Anytime Fitness

I’m writing this review as I’m on one of the ellipticals at Anytime Fitness. I’m writing it here because, as is common, one of the treadmills is broken, and the others are full. I came up here to run, but I can’t. I was not surprised — it is pretty bad when you get inside and see one treadmill is open, then you start betting yourself if that machine is actually in service. I’ve been a member here for over five years, but have been fairly annoyed over the last couple years. The only reason I continue my membership is because it is within walking distance of my house.
It has become pretty common up here for the machines to be out of order, or some part not working (like the buttons, tv, heart rate monitor, ect). The machines (cardio and some of the weight machines) have gone to disrepair over time. When they break, they can be out for anywhere from a week to a few months. In fact, they used to have a tread climber… that broke and was out for several months. Then that machine disappeared and they spread the other treadmills out to make up for space. They also used to have five ellipticals. One broke a while back, and that one also disappeared and they spread the remaining four out to make up for space. So now when another cardio machine is out, good luck trying to wrangle one during a busy week night. My husband has also noted that little things take a while to repair as well — apparently one of the buttons on the drinking fountain has been broken for some time.
Another bummer is it is usually hot and stuffy as all get out in there. Today isn’t too bad, but that probably has to do with the fact that the temperature has dropped significantly outside. It’s not even worth it to work out in here in the summer, unless I want to feel like I’m working out in the depths of hell. You feel like you could swim through the air in there sometimes it is so heavy with humidity.
I’m horribly dreading the influx of New Years resolutioners come the beginning of January. That coupled with the finicky machines — It will probably be nearly impossible to get a cardio machine, unless you go really late. My advice: wait it out until they all start slacking (usually mid-​February), then check it out if you are really interested.

After finding a Groupon for this particular location… $ 20 for 20 visits and 1 Personal Training session, I decided to give it a go. All I’m saying is «good call, Mal» :)… and I’m saying that to myself. Yeah, I talk to myself on occasion. Whatever.
I figured it’s $ 20 for 20 visits… plus a personal training sesh. $ 1 a visit? Awesome. Even though it’s a bit further than I’d like, I really can’t beat it. I called ahead of time to figure out what the deal was with the personal training. Did I have to go before I start utilizing my «visits»? No? Awesome.
The first visit, I sat down with one of the owners (Shelly) and went over some information about the gym. I didn’t realize this when purchasing, but besides all of the other nifty things I’m getting for $ 20, I can utilize the tanning bed while I’m there. I know, it’s not good for ya, but it does make the newly formed musk-​cles (as my favorite German calls them… or did back in the high school days, anyway) look a little happier. It’s funny how something that makes a person look healthier is actually making them more unhealthy.
Anyway, my time with Tracy was great… overall. She’s awesome with suggesting ways to push yourself, and giving you new exercises. I arranged for my session with her to start at 10:30 am on a Monday. I got there at about 10:25 am, and noticed that she was still working with a client. I got on the elliptical, and figured that I could use a few minutes on the machine prior. That few minutes, ended up being almost 30. At 10:55 am, she was ready to help me. I had plans to be elsewhere, so I was unable to do an hour with her. Plus, if I was 30 minutes late, the next person would be behind as well. I just told her that we’d do 30 minutes now and 30 later. She was okay with this, so she helped push me through all of the machines. My next session was set for several days later. It was set for a few days later at 11:30 am. I went in at 10:30 am to get some cardio in ahead of time. At noon, she arrived. I was already tired, and a little irritated at having the same sort of experience twice. She took me through a few things, and though it was good, I wasn’t thrilled about my time being wasted… or being at the gym for nearly 2 hours.
Everything besides the waiting game has been great. I’ve been really enjoying this gym… it is rarely busy, and I’ve been enjoying it.
Happy Workin It… Out