Ames Fitness Center- North

Fantastic experience: I have worked out at Ames Racquet and Fitness for over half a year I am proud to say I belong to the best gym in Ames. This gym offers -3 facilities to work out at -Excellent equipment -Friendly and knowledgeable staff -Positive atmosphere Having previously worked out at Anytime Fitness for over 2 years I am so happy I switched and will never go back for as long as I live here. Since making the switch I have lost more weight and gained strength thanks to my trainer! My trainer gave me not only the knowledge on how to workout correctly but the confidence to do it efficiently every single time I am in the gym To the people that think this gym is expensive, you have obviously not had any major illness. The average cost of a heart attack is $50,000 and that is if you live. If you can't afford to pay less money for your health than for your car insurance..then you need to go back and get a refund on whatever education you received. You get out of life what you put in. I decided to put more money into my health by joining ARFC vs Anytime Fitness, and in return I have gotten more results and a better quality of life because of those results. Thanks Ames Racquet and Fitness!

Positive experience: The Facilities are top notch, and clearly the best in the area, however I believe that the membership prices are waaaayyy too expensive... $200 membership fee + $50 per month is out of a lot of people's price range. I don't really use any of the perks that ARFC offers.. I just lift and run so I feel like I'm paying for things I'm not using. Great facilities & staff however it's way too expensive, especially when other gyms in the area can give me what I need at a fraction of the cost.... 3/5 Stars

Fantastic experience: Positive: Professionalism , Quality Ames racquet are the best in Ames

Fantastic experience: This gym is very clean and the machines are nicer than other gyms in Ames.

Positive experience: The front desk employees are always very nice and the environment is usually clean. I love the sauna and steam room! I would like to comment on the improvements to the Kids Gym. From what I can see, the improvements are positive. When I worked there, I was in high school, and I wasn’t sure how to effectively communicate about the improvements that were very much needed. Since the improvements, I would now recommend bringing your children there for care.

Positive experience: Pretty nice gym! Great classes, specifically the class led by Mackenzie (I think it is called insanity). Nice clean pool, no basketball court though.

Fantastic experience: Great fitness equipment, clean and tons of fun and challenging fitness classes. The fitness instructors are personable and modify to anyone’s fitness level.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful place the membership is more than most, but most gyms don't include all classes with the membership! I can try Yoga one day and Cardio Dance the next day with no extra charge! It's awesome!

Fantastic experience: The best in town! 3 locations, but only go to the North location. Staff is friendly, and facilities are clean and well kept. Offering personal training, all the normal cardio and weigh equipment, as well as a 4 lane 25 yard pool, sauna, and steam room. Updated: The new South location opened, and it is exceptional. Indoor running track, spinning studio, yoga, modern locker rooms and showers. Cardio, free weights, and weight machines. It has it all. So now, both North and South locations are "thumbs up".

Fantastic experience: Great place to work out! Many choices to add variety to your fitness routine. I really like the separate weight equipment room for more privacy when doing machines. There are lots of classes and the staff is friendly and helpful. It's so nice that they offer the kids' area too. My kids have always loved going there - they have a great time and see lots of friends. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Received a massage from Rhet. Very nice guy and a fantastic massage therapist. Will definitely be back monthly.

Fantastic experience: Love the Saturday Zumba class

Positive experience: Nice facility, but it is always too busy. Especially troubling is that the pool is generally so busy that sharing a swim lane is a must. I wish the new facility was going to include another pool, because this one is already beyond capacity. And for some reason the AC constantly drips into the pool and ,depending on what lane one uses, drips directly onto swimmers. Yuck!

Fantastic experience: Really professional staff and a great place to work out.

Fantastic experience: When I first went in at this center, I was like 20 pounds heavier than my normal weight. Thank God I am now back to my ideal weight.

Positive experience: Great facility, although it is too busy around 6 PM to reliably find a treadmill.

Positive experience: Nice fitness center and very clean

Fantastic experience: I personally think this is the best gym in Ames. I loved the classes and equipment. The locker room is great. I love swimming laps here in the evenings. Sometimes it's really busy but I found times when I had the place to myself.

Positive experience: Great facility

Fantastic experience: Good gym, quite busy and great classes

Fantastic experience: Had to go over winter break and I was skeptical but the gym had every piece I needed for my lifts and was very pleased!

Fantastic experience: Love Group Power class.

Fantastic experience: They just got all new equipment in! I love the group fitness too. There's a lot to offer for all fitness levels.

Fantastic experience: I'm an avid runner and have been a member of ARF for about a year. I have really started to enjoy my membership this winter. The Somerset facility is extremely clean, the equipment is in great condition and I have yet to wait for a treadmill to become available. It is a great place for a quick workout, in and out. I look forward to continuing my membership here and to the opening of a new location closer to my home!

Positive experience: How are people saying this place is expensive? I bought a two year membership, and it worked out to be less than $30 per month. The more you buy in advance the more you save! I'm guessing the people complaining about price pay month-to-month? Which should rightfully be more expensive because I imagine there would be more administrative work that has to be done to keep up on those accounts. This place isn't as clean as it could be though. Staff is friendly.