LA Fitness

For years, this club used to be a gym for gay pick-ups-- a veritable ""Xanadu"" since the 1980's. It's intimate enough to draw guys together, diverse enough to satisfy every taste, and large enough to draw a decent crowd, day or night. There's even a community circle out in front where newly introduced couples can exchange numbers. \r \r Now this wretched, malodorous, mold-covered, walk-in mushroom is no longer a health club, it's a health hazard. There is more black mold on the floor of the men's shower than a FEMA trailer. The last two months, patrons have endured broken shower heads and dispensers, but no sign or apology from management because apology signs are too expensive, apparently. This hovel is teetering on closure-- when you don't have enough in the operating budget to hire someone to clean the floor in the sweaty sauna, we know there's a problem. Be sensible and just close the thing before someone complains of mold exposure. more

What we have experienced as members is outrageous. The Zumba class played Mexican music so loud that we could hear it at the basement. When that class was over we went there to meditate on the mats, so we have asked the instructor Lilia (Mexican National), to lower her tone a bit so we can meditate. She asked us ""where we are from"", and when we said American she told us ""to go back to Europe, Racists"", turn music back on VERY LOUD and played La CUCHARACHA, starting to chant "" VIVA MEXICO, VIVA MEXICO"", please go and protest that illegal alien racist hideout BAlly's Studio City as well as Baly's North Hollywood, which is infested with illegal aliens. This Mexican Racism must be STOPPED. more

I stumbled upon this find with a local school auction win; I had always wanted to try Pilates. In a short series of classes, I felt a noticeable change! With a few more classes, I felt sleeker in my over-40 body! I was amazed at how much fun I was having too! Trisha and Jesse worked me hard while making me smile and laugh as the hour passed. I find myself missing the camaraderie almost as much as the expert instruction. Pilates takes mental energy and the descriptive approaches given and encouragement along the way are best in class! Thank you to Cassidy and her tremendous staff! TRY THEM OUT! more

Slow and gradual decline with no hope for improvement because Ballys corporate philosophy is simply about churning members due to it's precarious financial situation. During the last year most of the classes have been eliminated and there is continual staff turnover down to the cleaning people. \r \r The men's sauna and group shower area in the evening has both perverts and gay guys masturbating or fondling each other. Also, for the past year there has been ongoing thefts in the locker areas. Some members have even caught others stealing and the manager does not terminate the thief's membership. \r \r Several years ago there were many hot body girls regularly exercising but now you seldom see one and if you do, she doesn't stay around long. \r \r Parking is usually adequate except from 5:30-8:30 on weekdays but the club does provide free valet parking during that time. The club closes at 8 pm on Saturday and Sunday. It has a good selection of machines but nothing state-of-the-art and the spinning cycles were eliminated to make space for a personal trainer area. So, there are not any spinning cycle classes. \r \r The two great things are the outdoor whirlpool and outdoor exercycles. If you live in the Studio City-Toluca Lake area you have few other choices. Unfortunately, Equinox, Crunch, and Sports Club L.A. have forsaken the east Valley. This club would be out of business if it had real competition. \r \r Several years ago this club had many great class teachers and trainers but sadly all have been eliminated or simply moved to better clubs. If you can live without treadmills, cross trainers, stair climbers and weight machines then you should consider Black Dog Yoga in Sherman Oaks or InYoga in Valley Village. BD has more than 75 weekly classes including body sculpting. And, InYoga has Ariel Kiley who is a spectacular teacher. more

Well the facilities are nice. Way too much people in there. Frankly it is a gay bath house. In the open showers men do each other and in the sauna, OMG sex sex sex. I have seen 11 men whacking. and at other times out right ******* OH the club tries to stop it. other than that the staff are pushy, the people do look good Hey its LA. a freaking waiting line at many hours. more

I have never been so harassed to buy into a gym membership in my life! I told the guy, David, 5 times that all I wanted to do was check it out for myself, and I was just waiting for my job stuff to be finalized. The guy would not take no for an answer. By the time I got out of that meeting, I was all frazzled and had a sh**ty workout.\r \r Then, after all that, he proceeded to make an appointment for the following Thursday for me to come in, even though I told him another 2 or 3 times that I wasn't sure I could even make it that day. more

to address parking - there is a Valet after work so you don't have to worry about parking. I've never had an issue parking on the weekends. plenty of street parking across the street, too. Yes, it's a small Bally's, no pool - but it has exactly what I need. I've never waited more than 30-seconds for a treadmill - yes, you might have to wait if you want the latest model - but you won't have to wait if you want to use any of the others. \r \r The weight machines are always in working condition and they just added another row of treadmills. I've never taken classes there, but spent over $500 on personal training sessions, and it was well worth it.\r \r the staff is friendly & the trainers are great. I love this gym, and I'm glad its kind of small. Pros: excellent personal training by female trainers Cons: small more

If you're looking for a place to work out on the weekend or after work, this isn't the place. There's not enough parking and there are lines for the aerobic equipment. But first thing in the morning, while the gym is certainly crowded, you won't have a tough time getting on any of the machines. The pretty large free weight section is downstairs, and while the lack of natural light is a downer, it's less crowded than upstairs and the early morning crowd is a great group of people. You'll generally see the same people every day, and will rarely have to wait for a piece of equipment. Pros: morning people Cons: parking is horrible more