Gold’s Gym opened in a new location on Dec. 31. The business offers new competition for American Family Fitness, which was already established in Colonial Heights.
By Whitney Clements
Gold’s Gym opened in Colonial Heights on Dec. 31, 2011. Many people have switched from American Family Fitness to Gold’s Gym to get the $9.99 membership they offered, or the $19.99 Gold membership. Gold’s seems to be a hit for many people so far.
“I think Gold’s Gym is a perfect place for someone who may be self conscious about working out in front of a bunch of people,” sophomore Katelynn Pavasko said. “Gold’s doesn’t have as many members as American Family, therefore I can work at my own pace.”
Gold’s offers free tanning for anyone over the age of 18. They also have a separate room so people can watch a movie on the big screen while they work out. They have classes you can sign up for online, or at the gym. There are various machines to work out every part of the body, along with cardio machines including things like treadmills, bikes, and steppers.
“It can get a little crowded sometimes especially when it’s around the time people start to get off work,” sophomore Mandy Almarode said. “I had to wait a couple times for a cardio machine but I think that resulted from the time I had decided to go.”
The downfall for some is that Gold’s Gym doesn’t allow kids like American Family. American Family has the Kids’ Zone so that children can go play while their parents work out. Gold’s Gym also does not provide a basketball court, swimming pool, or spa.
“I was going to American Family and switched mainly because of the money difference,” sophomore Maddy Martin said. “American Family is more of a family place, while Gold’s is somewhere I can go by myself and do my own thing – which is all I need because I didn’t use the basketball court, swimming pool, or free weight room in Am Fam anyways.”
Gold’s Gym in Colonial Heights can be contacted at (804) 526-4653 or you can sign up at www.goldsgym.com.