Gym Shopping: Where Do You Sweat It Out?

I live in NYC and I love my local YMCA dearly, but I'm moving soon and I won't be close enough to go to it anymore. The options then come down to NY Sports Club and Bally's, as far as convenience goes. 

Is anyone a member of NYSC or Bally's? If so, could you comment on their amenities, classes, etc? Is it worth the price? What membership do you get and what does it get you? Is one better than the other? And are there any important things to know when "gym shopping" in general?

to be honest ito be havent heard nice things about Ballys. but thats really up to you. see if the gyms have a "free pass" and try them out that way. see which one you like better. :)

I can not say enough good things about fitness edge. I would seriously drive an extra 30 mins. But sorry I dont know anything about the other two gyms really. I think getting a pass is a good idea

I don't do gyms but I do classes at the local community college -- cheaper than any health club and makes me more accountable for going- I mean when I miss more than one class I have instructors calling making sure I'm ok.  This next semester I'm taking 3 classes - one on nutrition weight loss and exercise  and then my usual weight lifting and cardio class.  The classes are also like having personal trainers and not having to pay for it.  I highly recommend this option for persons on a tight budget.

get ready, bec i'm like pretty into my gym:

nysc is supa clean, lots of different cardio equipment, the staff at all the locations is really nice, lots of clean towels, showers, toiletries.  so many locations, they're all over the place.  they have long hours of operation (usually 5am-11pm + some 24hour).  so many different classes, if you're into that sort of thing.

drawbacks:  the cost is extortionate.  they do get crowded.  i feel like none of the locations have enough free weight benches.  good luck!

24 hour fitness and I hit the concrete to walk/jog for working out.. love 24 hour for the basketball court/games and that I can go to one basically wherever im at with my membership.

m a member of nysc and i think its horrible. i am still a member bc its literally across the st and it can't be more convinient. i think its gross. its crowded. no one cleans the machines. i wash my hands constantly and shower well after i've touched things.... blech.

on the flip theyre all over, theyre easy, theyre tons of classes (albeit theyre almost always crowded), they have ok hrs (mine doesnt open until 9 on sat which i find insane) and a few 24 hr locations. some locales are better than others... go in and get a pass.

ballys- know nothing except my bf (a  gym rat) hated it. he works out at nyhrc though.

Bally's is terrible....at least the one in Glen Burnie MD - incompetent management and staff.

since my experience seems to differ much from that of tarrita, i'll list some locations that i've been to:

grand central (not among the cleanest, but it's okay).  wall street.  brooklyn bridge.  23rd and park.  59th and park.  45th and lex.  86th and lex.  somewhere like 79th on the east side.  rockefeller center.  brooklyn:  near the courthouse.  queens:  astoria.  westchester:  hawthorne, scarsdale, white plains.

I hate classes w a passion. Too bad there's not a 24-hour fitness gym - none back east at all, from what I can see. I was a member at Bali once. Not so impressive. 24-hour really out shined them; here out west. I'm a treadmill running addict so I enjoy the benefit of a million "mills" and vast array of Tvs dangling from the ceilings to watch.

Sorry, no help at all then.

Do NOT go to Ballys... everything I've heard about them has been bad. They'll make you sign a three-year contract and it's uncancellable pretty much for any reason other than death (and they'd probably bill your estate!)

Wow... I had no idea everyone had such an intense hatred for Bally's. Thanks for the warning!