Powerhouse Gym Athletic Club — Local services in Tampa

I was curious about how Powerhouse Hillsborough was and finally decided to go today with the possibility of signing up both from a workout perspective and a content making perspective. I typically go to Crunch Hillsborough and when it's busy you definitely feel like everyone is on top of one another and it can be a pain to wait to use the one pec fly that they have in there. I paid $20 for the day pass and worked out. Overall I'd say that the gym is massive which is really nice and not very crowded at all (3-4 PM on a Saturday). Everything in the free weight area is spaced out nicely, the machine area is where things can get a little cramped.

They do have a ton of equipment in there so you can practically hit any muscle from any direction if you wanted to. I will say that a significant portion of the equipment is older and certainly has some character to it so if you're looking for a place with new, modern equipment with weights and accessories that all match then this may not be the place for you. However, if you're looking for a gym where you can see a tear in the pad on the preacher curl and think "By God, Rich Piana's elbows helped wear that pad down to its current state" then you may have found you spot.

The aesthetic in there is pretty neat, I enjoy the dark colors and the lower lighting, they also have a massive piece of turf so if you like to do turf workouts then you've got astro for days.

When I was leaving I asked about membership prices and was considering signing up. I was presented with 3 different options and was going to go with the $40 month-to-month that allows you to go to any of the other locations, that was until I asked if there was a start-up fee. The girl at the desk told me there was and it was over $200 but today she could discount it to $99; it was at that point that I told her that she lost me and I thanked her and left. I will say that I was a little bummed and was not expecting such a high start up fee in addition to paying more per month than my current membership and at other nearby and wildly available commercial gyms that have more amenities at...

This is absolutely the #1 gym in Tampa bay and honestly my favorite gym that I have had a membership at. The nickname “the southern Mecca” is both fitting and well-earned. I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of this community for the couple of years that I worked out here. Don’t listen to any of the negative reviews, this is not crunch and this is not LA fitness; it is worth every single penny!!

I think that if you’re looking for a gym that provides equipment for any sort of workout (athletic training, Boxing, functional fitness, bodybuilding, powerlifting, etc.) you’ve found your spot. There are always plates available and the machines are plentiful! During rush hour, any gym can be crowded but somehow this gym still has enough space and equipment for you to accomplish any fitness goal you may have.

Shout out Matt and the team from powerhouse for providing an unparalleled, clean, and unique gym environment. Folks, don’t be put off by the price because like I said, it’s worth every penny. They don’t nickel and dime you, the contracts are fair, everyone is so kind here, and you’re going to get what you paid for. They charge a start up fee and a one time a year gym improvement fee which you can tell gets invested back into making the gym better.

If you live in the Tampa Bay Area, powerhouse fitness of hillsborough is going to be your #1 choice for a great place to workout with every single piece of equipment you could ever desire. The members and employees are extremely kind, there are several services (such as healthy meals, hair cuts, personal training, etc), and the history of the gym on the walls is extremely impressive. Sign up here before you waste your time going to a half assed competitor that charges the same price for way less value.

RIP Rich Piana; the 5% banner next to the men’s room is a constant reminder that if we kill it and have the right attitude, we can all get better by the day! I hope that one day you (the prospective client) may have the pleasure and privilege of working out at this unparalleled...

PH Athletic Club is the best gym with the best equipment in all of Tampa Bay. From self-lift benches to squat racks and deadlift platforms, it’s a lifter’s gym. And you never have to worry about outgrowing the weights. I was a little sad when they moved from Channelside into their current location, which is not quite as nice and significantly less accessible. But compared to every other gym in the area, it’s still handily the best. That is why I am still here even though I live much closer to their old location (where a Crunch Gym now exists).

The only downsides are (1) D1 and (2) politicalization. D1 brings in tons of people, which overruns the gym with kids, screaming, whistleblowing, etc. I’m sure the people (and money) it brings in is why it’s there. But it’s pretty annoying to gym-goers - not a deal breaker, IMO. But my advice is to workout when D1 is not in session.

The people at PH Athletic Club are pretty cool folks, but in general, it skews to the right poltically, which is OK w/me. I’m not a super political person. But for some, it can feel hard to escape it at this gym, where you will find Newsmax prominently displayed on the TVs. I never really paid it much mind. But someone recently pointed it out to me. So, if you’re not one for the crazy Newsmax far right chatter and you have a hard time ignoring the TVs - maybe look elsewhere. Personally, I was a little disappointed when Newsmax was pointed out to me on the TV. But then later I was like “eh, I generally don’t focus on the...