Lyceum Gym — Attraction in San Antonio

I've only been going here for about 2 weeks, but I've been training for about 5 years gym wise, and this place has blown me away with its quality and atmosphere. This place is a GREAT gym and offers a LOT of variation in barbell and dumbbell equipment that you WILL NOT FIND at any other commercial gym. Maybe a gym will have 1 or 2 different barbells, this place has EVERY variation I can think of besides the most niche or gimmicky. It has a lot of accessories, tools, attachments, and has the stylings of an old school garage gym. This place is for the classics, the hard working, and the simple.

$40/monthly subscription fee.

There are two ways I look at this gym.

From the eyes of a beginner, and this gym for a beginner is AMAZING. All the equipment is straight forward, simple, and basic: Some of it may come off as complex, but when you get into fitness for the first time this place has EVERYTHING you need to begin the right way and build a foundation of REAL strength and REAL mobility. The owner, James Roysden, is extremely polite and extremely knowledgeable with a great energy that is perfect for people looking just to get healthy and maybe grow a little muscle. He is always there every time I've come in, and he was always attentive and high energy. He offers you his full attention, and even tips and examples on uses of the equipment that's there. If you come out and say you're a beginner, and know nothing, he'll offer you only his best and honest help if you want it. I took my tour with him, and he honestly sold me the gym membership day one.

For an intermediate, this gym can unlock a lot of what you may be missing. They work with the Physical Therapy Clinic above them, and having a physical therapist working with you while you workout or perhaps just putting you through some mobility exercises can be the difference between a long and fruitful lifting journey and an uncomfortable quick end. James spoke to me, and showed me a few tricks, and once I put that into practice it really enhanced where I was lacking. We didn't have long conversations, but it only took a few minutes to really learn from him. The gym equipment here puts mobility and strength first, rather than just completing an exercise.

They have weighted belts, lifting belts, straps, towels, disinfectant spray, ALWAYS COLD water, which in a busy gym like Golds can be hard to come by, all this culminates into an extremely new/intermediate/advanced gym goers dream. With how expensive a lot of these accessories can be, this is absolutely an INSANE offer from the gym. The Gym is almost NEVER busy, but that's because of the tight list of customers they allow in, they purposefully keep it small to make sure if you want to use equipment it's available, and your gym time is YOUR gym time.

Lets talk about the cons -

It's small: This gym is NOT BIG, if there are only about 3-4 other people there, you'll have a crowded place. But honestly, with what they offer, you'll have no issue finding an alternative exercise or something good to use. And I'm sure James would be more than happy to show you how to use other equipment to achieve the same goals.

Limited equipment: The gym has almost NO MACHINES, so if you like machines, do not come here. There is a single pulldown machine, that also doubles as a low cable underneath the seat and a "Pit Shark", but I'm not sure I'd consider that a machine. That's enough for me, but that can be a deal breaker for a lot of people.

Repetitive equipment: The gym relies heavily on free-weights, and barbells, or body weight exercises. Which means you'll be seeing a lot of the same equipment. Two true squat racks that double as the bench for bench press (Very small, I prefer to work inside the rack, this gym only has attachments for outside the rack safety bars.), two deadlift platforms (No rack, just the square floor arena), a jungle gym set up (gymnastic rings, pull up bars, and holes for setting up similar to a squat rack or bench.)

I love this place, and what it offers, and these types of gyms are few and...

This review is very far over due, so I’m certain the gym has made far more advances since I’ve been there (moved out of town). However, I needed to take the opportunity to still share my experience. I was a member around the time the gym had first opened; and even during the beginning days, you could feel the comforting and encouraging environment that the gym owners and staff were so diligently working/striving for. I met James (one of the owners and trainers) when he was previously at Lifetime, and just had to be a supporter of his when I found out about this awesome new gym. He’s one of those trainers who cares about every aspect of the clients health and goals of training. As well as being someone who trains himself, you’ll be glad to know you won’t be getting just a generic trainer giving you exercises. Instead you’ll have someone who actually cares about the longevity of your performance as well.

I can’t too much attest to the remainder of the staff, but if they’re anything like James, then I can guarantee this is a place you’ll want to be.

Oh and about the gym itself (like the staff): -Super Clean -Great Equipment -24/7 Access (and if you’re in the gym alone… you control the music) -Attentive...

Why do I go to Lyceum? Because of the amazing people, stellar equipment, and unparalleled experience upon every visit. I have been a strong supporter of trainer and part owner, James Roysdon for years. Since the opening of Lyceum, I make it a point to get sessions with James to maintain and progress the programs he tailors specifically for me. I always leave with a renewed sense of determination and inspiration. Lyceum has a fun and motivating environment that i can’t fathom going anywhere else. James truly is hypersensitive to the fitness journey and caters to your goals, circumstances, and health watch-outs. They are centrally located near the airport and will accommodate to all your lifting needs. Lyceum is the gym where you want to train! See you at the...