Gyms

Benbaz

Firstly, I have to start off by saying, great Board!!! Some really great tips and suggestions and I really have to agree with JAK's views on training myths and misconceptions, there are WAY too many out there!!!
But back to the original reason for posting this thread. I've recently joined a Gym, Jackie Skellys' in Park West about 3 months ago and I've found it to be a really good Gym (although having said that I've never been a member of any other Gym!!!!) The instructors are really helpful, the facilities are great (good selection of Cardio machines and free weights) and a nice swimming pool too (all of course IMO).
Now all this might seem like an advertisement for the Gym but it's definitely not, I just thought it would be helpful for anyone joining a gym to have a reference point of pros, cons and costs of joining particular Gyms around the country 'cos I know it would've been a great help to me 3 months ago. It cost me 150 to join and then 59 a month after that!

B.

P.S. For anyone thinking of joining a Gym......DO!!! I haven't missed a day in the time I've been there, early days I know!!! but I absolutely love it!!! I go every second day and I'm really feeling the benefits, better humour in general, less stress, a great sense of achievement for sticking at it and of course a better looking body!!!

Jak

Aye we can trial this as well.

See if we can get a few gym reviews up, if it works we can make it a perma sticky.

Sticky for now.

thedrowner

ok well here's my experince of the ucd gym:

they have loads of treadmills,striders, bikes,steppers, spinning bikes, free runners-a lot of machines that i dont know the name for. i've never had to queue to use any of these machines. there's also tv's handy (bring your own headphones!)one thing i will fault is that because its in a college, there's loads of new people starting at the beginning of the college year, and they dont show anyone how to use these machines, i learned off my friends, which isnt the best way to learn, and i know a lot of the machines are self explanatory-but still, i have been put off using a few of them coz i dont know how to use them and i dont have the guts yet to go up and ask (that my own fault i guess)

i dont use a lot of the machines that work on particular muscles, mainly coz i havent gotten the time to get a program from one of the instructors yet, the last time i tried they were booked out for a while. however, the last gym i was in (KCR-closed due to liquidation) had no where near the amoun of machines the ucd one has. it's quite roomy too, and there's never much of a queue for things.

the price is great, i pad 135 euro for a yearly off peak membership (9-4 mon-fri, 10-5.3- sat/sun) 180 i think for a normal one.

my friend had a seizure when she was on the treadmill-the instructors knew exactly what to do with her even tho they said it rarely happens. i know they have to know how to look after people when this happens, its just reasurring to see thye can pull it off

my 2 biggest faults with it is that theres no water machine upstairs wherre all the facilities are....you have to sign out, go down 2 floors. and sign back in to get some if u run out in the middle of excercising-thats quite silly IMO.

also it'd be great if it had a swimming pool, but no such luck.

daveirl

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Seraphina

gym... whats a gym....
damn... mispronounciation jokes just dont work online

anywho, i dont know much about gyms but i'll give you a run down of the one i go to
Dundrum Gym in, yes you guessed it, Dundrum in Dublin
there are 6 different areas
the cardio area : there are lots of treadmills, steppers, striders rowing machines and where they hold the spinning classes. there are tvs you can watch(walkman needed to tune into the radio for sound)
the ab zone : lots of different machines specifically for concentrating on your abs.
the studio : where they do aerobics classes etc.
the ladies gym : just for the ladies treadmills, bikes, steppers weight machines and free weights.
main gym : weight machines and free weights, some treadmills too i think i haven't been in there really, i stick to the cardio area and the ladies gym
sprint section : the idea is if you're short on time, you do the maximum possible full body workout in about half an hour or something, again something im not familiar with.
nice extra stuff
creche, handy for those with kids
the locker room(well the ladies i can speak for the mens one) is always exceptionally clean, with sauna
massage therapy, you can get yourself a nice massage to treat yourself after your workout
staff ive been in contact with are dead nice
its a small enough gym, but i find it very nice altho it is quite pricey to join
and im just after having a look at that mardyke place, jesus thats nice, very big and spacious, not like my little gym!

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Jak

Hehe Dave.

Well I know that generally the logic behind the ladies gym is usually to allow them to train without feeling self conscious (at least this is one I was told by one person who runs a gym with a ladies section.) But there is no equivalent for men who may be out of shape and somewhat self conscious either that I have ever heard of.

Many of the more serious weight training gyms almost become men only through no effort as well though But that is a different matter.


As for gyms, well I've been in UCD gym since it opened about 7/8 years ago. As a post doc I still get student rates, which makes it just about the cheapest gym membership I can find (150 or thereabouts maybe it went up). However even for regular non students it is fairly well priced, my girlfriend recently joined and her fee for full access was 299 euros. Which isn't too bad compared to more commercial (non student linked) gyms.

As drowner said there are saunas in the changing rooms.

It does have a lot of cardio gear, and nice decent stuff it is. That said, I have a concept 2 at home here so I never really go to the gym for cardio, unless maybe for a cycle on a miserable day.

The weights machines cover all you need.

The general gym area is quite open and airy which is nice.

The free weights section is away from the main gym. Recently they purchased new benches and so on, and a lot of new rubber Casall and easy grip olympic plates - which was nice It can get busy, but I never have too many problems getting through training at a decent speed. If I'm alone I'll work in with people if I have to, and in a group we can usually hold everything we need as we work.

At the moment my only personal gripe with the gym is the music in the free weights section. I would prefer it was not the same as above, I don't find whigfield to be terribly inspiring.

Oh and a more serious issue is that the dumbbells only go up to 90lbs. If they just bought a pair of 100lbs,110lbs and 120lbs (or go the whole hog and get 5lb incremements) I think it would have pretty much all we need.

Staff are pleasant enough, though their turnover is quite high and as always with gym staff don't trust all the advice you get from them.

Seraphina

i think it is sexist, but i dont complain because im self conscious training in front of ANYONE else and i guess its just nice that there aren't lots of men around too. i think the main gym downstairs is mainly men only, i mean women aren't forbidden but they tend to just stick to the ladies gym. if you think thats bad, before they did the gym up, they had ladies nights and mens nights!

thedrowner

jak-he he....i may see u round the gym one day. i'll be the person who's using all the machine's reeeeeelly incorrectly and laughing at myself. (its no laughing matter)

what????? there are sauna's in the gym????? Where???

about the whole sexist thing: the kcr gym had a large area and a small area, and on mon/wed fri the women had the large area, and the men the smaller, and vice versa on tues/thurs/sat. i kid you not. i have to say, i kind of like the idea of the sexes being seperate, because its a bit embarassing when youre red faced and bent over a machine like an idiot and some cute guy from yer class walks by. but ive kind of gotten used to it now that ive beeen there a few months, it was a bit of a culture shock when i first joined.

Jak

Saunas are in the changing rooms Drowner, at least they are in the mens changing rooms and I'm 99% certain they are available in the womens - for obvious reasons there is a 1% chance of error on this.

JAK

bigdaddyfix

Dave, slight correction regarding the Mardyke Arena Gym. There is no squat rack, but there is a Smith machine.

That said, I've had a good month of training there so far, with many more to come.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Jak

Smith machine works on a locked axis - squat racks are simply free cage areas with extended parallel bars either side of you which will catch the bar and weight if you drop from under it.

Smith machines are handy if you have no spotter, and more variable for a range of exercises. However fixed axis machines are more limited in the effect they will have on developing stabilising muscles etc.

Also the smith bar is 25lbs afair, as opposed to a regular olympic bar 45.

fixer

I think that weight is variable depending on make. The bar is actually 45lbs, but it's counter-weighted to have a lighter effective lifting weight. I've seen as low as 14lbs advertised.

Jak

Aye ye could be right.

In my own gym the weight is 25lbs I think, wasn't aware of the counter balancing (or rather hadn't thought about it), and obviously manufactures may have discretion in build types.

Main point is - people can on occasion overstate their lifts on smiths as they fail to take into a/c the lighter bar (counter weighted or otherwise).

JAK.

Saruman

Westpoint out in Blanch is excellent. Always upgrading their machines every 6 months or so to the latest stuff. Lots of machines and weights. Pool, sauna, steam room and so on. Also other facilities like salon, barber, sunbeds and stuff. They even do Car veleting!

fixer

Originally posted by Jak
Main point is - people can on occasion overstate their lifts on smiths as they fail to take into a/c the lighter bar (counter weighted or otherwise).

JAK. [/B]

also remember, since Smith machines isolate certain muscle groups on squats, most people have a lower 1RM than when in a squat rack where the other muscles come into play.

bottom line, it's a different lift on different equipment.

Jak

also remember, since Smith machines isolate certain muscle groups on squats, most people have a lower 1RM than when in a squat rack where the other muscles come into play.

Not true, unless your secondary stabilising muscles are stronger than the primary muscle group for the lift. I know a fair few competitive lifters, and all would do more on a smith than free. The smith works on a fixed axis - stabilising muscles will not come into play as the bar is locked on that axis - you can lean back into it or whatever to drive the weight up - using the stronger primary muscle group which it targets.

On a free squat with correct technique (which most people do not have for the record) - the weaker stabilising muscles come into play to manage/control the weight - and if they cannot do that - you cannot lift it.

Bottom line is if you find the Smith harder than Free Squatting you have serious issues with your training.

End of story.

Get back on topic.

JAK.

Trojan

I'm surprised noone's mentioned this one yet.

I've been a member here for about a year & I'm quite happy with it. One of the best features is the location right by the dart station.

Contract/fees: 70yoyos/month, 100yoyo one-off joining fee (reduced from 200 due to corp discount). If I wanted to leave before my 1st year was up I think I'd have to pay out the rest of the contract. Anytime after 12 months you can leave without getting hit.

There's an off-peak contract available too...

Facilities:

Gym -
Lots available. I personally use the treadmills and rowers mainly, along with some of the machines and free weights (I'll let logic give his opinion of the free weights section). They have about 30 treadmills, the same in stationary bikes (normal ones), another 30 spinning bikes and loads of other things like non-impact walkers. There's easily 150 machines there (not incl the resistance machines). Usually can find whatever you're looking for free, unless it's 8pm on Monday night, when you'll have to wait a minute or 2 for something to become free.

They run quite a lot of different classes in the studios, some of which are very good.

Pool - 50m, pretty good, not something I use much. Usually about 3 slow lanes and 3 fast lanes, but sometimes less if lessons on.

Refresh area - they have a large sauna (seats 10 comfortably), jacuzzi, steam room and relaxation room (cant remember proper name). There are showers down here too which is a good thing cos the plunge pool is pretty crap - warm and not clean half the time - the only thing which detracts from an otherwise great area.

They also have tennis courts (I believe), a climbing wall.

That's about it. Not a bad place at all. Niall - wanna comment on weights section?

Al.

logic1

Originally posted by Trojan
Niall - wanna comment on weights section?

Al.

Yeah all round it's a pretty good gym. The dumbells go from 2.5kilos to 35kilos.

Ideally I'd rather if they went alot higher but they're useable for most people. Some 40's and 50's wouldn't go astray. Nice squat racks and a smith machine. Highest plate weight is 20 kilos which again is a bit on the low side, I'd prefer them to have a few 50's for certain exercises but again it's just a nit picking point really.

There's around 8 or 10 benches in the free weight section and you'll usually always get one free unless as Al says it's 8pm on a monday/tuesday when you'll have to wait a few minutes for someone tof inish a set.

All in all a good selection and a nice relaxed atmosphere. As withall gyms the personal trainers range from mediocre to rubbish for weight training but they do seem to be good for cardio type classes.

.logic.

Runfree

Well I am from tipperary town and I go to the Oasis Gym based in the sports complex there.

It is quite a good gym if you consider the size of the town aswell(to be honest the whole complex is excellent)

well the main part of the gym be fitness machines(Only really use the treadmill but I play indoor soccer anyway)

The weights are quite good there. Srry guys Ill list the kind of machines they have the next day. Unfortunate to say the free weights are a bit to lights as the only vary from 2 kg to 30kg which I would rather have go heavier. 40 or 50s be great to excersise with)

well thats my gym.

any questions......?

seveb

i am a member of silversprings gym in cork.

it's a good gym, but as soon as my membership is up i'm gonna join a new gym.
it's starting to feel stale and boring - the same crap cds playing everyday and seeing the same people everyday, and the attitude on some people there is terrible.

not enough fit women either.

it's really expense aswell, something like 700+ euro for the year.
has anyone any good information on other gyms in cork besides the mardyke?

thanks

The'real'Guvnor

Originally posted by daveirl
My Gym - Mardyke Arena (Cork) url]http://www.mardykearena.com[/url

This is my gym, it's part of UCC but is also open to people who aren't students or staff although their membership fees are higher. All the pricing details are on the website anyway.

The Mardyke is an excellent place. Dumbbells upto 60kgs! Nice looking building as well.

The'real'Guvnor

Originally posted by Jak
Aye ye could be right.

In my own gym the weight is 25lbs I think, wasn't aware of the counter balancing (or rather hadn't thought about it), and obviously manufactures may have discretion in build types.

Main point is - people can on occasion overstate their lifts on smiths as they fail to take into a/c the lighter bar (counter weighted or otherwise).

JAK.

It weighs 11lbs or 5kilos. No bar on a smith machine weighs 45lbs. They have plastic ends. Most are not counter balanced but run on bearings. It is without a doubt a useless piece of equipment which should be smelted down to make something usefukl!:D

The'real'Guvnor

Do any of you cork lads train in Timmy Wallace's place: Hardcore?

yellum

Fitton Street Gym, Fitton Street East. (Near Society Bar)

Really good weights gym. Not a fitness gym at all. Really crap cardio equipment upstairs. Utterly infuriating dance toons playing. Same cd for about 2 years I'd say.

One staff member in particular has a savage bad attitude and is a lazy ****er.

Many of the regular clientele are really serious about their idiotic training. The guys can lift but if they didn't have the assistance of no job and being able to spend a large portion of the day sitting around in the gym and the best in"natural" growth hormones they'd not get far in their training. Its when they try and give advice on what to do that gets really annoying. "Listen fatty, stop frying your brain and wrecking your heart on horse hormones and let me workout in a scientific manner and in fuc[i/]king peace"

The really good guys just keep to themselves. A lot of the clientele do not respect the gym and never put any weights back at all. The staff couldn't be arsed to enforce a tidy rack area and it becomes a right pain trying to find the matching dumbell.

2 Squat racks, 1 smith machine, 3 or 4 bench press benches. Loads and loads of dumbells going up to 50kg. Very good machines too. Pretty good for weights. The calf machine is not heavy enough though. You can easily manage the whole stack on one leg.

I like the gym still though. Changing area is **** and has no heating so can get really cold in winter. Sauna works when the owner could be arsed to turn it on which is less and less these days.

I love the place though !

yellum

Originally posted by The'real'Guvnor
Do any of you cork lads train in Timmy Wallace's place: Hardcore?

I only know of it and know people that train there.

Raskolnikov

Originally posted by daveirl
My Gym - Mardyke Arena (Cork) url]http://www.mardykearena.com[/url

2. Gym: Brilliant Gym. Best in Cork by a Mile. It's got about 15 Treadmills, 7 Bikes, 7 Steppers, 4 Rowing Machines and loads of weights machines. There is also an area for stretching and situps etc. They also have the Fitlinxx system for tracking your progress on a computer system. At peak hours the second gym is open and this increases the numbers of machines even further. I've never been there at peak times so I can't comment though.

3. Weights Besides the weights machines there is also a good selection of free weights. Good selection of benches and a squat rack. Can't think of anything that's missing.

4. Other Stuff There are 2 squash courts, 3 indoor courts for basketball/soccer/badminton or whatever. A Climbing wall and a fitness studio for classes like spinning and that.

Yea, i can vouch for the place too, it's got everything i need and it's not too busy.

Dave: Is it possible to join there from there from Jan or do they only accept membership during the start of the college year?

nightmare

Originally posted by The'real'Guvnor
Do any of you cork lads train in Timmy Wallace's place: Hardcore?

Nightmare here,
Train legs in Timmy's ,the place to be.

TenLeftFingers

Our GMIT kip has a surprisingly good gym, just opened, all new gear. Not open on wkends but it only €35 per semester. Mind you, if the manager arrives late again, I'll tear her head off and use it as a saddle for the rowing machine.

Maybe not.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Bard

I'd like to give this place a mention. Lovely building, very well fitted out, only recently opened, great staff, full fitness timetable available online... still have to force myself to get down there and make some use of it though

Borzoi

Seeing as it's new, might as well give the details as well as the link

The gym consists of a main room with 30-40 various cardiovascular machines, and about 12 weitghts machines, all are (supposed) to be linked by the Fitlynx (sp?) system so there's a complete record of what you've done and are meant to do.

There is a large arobics studio beside, and a good size 'spinning' room, takes about 20.

The glaringly missing things are free wieghts and mats, though I know the mats are due in. Well, they're only open a matter of weeks.

Lots of aerobics and spinning clases scheduled now, all included in fee.

Naturally the pools are the main advantage, the 50mtr pool is generally split into 3 x 25mtrs section (one along, two across) with the largest part being divided in lanes. So plenty of room for serious swimming

There's sauna, jacuzzi and steam room in the area between the ladies and mens changing areas.

The fee is €600/yr or €55/month direct debit. They were waiving the €100 joing fee, but might not anymore.

As the whole thing is new, there are a few teething problems, and as you expect, alot of kids in the pool at w/e. Also they intend tio allow 2000 members, and I'm not sure they can can cope.

But the plus side everything is new and shiny and the staff are very good

Dónall

I'm going to live in Ranelagh in a couple of months. Could anyone recommend a gym in that area, and mention what sort of financial damage it's likely to cause me. Thanks.

I'm living in Madrid at the moment and paying 35 euro a month (great the way you can compare prices directly these days, great....or depressing) There was no reg fee or anything either, it's a tiny place though. I imagine places in Dublin are more expensive.

I've been to the gym in the Athlone Regional Sports centre when I'm back on holidays. It's a very pleasant spacious place to work out. It's costs about 6 euro a session. The monitors get you to sign a load of legal documents after a cursory "induction session", so if you have a heart attack or something you won't blame them - then they pretty much don't go near you, though I suppose you could ask.

lanky

Yeah just browsing through this for the first time,
having been a Hard gainer since 1994 and read all the ****, done that been to Tijuana, read all the underground books, subscribed to Muscle Media 2000, went mental eating 6 times a day and carrying bits of chicken around with me, weighing myself every few hours,... (now im normal again, ithink!) anyway not to be off the subject...,

Everyone talks about the facilities at the GYm's like westwood for instance, Im a member and have been for a year or so, great facilities....
but no real atmosphere I guess as the crowd is mixed, having trained in Unique Physique for a while, most of my training was in World Gym on Talbot street, These places have atmosphere and the people in them communicate, and generally mix well, In westwood, its all a bit sterile,....
dunno I kind of miss allthe lunatics in the harder gyms.....



Oh yeah if anyone from westwood is reading.... they could do with a nice Lat pull up machine that supports your chest, and maybe one of those cool machines for lat pull ups (with your wieght) that actually kind of spots you (i used them in the states)
also the locker rooms get a bit crowded sometimes and could be a bit better......

Stark

The westwood gym in fairview, €70 a month to join, serious? Is there any cheaper membership/basic membership/student membership? The website doesn't bother giving details of membership price.

Crunch

Yellum, I went to the Fitton gym about a year ago for a short while, and must say, I liked the gym. It has all the essentials, altho the cardio is crap.
*still its better that way, than what you see most of theese days with a gizillion worth of cardio equip. and no freeweights*

pissedasanewt

Westwood in Leopardstown is another of the Westwood crew. The good thing about them is your allowed to use the Gym in Leopardstown, Sandymount and Clontarf for your €70 a month... which is a bit pricy.

Leopardstown has two tennis domes, loads of squash courts, refresh as in the other gyms, some good classes and lots of machines + a nice view over the race course.

They do a deal for the evening meetings sometimes, that if you go into the gym you can get into the races for free afterward. They also have a huge kiddie play area (adults aren't allowed play in there though!)

The 25 metre pool in Leopardstown is crap though. Narrow lanes and the lessons always seem to take up a few of them.

The bad thing about the gym is the hygene in the shower area and they always seem to have trouble with keeping the water in the plunge pool (should be icy) cold enough and the jacuzzi hot enough.

Oh yea, loads of parking too (car is basically your only way of getting up there) when the cross eyed fe*kers can manage to get their cars in between the two white lines as opposed to ON them (sorry personal gripe!).

DUX

I am a memeber of the Westwood Fairview.

The price for a full membership is 200 Euro to join + 70 Euro a month, but if you are reffered by a member the joining fee is only 100 Euro and your friend gets a prize (in this period 6 bottles of wine).
If anybody wants to be reffered just let me know....I refer you (and you get a discount) and I win the prize :-)

If you have a student card the monthly fee is only 50 Euro.

Personally I think these prices are VERY fair as you can use a lot of facilities.....

Ronin

There's a new gym opening, might have opened yesterday up at the top of the m50 near lamb doyles. ITs a total fitness an they have 3 around dublin and like westwood ur a member of them all once u join, which include all the uk ones...

Been a member of ucd for about 5 years now, all through college an last 2 years outside as well. But its missing a pool. probs gonna join it again, think i paid 200 last year for the year. probs gonna join total fitness as well just for the fact they've the nice pool.

the TF gym has an 8 lane 25m pool just for lane swimming, only 4 feet deep so no diving starts. There's also a kids/mess pool as well so its all seperate.

Loads of the typical gym equipment, wasn't checking for names but with 2 floors they'd alot. Plus the ladies only gym as well, although it was tiny.

200m runner track, 5 line, all the way around the top floor which is well nice.

MoosemaN

Originally posted by Saruman
Westpoint out in Blanch is excellent. Always upgrading their machines every 6 months or so to the latest stuff. Lots of machines and weights. Pool, sauna, steam room and so on. Also other facilities like salon, barber, sunbeds and stuff. They even do Car veleting!

Can not really agree with this one.

The gym is completly overcrowded, somethimes I have to wait for up to 5 minutes just to get a locker..

It has gotten better the last 2 weeks.

The free weight section is also overcrowded and there has been no oxygen available to breath in during the summer .

The dumbells only go to 30 kg, and most of the personel that works there do not know how to give instructions on different exercises...

Basicly the gym would be fairly good if they took away half of the members..

Eppie

Does anyone know of a decent gym in phibsboro/drumcondra?

logic1

Originally posted by Eppie
Does anyone know of a decent gym in phibsboro/drumcondra?

I live in Drumcondra but work in Clontarf so Westwood is the handiest to me. It's probably one of the closest good gyms to Drumcondra.

.logic.

benz

i had a look at the gym in park west and its free weight section is ****. it needs to have rubber mats put down, more benchs and an olympic weights bench and bar. The Smith machine just isnt good enough.

It looks nice though

O2Suck

Originally posted by Eppie
Does anyone know of a decent gym in phibsboro/drumcondra?

Tony Quinns is on Eccles st opposite the Mater private, alright gym but not much of a bodybuilders place,
Powerhouse is just off constitution hill opposite cummiskeys pub and next door to the subaru dealers, This was formerly unique physique on moore st. Hardcore bodybuilders gym, i will be joining this myself soon.
Phibsboro gym is on the upper floor of phibsboro shopping centre, from what i heard it isn't the best.
Hercules another big bodybuilders gym is down near the fruit market at the lower end of constitution hill
then theres a gym on capel st which i can't remeber the name of because i have a memory lapse(its too early)
Personally i'd go for powerhouse
Hope this helps

Eppie

Yep thanks a millianio i wouldn't be much of a bodybuilder meself, more interested in general toning but cheers for the info.

spooiirt!!

to be honest, i hate gyms. to many old dirty guys there who lift a weight once, and then sit around for two hours looking at the young lads workin out.

rs

Iveagh Fitness

I was a member for a few years

Good selection of bikes, rowers, stair-climbers and other cardio stuff.

2 Smith machines
Dumbells up to 45kg
Plenty of weight machines (All Cybex)
4 benches

pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steamroom.

Generally it was pretty good.

Have a few complaints thought. It was often overcrowded, and a lot of the equipment was placed uncomfortably close together due to a general lack of floor space.


Jackie Skelly Swords

Opened a few months ago. Loads of space. Good selection of weight machines (All cybex) and cardio equipment. Staff are very friendly.

2 Smith machines
Dumbells up to 40 kg
8ish benches

Nice big pool and jacuzzi. Mens and Ladies sauna and steam room. Worth a look if you live in the area.

My only complaint is the lack of squat rack + proper bench press. Squats, deadlift and bench press must be done on a smith machine. (for insurance reasons apparently?)

Easygainer

Loughlinstown Gym

This is my gym and it is the best, without question, that I have ever lifted in. It isn't a sissy gym with a load of pointless extras. It's a place you go to lift, run, cycle of whatever and the atmosphere, therefore, is one of hard work and dedication. I'm one of two world champion powerlifters in the gym and there are four of us with national titles in total. This is no conincidence - the gym creates good lifters - it has what you need. A good bench, incline squat rack etc etc and enough machines for any lifter.

I think a gym should be based on its atmosphere and clientelle as much as its equipment and with a new line of cardio equipment in (I don't really use it!) the gym is only getting better. It doesn't have a swimming pool or anything like that for a good reason - the focus is on the gym not extras so the membership is less than 500 for a year. Only drawback, the dumbells only go up to 115lbs

As regards other gyms I've trained in:

Galway city gym - another excellent gym with a great ethos. The walls are adorned with pictures of champions who've trained in the gym and the equipment is excellent (don't like the squat rack though!). Pity I only go there to compete but it is a great gym.

UCD Gym - awful, awful gym for a weighlifter. They recently banned the use of chalk - this aesthetic approach to the look of the gym rather than the lifters is also characterized in the staff. They do not have a clue about weighlifting and there are always cleaners mopping the floor while you try to lift. The atmosphere is abismal. 10 stone guys walk around in tank tops posing in the mirrors and try to hump weights with terrible form while talking on mobile phones. Then of course, there is no water in the gym and it's a long trek from downstairs to the nearest oasis. The cardio equipment is good but too focused on leisure rather than results. Personally I would spend the 200euro membership on equipment for my home if I wasn't near another gym.

Easygainer

Originally posted by Eppie
Yep thanks a millianio i wouldn't be much of a bodybuilder meself, more interested in general toning but cheers for the info.

NO SUCH THING AS TONING!!!!! Don't make me go into a rant but what "toning" is is developing muscle and then conditioning (ie losing fat) to show the muscle.

Bodybuilding is pretty similar but just the people who call it that understand what it is...

Jak

UCD Gym - awful, awful gym for a weighlifter. They recently banned the use of chalk - this aesthetic approach to the look of the gym rather than the lifters is also characterized in the staff. They do not have a clue about weighlifting and there are always cleaners mopping the floor while you try to lift. The atmosphere is abismal. 10 stone guys walk around in tank tops posing in the mirrors and try to hump weights with terrible form while talking on mobile phones. Then of course, there is no water in the gym and it's a long trek from downstairs to the nearest oasis. The cardio equipment is good but too focused on leisure rather than results. Personally I would spend the 200euro membership on equipment for my home if I wasn't near another gym.

Well while I'd have to agree with some points - I still think it is one of the best value gyms around.

Staff are pretty poor - but if you know what you are doing this is never really an issue as you can just ignore them. There are very few serious lifters in the gym, however that is not to say there are none, there's a handful I know including myself and brother who have been training since it opened and years before. Not so many big lifters (unfortunate as it pushes people on) but a few of us have reasonably respectable benches up to 200-230kg mark for example. Atmosphere is something you can bring to a gym individually in my view. As long as the equipment is there my single sessions don't require it.

Other things, well cleaners won't bother you if you tell them to stay away and 10st guys in tank tops are present in just about every gym nowadays, but will usually give you a wide berth. Em, water ... well I just take 2 litres with me and it lasts - tho yes it is annoying that the water is so far for some I guess. As for the chalk thing - that pissed me off a lot as well, but frankly I just ignore it and still use chalk. If eventually i get banned I will move out to TF or something.

I think it is a general trend though - many gyms are moving away from serious training because it is not good money - cardio or random trainers are a much better clientele.

Loughlinstown never really did it for me though, the benches are not the may west and the free weights area generally is quite small. Also I felt the inconsistent plates and incline were problems.

Anyway I can't be bothered going into that - all I would say is that having trained over in Gold's gym in Washington last week, I have to say we are gettin a raw deal over here. The gym seamlessly fused cardio with weights and the atmosphere was fine - despite the ever present 10st guys in tank tops.

JAK.