Gyms Where You Can Do StrongLifts 5x5 (Add Yours!)

[Mehdi]

Updated list. Keep them coming please!

[atypical1]

Hey Mehdi, your list isn't quite right for the U.S. Gyms like 24hourfitness and the YMCA aren't limited to one specific city or state. They are really nationwide. So if you come to the U.S. you could go to any city and hit the YMCA. I think it's limiting to just list one city like Jamestown, NY because you're not very likely to travel there if you're not from there.

james

[Barry101]

USA, Charlottesville VA
http://www.acac.com
500 Albemarle Sq & 200 E Water St in Charlottesville.
There are also locations in Crozet VA, Richmond VA, and West Chester PA. I only work out in Cville locations but I would imagine the equipment is similar.

Equipment
Two closed Squat Racks in each location. Several olympic bars w/plates down to 2.5lbs. Dumbells from 17lbs to 120lbs. Lots of other fixed barbell weights. Weight wise I can't think of anything they do not have. Dozens of weight machines and cardio equipment from treadmills, elipticals stairmasters etc. Aerobic classes like pilates, Cycling, athletic conditioning etc.

Review
Until reading the problems others have finding a gym, I did not realize how good I had it. No problems deadlifting or powercleaning at either location though the Water St facilties floor is not as good. Several trainers at both locations. They leave you alone...even if you have crappy form. But if you need a spot they are always willing to help. Both locations have indoor pools with lap lanes a cafe w/healthy meals, snacks and drinks. 1st class operation. The only downside is price, wife and I pay about $150 a month for membership.

Good friendly management and employees. Members are also friendly people. Never had anyone insult or tell me how I should change my workout. I've talked to several about SL 5X5 but I think I am the only one at either location doing the program. Best thing is I go early in the AM and usually both squat racks are open. I am usually the only one doing squats or deads no matter what time of day I go. I don't think I've ever had to wait for more than 10 minutes to start my workout.

[Barry06GT]

Country: USA
State: Oregon
Gym: Bally's
Location: Wilsonville, Beaverton (2 of them!), Hillsboro, Lake Oswago (all within 30 minutes of each other).

At the Beaverton Bally's where "X Couch Potato" (Bernice) and myself workout, there are TWO power cages, a Dead Lift platform, 3-Bench Press benches, and Oly bars for each, plus two Oly bars that just sit on the floor waiting to be used. TWO Smith machines where we do Inverted Rows (because they are never used). A nice carpet area set aside where you can do body weight stuff. Oh, and the staff never blinks an eye when someone drops a weight with a crash or ker-thud. Another big plus, when in the free-weight area, the personal trainers leave you alone, unless asked to spot...

.

[shree]

Surprise ! Surprise! no one mentioned Bally Fitness ?

I use to go to this gym few years back. Liked it a lot I wish I knew about 5 X 5 back then


* Country USA

* Region Nation Wide

* Name of gym Bally fitness

* Address 203 W Big Beaver Rd,Troy, MI 48084 (248) 524-6474

* Equipment

At least one squat rack, lots of free weights, cardio equipments

* Short review

This is a nationwide chain. If you take $30 membership you can go to any Gym across the country. Some clubs have child care facility. Steam, Sauna, Swimming pool is also available at some locations.


* Website if available http://www.ballyfitness.com

[Rokku]

UK
South London (Streatham)
Virgin Active
20 Ockley Road, London, SW16 1UB
Only 1 squat rack, but it's rarely used compared to smiths machine. Also, 1 flat bench w/ racks and 1 inverted bench w/ racks and 3-4 movable benches. Plenty of weights and DBs. 3-4 oly bars, although obviously this only leaves one free for DLs/cleans if the racks are all being used.

Best to use during the day or late at night (9-10pm) as busy otherwise due to it being a commercial gym. Management are generally front-desk only; they do have PTs around sometimes, but they don't hang around that much. The late night crew also tend to be more into doing strength work rather than BB or aimless routines, so they keep to themselves and just work out. But it's South London so you'll get the occasional loud idiot with his mates, easily ignored though.

www.virginactive.co.uk

[Barry06GT]

Surprise ! Surprise! no one mentioned Bally Fitness ?

I did, one day before you did.

See previous post.


.

[shree]

Barry , I saw that after my post showed up. I did not see your post until then.

[SamuraiMark]

The Co-ed GoodLife gym in downtown Kingston, Ontario, Canada. They only have two squat racks, but they are rarely used. Otherwise, all the gear you need is there. Plenty of idle Olympic bars. I don't think chalk is allowed. At least, I see no signs of chalk use. No one has stopped me from doing power cleans. I'd prefer a gym with more of a 5x5/3x5 strength program focus, but this suits my purposes for now.

http://www.goodlifefitness.com/club.aspx?ClubNo=074

Mark

[chris88]

Belgium

Antwerp

Sporthal Cafetaria / GT
17 Esk. Licht Vliegwezenlaan 5
2490 Balen, Belgium

they have a squat rack,two powerracks, some olympicbars and lots of other stuff I haven't used.
Possibility to deadlift, I don't know if powercleaning is allowed (no special floor)

review:
nice, quiet gym and not too expensive (30euros a month)

[holvoetn]

Belgium

Antwerp

Sporthal Cafetaria / GT
17 Esk. Licht Vliegwezenlaan 5
2490 Balen, Belgium

they have a squat rack,two powerracks, some olympicbars and lots of other stuff I haven't used.
Possibility to deadlift, I don't know if powercleaning is allowed (no special floor)

review:
nice, quiet gym and not too expensive (30euros a month)

I know where that is
Went with the boy-scouts on camp last year July in Balen (Vogelsberg)

[j2times]

Country - USA
City, State - McLean, Virginia
Gym - Regency Sport & Health
Address - 1800 Old Meadow Road
***There are numerous Sport & Health Gyms in Northern Virginia (as far south as Fredricksburg), Maryland, & DC. I have not been to these other gyms to know about their equipment.
Equipment - 2 Squat racks (1 closed), plates down to 2.5lbs, 2 flat benches & 2 incline benches, tons of weight machines & cardio equipment, kinesis resistance based technogym, lots of foam rollers, mats, balls, etc.

Short review - Regency is a pretty big facility. Two pools, 19 tennis courts (including Prince's Court tennis), squash, & racket ball courts. People seem to love the assisted machines, and since there are 2, there is never a wait for a squat racks. In the 2 months I've been going to this gym (usually evenings), I've never had to wait to do an exercise. If there is a "Bodypump" class going on the area can be a bit crowded, but the equipment needed for SL are still open. For the most part, those doing strength training keep to themselves and are no BS. But, everyone has been nice if I've had a question.

Website - http://www.sportandhealth.com/club.aspx?id=282&sn=96#

[MikeD]

Country - United States
State/City - New York, NY (Manhattan)

Gym - Mid-City Gym
Address: 345 W42nd Street

Equipment: Good stuff, about 3 squat racks, a lifting platform (though, amazingly enough, you can deadlift wherever if you have enough space and it's unintrusive), dumbbells that go to 120 lbs, kettlebells, ropes, strongmen-style log with the handles (!), cardio equipment.

Review: If you don't know where it is, you're likely to walk right past it. I don't have much experience with the gym yet. It's the longest running gym in the country. The staff is very friendly and diesel, haha, nationally ranked powerlifters have gone to the gym. Very, very serious atmosphere. The only class they have is called "The Art of Strength", a class that employs said kettlebells, ropes, and logs; there's no spin classes here :p

All in all, I'm looking forward to spending time there. You'd expect a gym that's practically in Times Squate to be a real frilly, prissy gym that caters to the casual mainstream, but it's not. It's around 70 bucks a month though, (not sure about it annually) which is the cheapest you'll find for what it's worth but you'd still save good money by building a home gym in the long run. Pretty damn hard if you live in the city though.

[Anand]

Country: India
Region: Bangalore
Name of gym: Gold Gym
Address: RMZ Infinity, Old Madras Road
Equipment: power rack, bench press, Olympic bars and lot of plates and many other weight machines and cardio machines
Short review: clean & hygienic, has shower and locker facility, has a steam room. wont bother you if you are doing your own stuff. every 30-45 day assessment and measurement. no specific deadlift/power clean area, have to do it in the power rack.
Website: http://www.goldsgymbangalore.com/

[Jiggy]

* Country Scotland, UK
* Region Dundee
* Name of gym ISE @ University of Dundee
* Address Old Hawkhill, Dundee
* Equipment Strength Performance Centre with 5 Quality poweracks each with 250kg plates, plenty of Olympic bars, Pull Up bars on each one, two racks of Dumbells (up to 40kg), couple of benches, tables etc. Separate gym with weight machines, running machines etc.
* Short review Really good gym for stronglifts. During the summer it's fairly empty, sometimes you can have the gym to yourself. During term time I haven't used it but It will be busier. You need to do an induction before you can use the SPC but this only really for safety and takes about 10mins. I'm a staff member at the uni so it only costs £15 / month but community can join for about £29/month.
* Website if available http://www.dundee.ac.uk/ise/fun/facilities/index.php click SPC rather than 'Gym'