I signed up online for a free three day pass, drove like an idiot to Venice, only to have the RUDE guy at the front desk tell me that I needed a driver's license with a local zip code to be able to use the pass. I pointed out that it didn't say so on the pass but he told me it did say that "exclusions apply". He was condescending and just overall annoying. The type of front desk guy at gyms who fist bumps all the bros checking in. In what world does this driver license bullshit make any sense? I'll tell you in what world: In the world of big egos + small powers. Now, fun facts: A year ago I signed up for a FOURTEEN day, all location pass at a different location, so this is my tip for all of those who want to try out the Venice location: go to a different Gold's gym, sign up for a free pass and ask for it to be all club access and then go there. That way you don't have to deal with no front desk bullshit. And please don't fist bump any of them when you check in, they feed off that.
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They made LEE PREIST pay to workout. His picture in on the damn wall and he's a legend that helped build the place. You guys messed up. Hope you go out of business :)
Customer service was a tad bit irrational but overall adequate, the courtesy was satisfactory , but the intentions by prejudice are not acceptable in my opinion
One of the better gyms I've visited! Great atmosphere and amazing history between those walls. You never know who you'll run into at this gym. Nice blend of old school equipment with some of the new as well. Could be intimidating at first, but you soon realize everybody there is friendly and helpful.
Has over charged my friend and fellow New Zealander Lee Priest for using the gym. Not acceptable when his photo is on the wall. Please lower your fees.
Went in for a tour and to hear about the membership and it all sounded good, so I went back before work with a guest pass to actually try out the gym and they wouldn't let me use it because no membership sales people were there. Even though I had already sat there and talked to one for 40 minutes a couple days ago. So I asked to buy a day pass and it costs $40! Seriously? I've never been to one that asks for more than $30, that's ridiculous. I understand this is the hoity toity Venice location but they just ruined my entire day. I'll wait to join again until I end up back in Texas where they're not up on a pedestal.
It's planet fitness with a price tag of maybe you'll see a celebrity. Ridiculous when the world's strongest man goes to visit and you have no idea. This isn't the mecha. It's the shell of what it once was. 40 dollar days are ridiculous.
One of the last real gyms in the US. I have seen Governor Schwarzenegger here many times. I never bother him as he's working out. And shouldn't be bothered. I was going to break my rules this year when I went there as it was my 65th birthday, but he wasn't there, oh well.
Was a member of another golds when I got a guest pass to visit here. Place is huge, tons of equipment ranging from your normal stuff to some other things you rarely see. Might run into some well known people! They tend to keep it warm in here, so be ready to sweat (wish more gyms were like this)!
Hopefully Josh Fuglsby the Regional Vice President of Gold s Gym West coast gets fired for charging a well liked bodybuilding legend Lee Priest $40 to workout! Poor dude traveled all the way from Australia too
There's a reason why people from around the world come to this place! The physiques, the knowledge, the character and attitude of the members and trainers is truly special. If you're a serious lifter you'll love this place. If you're a lover of foofie gyms you'll hate this place. Come and experience something special for yourself.
A legendary place. Lots of famous, infamous and wannabe famous people workout, hangout and live at, behind and around this gym. It's called the Mecca for a reason. It's a religion, a cult and a lifestyle all with it's own brand of Koolaid. Cheers
Definitely the world's best gym! Huge space with every piece of exercise equipment you can imagine. Staff members are friendly and Personal Trainers are great.
We made the journey from where we were staying in Hollywood because we simply had to get a session in at Golds. Turns out they have recently doubled their day pass rate from an already expensive $20, it's now 40 bucks and with no concession for couples, so it would have cost us 80 bucks to both train there. Seriously, this place is cool, but not that cool. If you want to train at an iconic gym, save yourself for Powerhouse Gym in Tampa if you're ever over that way. It's just as good and they are sensibly priced.
I went in with my wife for a workout at Gold's Gym Venice and the reception guy directed us to a very unhelpful membership consultant that tried to charge us $90 each for a day or gave us an option to sign up for 3 months and he would refund us $50. After a short talk with one of the members outside the gym we were told that something wasn't right as a day pass is way cheaper than that and he would personally mention something to the gym manager regarding the staff attitude towards us. Shame as we did look forward to workout at the Mecca. Date of visit 24/10/18 evening.
this is the best gym i have ever been a member of. dumb bells up to 200 lbs, machines id never seen. 5 machines , all slightly different that helps build glutes. There is a reason all the woman have solid muscle there
most people would find the place to be intimidating, but everyone is so nice, outgoing, and willing to help. its as sriuas as it comes as far as bodybuilding gyms go, but the regular gym go-er will fit right in.
they constantly update equipment so each BB-er has the best of the best. 2 blocks away is a cross-fit gym that some peeps use also. so yea, all the sterotypyes are like a cloud above the building...most are true...the kinds saying negative stuff are usually false. ive never witnessed any kind of anger or bad behavior because people that are lifting there, are serious about their time spent.
they also have an outdoor tire-flipping/cross fit area. and a small kitchen for pre and post work out meals....yea folks its that serious, however the person eating in the kitchen will also answer any/all Q's you have about food.
been a member at 7 gyms total. even planet fitness was less helpful as a whole than venice golds.
A "must" for all those who like pumping iron. It is the "Lourdes" for those who want to built their bodies. Friendly staff. Unfortunately I don't live there, so I won't be one of those lucky ones using those holy fitness rooms.
Charge $20 fee if you cancel old credit card and get new one. Scam of a company. Doesn t care about loyalty. Will be switching gyms. Would change to 5 stars if they actually cared about their customers.
Joe Gold opened the first Gold's Gym in August 1965, in Venice Beach, California,[2][3] long before the modern day health club existed. Featuring homemade equipment and dubbed "the Mecca of bodybuilding", it was frequented by Arnold Schwarzenegger[4] and Dave Draper[5] and featured in the docudrama Pumping Iron (1977), which brought attention not only to the gym itself but also to bodybuilding and physique in general. To this day, Gold's Gym is considered a landmark in bodybuilding culture[6] and has achieved cult status.[7]
After Gold to Pumping IronEdit
In 1970, Gold sold the at-the-time failing gym to Bud Danits, most commonly known as an antique dealer, and Dave Saxe, a jeweler. They ran the gym for almost two years together as co-owners, and when they realized that this operation was not plausible for them, they were going to close it and reopen the location as an antiques shop. They offered it to a frequently visiting gym member, Ken Sprague, who purchased it in late 1971, and Gold's was saved as a gym. Sprague was the first owner of Gold's to actually sponsor and hold bodybuilding competitions, and his promotional skills and film industry contacts helped build the establishment's profile. By 1975, when George Butler was going to film Pumping Iron, it was Sprague's savvy, telling Butler that he would paint the windows over to minimize back light, and let Butler mount a lighting grid to the inside ceiling that made Gold's Gym the primary location for filming Pumping Iron. After the release of the movie in 1977, and along with the 1977 Mr. America contest and Mr. America Day parade held in Santa Monica, sponsored and conceived of by Sprague, the profile of Gold's gym grew even larger. That year's Mr. America had more press requests than the 1977 Academy Awards. By 1979, when Sprague had sold Gold's Gym, it was the most famous gym in the world.[8]
Subsquent ownership, franchising, and imageEdit
From 1979 to 1999, Gold's Gym was owned by Peter Grymkowski (a Mr. World body building champion) and his partners. After two years of ownership,[9] they moved from the 5500-square-foot facility into a 60,000-square-foot building over a six-year period. Grymkowski's brother became the licensing director, which helped bring the Gold's Gym name from one location to over 534 throughout the U.S. and the world in 1999, when it was sold to private equity firm Brockway Moran & Partners. Another private equity firm, TRT Holdings, bought Gold's Gym in 2004.[10] Gold's Gym was one of the first companies in the health and fitness industry to franchise, starting in 1980.[11] The company licenses its name to products such as fitness equipment and clothing. The original Gold's Gym logo, a bald weightlifter holding a barbell, was designed in 1973 by professional wrestler Ric Drasin, who was Schwarzenegger's training partner for four years.[12] Notable users of Gold's Gym have included such celebrities as Jessica Alba, Jodie Foster, Morgan Freeman, Dwayne Johnson, Jim Morrison
Best gym I ve even been to, staff and people are very friendly. The equipment is in great condition and there s literally everything machine you can think of. There s different free weight areas so you never need to wait for equipment. The outdoor area is great and less noisy. They also have the famous Gold s Gym stringers and other fitness clothes. I definitely recommend anyone who love fitness to train there.
Mecca of bodybuilding. An amazing gym that everyone who is interested in fitness sports wants to practice once in their life. In addition to training together with the best athletes of the world, you feel an extra motivation even when you see the pictures of the champions on the wall. That's why I would particularly recommend to go. Golds gym official products should not be forgotten.
Do not go here , the mens showers is covered in black mold. People beyond rude. Staff not bad. No one wipes off any machines, don't put back the weights. It's as if they don't give a sh*t because Arnold left. Or because Arnold( the army deserter) made them so famous the place is just a cash cow no matter how.
The home of bodybuilding. Amazing equipment, $25 one time entry fee...all the motivation and determination you'll ever need. Absolutely loved my visit! Cannot fault it.
I have been a member of Gold's Gym since 2003 when I moved to Venice. I have brought in many guests, and friends who have joined..... and will admit they have a good set of equipment....
But after being told "its cheaper if you pay in full" and STILL being charged $600/year versus my normal rate of $39.99($479/year) ... now they want to jack me up to $750/year or $65/month? I understand inflation, and the rate seems fair for new members.... but how can you NOT grandfather in your loyal members?? What is worse... I have a couple friends I work out with that pay monthly and their rate will NOT change! One of my friends is a member for only 2 years and paying $22 bi-monthly ($572). And her rate will not change! Why the HELL will my rate change JUST because I paid in FULL? What business would not prefer being PAID IN FULL?? This is POOR business and your going to piss off a LOT OF people!
I have dealt with their horrible staff, and never complained about it being dirty, unorganized, always tough to find matching dumbells, weights all over the place, and it's ALWAYS very cold, and their Internet hardly ever works even in 2018! Its not a nice gym, unlike any OTHER Gold's you have ever been to. And obviously they don't care at all about their members. I guess the only good part is that they are not still charging my card like I hear happens after you try to cancel.
If you're in to training in any capacity, you NEED to visit this place. A lot of the kit is old, it's a bit dated but there is a vibe like nowhere else. Think of your favourite bodybuilder/actor..... Chances are you'll bump in to them there. Its no wonder its called the Mecca of bodybuilding. A day pass costs $20 but I can almost guarantee you a great workout and an unforgettable experience.
A good gym. But we were charged 25 per person for a day pass. Which is some straight ridiculousness. I was with my dad and we were just looking to get a workout in at a quality gym. Tbh, we got free passes for LA fitness, and the facilities there, and service was better.
This is by far one of the most amazing, no-nonsense gyms on the planet. The classes (BodyCombat & BodyPump) are addictive. Instructors are above and beyond other gyms. Truly love this place and nothing can stop me from getting there, even if I have to take two buses from Hollywood to Venice. When I leave, I feel accomplished and ready to kick butt.
The gym has everything you need plus a great outdoor area with some extra weights it also has a great energy to work out in that though only thing that bugs me is how nobody can rerack their weights ever
Does anyone know when Simeon Panda normally works out here? Would very much like to meet the guy in person. He s been my inspiration since the very beginning.
