Meh. I stopped in Friday night to check it out and still am not sold.

(I belong to Gold Coast now, which has its own issues -- I'm looking at YOU, people who bathe in perfume and AXE body spray before working out, wear JEANS TO SPINNING CLASS and never clean up after yourself -- but it's also cheaper.)

For me, the deal-breaker was the crappy lighting; I could see my shadow when I was walking around the place. Just weird. Made me instantly feel tired. And I like to get my reading on when I'm getting my cardio on. I'm efficient that way.

The music was also a little obnoxious. I felt like I was in a teenager's bedroom or something.

But the equipment is undeniably awesome.

Maybe if the prices come down, I'll get on board. Until then, it's the basement for me.

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What do you consider a "proper pec deck"

I'm pretty sure they have the one where you keep your arms sraight out and grasp the handels, can be reversed to do read delt.
I'm lifitng chest tonight so I'll double check and report back.

They have a lot of really nice cardio equipment, all top of the line stuff.
The space is great, well lit and good air circulation.
The steam room and sauna are roomy and very nice as well.

Bottom line, it was worth the wait and it's def a great place to work out.

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Honestly , not affiliated, just a very happy member!

Do they have a proper pec deck? I have been trying to get Newport to buy one for 3 years (and 3 managers) now...all I get are excuses and it is becoming a deal breaker for me and I get re-pissed off with every monthly payment.
They've got a DOZEN ways to do bench presses but not one way to properly do pecs.

I know, I know...
But different things are important to different people.

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YEA RIGHT!!!!!

Does it really even matter if you are affiliated with the Gym
Who Cares... Your report gave a lot of useful info.

This gym is fantastic, a great addition to the neighborhood.

Spacious and naturally lit, beautifully designed, with a large variety of top notch equipment.

Loads of free weights, all kinds of weight lifting machines and every kind of cardio machine, with personal TV's on each machine!

The locker room is beautifully tiled with steam room, sauna, and private showers.

The class space is huge offering everything; Yoga, Spinning, Step, Sculpting, Martial Arts-Karate etc., etc.

The Karate class on Weds and Fri at 6:30 has an awesome instructor who studied under Aaron Banks. That class alone is worth the price of the gym.

The gym is even a nice place to just hang out, with a juice bar set up like a real bar. Lounging areas and TV's all over the place.

It's only one block from the Grove St. Path station and
they have an arrangement with the parking lot across the street for free parking.

I have no affiliation with the gym..

The wait was worth it! I went both Saturaday and Sunday and I lovvvve the facility.

I was by there a few weeks ago, they were ready to go. I'm confident they were waiting for our joke of a local government to get it together and do the inspection.

This is exactly what caused the delay with Ibby's reno, btw.

Furthermore, maybe they felt they couldn't go public on their website (or here for that matter) as to the real cause of the delay for fear of pissing the city off and slowing down the process even more - I know Ibby's was smart enough not to say a word about it.


This municipal government is a sad, sad joke.

if you are frustrated you can check with the OFFICE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION HEALTH CLUB DIVISION 973-504 6370 from past experience I know that they do follow up on all concerns in the interum don't put on the pounds i'm sure other gyms would sign you up for one month or so , GOLD COAST FITNESS has been very accomodating to me, and service is FANTASTIC

I totally agree with those who question whether they would have joined if they knew they would be waiting 2 months to use the facility. It doesn?t matter who?s to blame, they are running a business. As far as I'm concerned, I signed a contract under false SET expectations. If something unfortunate happened to one of us, would they be understanding and allow us to breach the contract?? Probably not. Why are we allowing them to do it to us? They really should do something to show us some type of CLIENT APPPRECIATION.

I called yesterday (Sunday 10/14)- was told that the inspection is today (10/15) and they plan to open by the end of the week. I signed up in August! But the gym is extremely large and alot of new equipment. Once it is opened, it will certainly take alot of the business from the gyms in the area that are 1/8th the size.

Suze -

I'm with ya. I'm not sure I wouldn't have joined but I would have waited before cancelling my other membership. I still think this gym is going to be great but I think they could have handled this better. It would have taken just a couple of hours (or less) to give all current members a call and update them with the info Jerseygirl just shared. I think that would have gone a long way...

Suze-

I too share your frustration w/ the gym not being open sooner - (I can feel myself get more out of shape by the day.) However, I hope & do think this time that they will open by the week of the 22nd.

My husband & I have been popping in every 2 weeks or so to check the progress. Several weeks ago we were advised by Mike that the reason the gym was not open was because the public utility connections for the building were not in the best shape/not up to code. They gym owners are only leasing the space, so they had to get the landlord to coordinate w/ the city to get this problem fixed. A couple of weeks ago they tore up Barrow - probably fixed the connections. Whenever we would stop in, Mike would give us a tour. The place has been finished for weeks & looks great! (I just wanted to say - can't you just let me use the treadmill for 30 mins?..hehe) If all of the connection issues have been resolved I guess now they are just waiting for final inspections to get the CO.

With this being the explanation for the delay, it is really not the business owner's fault for the delay & I can't wait to be able to work out in such a nicely done space.

I was just told that they're waiting for the final inspection and that they will be open the week of October 22nd but I'm not holding my breath.

When I joined in August I was told they would be open by Labor Day. I called them the second week in September and was told that they'd be open in two weeks. Two weeks went by, no word from them, so I called. I was told they'd be open in another two weeks. Two weeks later, same thing... Two weeks after that I'm told it'll be next week.

I would never have joined had I known it would take this long for them to open. When I joined I was told they would be open shortly after Labor Day. Is that false advertising? Am I stuck with these people because I signed the contract or do I have a shot at getting my deposit back and going elsewhere?

I'm getting very frustrated.

Thanks,

Suze

The other gym in the area was delayed too. They gave every member that joined during presale an extra month on their membership for every month they were delayed. I thought that was prett nice and a nice way to earn some quick loyality.

Last week I stopped by & was advised that it will be a couple more weeks. The gym looks good, it is all clean & setup. They are waiting on the city for inspections - something having to do w/ connections for the outside of the building - not sure on the particulars.

But that was last week - and I don't have any more status....Can someone else shed some light on the subject?

Any news when they are finally opening?

I stopped by last week & they said it is opening in 2 weeks. The place had all of the equipment in it - it looked like a gym! The elevator was still not complete, but there was a crew in finishing that project. The owner guy said they are just cleaning/tuning up the equipment, making sure everything is good to go for the opening.

I wish they would hurry up! I want to go to the gym!

Maybe stop in this week and see what the progress is.

anyone know when this is opening yet? what is reason for the delay?

OK time for the important question: How hot are the staff? Nothing motivates gym attendance more than crushing on people who work there.
Same with alcohol consumption.
Balancing the 2 would be nice.

If you look around at the other clubs that have the amenities that Brick Haus is offering the $69 a month is a steal! 15" LCD's on each cardio piece, 6 50" LCD or Plasma TV's throughout the first floor. Group exercise, huge locker rooms with a sauna and steam room. Can Do, Club H etc have these amenities and charge over $100 a month. If you are looking for a hardcore gym go to Diamond in Newark. Brick Haus has towel service,daycare, juice bar and Spinning, all of which you will not find anywhere else for $69. The other clubs will continue to lower their prices and then suddenly not be around any longer so I would only do month to month if you decide to join elsewhere in Jersey City. You wont get your money back if the smaller clubs go under.

Try CHISEL Circuit...it is a different kind of space. Not a traditional gym.. If you want personal attention and full service this is the place for you. The gym is semi private...so you never wait for equipment. But if you are a "gym rat" kind of exerciser and have your own motivation then Brick Haus is your place.

or you can pay only $899 up front and they'll only charge you a $49 fee.

also,
what happened to "Sept 1 is probably the latest it will open" and weekend hours of 7-9pm?

but remember, if you get TEN people to sign up they knock off ONE initiation fee. haha! so everyone pays $90? big deal.

I pay $56 a month at Gold Coast Fitness and it's worth every penny , service and staff are excellent, I'm not waiting for any new gym to open, i'm already at the "friendliest health club in town".

Synergy can be had for about 399 a yr and the benches are in a seperate room at gold coast which is why someone might not have seen them.

Exactly. It not much different from what Synergy and the other one on Newark wanted to charge. One didn't even have a bench press and Synergy looked like some sort of fitness dunguen.

It's going to be another three weeks before they open? That kinda sucks. I was told they'd be open by Labor Day.

but pretty much the price of everything in this area is ridiculous when compared to the rest of the country. $69/mo for that gym is better than $69/mo for some of the other options.

I'm still saying $1000/yr is pretty ridiculous for just a gym.