I know Gold's is one of the nicest chain gyms, but wouldn't it make sense for Pujols to work out at the Angels' facilities or at least some swanky athletic club? Can you imagine all the amateur bodybuilders fawning over Albert from across the rack of dumbbells?

Anyone here have experience with Planet Fitness? I've heard awful things about their treatment of "serious" lifters, but their membership fees are really tempting.

Any room with an elliptical machine where I can set my android so I can watch netflix is all I need.

Anyone here have experience with Planet Fitness? I've heard awful things about their treatment of "serious" lifters, but their membership fees are really tempting.

Depends what you're looking for in a gym. They've totally banished the hardcore meatheads, but in doing so, they've made it a lousy place for non-meatheads who are still looking for a serious workout. Dumbbells cap out at 70lbs, free weights are limited, and god help you if you drop a weight or grunt louder than an irritated french bulldog. If you're a reasonably fit guy who's had experience working out at other gyms, you'll probably find it lame. If you're not in great shape and have never belonged to a gym or tried and found it intimidating, it might be an OK fit.

Thank you for writing this article, Mr. Plaschke.

Anyone here have experience with Planet Fitness? I've heard awful things about their treatment of "serious" lifters, but their membership fees are really tempting.

Terrible. If you actually want to work as opposed to just stand around and chit-chat wearing gym clothes, it's the worst gym ever. Any gym that banishes Cleans as part of their policy is no kind of gym.

Any gym that banishes Cleans as part of their policy is no kind of gym.

i don't get the point of having weights in the facility if they don't let members do cleans. how do they feel about squats?

I built a home gym in my basement, mostly out of stuff I found for free on craigs list. I still belong to one of those cheap local gyms ($17/mo), but I work out at home during the week. I think I spent a total of $120 on it and I can do pretty much anything other than pulldowns- the ceiling is too low. I put a little TV down there and it is an oasis. If you can spare the 200 sqft, I cant recommend it enough.

I live in LA. What the hell is a designated freeway lane?

EDIT: Does he just mean "freeway lane"? In which case I don't think this is really a problem. People stay in their lanes on the freeway. LA's reputation for bad drivers is much worse than the actual badness of its drivers. They're definitely a lot friendlier than those in a lot of other cities I've been in.

I live in LA. What the hell is a designated freeway lane?

EDIT: Does he just mean "freeway lane"? In which case I don't think this is really a problem. People stay in their lanes on the freeway. LA's reputation for bad drivers is much worse than the actual badness of its drivers. They're definitely a lot friendlier than those in a lot of other cities I've been in.

I've lived in LA for 20 years, and I don't understand his term either. He probably either meant passing lanes or carpool lanes. Googling the phrase "designated freeway lanes" brings up a definition of HOV lanes in Arizona first. This thread is second and the linked article is sixth.

Anyone here have experience with Planet Fitness? I've heard awful things about their treatment of "serious" lifters, but their membership fees are really tempting.

PF is great if you're goal is to drop some weight and maybe avoid a heart attack when you are 45. If your goal is to bulk up it is not really for you. Like Good Face said, if the idea of joining a gym has you a bit uneasy or intimidated, PF is the place to go.

I know Gold's is one of the nicest chain gyms, but wouldn't it make sense for Pujols to work out at the Angels' facilities or at least some swanky athletic club? Can you imagine all the amateur bodybuilders fawning over Albert from across the rack of dumbbells?

I don't know if it is still the case but the Gold's Gym across from Fenway used to be the place to go for visiting teams when they came to Boston (I think Dante Bichette met his wife there). I imagine places like this have staff that will pretty aggressively have you on your way if you are standing around watching the famous ballplayer/musician/tv star.

I imagine places like this have staff that will pretty aggressively have you on your way if you are standing around watching the famous ballplayer/musician/tv star.

UNLESS...you're a hot chick.