Hidden Gym — Local services in Allen

If you are looking for a smaller gym with good equipment and a strong kind environment, you need to check out Hidden Gym. I went to them when looking for a personal trainer and couldn't be luckier to have been paired with Rob! He is friendly and supportive, always looking for ways to challenge me but listens when I tell him something hurts or the weights are too much, etc. I was very intimidated by the idea of working with a personal trainer, but his kindness set me at ease very quickly. He is very supportive of going at the pace I need to go at, not rushing me or anything like that.

One of the biggest surprises I've experienced so far is how encouraging and nice everyone is at the gym, it's really a supportive place. Greg, the owner, works out there with everyone, now there is a really cool dude. He cares deeply about the community inside and outside the gym - he serves on the board of a great nonprofit called Readers 2 Leaders (check them out too!)

I've never been one to frequent the gym but I've enjoyed learning how to take care of my body through weight training and nutrition. They also offer classes from time to time to go over different topics like how to gain muscle (that's the only one I've been too haha). I've even enjoyed learning about professional weight lifting and the body building shows that several of the trainers and the owner participate in. If you are intimidated by gyms, need extra support in reaching your goals, Hidden Gym is an excellent place to check out. Just give them a chance and you will see the heart...

I was a member at Hidden for a full 2 years and I can confidently say it is my favorite gym facility I have had the opportunity to use. The equipment is all very high quality, the environment is very encouraging, and the price of the membership is very reasonable for what you are getting.

That all being said, there are some points of criticism I want to take the time to point out. Locker/bathroom area upkeep (at least the men's) is kind of lackluster. More than once the bathroom stall latch was broken, there was hardly any (once even no) toilet paper and often no paper towels. Also just generally kind of messy. My only other complaint is a kind of strange lack of multiples for certain equipment; specifically the cable cross situation. The Allen location has a few but two of them are very dated and either have no height adjustment or have strange weight intervals in kilograms. And then the one cross that does have normal weight intervals in pounds and adjustable height is stuck in the back of the gym.

The gym does have a slight "influencer gym" feel (which is personally not my jam, but I understand it), however it's not pervasive enough that you can't just tune out the people filming with tripods around you. It at least gives you the excuse to feel okay filming yourself every once in a while if you want.

All this being said, I thoroughly enjoyed my time being a member at Hidden and maybe if things line up one day I will have the opportunity to return. Until then I can least give the facility a (mostly) ringing...

I have mixed feelings about my experience at the Hidden Gym. While the CrossFit area is quite impressive, offering a challenging workout, there are some significant drawbacks to consider.

Firstly, the gym area itself leaves much to be desired. The benches and exercise equipment appear to be quite old and worn, which isn't ideal for a gym that aims to cater to fitness enthusiasts. Moreover, my recent encounter with a box class trainer left me quite disappointed. I was asked to leave the green area rather rudely because of space constraints, which could have been handled more professionally.

One of the most frustrating aspects is the lack of control over the gym's atmosphere. During teen boxing classes, children waiting for their siblings tend to run around the gym screaming, creating a disruptive environment for those trying to work out. It feels like there are no rules or gym etiquette in place, and cleanliness isn't a top priority.

In conclusion, Hidden Gym may be suitable for seasoned CrossFit and power lifters who prioritize a challenging workout over other aspects. However, for the average gym-goer looking for a well-maintained facility with a pleasant atmosphere and some level of etiquette, this might not be the best fit. There's room for improvement in terms of maintaining order and cleanliness to make it a more welcoming space for...