John H. Chafee Fitness Center - US MILITARY BASE — Attraction in Newport

The gym itself is great. Good lineup of equipment and good quantity of it. You shouldn't have too much trouble using what you need.

The MWR staff however....

Between the gym and the auto skills center, I don't think I've ever, in my two decades plus of active duty, seen MWR staff put so much effort into yelling at and micromanaging the patrons before in my life. The lady running the auto skills center would make even the most extreme helicopter mom look down right apathetic.

The gym staff spends more time yelling at people for even the most ridiculous "infractions". I was lifting 4 inches into the 10 ft wide walkway and was told to move back into the weight zone (which was full btw). I was yelled at for not using collars on the Smith machine. Please explain to me how the plates can possibly fall off? The staff walks around the gym like boot camp drill instructors, yelling at anyone and everyone for even the most benign things. Meanwhile, the air conditioning might as well not even be on because it's 80 degrees with 90 percent humidity.

The facilities are great but the nanny state mentality is the worst I've ever seen.

I never want to go back to Rhode Island simply because of this. MWR director, if you seeing this, tell your staff to take a couple steps back please. I'm too old to be mom and popped like this and my experience with MWR on this base was miserable simply because of the...

You could not ask for more from a gym. There is a lot of everything here. Just about any workout equipment you can imagine. Treadmills and bikes, rowers, ellipticals and everything else too. Six power racks, maybe more. Running track. TRX. Sauna. Bball courts. Volleyball courts. Racquetball courts. Yoga room. Family workout space for when you have young kids with you. Classes for adults, such as spin. Classes for kids, such as Zumba. Events and challenges such as 1000lb club. Oh, outdoor weightlifting gear; awesome in the warm months. Swimming pool indoors, open swim, lap swim, and you can make reservations for pool parties too. Personal trainers. Spacious, clean and well maintained locker rooms and showers. Coming soon, 24 hour access. Whatever your style of workout, this is your #1 place...

For people staying at the chalet or ngis you have no excuse not to workout. This gym is only a few years old and it is incredible. The cardio section is huge, there are plenty of machine weights, and it has enough benches that you can work in with people even when it's crowded. A couple good racks in the back with an area to do walking lunges and ropes. Crazy contraption in the corner that I never used but looked impressive. The somewhat sectioned off stretching area is great - stability balls, a rod on the floor to brace your feet for sit ups, and mats that were great for working on handstands. I think there's a pool but I'm not a swimmer so I don't know for sure. Tons of parking for those not staying in one...