top class gym
largest collection of free weights than any other gym in Dublin
staff really know their stuff & very friendly

If you want to get in serious condition I would recommend this place

JuiceTerry

It seems great and it seems to be a highly regarded gym.

However the 9pm closing team probably is a deal breaker. Knowing that they are open till 10pm can make all the difference.

Also the weekend times could be a little later as well - till 8pm.

Oh well............

Pugmister

Anyone know what the parking situation is like around here from 6pm onwards. Is there any where thats not pay and display or free parking within walking distance of RAW

Hanley

chancer_007 wrote: »

top class gym
largest collection of free weights than any other gym in Dublin
staff really know their stuff & very friendly

If you want to get in serious condition I would recommend this place

Care to qualify this statement?

Cos if you don't, I'm calling BS.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Hanley wrote: »

Care to qualify this statement?

Cos if you don't, I'm calling BS.

In fairness, just to point out (I've no affiliation with RAW Gym by the way, just impressed by their site!) that their site does say ONE OF the largest free weight sections in Ireland.

Do I detect a "Hercs are better!", "No, Raw is better!", "No, I have more weights than you, AND a bigger willy!" coming on?

Hanley

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

In fairness, just to point out (I've no affiliation with RAW Gym by the way, just impressed by their site!) that their site does say ONE OF the largest free weight sections in Ireland.

Do I detect a "Hercs are better!", "No, Raw is better!", "No, I have more weights than you, AND a bigger willy!" coming on?

The simple fact is, if someone says "statement X", and statement X is false, especially when used for promotional purposes and misrepresentation, it pisses me off.

And given the pretty hefty claims being made about the weight selection and the fact his last 4 posts have all been trying to promote Raw, I think I'm justified in my suspicions about the validity (and basis) of the claims being made.

Transform

can you do a trial visit for raw or go along as a guest for a workout?

COH

JuiceTerry wrote: »

However the 9pm closing team probably is a deal breaker. Knowing that they are open till 10pm can make all the difference.

Opening hours are being extended from next Monday. Will be open until 10pm Monday-Thursday

JuiceTerry

Excellent!

That single hour can make all the difference! I will probably join up then as it is so close to my house.

I will probably keep my current gym membership as well as I like to use that one (Guinness) at lunch time as it is beside where I work.

Pro-Nutrition

JuiceTerry wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Long time reader- first time poster.

I am currently in another gym except it is barely openend on Saturday and closed on Sunday so I am thinking of moving. However it is not as busy. I was in that Gym above the Spar on Camden Street for nearly a year however it was simply over-crowded so you couldnt get a locker or get access to equipment during peak hours. It was also a little over-priced for what it was.

I would like to move to somewhere a little more focused on serious bodybuilders - the place I am currently in only has dumbells and a few machines. I have been working out since 2001 (started in Westwood, which was 70euros a month in 2002!)

What is this new gym like? I have passed it and mean to drop in.
Is this different from the Pinaccle gym near by?

Thanks guys!

JT

Guys I am ex Powerhouse and now training in Total Fitness in Blanch. One of my friends (Tom Staunton Mr Ireland) is training in RAW and he loves it. The equipment is meant to be the bo**** and good heavy free weights.

Transform

Transform wrote: »

can you do a trial visit for raw or go along as a guest for a workout?

bump

Cravez

Transform wrote: »

bump

Im pretty sure you can do a trial vist (although id check with them here), with regards passes i checked into this a few weeks ago for some of us from TT and was told you have to buy the passes in bulk (i.e 90 euros for 10 passes) and not in singles. Again, as i said id ring up and check to be sure

Transform

cheers for that and buying in bulk is no problem - just want to pop in now and again

This gym looks really good. I live a good bit away (Dublin 18) and would contemplate driving in 3/4 times a week just to use this gym. I like the idea of everything under the one roof. Just seems like a really good setup. Will have to look into it when I'm back from travelling.

floggg

Gotta say, really impressed by the place. i joined just after xmas, ditched westwood for them.

In terms of equipment, its semms to have almost everything, in decent quantity as well. Staff are v. good as well, really friendly, seem to know they're stuff and extremely helpful. Stopped on my way out to ask a quick question to one of the guys toight, ended up having a 30min chat and getting some great advice, which has forced me to completely revaluate my goals. Never got anything near that quality from any other gym.

Rollerbladz

Hi,
the guys have listened to members - opening til 10pm during the week now....cool.

floggg

floggg wrote: »

Gotta say, really impressed by the place. i joined just after xmas, ditched westwood for them.

In terms of equipment, its semms to have almost everything, in decent quantity as well. Staff are v. good as well, really friendly, seem to know they're stuff and extremely helpful. Stopped on my way out to ask a quick question to one of the guys toight, ended up having a 30min chat and getting some great advice, which has forced me to completely revaluate my goals. Never got anything near that quality from any other gym.

Sounds like it's worth driving 20 minutes to. I'll have to look into it when I'm back.

sonny crocket

Here's my take on RAW gym:

Pros:
Good amount of space
Lots of equipment (for Ireland)
Friendly staff (some knowledgeable, others clearly not)
Reasonable prices especially for students
Lots of activities (spinning, aerobics, interval training, boxing etc..)

Cons:
Parking(it does not exist)
The squat racks are in an cramped area I think. Too far away from the mirrors as well. Felt like I was going to hit someone last time I squatted there.
Locker rooms are a bit small.
The place is still under construction, but should be done soon.

In summary this is a very good gym for people serious about their workouts. I was a member at pinnacle which I thought was a fantastic gym even though it was small. Mick (owner of pinnacle) clearly has a passion for weight training and fitness and was always their looking for ways to improve the gym. I was sad when pinnacle closed. Very good vibe there.

Raw is more of an all around gym that should attract basically everyone who is into fitness, powerlifting, bodybuilding. I've seen quite a few female members there which is a change from pinnacle as well. They do their own thing and nobody bothers or 'hits' on them.. I mention this because some of the other gyms around the city seem to be meat markets.

Thanks for your time

yashica23

Hanley wrote: »

The simple fact is, if someone says "statement X", and statement X is false, especially when used for promotional purposes and misrepresentation, it pisses me off.

And given the pretty hefty claims being made about the weight selection and the fact his last 4 posts have all been trying to promote Raw, I think I'm justified in my suspicions about the validity (and basis) of the claims being made.

Hi there, not sure if you've had a chance to visit the gym yet but I've been taking pictures of the place as it's been developed. Here's a link to some pics that has most of the equipment in it. Hope it's useful...http://www.pbase.com/hjfalstrom/raw_condition&page=all

delllat

sonny crocket wrote: »

Here's my take on RAW gym:

Pros:
Good amount of space
Lots of equipment (for Ireland)
Friendly staff (some knowledgeable, others clearly not)
Reasonable prices especially for students
Lots of activities (spinning, aerobics, interval training, boxing etc..)

Cons:
Parking(it does not exist)
The squat racks are in an cramped area I think. Too far away from the mirrors as well. Felt like I was going to hit someone last time I squatted there.
Locker rooms are a bit small.
The place is still under construction, but should be done soon.

In summary this is a very good gym for people serious about their workouts. I was a member at pinnacle which I thought was a fantastic gym even though it was small. Mick (owner of pinnacle) clearly has a passion for weight training and fitness and was always their looking for ways to improve the gym. I was sad when pinnacle closed. Very good vibe there.

Raw is more of an all around gym that should attract basically everyone who is into fitness, powerlifting, bodybuilding. I've seen quite a few female members there which is a change from pinnacle as well. They do their own thing and nobody bothers or 'hits' on them.. I mention this because some of the other gyms around the city seem to be meat markets

Thanks for your time

which gyms in the city are meat markets ?

Ive been in a few city centre gyms and never saw women harrassed in any of them

shamblertine

whereabouts is this gym exactly? where's it beside?

g'em

That's quite enough thanks, there's a dedicated Gym Reviews thread, if you'd like to continue shilling complimenting a gym please do it there.