Top 10 Hardcore Gyms?

[Wynn]

Gold's in Venice, California and MedRX in Costa Mesa, California

who ever made that list may not know what state has the most Pro bodybuilders and serious gyms.

Really looks like they don't believe anything important exist West of the Hudson

This is from the Getbig.com interview of Bob Chicherillo. He mentions what Gold's Venice has become:


- You train at Gold's of Venice, the mecca! Has anything changed lately?

Well, Gold's Venice is still Gold's Venice. It still has that aura about it; there is always a lot of things going on there; the energy there is very high. Those are the main reasons I like it there. It has changed a little over the last 5 years. When Gold's Venice changed hands, the new owners didn't have that much of an interest in bodybuilding. It is kind of an irony because Gold's Venice, as anyone knows, is the mecca of bodybuilding. And that place was founded on bodybuilding, and is a major part of history of bodybuilding. But they haven't kept up with the upkeep. The pictures on the walls, the pros, the winner of the Nationals and the USA's, stopped being updated around 1998. My picture isn't on there still.
It's funny because I remember one time just hoping and praying that one day my picture will be on that wall prior to me turning pro, and then finally I did it, and they are not doing that anymore. So I still don't have that picture on the wall at Gold's. Little things like that have been lost, that Gold's Venice is still known for bodybuilding. People still go there from all over the country who come there to see pro bodybuilders. They have made some changes. They have taken out a lot of equipment, some old good equipment which I wasn't really too pleased with. It is strange when a corporation runs Gold's Gym of Venice, because some of these decisions are made in New York City, and some of the people who make these decisions have never been in a gym before. It is kind of frustrating. One thing I did was to offer my services free of charge as a consultant, on what equipment to bring in there, or changing the gym around and things like that. I think it has helped a bit, and we made some changes with the format of the gym. I would hate to see a place like Gold's of Venice turn into a 24 Hour Fitness. This is our place.

http://www.getbig.com/iview/cicherillo040111.htm

 

[alanchiras]

I train at my local YMCA (just not in the league yet.) but in the Worcester, Ma area, Bay State Gym was the most hardcore to go to. It's the first gym that prison inmates sign up for when they get out. It's not pretty, used to be 24/7/365 until recently, and has a large room just for legs called 'Quad City'. No music, you want it, bring your own. I go there when my local Y is closed and love it, just too intimidating for me for all the time.

 

[Wynn]

Bay State

I train at my local YMCA (just not in the league yet.) but in the Worcester, Ma area, Bay State Gym was the most hardcore to go to. It's the first gym that prison inmates sign up for when they get out. It's not pretty, used to be 24/7/365 until recently, and has a large room just for legs called 'Quad City'. No music, you want it, bring your own. I go there when my local Y is closed and love it, just too intimidating for me for all the time.

I've heard of that place! The show American Muscle had aired a competition years ago with them versus another gym in the area. It was Tug of War with the strongest members of each gym at some park or beach. I wonder if that still do that.