A Comparison of Three Fitness Gyms in the Irmo, South Carolina Area

I've been wondering about a gym that my husband and I could go to get some exercise. I've highlighted three possible choices. It's amazing how many choices there are close to home. This is big business.

Golds Gym - Columbiana Point, 800 Columbiana Drive, Irmo, South Carolina - Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 5:00 am until 11:00 pm, Friday 5:00 am until 9:00 pm, Saturday 6:00 am until 6:00 pm, and Sunday 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. This is one of four locations that Golds has in the area and is also the largest and busiest. Most times of the day when you go by the Columbiana Point location the parking lot is full.

This place is awesome and has about anything you could imagine. If you have children, they have an area called the Children's Place. There's a women's only section, a pool, group exercise, tanning spa, a medical spa, and weight loss program. Want to watch Marley and Me? You can do it in the Cardio Cinema. They have different movies on different days. If you register online you can get $29 off their enrollment fee and instead of costing you $79 it will only be $50. Membership dues are $29 a month, and you can get a 30 day free trial. You do have to sign a contract.

If you want to train like an athlete, Golds would be the place. This is a state of the arts facility.

YMCA - Northwest Family YMCA, 1501 Kennerly Road, Irmo, South Carolina - Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 5:00 am until 10:00 pm, Friday 5:00 am until 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am until 6:00 pm, and Sunday 1:00 pm until 5:30 pm. This is also one of four locations in the area. If you're looking for a more family oriented place the Y is always a good choice.

This location offers a swimming pool, cardio and strength equipment, group exercise, basketball courts, inside track, fitness coaches, outdoor lighted tennis court, and two hours a day of free child care if you have a family membership. They have a $50 enrollment fee and a family plan of two or more members is $74 a month. You sign up with the particular branch you want to use, and there is a nominal fee charged if you visit another branch. You do not have to sign up with a contract.

The YMCA also offers summer camps for kids and after school programs. These programs are usually great because they offer fun activities for the children. The programs are not offered as part of the membership fee. The membership does allow you special pricing for the programs.

Anytime Fitness - Anytime Fitness of Irmo, 2726 North Lake Drive, Lake Murray, South Carolina - Hours of operation 24 hours a day. This one really intrigued me. I liked the idea that you could have your own key and go and exercise anytime that you wanted. This is a much smaller place and there is no pool, but they did have some advantages to the other two gyms that I was considering. They are open 7 days a week 24 hours a day. They have a 7 day trial that you can use and a personal trainer will work with you to set you up with a routine. You do have to sign a contract, but for me that's a motivator. They have an enrollment fee of $99, but I was told that if I sign an 18 month contract they will reduce that to $49. Also the monthly fee for 18 months is $39 and for 12 months it's $44 for an individual. They also offer personal training packages.

This is a straight fitness gym with no frills. They do have locations all across the country which makes it convenient if you travel. They had TVs in front of the treadmills if you were interested in that kind of thing. There were two locations in the area that I live. If you're looking for a no nonsense approach to fitness this is the place.

With the number of fitness centers and range of services, there's no reason not to find a place that you feel comfortable joining to work on personal fitness. The older you get the more important it is to stay healthy and fit. If you're having trouble doing that on your own, find a fitness center near you to help you. It's so important and you'll feel great.

Sources:

http://www.goldsgym.com/gyms/index.php?

http://www.columbiaymca.org/branches/northwest_irmo/northwest_irmo.html

http://www.anytimefitness.com/en-us/clubs/101/Lake-Murray-SC-health-club