Salem Fitness Center

Fantastic experience: This place is awesome. It's a real old school lifting gym. Great equipment, machine and freeweights. To be honest the Google map photos don't do it justice, it's far better than it looks in the posted photos. They have everything you could possibly want from a lifting perspective, boxing, a good amount of cardio equipment and I'm told there is a ladies section (but as I'm a man, I can't review it). I've been lifting for 25 years, in that time I've been a member of 16 different gyms, Salem Fitness has a piece of lifting equipment I had never seen before, that's how well equipped they are. The members are generally good people, none are really obnoxious, and it isn't too crowded. The price point is extremely fair, which means that along with being the best gym in the area, it makes Salem Fitness the best value by far. Honestly, most gyms on the north shore suck. I love the North Shore, but it's true, Salem Fitness is the exception, a true hidden gem.

Positive experience: Wound give the place 4.5 stars if I would. I like the gym a lot but wish they were a bit faster to fix equipment and fix sinks in the men’s room. It’s a good spot otherwise.

Fantastic experience: Many machines and lots of free weights

Fantastic experience: Literally all the bad reviews are so untrue lol the machines are not broken nor is the place “dirty”. It’s just an older building, of course there’s going to be imperfections. Some machines are older and some are newer, but the old ones are just as good as newly made ones, if not better. Iron gets rusty, it’s literally nature my dudes. The machines are all in working order, members are really good about wiping their machines down, and the bathrooms/locker rooms are always VERY clean, which says a lot about the care that goes into the business. SFC has helped me reach all my goals and from my first day there I felt like I was welcomed into a family. I’m typically there around a certain time of day and I’ve found friends in so many people. I find everyone to be so kind, funny, and nonjudgmental. I like a gym with diversity of all kinds, and SFC is very diverse and welcoming of everyone. There’s basically never any waiting for any equipment because there’s so much available. The front desk staff are super nice. The hours are convenient and there’s never a shortage of parking. What more could you want?!

Fantastic experience: Literally all the bad reviews are so untrue lol the machines are not broken nor is the place “dirty”. It’s just an older building, of course there’s going to be imperfections. Some machines are older and some are newer, but the old ones are just as good as newly made ones, if not better. Iron gets rusty, it’s literally nature my dudes. The machines are all in working order, members are really good about wiping their machines down, and the bathrooms/locker rooms are always VERY clean, which says a lot about the care that goes into the business. SFC has helped me reach all my goals and from my first day there I felt like I was welcomed into a family. I’m typically there around a certain time of day and I’ve found friends in so many people. I find everyone to be so kind, funny, and nonjudgmental. I like a gym with diversity of all kinds, and SFC is very diverse and welcoming of everyone. There’s basically never any waiting for any equipment because there’s so much available. The front desk staff are super nice. The hours are convenient and there’s never a shortage of parking. What more could you want?!

Fantastic experience: I’ve been a member of Salem Fitness for four years now. I broke my shoulder, and Michael Reyes has been my trainer, and has definitely helped me recover. Our training sessions are fun and intense, and the staff and clients are all friendly and supportive. I would recommend Salem Fitness to anyone- all the gym, without the attitude!

Negative experience: Switched to this gym specifically for the women's only section - male owner is constantly in there ‘training’ people… AKA he just wants to watch the tv while his clients do lunges… if you’re not using any of the equipment, why do you need to be in here? It literally says “women only no exceptions” on the door. I can only work out at certain times, and it seems like he’s in there whenever I go so I’ll have to switch gyms soon. Also just generally very dirty.

Negative experience: Pec deck has been broken for over a year, pec fly is uneven, cables broken on cable machine, list goes on. machine maintenance needs better up keep for the monthly membership price members pay

Fantastic experience: Great Machines and great music too.

Positive experience: I did like this gym for classes only. I stop going cause there weren't any good classes after covid hit. I asked the owner to hold my membership so I can return once there are more classes and he wouldn't. Too bad. I been there since it was golds gym. I'm glad he didn't, I found a cleaner and better gym. So thank you for that.

Fantastic experience: Excellent gym

Fantastic experience: This place FOLLOWS ALL GUIDELINES LOVE IT HERE

Positive experience: Has all the gym equipment needed. Its old but gets the job done

Positive experience: women section is outdated. only a smith machine and then a 10-15 lb bar to add weights from the smith machine for anyone who wants to deadlift or hip thrust. The heaviest dumbbells are 35 lbs i believe…. there has been a dead bug for weeks in the same area. Was told it was going to be updated almost one year ago. i signed up for the womens are but it’s weak but stars for at least having a womens area.

Fantastic experience: This place FOLLOWS ALL GUIDELINES LOVE IT HERE

Fantastic experience: Currently training at this gym postpartum and during a pandemic. I was a little hesitant to go back to the gym, but it feels much safer than I expected. Restaurants seem way more riskier in my opinion. Here they are always cleaning, took correct precautions, and masked. There is always someone going around cleaning, and sanitation stations throughout the gym.. As a mom with an infant at home, I wouldn't risk it, but my mental and physical health has improved by getting out and taking care of myself, and for that I am a better mom. The gym is also not as busy as it probably once was preCovid because most people are nervous, and I get it. I saw another post about them not mandating masks, but this isn't true. I had my mask slip down and was told to pull my mask up on the gym floor. They also take temperatures at the door. There are gloves at the front occasionally that you can wear if you truly want as well. I can attest they are doing a great job here keeping the gym clean and safe so we can focus on our health. Don't be afraid to come back to the gym. You will take yourself later.

Negative experience: This place is not following covid 19 guide lines. A lot of the men that come to work out and use the free weights work out without a mask on their face. Staff only sits in the front and when I or other people tell them about the issue they don't seem to respond without a care. Just Sunday and today Tuesday I told the front desk and the gentleman never even bothered getting up because he was having a food conversation with a couple. They need to shut this place down if they don't follow guide lines. This is unhealthy and they should know better. I left one gym about this issue and I just joined last week this gym and they are doing the same thing. They should be reported

Fantastic experience: Great Kangoo jump class with Amy!

Fantastic experience: I’ve been going to Salem fitness off and on since it was known as Gold’s gym. I’ve had memberships and I’ve come as a visitor, but I’ve always felt welcome. Most recently I started working out primarily in the women’s gym at Salem fitness. Most gyms say they have a women’s gym but it often pales in comparison to the main gym. This is not the case at Salem fitness! The women’s gym is well outfitted with all the same equipment and in a reasonable amount of each type. It is spacious as well. I enjoy coming to Salem fitness when I come home for vacations and will continue to do so in the future!

Fantastic experience: Love the zumba classes

Positive experience: This is a no frills gym. It has everything you need to get in shape and the price is on point. Some of the bad reviews are probably given by people who are expecting a high end fitness facility with newly painted walls. But if you want to lift heavy, get in shape and SAVE some money then this is the place for you!!

Positive experience: I love the gym and equipment but totally disappointed that it doesn’t always open at 5 am. Therefore, some times I have had to miss my workout. Today, I had to leave after waiting for twenty minutes. I was satisfied when I called the owner and he was able to address my issue in professional manner . I will continue to do my workouts here because I really enjoy my time here. Thanks for your quick response ...

Positive experience: A healthy environment 2workout , everybody workout hard and less “ Tongue Working Out” . Most of all it’s Old School. I loveit Real Nice!❤️One Love! ❤️One Blessing

Fantastic experience: Love this gym

Fantastic experience: I’ve been member since February and I’m in love with this gym, the staff is so friendly, the women’s workout is always clean, they have a great variety of equipment, the group exercise is awesome and I really like this place, I recommend it.

Negative experience: I like the old school weights but @ 40/MO its a prank. The parking lot looks like roads in Iraq. The locker room is F'd, the place smells like old socks, they dont put the AC on often. Im not sure where they get their price point. The new owner seems inadequate, when justifying his pricing he says he put in new light bulbs and a boxing ring. Lol... great bro, your killin it. At an LA fitness pricepoint you need to re-evaluate your space. Its simply not worth it, i would say its a 15-20/Mo max.

Fantastic experience: Super place to get ur workout in.. Has everything u need to get that SUPER PUMP

Positive experience: No comment

Fantastic experience: My new gym and I really like group classes and women work out area.

Fantastic experience: Love this locally owned gym! The facility is extremely clean. My wife loves that ladies have a completely closed off area that they can use that is private. Ladies can certainly use the main area but if she doesn't want to worry about getting any "looks" she has piece of mind.

Fantastic experience: Great place to workout, friendly people and staff.

Positive experience: Worked out here for 2 years. Staff was friendly and they fit a lot of equipment into a small space which was nice, but a lot of the equipment was old and unrepairable. This place got the job done for me and the price was reasonable. One of my biggest gripes was that I never saw any repercussions for members leaving weights all over the place. Previous gyms that I've frequented have revoked memberships if they catch this kind of repeated behavior.

Fantastic experience:

Fantastic experience: I've been a member here for 10+ years. They have all of the free weight (dumbbells up to 130lbs ea) and machine equipment that you could ever need. Multiple benches, squat racks, etc. Dozens of treadmills and other cardio equipment. The staff is awesome. Monthly membership is very low compared to other places with similar equipment/set ups. Highly recommend this place!

Fantastic experience: It's my sanctuary! When I got home from the service and went looking for a gym with the feel of a "Navy base gym", Salem Fitness was it! Old school feel meets modern amenities!

Negative experience: Worst gym I been too. The ladies that go there faithfully are very territorial and I definitely felt bullied. They all whisper and gossip like no tomorrow. People I've referred to this gym felt the same way. I think they feel itmidated when they see younger people come in. So if your young and of color I don't recommend this place for you. The managers are aware of this situation and all they did was apologize there was no care to find a solution or change anything. A gym should be a JUDGE FREE zone.

Negative experience: Just moved to Peabody, so I was looking for a new gym since I'm a avid gym guy. I previously went to Become Fitness in Methuen which is a state of the art brand new gym that just destroys all the other gyms. I called, and spoke to someone named "Nikki" to discuss prices. Nikki who sounded very uneducated, started to become rude when I started telling her how much I paid at Become fitness. I ended the call in a very professional manner. However later on I started getting these texts from them harassing me that I'm a Planet Fitness guy lol telling me to go eat pizza and a bunch of other nonsense. I was beside myself, honestly what type of customer service is that. Furthermore I was actually going to come in and check them out, and get a lift in. Not the case anymore, no wonder that gym is so outdated and crappy and 40$ a month!!!! I paid only 10$ a month at Become Fitness but I'd gladly pay 80$ a month for a gym that has state of the art equipment and is actually clean with a motivated staff who actually lifts weight. Had to block them to stop texting and calling me smh. I feel bad for people who are actually out of shape in that gym, because they have to deal with an atmosphere like that instead of a motivated one.