Ames Fitness Center - South

Yikes. Sunday staff flirting with each other for over an hour. To the point where they're not greeting anyone entering or exiting the doors. Very unprofessional. Weekday staff are great and make your business feel appreciated.

Extremely frustrated to the point I'd like to just move away, even though I already have! I went here due to a friend saying it's great, well it isn't for me. Extremely busy every time I go (sometimes 2, sometimes 6-7), when I started I went to the south main location and that was a mess, 6 squat racks isn't enough and if there's one open people race to it, same with free weights. Started going to the north location and its almost the same way, super busy plus less equipment than south.
So on to the contract. For one why does a gym have a contract? I've never been to a gym with a contract, YMCA, anytime, strength shop ect. Why are you giving highschool/ college students contracts? So after not understanding the contract and still signing up (because I thought it would be a nice open gym and I'd stay), let me tell ya it's super hard to get out of it. Even after moving 25 miles away they still won't let me go! YOU HAVE TO MOVE 50 MILES AWAY, you could move all the way to Webster city and still have to come to Ames fitness. Completely stupid! It's so inconvenient for me now having moved away further from Ames and still being locked into this place. So thanks Brett Halverson for denying my request. I will try and let everyone I know not to come to Ames fitness. This gym is my worst nightmare.
Do yourself a favor, go to strength shop, planet fitness or just something else. All have no commitment.

Where do I start, this gym is what I think of when thinking of the perfect gym. It started with the location and excellent staff and service. It quickly moved to the awesome energy and knowledge that you get from all staff; they are eager to help and will take time with you. Also, they understand what you are striving for and they WILL get you there and further, while having fun. The group classes are intense for every level athlete, and you will love the diverse workout combinations.

Also, I must give credit to the south gym manager, Brett. I had a not so great experience in the past and Brett went above and beyond in making me feel valued as member. He know many of the members that visit the gym by name, and will always make time in hearing concerns and recommendations. If you visit this gym or plan to become a member, I would highly recommend you speak with him as he has great deal of context and will connect you with the right person for your individual fitness goals. I would highly recommend this gym and specifically, the south location! The team and Brett operates on excellence!

Great place to work out. Very clean. Staff are friendly and helpful. Fitness classes are great.

I came to Ames for ISU, and I guess I had the misguided notion that things in the bigger city were supposed to be bigger and better. I've been wrong on every level since I've been here and this place is no different. They don't enforce the mask wearing. Signs say masks on unless you are working out, masks on moving between machines etc. Nope. Most people I saw coming and going weren't even wearing them into or out of the building. Bring a change of shoes, no street shoes in the workout areas. Nope. Mud and water all over everywhere, even on the track. I never had a tour of the facilities so my first time there I'm walking around trying to figure out what equipment was where. I got so many stares like I was an alien from outer space or something. Definitely not a welcoming atmosphere. I was excited for a moment because they have heavy bags, but even looking like I was going to walk over to that area and I was met with death stares. 3 machines total for leg exercises. 99% of weight machines were for upper body. The leg curl and extension machines I couldn't even use right because the pads were so worn down, even on the shortest adjustment the settings were too big for my legs. And I'm not small by any means. Absolutely no where to do any agility work, or functional movement/sandbag workouts. Really unless you just want fitness, and not somwwhere to do legit training, don't waste your money. I'm glad I only did a 3 month thing. I already regret it. I'm trying to come back after 3 years because of injury, I could basically do more in my tiny apartment than I can here. My gym back home was small, but it had so much more to offer. Complete disappointment, just like everything else in Ames so far.

I cannot recommend this company. The facilities are nice, but it’s a complete money grab. They offer 3 months free but make you sign a 15 month contract so you end up paying for a full year anyway. Maybe most disturbing of all is no leeway for the pandemic. I understand that they are a business and need to make money, but no communication regarding precautions they are taking (if any) and no alternative pathway for those who signed up but no longer feel that it is safe to work out here. Unless you are a individual who works out 2x a day everyday, you will not get your money worth here. Do not join.

I love this gym. They do a great job at making sure everything is clean 24/7 and the Vibe that you get when you work out there is great! Definitely recommend!

This is nonsense, closing the gym abruptly. Not that I wanted to be around other dirty people before but for goodness sake, closing big enterprises at the peak of troubled time is asking for market of consequence. Here's a tip, people usually avoid public places in urgency anyway.