Gainesville Health & Fitness - Women's Center — Local services in Gainesville

I had the last of many frustrating experiences at the Women’s center and won’t be back. I went to a free weight machine and started to use it and one of the staff members approached me and told me I couldn’t use it because another member would need it shortly. That member was at another machine actively using it. I chose this machine because they put green cards all over the other ones to hold them for the same members that are using other machines at the time. I politely tried to discuss the situation with the staff member and she told me I could use other machines that I never use and then walked away while I was mid-sentence and stood there with her hands behind her back looking in another direction. It was rude and it was awkward, so much so that another staff member who was close by was kind enough to acknowledge what I was saying and apologized for the lack of space and machines at the center. I am frustrated that as a paying member, I am frequently blocked by staff from machines that aren’t being used, I have seen them sit there for up to 10/15 minutes without anyone using them. I have tried to work around it and continue coming to a place that is comfortable because it’s only women, but today I was actually pulled off an unused machine and treated very disrespectfully. I give this center two stars for the cleanliness and the quality of the equipment but if you want to lift weights this is not the place to go unless you pay extra money for the staff to reserve and guard...

This is easily my favorite gym to go to because of how comfortable I feel there. Yes, space is limited and they don't have the widest ever range of equipment or free-weights (max dumbbell is 50 lbs.). However, I do find that they still have what you need to get an effective workout in and they are trying to add in more equipment! While it does get crowded at times, I think the wait times are still much shorter than some of the bigger gyms in town.

The staff have always been very kind to me; I know that they have to get other clients through on the line, so I don't mind letting someone else work in at all. Since it is limited on space, sharing is something I don't mind doing at all since it gets everyone done faster.

If you're looking for a good place to start and build a solid foundation, I think this is the perfect gym. It's comfortable, clean, relaxed, the staff are knowledgeable and kind, the atmosphere is great! I'd love to see a bit more equipment (fingers crossed for a back hyperextension machine), but they're doing a great job with the space that they have and the machines and equipment are maintained wonderfully. It's a great environment and I love seeing it grow! Especially if you have gym anxiety, I can't recommend...

Edit three years later: So much has improved, and even though this location hasn't expanded, they added so much more for strength training. Its amazing how good they listen to their members 10/10 ❤️ ‐-----------------------------------------------‐-------- Three years ago: As much as I love this gym in the morning, which I haven't been in forever due to work, it's almost impossible to enjoy your workout in the afternoon. There is limited space to do the cable machines. Either there is a class starting or going on that doesn't allow that one to be used or all the ladies crammed into the small free weights and barbell area, not allowing use of that cable machine. There needs to be just as equal attention for remodeling here as there is at the main center. Make more space for better...