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.
Chloe Alexander • Mar 29, 2012 at 9:05 pm
I have heard so much about Gold’s Gym from people my age. I think it is great that it is a gym that is so student-friendly, with many perks such as tanning and being able to bring a guest for free. I am a member of the YMCA, so I have never been to Gold’s Gym, although it is more conveniently located. The $9.99 deal is great for a student, but I think the lack of variety is a negative for some. When you just need a quick workout, it is a gym you have to consider, and this article is helpful in making that decision.
Lindsay Varga • Mar 29, 2012 at 6:12 pm
This is very informative and will help people decide whether they want to join either gym. I am a member of American Family. I’m not quite sure how Golds is set up, but I like having a swimming pool and basketball court! I also love the classes that they offer all day every day. Also, the trainers are very helpful. I know a lot of people who have joined Golds and I think it is a very good deal!
Melissa Tomlin • Mar 29, 2012 at 5:59 pm
I think that this article gives good informative information about the gym. I personally do not go to the gym, but this article would definitely help me decide which one I would rather go too.
Sarah Beth Howard • Mar 29, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Honestly, I am not a member of any gym, but Gold’s Gym would probably not be the place I want to go. I enjoy the pool, and that would be my number one choice if I had a requirement for the perfect gym for me. My parents are members of Am Fam and I believe that would be what I would do too. But reading this article and looking at this picture, I thought more of when that building wasn’t Gold’s Gym. I seem to recall that place was a circuit city a long time ago, and it makes me think of how Colonial Heights is changing. I also wonder if this is for the better or worse. Looking at it a gym would be better over a laziness promoting electronics store, but one might have to just keep on wondering.
Stephen Brockwell • Mar 29, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Gold’s Gym is a nice opportunity for people to get active and exercise more. It also makes great use of the building (formerly a Circuit City), which has gone relatively unused for almost a decade. Gold’s Gym will be a great asset to the community, and beneficial for all that go there.
Megan Jonson • Mar 28, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Ever since Gold’s opened I heard all about it vs. American Family. The people I know who belong to Gold’s love it, like the article the only bad thing they had to say was the waiting time which could be due to the time they went or that fact tha itt is brand new and everyone wants to try it out. This article was very informational in giving details about the new gym compared to American Family. My family and I used to belong to American Family, however we discontinued our membership because we never used all of the extra things we were paying for. I do not currently belong to either gym, however with my past experience and with the information from this article I would probably join Gold’s simply because it is cheaper and allows me to work out at my own pace.
Alex Crowder • Mar 27, 2012 at 11:26 am
You had me sold at Gold’s Gym, until you said there was no swimming pool. That is the only thing I actually use at American Family is the pool, and it’s a shame that Gold’s does not have one. Considering I don’t usually do much excercise other than running and swimming, I don’t really need a gym membership. Still, it’s nice to know about the local businesses.
Jordan Thompson • Mar 25, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I have heard great things about Gold’s Gym and I think that this article effectively displays them as well. I am not a member of neither American Family nor Gold’s Gym, however if I had to choose a gym to join I would choose Gold’s because it is much cheaper and allows me to go into the gym and work out at my own pace without having anyone bother me. The con of Gold’s Gym is probably the size because I have heard that the other facilities are much larger, especially the Gold’s Gym located in the Westchester Commons shopping center located in Midlothian.
Matthew Schneck • Mar 17, 2012 at 3:46 pm
This article is quite informative especially to those who are new to the life of exercise. In our area, there are so many options like American Family, Walkers, and even Fort Lee gyms, and like mentioned above they are not one size fits all. It’s good to see that the newspaper is upholding its job of informing the public about new developments within the community. It would be interesting to see some sort of a cost comparison section that shows the differences in membership prices between the local gyms so the readers could be better informed.
Conner Stevenson • Feb 22, 2012 at 8:32 pm
This article is very helpful because it outlines the type of gym people are investing their monthly money into. Gold’s Gym is a great place to be, but it is not the right ft for everyone. This particular gym specializes in cardio. This is great for people who want to stay in shape and feel better through running. If you are a traditional weightlifter, you may want to consider an American Family Fitness or a Walker’s Gym. These gyms offer a good amount of cardio equipment as well as the equipment needed for the weightlifter, such as barbells and dumbbells as well as an assortment for free-weight. Overall, one could definitely say that we have quite a great selection of local gyms and the best thing to do would be to find the one that fits you best.
Kayla Bishop • Feb 21, 2012 at 12:39 pm
I personally found this article to very helpful because I was thinking of getting a gym membership and didnt really know where to go. I had thought of American Family Fitness but it was to expense to me and i thought i wouldnt use some of the things that much. I’m happy that a new gym came to colonial heights cause now I’ll be able to go and it won’t break my bank. This article definitely encouraged me to go to golds gym for sure now. I also liked the student comments in the article about the gym.