Today's top gyms thrives thanks to a supportive community, innovative training, and an environment (and equipment!) that helps everyone get fit and have fun. Finding the best gym in the country wasn't easy. We started by surveying our staff, advisory board, and Strength in Diversity Initiative trainers. Our in-house team then evaluated each gym's equipment and training methods. These 10 picks (plus 1 special bonus) are the best of the best.
Finao Fit
Location: Smyrna, Georgia
We have group fitness classes, and then we have team training. Finao Fit. Others, along with 12 to 15 participants, will work on hybrid his sessions that combine traditional strength-building exercises (such as squats and deadlifts) with explosive athleticism (such as box-height jumps and sprints). . It all happens in an electric environment full of motivation. Lively music keeps you energized and top trainers regularly try out new and exciting moves. Finao combines top-flight equipment (curved treadmills, pull-up bars, and Technogym machines) with open spaces and grass, giving you space to easily stretch or try your hand at sprinting.
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Team training workouts often begin with what Denzel Jones, owner of Finao Fit, calls a “hot start,” a light-speed circuit that rapidly raises your heart rate (and improves your focus). Do 20 kettlebell swings, place a mini band around your knees and do 10 sideways shuffles in each direction. He repeats this for 4-5 sets, with minimal rest.
spirit club
Locations: Various locations in Maryland and Virginia
Jared Ciner, CPT, was a part-time trainer who spent his day working as a support counselor for people with disabilities when he realized his clients didn't have the tools they needed to build muscle and strength. So he founded it over 10 years ago. spirit clubThe gym currently has eight locations and specializes in training people with physical and developmental disabilities. “For many people looking to benefit from fitness, the most effective way to make an impact is by doing exercise as a way to implement daily lifestyle activities,” says Ciner. That means a cable chop-like motion that mimics the action of fastening your seatbelt in a car.
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The step-up, where you place one foot on the box and stay on top of it, is a classic Spirit Club move and can be adjusted at any time. He starts with an 18-inch box. Want more quad barns? Stack them up to a 24-inch box. Persistent knee pain? Switch to a 10-inch box. Perform 2-3 sets of 12-15 repetitions per leg at all heights.
collective
Location: Austin, Texas
powerhouse of texas collective I want you to rethink your gym experience. With a full cardio area lined with curved automatic treadmills and a 100-yard grass field, you'll love his space for training. The weight room features next-generation cable machines that combine magnetic resistance with force plates that track the pressure you push into the floor. There's also a full recovery floor (think sauna and cold plunge) and a coworking space for those work-from-home days.
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Drinking a sip of water before entering the sauna will make it even more restorative. “Put it in your mouth and focus on breathing through your nose the entire time,” says trainer Eric Rakowski. This nasal breathing helps cool the air entering your body, which is important in super hot saunas. Let him go into the sauna for 20 minutes 2-3 times a week.
front climbing club
Location: Salt Lake City
What began as a garage-style indoor climbing co-op in 1989 has grown to become one of the most complete climbing facilities in the nation, testing strength far beyond grip strength. Rock climbing, rope climbing and bouldering walls remain the highlights. front climbing3 locations. But overcoming walls here means training beyond walls.
Some days you can get limber with yoga, develop your cat-like reflexes with Jiu-Jitsu, or build some real strength in the fully equipped weight room. A one-stop shop for all your fitness needs that will turn you into a rock climber.
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An underrated secret to killer core strength (and huge gains at the wall too) is the mixed-grip pull-up. To do this, grip the bar using an overhand grip with your left hand and an underhand grip with your right hand. Tighten your abdominal muscles and bring your chest closer to the bar. lower. Aim for 6 to 8 reps, and do 2 sets on each side.
planet fitness
Location: various locations
for everyone planet fitnessDespite its shortcomings (we're not fans of “rank” alarms), the affordable chain (just $10 a month) combines easy-to-use equipment with a friendly atmosphere that keeps newcomers coming back for more. I'll come. Some people think you can't build big muscles without a barbell, but for beginner gym-goers, a rack of dumbbells and smartphone-compatible weight machines (each with a QR code that explains how to use it) are a great option. Helps you sweat to strengthen your muscles. And PF is always innovating. All summer long, teens can now sign up for free.
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If you want a fast workout, try this all-machine circuit. Start by doing 10-12 reps of seated rows, then chest presses 10-12 reps. Finish with 10 to 12 repetitions of the leg press. Rest 30 to 60 seconds between movements. After completing 3 rounds, you can stealth burn your entire body.
lifetime fitness
Location: various locations
Thanks to efforts that have added stations equipped with pressure boots, massage guns and cryotherapy chairs in most locations. lifetime now offers high-quality recovery options to match high-quality strength equipment. It's the perfect balance between training and recovery.
dream hollywood
Location: Los Angeles
The ideal hotel and gym experience, dream It goes beyond the basic dumbbell and treadmill setup to include a full squat rack, sandbag, and VersaClimber.
Alphaland
Location: Missouri City, Texas
Imagine Disneyland as a gym. Alphalandthe 30,000-square-foot space features three full gym areas, two basketball courts, and an outdoor “running slide” that simulates running in the hills.
Just Train Headquarters
Location: Los Angeles
Just Train Headquarters aims to be more than a state-of-the-art functional fitness space, combining nutrition classes with workshops on various fitness modalities (including CrossFit) for a comprehensive fitness experience.
mount vernon barbell
Location: Mount Vernon, New York
mount vernon barbell is a strength-focused gym that combines bodybuilding gear with specialized equipment for maximum bench press and squat output. Additionally, it also features his five atlas stones and yokes for strongman training.
MH Fitness Lab
Location: New York City
men's healthYour own gym, optimized for videography and equipped with the latest gear life fitness, opened in the fall. Expect lots of content here, including special video workouts, Q&As, regular guest trainers, and more!
This article was originally published in the December 2023 issue of the magazine. men's health.
Ebenezer Samuel, CSCS, is the Fitness Director. men's health We have certified trainers with over 10 years of training experience. He has logged training hours with his NFL athletes and track and field athletes, and his current training regimen includes weight training, HIIT conditioning, and yoga. Prior to joining Men's Health in 2017, he served as a sports columnist and technology columnist for the New York Daily News.
Cori Ritchey, NASM-CPT, is the Health & Fitness Associate Editor at Men's Health and a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. You can find more of her work at HealthCentral, Livestrong, Self, and more.
