found a hidden gem of a gym

[statenis33]

a lady friend of mine is a military defense contractor and works in a 12 story building about 10 minutes from my house. we both go to the same gym, and though ive worked and worked out at almost every gym in the area, somehow i ended up at the dreaded chain with the alarm that sounds when you make noise. i hate it, but i refuse to drive 30+ minutes just to pay 35 dollars a month and have to wait for every piece of equipment.

she had been telling me that there was a gym on one of the upper floors of her building, that it was free, and that it has weights and treadmills. she also said that no one ever uses it. naturally, i kinda figured (as most people would) that it probably resembled a holiday inn "fitness center", consisting of a few light dumbbells and a crunch ball. HOLY SHIT...i was wrong. she was right that no one uses it, but i cant see why. its like the only thing on the floor, aside from a cafeteria.

i took some camera phone pictures, but it doesnt do this place justice. almost all the equipment are 25+ year old nautilus and camstar machines. chain driven and most with independently driven sides with foot spots...stuff you dont see anymore, like a decline pec dec. close grip dip/press. a nautilus chest pullover machine and a nautilus head-level independent bicep curl. there's also a california gym smith machine with super smooth action and a full sized cable flye with sealed bearings and brass pulleys. the place is like 1000 sq ft and no one is ever there! full stereo system throughout the place and dish network in front of the surprisingly nice treadmills. WHAT A FIND! for whoever still cares...here are the pics

[crashcrew56]

Good stuff

[crashcrew56]

I was about to ask about the freeweights, those machines look sick though.

[statenis33]

oh and for the sticklers and purists (like myself), there are freeweights. adjustible barbell press with a full length olympic bar (i had never seen one. its longer than a normal olympic style barbell). dumbbells up to 60's, but there are clamp style dumbbells with olympic sides (you can fit 3 plates on each side), and 3 adjustable decline benches. i prefer and use mostly freeweights, but some on the machines in this place are crazy. did i mention the whole place is mirrored from floor to ceiling??

[PYGMY]

You lucky SOB, I'm looking into switching gyms myself. I really wish I could afford to turn my basement into a dungeon.

[Ironguru]

You one lucky bastard.....I am very jealous.

[statenis33]

You lucky SOB, I'm looking into switching gyms myself. I really wish I could afford to turn my basement into a dungeon.

where do you live in washington? im a travel trainer for a cable company and they had us working in portland, OR for like 6 months. my hotel was in vancouver right off the 205 and there is a 24 hour fitness there i worked out at that was sick.

[PYGMY]

Spokane. It's in Eastern Washington.

[Ibarramedia]

Shoot. i'm in the wrong Washington. As in DC..... Great find though. Reps for that

[USMC 1371]

I'm lucky too. Found a local guy who used to compete on the east coast back in the 80's who moved back home and built his own gym in a small pole barn becuse he couldn't find a gym he liked. It's complete with a lot of that same equipment that you show in your picture (he lives and breaths the HIT nautilus regime). I drove by his place for a year and had no idea that is was there. He has 15 members (who I rarely see) who pay about 25 bucks a month. He has everything that one could want. I can make all the noise I want, set up the whole gym for my supersets before I start, and don't have to worry about anybody bugging me. That decline peck deck is one wicked machine. I wonder why they don't make those anymore. Enjoy!

[Mr.Bones]

Nautilus equipment ftw.

[jacshelb]

That's fucking awesome! Those machines look wicked, vintage nautilus rules. So, what is up with the gym? Who is it for, who pays for it? Is it just for the entire building to use?

[statenis33]

Spokane. It's in Eastern Washington.

yeah, youre pretty far from where i was at, but that was the best oufit i had seen in the area while i was out there. there was a "golds" in the area of where i was staying, but it was a joke. ive only worked out in this place once, but its free so im siked. best of luck on trying to finding a place that works for you.

[statenis33]

I'm lucky too. Found a local guy who used to compete on the east coast back in the 80's who moved back home and built his own gym in a small pole barn becuse he couldn't find a gym he liked. It's complete with a lot of that same equipment that you show in your picture (he lives and breaths the HIT nautilus regime). I drove by his place for a year and had no idea that is was there. He has 15 members (who I rarely see) who pay about 25 bucks a month. He has everything that one could want. I can make all the noise I want, set up the whole gym for my supersets before I start, and don't have to worry about anybody bugging me. That decline peck deck is one wicked machine. I wonder why they don't make those anymore. Enjoy!

its the stuff dreams are made of....i had already built a small home gym for myself several years ago, but moved down to the florida keys and left my equipment down there. i never thought id have a setting i was comfortable with, without spending a few car notes. im pretty lucky as well i suppose.

[sassy69]

Nirvana!