Matthew Ha
April 10, 2018 03:01
The recent updates (last fall at SMH) at the DAHLC, particularly the SMH location, have put the DAHLC a cut above the rest of the area's gyms, offering a complete weightlifting experience 24 hours a day in a safe environment. Recent updates removed much of the obviously inadequate pieces of weightlifting equipment in exchange for an excellent selection of free weight complexes.
The SMH now boasts 4x multi purpose squat racks, a Smith machine, 45 degree leg press, 45 hyperextension, seated preacher curl bench, kettlebell/medicine ball complex with battle ropes, dumbbell set up to 120 lbs, and a fair selection of cable and plate loaded machines. Resistance bands, foam rollers, bosu ball, 15 lap per mile track, hardwood cardio classroom, locker rooms, and the mega cherry on top...24 hour access in a secure environment.
It was only 8 months ago or so that Med City offered a painfully awkward selection of gyms. There was the expensive RAC, which for many years was the talk of the town but with far too many features for the average gymgoer and a price to match its size and breadth. The RAC has a lot, all the weightlifting equipment you'd need and a 9 lap per mile track but also a price that's nearly 4 times the DAHLC and limited hours.
There's Edge which is about 1.5x the DAHLC in price, has a full selection of free weights, has new and clean machines, a couple Oly lift platforms, couple power racks, and hosts a more serious bodybuilding crowd, but has limited hours. It's a fair value proposition and worth a try but not close to the value the DAHLC now offers.
Then came Anytime which offers 24 hour access, small less crowded gym environment that's new, 3 squat racks, and about 1.5x the DAHLC. Drawback of access here is that it's often empty past midnight and thus not safe to use alone.
Up until last fall, these were your awkward standout options (among other gyms that dont really stand out, including Northside, YMCA, and Fitness Evolution) then the DAHLC renovated and simply offers a much better value by far than the rest of the gyms in the area. Thanks Mayo. Now a weightlifting gym that we can be much happier about.