Bally Total Fitness

Firstly, this gym is no longer a Bally affiliate, and secondly I will NEVER join a Crunch again. The facility was unique, but, as with most city gyms, felt cramped and particularly awkward in it's lay out (movie theater). It was generally quite dark, occasionally closed when it was supposed to be open in the morning, and was a fair chunk of change. But the part that killed it for me was the tremendous incompetence of the company to handle customer service issues. I had a friend go through the same issues when he canceled membership too.
RANT: When I joined the gym I got the year program after confirming with the manager that, should I cancel in 8 months (to move to a different state for work), I would only need to show some proof of the other address and pay $20. When I did cancel and they took a copy of everything, I moved away and then moved out of the country the next month. The company HQ proceeded to charge me another $24, then $74 each month as if I were still benefiting from their gym. Calling long-distance and emailing to various "customer service" people led me in circles, that eventually boiled down to: "we have a note in our computer that you canceled on this date from this gym and we have the cancellation fee, but we don't have the documentation." So I asked, why don't they (HQ) speak with their own people at that gym and get the photocopies. It's not my fault if they lost it or misfiled, and I expect to be reimbursed for these charges. I called to speak to my original recruiter but he was mysteriously absent each day I called at different times for different reasons and refused to respond by email. 3 months later I finally worked it out, but with a loathing for the graceless operation of the company.

Gorilla sports is a great deal for the money. The gym offers a variety of classes, up to date equipment and an interesting building/ambience on Polk streeet. Staff are friendly and helpful and the clientel are similarly laid back. For the money this is a great location.

PROS: environmnet, site, equipment,classes
CONS: parking

This place is a bit over-hyped. Many of the cool aspects and the bad aspects of this Gorilla can be attributed to the fact that it is a converted movie theatre. The movie screen is pretty awesome. I really enjoyed that while I was a member. While you work out, the staff plays DVDs on the big screen, which you can listen to on any FM radio. The locker rooms are too small, however. The weight section is also too small and crowded. And, it's somewhat wack that the weight section looks down over the "classroom" section (a big open studio) and the cardio section looks down over the weight and classroom sections. It gives the place a feel of a meat market. Overall, this place is a bit of a show. If you're not part of the scene and you're just a regular person trying to get in your work outs, you're probably better off at 24 Hour Fitness on Van Ness (great parking).

PROS: Movie Screen, Nice Cardio, Cool Building
CONS: Meat Market, Small Weight Section, Open Classroom Section, Tiny Locker Room

For the price, this is the bomb. The building is beautiful - it was once an old movie theatre and got turned into a gym and they still have the movie screen up and run all type of mvoies. The screen is visable from all around the gym so you can always watch the movie - fabulous. They also have TVs everywhere. It is never too crowded. The staff is friendly and the rates are good for what you get. NOTE: This is NOT a fancy gym ala Sports Club LA or Equinox.

PROS: Great rates, Fun atmosphere, down to earth
CONS: bad parking in this neighborhood

The building is beautiful. It is never too crowded and they show movies on the screen. The staff is friendly and the rates are good. The best workout for the buck.