Esporta Athletic Club

I’ve never had a gym membership in my life. Throughout the years I tended to workout at studios or smaller gyms that didn’t require memberships. I can totally understand, however, what the other reviewers are saying about the gym.
I guess you get what you pay for here and from what these other guys have to say, you shouldn’t pay too much. The pricing is definitely negotiable!
I joined because the price is just right for me especially as the summer months will make running and biking outside very uncomfortable! Within walking distance and open early to late EVERY day, I now have the opportunity to supplement my training with a wide variety of classes. The treadmills, ellipticals and step machines are way better than the ones in my apartment building gym. I also will have access to a sauna that I didn’t have before!
So I guess I’m happy about this gym finally being open because I had very low expectations for a gym and I’m only looking to supplement my workout options.
I have noticed that Monday through Friday it is quite busy after normal work hours, but on the weekends it is sparsely populated. It’s also pretty mellow in the early hours.

Way too many dudes at this gym, especially the meat-​head, chicken legs, juice crew types. It seems everyone is checking everybody out… but, I have to remember, this is Miami, home of the most shallowest people in the country.
Back to the gym itself. It’s only been open a week or so and it’s already showing it’s age. Towels are becoming an issue. Free weights are all over the place and never racked in the right location.
And why does it seem every LA Fitness has to put the same nasty carpet in its gym? Why not put a rubber floor in? Much easier to keep clean. The carpet hides the sweat, water, energy drinks, protein shakes, etc that inevitably spill.
The layout is retarded. All the cardio machines should be in one area, like by where the sales offices are at or further around the corner. I also think the free weight area should be larger.
Why the 3 stars? Price and location. For mid $ 50 a month not only do you get access to this gym, but every la fitness in the country. Very nice if you travel as most hotel gyms are weak. Location can’t be beat as it is walking distance if you live in Brickell and very close to the metromover and metrorail. I think if you have the money and don’t mind driving to Coral Gables or South Beach, I’d opt for Equinox.

So, the new Esporta Athletic Club has finally opened. (Previously known as LA Fitness Signature Club) Plagued by a disasterous 5 month delay where no apology or compensation was offered to its new members, the club has opened and SO FAR, it is just OK.
Here’s a breakdown.
PROS:
–Location: Inside Mary Brickell Village and walking distance to most of Brickell, very convenient. Next to both Metromover and Metrorail too. Onsite parking validation $ 1 for every 2 hours.
–Price: Paying in the mid $ 50s for a month to month membership. Not bad. Initiation was $ 50 USD.
CONS:
–Maintenance: LA Fitness has a big problem maintianing their gyms. Already, after ony a couple of days being open, the free weights are all over the floor and not reracked in their correct location. They have a huge staff and you’d think they’d have someone to maintain this (at least continuously)…well they don’t. A BIG problem.
Also, the ventilation is poor throughout the club and they always run out of towels on the gym floor by the end of the night. Not good. They could do much, much better.
–Layout: Terrible. The free weights are in one wing, separated by cardio machines in the middle and then weight machines on the far wing along with a spinning studio. Those wanting to combine a free weight workout with machines will have to walk the entire length of they gym… The weight machines and free wieghts should be right next to each other. Little to no thought went into planning this.
–Design: Although brand new, the gym is very bland and boring. Nothing exciting. Cheap carpeting throughout. Generic feel to it. They could have made it something very cool, but its just OK.
–Staff: There is a used car salesperson feel to a lot of the staff. Especially during the pre-​sales, it seems that the staff is more concerned with making a sale rather than taking care of its current members. Disappointing. This is a large chain gym and little care is given to the individual and his or her goals.
–Equipment: Cheap lines of Startrac and Matrix are the main lines used to equip this gym. Some Lifefitness and Hammer Strength, but definitely not enough.
That being said, I’ve been here for about a month and have decided to cancel my membership. Although it is convenient and a good price, I think there are much better gyms in Miami. (Equinox, Sportsclub LA, Crunch, even the 125^th St. LA Fitness is twice as nice) This gym definitely missed the mark.