Five Great Things About Gold's Gym Crofton

The Gold's Gym in Crofton has been said by many to be the best gym in the area, and maybe even in the state. I don't know that I'd go that far, but it does have a lot of good qualities.

Cardio Theater-This relatively new development allows you to run, bike or use the elliptical while in the dark and watching a movie on the big screen. They show anything from the Predator to Win a Date with Tad Hamilton, depending on when you go. They have been pretty good at keeping up on new DVD releases lately.

Women's Gym-Ladies, don't want to be ogled while you work out, or are you a little intimidated by the buff Schwarzenegger types? There is a special section upstairs just for you. This room, just for women, has treadmills, free weights, bikes and circuit equipment-everything you need for your workout. You can even get to the locker room without walking through the main gym. So no one but the girls will notice you're wearing that pink leotard from the 80s.

Lots of Equipment-There are over a dozen treadmills, elliptical and bikes, a fully equipped circuit training area, loads of free weights in all sizes, and lots of other weightlifting machines (two entire rooms full). Because of this, you hardly ever have to wait long to get on a machine.

Group Exercise Classes-The classes, known as GGX, are the high point of the gym in my opinion, since they force you to go at a set time and stick around. A lot of classes are offered in the morning and evening, although you're out of luck if you want to take one in the afternoon. The most prolific by far is Body Pump, a class that uses choreographed weightlifting and promises to help you drop the pounds and fast. It's offered at least twice a day most days. Other classes include yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, step aerobics and hip hop dance. Almost all of them are free with membership.

Location-This gym is right off of Route 3 in the northern section of Crofton, easily accessible from Route 3. If you work in DC, it's easy to stop by on the way home to the Baltimore area. It's hard to talk yourself out of going if you drive right past the gym.

This gym isn't perfect by any means, the main drawback being how difficult it is to negotiate a good membership fee. The average seems to be between 25 and 50 dollars a month. Be sure to catch it during one of their promotions, or find a friend who is a member and get in on a referral. The new year is the perfect time to get off your duff and get to Gold's.