Gold’s Gym

I’ve been to this gym twice to train with weights. It’s not a bad place, however, it’s a strange set-​up — machines on the first floor and weights upstairs. Being split-​level isn’t bad, however, both areas feel tight. During my visits it wasn’t crowded so it wasn’t too bad. I just prefer a gym laid out flat with plenty of room.
The gym is located in a strip mall with ample parking.

I come this location 2−3rimes a week in the morning! It’s not too many ppl in the morning, so easy to use machine! It’s very chill! Like it!

Smaller local gym which is very nice because you get to skip the pretentious crowds of the larger gyms. I certainly enjoy it because it is very close to my home and the staff is always very friendly!

Just overall a great gym! If you are coming to TRAIN, nothing else matters. Sure, it’s nice to have a constant clean gym… but I’m assuming all members/​guests have learned how to clean at some point in their life. So don’t be a whiney brat and get to wiping and training. There is plenty more to worry about, like having a shitty attitude and not getting a good lift because of your shitty/​princess attitude. That is all.

I’ve been at this location for years. Recently updated the weight room floor to eliminate noise, but everything has pretty much stayed the same. I’ve been in Golds in the NOVA area for about 10yrs now and go frequently. This location is the smallest that I’ve been to so it can get rather packed, rather fast during peak hrs… even on like Sat afternoons. I don’t mind jug heads (I used to be one) & still kinda am, but some people just can’t help but dropping weights for attention. I totally get when it’s necessary to dump out, but the clean and jerk mat upstairs needs to go… it doesn’t bother me personally, but every time someone is on it, having 225 fired straight downwards from 7.5 feet in the air directly onto the mat causes the whole foundation to shake. Some people are good with it, many aren’t and clearly give zero f’s because 6 times out of 10 there is an announcement made to stop dropping so hard and nobody cares. By the time they come upstairs to see what’s up, that person had already moved on. Those that go here know exactly what I’m talking about. Other than that, it’s got a good amount of gear, it’s a little dated and very scrunched in because of the small space. I come here on weekends mostly because you can go from 1 machine to another but not my go to Gold’s. Good for a hit and run workout pretty much imo.

Great trainers – approachable, professional, and knowledgable!!! Attracts a diverse crowd dedicated to working out and seeing results! Love the boxing and kick-​boxing!!!

Probably the wrost gym I’ve ever been with. Old, small, and over priced. I used to be a fitness first member until golds gym bought it. They started charging more but wouldn’t let me use all golds gym locations. I was restricted to previously fitness first locations even though I was paying the same amount as golds gym members. I emailed the manager (Julie German) with my concerns and she never replied. Staff at this location is generally rude and unresponsive.

We signed up in November when there was a no joining fee special going on. great start. There is also no contract here cancel anytime which is another bonus.
The staff are all very nice and friendly enough. The only reason that I keep coming back is because it’s really close to where I live besides that it’s really small. Especially upstairs in the weight room and around the kettle bell area. It’s hard to do too many movement without worrying out bumping into the person next to you. There simply isn’t enough room. I try to go on the weekends when there are a lot less people competing for the same equipment and space.
There is a spin class everyday which is awesome and a good amount of classes but I have not tried any so I can’t say anymore about them.
More attention needs to be paid to the cleanliness of the gym. A lot of the machines are quite dirty and dusty. The locker rooms are fine though.

I’m really happy being a member here and always impressed by the staff and trainers because they are helpful, knowledgeable and keep me motivated.
I also LOVE this place because the women in here are hard core and more fit than alot of the men. They mean business and they look the part. Ladies, thanks for keeping me motivated!
I’ve worked in gyms for many years, and I am big on hygiene. I appreciate the fact its always clean here and not a lot of weights laying around or left on machines. I do not do classes so I can’t comment on those, but they always look full!
Ask for Brett Crosby to train you, he is professional, has tons of experience to match your fitness level and will keep you motivated with his fun workouts!

This is an OK gym. Its a little small, and feels kind of run down. Some of the front desk staff and trainers are moderately friendly while others just ignore you. However, the kids room staff are supremely friendly, the gym membership price is low, and the location is convenient for anyone living near Landmark Mall. Overall I’d recommend this place to someone living nearby, but would caution them about their expectations.

After 7 years, I’ve finally left Gold’s Gym. I joined way back (before the Fitness First/Gold’s merger) at a discounted corporate rate, and loved the low rates and access to 15+ decent gyms in the DC area. I enjoyed it more when it was Fitness First; but even under Gold’s management, I was satisfied enough to stick around… until LA Fitness (
) opened a brand new, 44K square foot facility that’s closer to my house and doesn’t have any construction and traffic problems like Van Dorn Street does. The prices are comparable to Gold’s and the facility is wildly better. I think the only reason to join the Gold’s franchise in this area is if the locations are especially ideal for you. Otherwise, LA Fitness’s incredibly similar rates, but significantly better amenities make it the winner.

Solid gym at a good rate. Has everything you need other than a swimming pool.
Staff is courteous and helpful. Best things about the gym are the yoga instructors and the steam room.
Overall this is a good place to get your work out on. Nothing fancy but if you live in the area and need a place to keep fit then this is a good choice.

This gym is too small to carry the GOLD’S name! this could be a PLANET FITNESS or other small BS gym. it definitely sux balls!

Ugh. They need to change the name of this location from «Gold’s Gym» to «Gold’s Social Club.»
1) LACK OF SPACE: First and foremost, I’ve been a member of many gyms over the past twenty years due to constant career related moves… all the way from the family owned «Mom and Pop» gyms to the big chain/​franchises like «Gold’s» and «LA Fitness.»
The Alexandria Van Dorn Gold’s is one of the smallest «big» gyms I ever been to. Everything is smashed together and there is no room to do an efficient workout. Examples:
a) Everywhere there is a pull-​up bar, they have removed the ceiling tiles so you can bring your head above the bar… giving you a nice view of the pipes and wiring with each rep.
b) The Concept 2 rowing machines (a whole two of them!) are cramped together and you can’t move them even a few inches. So if there are two of you rowing at the same time, and even if you both are using proper technique, prepare to be banging elbows and arms with each other.
c) Yes, they have kettlebells. But why have them if there is no room to use them? Forget about doing basic kettlebell exercises like swings and windmills. They also have battle ropes laying around, but again, nowhere to use them (not even the cardio room… see below).
d) Cardio room: one of the smallest I’ve seen with a single heavy bag hanging perilously from a pipe from a removed ceiling tile. Forget about working the bag in a 360 manner… you’ll be scraping up against the wall and a weight rack. There is barely enough room to use their battle rope and I found the only way to use it is to thread it through one of the weight racks in the room.
The entire cardio room floor also needs re-​flooring, or, at least a regular mopping and waxing. It’s all scratched up with dirt and dust in between crevices. I understand exercise rooms like this will take a beating, but this is beyond normal wear and tear.
2) RUDE CLIENTELE: neighborhood punks utilize this gym, for the most part. Dropping weights (which you can hear downstairs… the weights and machines are upstairs, cardio downstairs), sitting on benches and equipment playing with their cell phones rather than working out, leaving weights and other equipment (jump ropes, mats, etc.) laying around, not wiping down equipment, etc. Despite signs and complaints, staff and management has not done anything to curb this behavior. The space is cramped as it is… no need to fill it with disrespectful people.
3) TRAINERS: I never utilized one of their trainers, but I can tell you this much: they seem more into socializing with their clients than training them. And yes, the clients are to blame too. They both sit or stand around equipment, not using it, talking about their upcoming vacations, their kid’s baseball game, the Redskins, etc. If you wait 5 — 10 minutes and finally approach them asking to use the equipment, it’s usually, «Oh, sorry, yeah, we’re using it!» Then they go on and exercise on it for 10 minutes… translating into about 20 minutes wasted time for you.
Speaking of trainers, despite written policies on the walls, there are NUMEROUS un-​certified «trainers» (at least by Gold’s) using the gym. These guys are easy to spot as they are the ones not in shape, not working out, and the most guilty of the socializing I mentioned above.
4) BROKEN EQUIPMENT: good luck on finding a decent, working treadmill. At worst, the touchscreens don’t work at all to start your run… at best, you have to keep mashing the touchscreen to get started. And one of the two Stairmasters are out of commission pretty regularly.
5) LOCKER ROOMS: I can’t speak for the female locker rooms, but the first thing you see walking into the men’s locker room is a poster from the Alexandria Police Department warning of «recent» locker room thefts. Not very reassuring. Again, I’ve been at many gyms (many in un-​industrial nations) and the showers here are pretty rancid. Once was enough.
6) CANCELLATION POLICY: this is where I give Gold’s two stars instead of a mere one. The cancellation policy was easy. Walked in, said I wanted to cancel, and was simply given a sheet of paper telling me how to cancel online. No exit interview on why I was leaving. Oh, well. Just indicative of how much Gold’s cares about its customers and future. May be they know losing one member just means another sucker like me will be signing up just as quick! ;-)

I came to Gold’s Gym to work out one day. I selected a locker that was unlocked and empty. While I was in the shower, an employee purposely broke my lock off of the locker I was using. He later claimed the lock was on that locker for the last 10 days. They said they received an anonymous complaint. Who in their right mind listens to anonymous complains without first investigating? If that claim was true, why did they wait so long? If they would have gone through the dressing room every night after closing, they could remove any locks that were left on the lockers. Then they would have known that my lock had only been on that locker for about an hour, not 10 days. I can hardly believe their incompetence.

Gold’s bought Fitness First about four or six months ago. Ever since, the facility cleaning supplies are poorly monitored and replenished. The staff is told by Gold’s corporate that items are on back order. Basic supplies, shower soap, the equipment paper towels and disinfectant and plastic bags take weeks and months to replenish.

My favorite thing about living in Virginia is this gym. I feel like folks are family. I have been a member for 2 years (of FF and now Golds.) The classes are my workout of choice and I am proud to say I have tried them all. Zumba is my favorite class Gold’s offers and now I plan my weeks/​weekends around when Zumba is offered.
The childcare is phenomenal. I get a 2 hour Mom-​cation every day and the kids LOVE going. I had to carry my 3 year old out crying today because he wanted to play longer. I feel like the kids are in such great hands and don’t worry while working out.
The facility is clean, the staff is hilarious and friendly, and going to the gym here makes us all happy. I know it is cheesy, but I feel now like Gold’s is like coming home. I also lost 40 pounds thanks to all my hip shaking. Not bad at all.

I liked a couple of the classes, and that’s about it. I saw a lot of people not wiping down equipment. That is gross.
They kept charging my card after I had cancelled. They messed up the paperwork. It’s been a headache.

Very affordable! Staff is OK, a few of them will say goodbye when you walk out, but most wont. Its clean, small, and not often too packed; although like any gym, it can get very busy. Every single time I leave something there, I never get it back. It seems that either the attendants don’t bother picking up left items, or there are just that any bad people working out among us there.
They need the lost and found to be behind the desk, so nobody can just take things.

It’s the same exact equipment, layout, and great employees as Fitness First but now it is owned by Gold’s Gym.
The only noticeable difference is the dry erase board that used to display all of the deals and «Hot» classes have been replaced by a fancy cardboard stand up. As much as I want to take a half of star from the rating for the missing handmade signs I can’t
If you enjoyed going there for the friendly environment, convenience, and decent prices none of that has changed (Unless Gold’s is waiting in the wings to jack up the prices on us members).
The only thing that actually kind of sucks is if you checked into FF all of your check-​ins and reviews were wiped out.