White Rock YMCA

So I’m getting to the point in my journey where all that’s left are YMCA’s, rec centers, and workout studios.  Here I will reviewing a YMCA.  This is the White Rock Y in Lakewood.  This is definitely a place for the community, and not really the brosefs and gym bunnies.  They have a ton of programs (none of which, unfortunately, I got to use) so if you want to do group exercise that’s definitely an option.  This building is newly built, and it’s very sleek, nice, and clean. Also they are very reasonably priced, and from what I understand if money is tight they can give scholarships to reduce the cost of membership.

Layout

They have an outdoor pool, which is very nice. I think it’s used most often for kids programs, but I think there is adult swim as well.  It’s an open an light place: high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows.  There is a nice balance of weight machines, cardio machines, and free weights.  They have only one squat rack, but to be honest it’s nice that they have at least one.  I attended here on some more peak hours (like 5:30pm) and I definitely had to wait a bit for the squat rack to open up, or  for a bench to open up. But no wait was very long, I’ve had much worse at LA Fitness Signature Club.

The dumbbells actually go up to 100#, and they have plenty of weight plates for people to use. It does bug me though that they have different brands of weight plates. So if you like your weights to be symmetrical (and who doesn’t) you will sometimes have to move some plates around to access the one you want.

Locker Rooms

Very nice and clean. Has really everything you could want. Extremely adequate.

If you’re looking for a cheaper place that will offer plenty of group exercises, an outdoor pool, and facilities that will probably meet your needs, this particular YMCA is a really good place to check out.

Surfability

Get a whole week free. Really low pressure sale. Don’t think they work on commission here.

Dallas Strength & Conditioning

Well, I felt right at home here.  This is a strength gym. This is a place where you won’t find any treadmills or ellipticals. This is a place where you learn how to move weight around. This is a place where you go to learn just how strong you can actually be, both mentally and physically.  This is a place where you go to make friends who also want to better themselves through the hardship that is known as strength training.  This is a place that offers more than just barbells, you have prowlers and sandbags and all other kinds of toys to play with.  I feel that once I get my body recovered from a couple joint sprains and muscle tears, I can see myself becoming a member here.

The Layout

This place is simply an open room with racks and weights and platforms.  There was a PA blasting Nirvana and fans blowing the air around.  This place was clean and fresh, the owner takes good care of the facilities. It’s a simple layout, because with this place it’s what you do in the space, not what the space does to you.

The Experience

They have at least two different teams here: a powerlifting team and a weightlifting team.  I could have sworn they also had a strongman program (I believe they have atlas stones) but upon looking at their website that doesn’t seem to exist. They also have kettlebells, fitness, and a strength and conditioning programs.   I attended the powerlifting program, as my body isn’t ready yet for work on explosive strength. The day me and my friend attended happened to be bench day.

The owner/coach Chris is a beefy, likable dude.  He was able to help out me and a friend of mine with our bench press technique. …Barbell lifts really are technique intense, and it’s amazing how much better you feel when you lift with correct form.  I can only imagine how much Chris could help me with my deadlift.  The template seemed to kind of follow Wendler’s 5/3/1 program a bit, and I mean that in a good way. I could sense a purpose with everything, and that this day was part of a master plan, not some random thrown together workout designed to make you puke.  I wish all gyms were like this.

Surfability

This place lets your try out one class for free. Fair warning: you will feel like crap for not signing up and coming back.