It’s not you, it’s Gym: Fitness for $10 a great price

This week we will review Fitness for $10, a popular gym facility on Madison Avenue.

Bethany Dallenbach has been physically active for three years and started taking it seriously within the last year. She has had a Fitness for $10 membership for three years.

When evaluating her facility, she is comparing it to Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness and Build N Tone in Mankato.

Her evaluation follows:

Regarding the parking structures, is there sufficient parking? Is it free or included in the rate of the membership? On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the parking structure. One being the worst, five being the best.

Rating: 4 – “There is sufficient parking, I’ve never had trouble finding a spot.”

In your opinion, are the membership fees/rates reasonable? On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the membership fee prices.

Rating: 5 – “Considering a basic membership is only $10 a month.”

What are your thoughts regarding the size of the facility? On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the size of the facility.

Rating: 5 – “I believe the size is big enough, all the things I need for my workout are there.”

What are your thoughts regarding the gym staff, are they helpful, do they answer your questions-if you’ve had any? On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the staff.

Rating: 5 – “The staff at the gym has always been extremely helpful and I would consider a handful of them good friends.”

What are your thoughts regarding the equipment availability, let’s say, the machines? On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the equipment availability.

Rating: 4 – “It depends on which time you choose to go. If you go early in the morning or late at night, equipment will be open. If you go near noon or 5 p.m., there will be less open. Since I go in the morning.”

What are your thoughts regarding the non-machine equipment? (dumbbells, z-curl bars, mats, dip/pull-up bars, cardio-what type of cardio equipment do they have) On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the equipment.

Rating: 5 – “Compared to other gyms I’ve seen, they have high quality weights. They also have a wide variety of cardio equipment including treadmills, stair-masters and bikes.”

What are your thoughts regarding the locker room, plenty of lockers, showers, etc.? On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the locker rooms/showers/bathrooms.

Rating: 4 – “There are plenty of lockers as well as showers. It is always clean and never smells or looks unsanitary.”

Is the cleanliness of the facility satisfactory, above standards, or exceptional? On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the locker rooms/showers/bathrooms.

Rating: 4 – “I am satisfied with the cleanliness of the gym. I believe it is exceptional. I always see someone cleaning while I am there.”

In your opinion, what is the environment like, are people friendly, or mainly keep to themselves and focus on their workouts? On a scale of 1 to 5, rate gym atmosphere.

Rating: 4 – “People do focus a lot on their workouts, but are generally friendly. There are a lot of motivated people in that gym, so someone just starting out in their fitness journey could be intimidated.”

What are your thoughts on the additional amenities, like tanning, massage chairs? Beverages, food, apparel? On a scale of 1 to 5, rate the amenities.

Rating: 4 – “I enjoy the tanning and massage chairs. It is nice that it is included in my membership. They have a vending machine for healthy beverages next to the entrance. There is no food. Apparel is always on hand.”

Bethany’s Evaluation

Gym Facility Grade: 44/50, 88%, average score: 4.4

Highest Scores: (scored 5/5); Membership Fees, Facility Size, Gym Staff, Non-machine Equipment.

Lowest Scores: (scored 4/5); Parking, Equipment Availability, Locker Room, Cleanliness, Gym Environment, Additional Amenities.

Bethany is satisfied with the dumbbell weight sizes but has heard males requesting a higher ranged collection.

“It is nice to bring a friend for free,” said Dallenbach.

When I visited the facility, I was impressed with the weight ranges of dumbbells and Z-bars, accommodating up to 110 pounds each.

Dallenbach’s favorite equipment include the squat rack, cable machines and dumbbells. The facility has one cable machine with six different muscle group options, though only one person can use the center ensemble using two singular hand cable attachments.

“To maintain a healthy body and mind and gain about 10 pounds,” was Dallenbach’s response when I asked her of her fitness goals.

As far as equipment, she would like to see in the facility, “Sauna, counts as equipment right?” said Dallenbach.

The underground gym has three pullup features available and plenty of cardio equipment, including climbing ladders and stair masters.