Oct 18, 2008

Fitness First vs. Gold’s Gym

If you’re thinking of enrolling in a high-end gym with many branches, then your choices would have to between Fitness First and Gold’s Gym. Fitness First has sixteen branches in Metro Manila (including the two Platinum branches of TriNoma and RCBC Plaza) while Gold’s Gym has six. Both feature group classes, cycle rooms, lots of machines for both cardio and bodybuilding as well as a free weights area. The two franchises also offer a good locker room amenities and a wet area with shower cubicles, a sauna, and a steam room. Among the perks that FF offers are free coffee, iced tea, soda; backpacks, a water bottle, and a towel upon sign-up; and one of the most extensive sets of group classes anywhere. GG, on the other hand, provides you with two towels each time you visit (so there’s no need to bring home bulky wet towels) and their branches close at 12 midnight every workday—a boon for those who do OT.

If your goal is to become lean and fit, or to become a buffed-up muscular guy, I would recommend either one. In fact, you can go to any gym at all—even your friendly neighborhood gym down the corner. It’s the gym-goer himself, not the gym, that determines whether the he reaches his fitness goal or not. But since this blog is Discreet Manila, the ultimate deciding factor is the cruising opportunities. After all, gym is the gay church. :-) And between FF and GG, the clear winner in cruisiness is Fitness First, no contest. Most people would agree on that.

I mentioned before that I’m a member of Gold’s Gym. The reason is simply that Gold’s is more affordable for me, having gotten a really good membership deal. I’ve gone to Fitness First a few times using complimentary passes and my personal experience is that Fitness First branches are the ultimate cruising grounds. In all the times I worked out in FF, I’ve been hit on every time. This is in big contrast to Gold’s Gym where it took me a full year before I had my first sexual encounter there (but there were a few instances during that year where guys sent out feelers).

I hear at lot of stories coming from FF and some I even find outrageous and hard to believe. Gold’s Gym is by no means a strait-laced gym (I’ve had a lot of encounters in that franchise and a couple of the hottest experiences I’ve ever had happened in their locker rooms), but Fitness First is in a whole different level altogether.

I have a couple of evidences to prove my assertion. First is the very telling advisory posted late last year at Fitness First branches, a photo of which is shown below (picture stolen from Corporate Closet). No equivalent advisory exists for Gold’s Gym.

For SEO purposes, the advisory reads as follows:

Important Advisory

Protect the Member Experience

Sexual advances of any kind towards fellow members or staff are strictly prohibited.

Please report any untoward conduct to the Club General Manager.

To know more about club rules and regulations, please read the back of your Membership Form, particularly Section 10 (Expulsion of Member).

The second evidence is the fact that somebody did get himself expelled from Fitness First for such “untoward conduct.” Early this year, a (stupid) guy made sexual advances on teen actor Mico Aytona and was then reported to the management and kicked out of the gym as a result. Read all about it in PEP. I might just be clueless, but I’ve never heard of such a thing happening in Gold’s Gym.

Despite these things, “miraculous” things still occur in Fitness First—people just became more discreet with their illicit activities. I really have no idea why Fitness became such a PLU magnet, but I think the big reason is that it just has a lot of branches making it the ideal franchise for gym-hopping. Anyway, the apt advice is to try to avoid doing it in the gym and do it elsewhere instead. Barring that, just try not to get caught. This goes for both Fitness First and Gold’s Gym.

32 comments:

Tristan Tan wrote on October 19, 2008 at 2:16 PM:

I agree. FF is better for cruising (so I heard, hehe) but that does not discount the potential Gold's offers (so I heard again!). *wink*wink*

 
closet case wrote on October 19, 2008 at 11:01 PM:

thanks for the 'reference', DM! hahaha

 
saunabather wrote on October 20, 2008 at 1:41 AM:

i've been in ff steambath/sauna everytime i visit, 99% - it is possible to happen miracles... da black

 
Vince (Discreet Manila) wrote on October 21, 2008 at 1:49 AM:

The Bakla Review, glad you liked it and thanks for visiting!

Tristan, "so I heard" ka diyan. Hehehe. So what gym do you go to? Hehehe. :-D

CC, I've actually seen that poster in real life during my most recent FF visit, but I was too shy to take a picture of it. :-P

Saunabather, so encounters still happen a lot despite the threat of expulsion?

 
Tristan Tan wrote on October 21, 2008 at 11:24 PM:

"Gold's..."... but let's keep this our little secret. Hahaha

 
. wrote on October 22, 2008 at 2:28 AM:

Walang masabi ang Maria Clara, iba kasi ang gym niya. Wahahahahah!!

 
Vince (Discreet Manila) wrote on October 26, 2008 at 9:45 AM:

Tristan, Gold's talaga? Baka nagkita na tayo before. Hehehe. It seems you go to Glorietta (I think).

Mugen, well, I think anything can happen in any gym that has a wet area, as your story proves. Mas marami at mas garapal lang sa FF. :-P

 
Anonymous wrote on March 13, 2009 at 12:22 PM:

Gold's Gym is after all known as the place where people really go for serious workouts and nothing more. Everything else is just a bonus. My advice to fellow fags: workout at the gym and play somewhere else.

 
Anonymous wrote on April 19, 2009 at 10:06 AM:

Fitness First Manila.
stay away from fitness first .....no one has a clue or cares about you there . the personal trainers, sales, and even the Management......
what kind of Manager can never be reached? what kind of fitness sales consultant looks like a sausage? this list could go on forever.....
RIP OFF, FROM THE MOMENT YOU ENTER TILL THE DAY YOU TRY TO GET OUT OF THEIR CONTRACT! STAY AWAY. Fitness First is not the most liked gym in the world, but by opening branches in the Philippines....it became one of the worst.

 
Anonymous wrote on November 19, 2009 at 12:32 AM:

there's a good review i heard about comparing gyms...

have you checked this out?

http://www.greenbodytalk.com/forums/gym-memberships-and-fitness-centers-b21.0/

 
Anonymous wrote on August 1, 2010 at 2:05 AM:

"""Fitness First Manila.
stay away from fitness first .....no one has a clue or cares about you there . the personal trainers, sales, and even the Management......
what kind of Manager can never be reached? what kind of fitness sales consultant looks like a sausage? this list could go on forever.....
RIP OFF, FROM THE MOMENT YOU ENTER TILL THE DAY YOU TRY TO GET OUT OF THEIR CONTRACT! STAY AWAY. Fitness First is not the most liked gym in the world, but by opening branches in the Philippines....it became one of the worst."""


I'm sorry but I have to say it's not true! They treat you like a family member in FF. My personal trainer was always by my side and He's the one kept on reminding me via texts not to be lazy and we have a goal to achieve. Thanks to the team work of FF, I was 238lbs. and now, I'm 166lbs. of muscles! That's what I call service and dedication of the employees to their job... Fitness First is still the Best. I owe how great my body looks now to them!

Cheers

 
Fitness bench wrote on April 23, 2011 at 9:05 PM:

Oooh, you’re such an inspiration. I love this blog

 
Anonymous wrote on May 16, 2011 at 4:24 PM:

I've had 3 personal trainers. The first one was ok but eventually got transferred. He was average built and toned and so you know that he is not on meds or steroids. I personally want a trainer like that so I know that I get real results and not one that promise results only with the drugs. The second trainer was about late 30's, he was new and really friendly. I can say that he was more like an uncle or master to me during our sessions. Problem was, he turned out to be very kind to me only until I could afford the PT sessions. As soon as I stopped, he didn't bother to assist me anymore. The third and maybe the last was very young. He was green to the craft and I thought was incorruptable by the more tenured trainers. We had a great time working out and even seemed to be good pals outside the gym. Sadly, it didn't take more than a year before he changed to be one of the regular trainers. I think he always wanted to fit in with his fellow trainers and thus he indulged in the weed, drugs and the decas/stags/ephis. Now it's sad that the trainer and friend I knew seems to be gone. He trash talks members who doesn't have a PT and I can't help think that he would do the same to me if I continue working out in libis without him assisting. As far as personal trainers go, FF trainers are just like a big gang who have fun, drugs and yes even orgies with members. As I've said I'm not a fag, but by hearing stories of my last PT I know these things happen after gym hours.
if you are interested to know one of my PT I can give you a clue, his name is taken from the bible and his surname is chinese

 
Anonymous wrote on June 28, 2011 at 6:11 PM:

Hi! I saw ur review... Very helpful. It has been awhile since i last joined a gym. I was a member of FF 8yrs ago and im thinking of joining Golds... Can u help me out? Im trying to get a good deal for a 4 month membership but i have no idea how much memberships cost nowadays.. Do u have any idea? I just wanna make sure they dont take advantage. Thanks so much!!!

 
ralph@fitness gyms near me wrote on July 4, 2011 at 12:07 PM:

Reviews like this can help people choose which gym to go for. It would be best if you do other reviews on gyms.

 
Anonymous wrote on March 18, 2012 at 4:17 PM:

my gay lawyer is a ff member,now i know!

 
Anonymous wrote on April 26, 2012 at 2:43 PM:

Sa gold's gym makakakita k ng nachuchupaan sa sauna room..

 
owens wrote on May 20, 2012 at 9:27 PM:

Gold's Katipunan is the worst gym i've been a member of. First off, the aircons don't work (ah may aircon ba??!!!). Second, the sun rises in the morning and shines right straight at you while you're doing the treadmill or the stepper. They didn't even provide sun shades for their glass walls during the summer because they prefer that their customers advertise their gym for free by showing off themselves while exercising, to those in transit along Katipunan road (as if they care!!). Gold's Katipunan should be paying us part of their marketing costs. Third, the senior citizens are deprived of elevator service during the early hours of the morning and are forced to climb 4 flights of stairs. This must be violating some local law or ordinance!! Fourth, the space is sooooo small!!!! The machines are too near each other that it barely has any space for the users, let alone their trainers - who all have fans while training their clients. Even they confess that it's just too damn hot inside. Lastly, they have no space for stretching, as they have a policy not to allow anyone to use the only open space they have, which is the dance/exercise floor when there are classes (and there are almost always classes, specially every hour in the morning). All in all - Gold's Gym Katipunan will cause you to pull several muscles because you cannot do proper stretching exercises, shrink your brain due to lack of oxygen, and cause you to have skin cancer in the long run. My conclusion - GOLD'S KATIPUNAN SUCKS AND IT HAS ONLY SUCCEEDED IN GIVING GOLD'S GYM A BAD REPUTATION.

 
Anonymous wrote on July 14, 2012 at 3:41 PM:

I am a member since 2010 and since then wala ako nirekla mo kahit na forever na sira yung wet and dry sauna ng golds gym glorietta. Now, there is an incident which involves the staff/trainor, the client, who unfortunately lost her wallet (kasi pinatago sa counter!) and the management. Anong klaseng reasoning yung kung sino pinag abutan yun ang kumuha.
what's the use of the cctv?! Rely kau sa cctv nyo! Black and white cctv na hindi makita yung mukha ng mga tao! C'mon! we're paying hard earned money! Palitan naman mga bulok na gamit! To the management, review your company policY. if you want to give satisfactory and quality service to your clients, you have to start from within (your employees). Be fair!

 
dark trainer wrote on October 31, 2012 at 9:47 AM:

yep, i used to be a trainer there (FF), heard so many things about it. also my rate (personal training) had tremendously increased, all i thought about is selling, but still giving my client's training sessions worth it, by reaching their goal.That's why i seldom reach my quota (selling training packages), bec i am much concentrated on my client's goal. there are so many trainers that are so stupid, all they know is just sell "pambobola effect", saying "kaya ko yan", but few weeks, no effect, just "pakikisama na lang"... so sad that FF doesn't recognized some of the trainer's real talent, to meet the expectations/ goals of the clients, such as losing/gaining weight, toning muscles, improve posture, etc. they only recognized "The Sellers" (a.k.a. trainers na bopols)that's why i resigned, stressfull job... not bragging, i used to train a 196lbs woman after 6 months, we ended 141lbs... i believe that is the true trainer's job, don't you think???

 
Unknown wrote on May 17, 2013 at 1:14 PM:
This comment has been removed by the author.  
Unknown wrote on June 5, 2013 at 6:44 PM:

Fantastic .. The information shared is of top quality which has to get appreciated at all levels. Well done keep up the good work. Check out
golds gym

 
curiouslad wrote on June 22, 2013 at 7:47 PM:

hi, i tried fitness first before, just guest passes but a total of 4 sessions(nyahaha), anyway, its true, that things like these goes on inside FF, 1. i was alone that day, wth my Mom, so she went to group things, and i, since i was just a guest,, strolled, did a couple of lifts, runs and pushes then went to the lockers, well i went there before i started, but just to get changed, , so,, i went to the showers, i already saw the wet floor and the dry sauna, and i made the plan to go there after showering, so after i showered, i went to the wet floor, i cant stand the dry heat e, inside was a Chinoy, looks nerdy, i didn't thought he's like that, after just a glance, i turned looking at the door and then something bumped my knee, there he was standing, rubbing his thing, i looked unto him, then he let out his tiny dick, he was urging me to suck it, but i do not want to, after couple of failed persuasions, he then sat beside me, touched mine then sucked me, i was at smiles coz he was choking, haha, then he asked for me to cum in his mouth, which i gladly did, after he cleaned me up, i stood up, went out, hurriedly went to the showers and changed, and went out, outside was my mum complaining why i was so matagal,, hehehe,, the second naman was when i was with my sister, but it was just a show lang naman, from a Caucasian man, i was changing that time to my sweat clothes when this white bear came in and sat beside me, of all the places, why beside me,(its his choice anyway), so he was facing me the whole time, me facing the lockers, like most of us do if ur not interested to anyone, then he took of his trousers, showing me the longest snake i have ever seen so far, it was about 5 inches,, SOFT!, he caught me looking at it because he was looking at me the whole time, he grabbed his thing, i got chills, but was so scared that instead of giving in, i fixed all my things, went straight to the pantry upstairs, leaving him., after a while, i saw him going to the heavy machines,. i went to the yoga class, and just after i showered off my sweats, he went again inside the lockers, all sweats, i was changing when he came, and luckily, i was about to leave that time

 
Anonymous wrote on January 15, 2014 at 2:46 PM:

Kahit saang gym naman pwedeng mangyari yang kalokohan, nasa sainyo iyan kung magpapadala kayo hahaha

 
Anonymous wrote on February 14, 2014 at 3:16 PM:

Looking for a gym and called FF and GG. GG was professional, they discussed their rates and different packages and answered questions simply and clearly. (So basically, they said it's 27K/yr of unlimited visits). FF was way different. They wouldn't give you clear answers, they say that the pricing is very complicated, that they cannot explain it on the phone. I tried to be nice to them because I just want to know basic information so that I can make a decision without wasting time. Anyway, I gave them feedback that they cannot expect me to buy a service that they cannot explain properly. I'm just trying to get a gym membership and not a bypass surgery--I don't understand why they have to make things complicated and difficult. Bottomline is--I got a really bad gut feeling from Fitness First, I hate being sold to or made "bola bola."

 
Unknown wrote on February 23, 2014 at 3:39 PM:

The Legend in Fitness is coming soon. Gold's Gym will open its newest club in the BGC, and you are welcome to be it's newest member. As early as now, you can avail our Pre-selling package for 1 year. But there's more...you can get 3mos unlimited FREE Plus 10 PT Sessions. 
HURRY! FEW SLOTS AVAILABLE.
Promo ends: February 28 2014.

For more details about the club and our offer you may contact
William 09055711884 (Gold's Gym BGC)

 
lusbelt wrote on March 26, 2014 at 7:17 PM:

I would like to share my thoughts for you guys, as I have been a member of Fitness first and Golds gym. I even reached a point when I had to keep both memberships for a period of two years, around 2008 to 2010. I split my excercise program for the day, half of it in fitness first, then half in Gold gym. What I like about golds gym is that they are open until 12 mn, which leaves me no worries if Ihave appointments and other hussles. AS to the equipemts, i still can say Fitness first has more advanced and modern machines, but it really depends on how you wnat to build your muscles. if you want hard core, GG machines are designed for the real man so GG is for you, but in FF you can go hard core anytime, and if you ar ein one of those moody days, you can go easy with the FF machines that aren't bad in getting those muscles pumped up without the ripping strain of hard core work out. Another thing I noticed is GG is way much cheaper in price than FF. On the otherhand, branches of GG are less in number than FF. As to the fun part, in the years earlier than 2010, GG offers less encounters mostly, and you only get the amount of encounters similar to FF if you are in GG Glorietta or Robs Galleria. Peculiar thing about GG that time is that if there aro too many guys in the Rob GAllerai branch and you just cant find a place to "do" it, you can pack up with your new found playmate and transfer to the nearby branch up in Holiday Inn Hotel, which is is just a few steps away after you go out the Galleria exit doors. In both FF and GG, you may end up getting sacked for your undescent moves so always be careful. One thing though, there was janitor in GG Galleria who will keep quiet and play blind because he accepts tips from the guys. Any amount will do. I gave him a christmas gift 2x. And it was kept a secret among his other workmates in the gym. There was a janitor in FF makati who enters the suna and allows the guys to do their stuff, he keeps watch and latter, if he feels comfortable or gets interested,he ends up part of the party. But they have now gone to a new job somewhere else, sad.

 
lusbelt wrote on March 26, 2014 at 9:35 PM:

I would like to share my thoughts for you guys, as I have been a member of Fitness first and Golds gym. I even reached a point when I had to keep both memberships for a period of two years, around 2008 to 2010. I split my excercise program for the day, half of it in fitness first, then half in Gold gym. What I like about golds gym is that they are open until 12 mn, which leaves me no worries if Ihave appointments and other hussles. AS to the equipemts, i still can say Fitness first has more advanced and modern machines, but it really depends on how you wnat to build your muscles. if you want hard core, GG machines are designed for the real man so GG is for you, but in FF you can go hard core anytime, and if you ar ein one of those moody days, you can go easy with the FF machines that aren't bad in getting those muscles pumped up without the ripping strain of hard core work out. Another thing I noticed is GG is way much cheaper in price than FF. On the otherhand, branches of GG are less in number than FF. As to the fun part, in the years earlier than 2010, GG offers less encounters mostly, and you only get the amount of encounters similar to FF if you are in GG Glorietta or Robs Galleria. Peculiar thing about GG that time is that if there aro too many guys in the Rob GAllerai branch and you just cant find a place to "do" it, you can pack up with your new found playmate and transfer to the nearby branch up in Holiday Inn Hotel, which is is just a few steps away after you go out the Galleria exit doors. In both FF and GG, you may end up getting sacked for your undescent moves so always be careful. One thing though, there was janitor in GG Galleria who will keep quiet and play blind because he accepts tips from the guys. Any amount will do. I gave him a christmas gift 2x. And it was kept a secret among his other workmates in the gym. There was a janitor in FF makati who enters the suna and allows the guys to do their stuff, he keeps watch and latter, if he feels comfortable or gets interested,he ends up part of the party. But they have now gone to a new job somewhere else, sad.

 
Anonymous wrote on August 27, 2014 at 7:20 PM:

Bayad kasi yun trainer kaya ganun inaasikaso sya. Hahaha.... try mo huwag magbayad :)

 
Anonymous wrote on October 26, 2015 at 5:04 AM:

If you go to the gym for airconditioning, then you shouldn't be going to the gym. God's Katipunan is for serious lifters. Why don't you just hang out at the mall?

 
Anonymous wrote on May 14, 2016 at 6:14 PM:

I have been a member otmf ff and's 100% true about the trainer. They like you and they could be very friendly as lo g as you avail the pt package but by the time you stop, they wont care. Money talks ng ff. Especially in Eastwood libis. You will notice that they are very friendly to those who are obviously well off or foreigner. Gutom ang mga trainers and staffs kapag nakakakita ng foreigner kasi alam pera ang katumbas. But if you are just an average guy with average amount of money hindi sila ganun ka friendly. Dun sa mga nagsasabi na mabait ang trainers nila blah blah blah try nyp wag mag renew ng pt package ever. tingnan natin kung hindi parang nagka amnesia or parang tae ang tingin sa inyo ng triner nyo.. mukhang pera sila grabe

 
Anonymous wrote on May 14, 2016 at 6:18 PM:

The posts here about ff trainers are true and correct. they only care for you if you have money or obvously well off. i have been a member of fitness first since 2012. mabait ang mga trainers if you will avail pt package pero pag hindj tae ang tingin nila sayp. dun sa mga nagbibida try mo wag mag renew ng pt package mo ti gnan ko lang kung pansinin ka pa. try mo wag mag renew ng mga 3 consecutive yr ng makita mo kung gaano sila kabait sayo. maganda sana sa ff kaso mukhang pera lahat ng empleyado. pagkakaperahan ang tingin sa mga customer