Best Gym near Homestead, Pennsylvania

Eh oh, Heyyy, I'm Meredith, a loyal gym devotee from way back when it was the Crunch days. Three stars from me, because while management rocks, equipment access is like playing musical chairs - except someone always gets left standing. Some trainers seem to think their clients are royalty, leaving us commoners to fight for leg press time. I believe this is not an everyday thing where they have two classes going on at the same time. It was a Tuesday and I normally don’t go on Tuesday, but went that day bc I missed three days and had to kind of rush through my workouts due to pressed time. As someone with disabilities, I need those endorphins to stay sane and balanced. Today's 45-minute wait for equipment was the cherry on top of my frustration sundae. The gym usually gets it right, but these kinks need ironing out. And don't even get me started on explaining my cochlear implant gadget - it's just not worth the awkwardness anymore. Again, while I highly recommend this location and its management; the gym's size and class scheduling often restrict access to equipment, and some personal trainers seem to prioritize their clients over other members. This was also an issue under Crunch. As someone with disabilities, I need more time for workouts, which focus on alleviating mental health and menopausal symptoms. Today's experience was particularly frustrating, as I waited 45 minutes for equipment unavailable due to concurrent classes. Although the gym usually accommodates my needs, these constraints are problematic. Furthermore, I've faced awkward situations explaining my cochlear implant-connected voice recorder, leading me to stop using it. Although the gym usually accommodates my needs, these constraints are problematic. When I discussed this with the main manager, she listened and was understanding with empathy, as she always does. She is perfect for the gym management, however, her trainers need to be more flexible when they are having classes when one needs equipment that is only going on during their classes at the same time. The manager also showed me where the stretching area was too, bc I wasn’t also able to stretch before my workouts due to the classes, it was really constricted today. Is all. Just an update from my previous review. After I wrote this review I had a lot of retaliation from two personal trainers who went from having great hospitality who used to always hi and to me and welcoming who are now very ignorant to me due to me writing the above review especially Lamont who did discriminate against me due to my disabilities and was very mocking towards me when I explained to him that I was autistic and noticed how he was treating me. Now if it was the other way around I would be kicked out of the gym if I was being racist. In case you didn’t know, racism came from ableism and Lamont was very ableist towards my disability by saying “ I have disabled family” but if I said “I had black friends or family who are black” I would have been kicked out of the gym. It is such a shame there is such double standards for people with disabilities who get discriminated never have any rights to speak to ableism. Seems like this business is not familiar with the rights of people with disabilities and has been very ableist towards people with disabilities. Another example, a woman pushed someone in there wheelchair at this gym, which is against the law, but is some how allowed to still attend this gym, whereas if someone said the “N” word it would be held accountable but not for people with disabilities who are getting g discriminated at this gym by the trainers who work here. Ya got to remember the gym keeps many people with disabilities alive, according Javano McLean. And every weekend Lamont acts like he owns the gym and has children around doing his job for him, which I got on video. This man should not be around children if he discriminates against people with disabilities.

I am 74 and love the renovated gym. The weight machines are new and good for all muscle groups. The staff are welcoming and friendly. I wish they had more Zumba and dance classes. There is an overall masculine feel, but women also feel comfortable there. The sauna is a wonderful addition. The price is right. I have not as yet met Andreas, the manager. We've only spoken on the phone. But I know the manager sets the tone for the staff and for the overall atmosphere, so he is doing an outstanding job!

This gym suits my needs across the board, from great use of space/design, weight machine variety, a pleasing atmosphere, some fitness/Zumba options, recovery spaces (like the hydro massage area and red-light sauna)—and affordability! I haven’t gotten into the martial arts aspect, but it’s a cool vibe. The incredibly friendly, helpful, and fun staff also make it a comfortable and inviting space for awesome workouts a few times a week. Thank you!

UPDATE: Adjusting from 2 stars to 3 stars. The day after I posted my review they changed the music - not sure if it was intentional as a result of my review or just coincidence but it's so much less irritating to work out now with better music. The only other comment I'd add after a few weeks using the space (and why I won't bump up to 4 stars) is that the lighting is rough - some spots are dark, some spots are overwhelmingly bright, and the lights are blinding if you lay on your back to do anything. I've literally had to shade my eyes when I stretch or do core work. I loved Crunch so I was pretty upset when they sold to UFC, but I reserved judgment until they reopened. Overall I'm disappointed and the new facility is exactly the vibe I was worried it would be (red flag when the big motto on the wall is about how pain is fuel). They cut down the number of treadmills significantly which is a big bummer and treadmills were always heavily utilized. My biggest complaint is that the music is terrible - I can't imagine anyone really wants to listen to techno at 5 am but if you don't want to you're forced to wear headphones and even that doesn't fully drown it out. If I could get one thing, it would be better music - I really enjoyed the music Crunch played. It's also annoying that while they have a lot of amenities they all come at a significant upcharge. Crunch just included them in my membership package and there's no way I'm paying the fees they're charging for the hydro massage or infrared. I'll still go because the equipment is nice and it's a better option than LA Fitness but overall it's exactly what I was expecting (which I wasn't thrilled about).

Michelangelo Turner is an amazing coach and trainer. He has a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm and he truly cares about his clients. This is rare.

Black Mountain Spirit is an awesome school where you learn self defense as well as self discipline. You meet very friendly people who has been there longer than you or who hasn't but is still willing to work with you and help you out with your practicing. The Shaolin style is a more intense type of style which will help your endurance as well as strength. Tai Chi is a more calmer style that helps you relax your mind whenever you're fighting or just relaxing. Kung Fu is a MUCH better style than Karate since it feels much smoother and gives you a better piece of mind. The price isn't bad at all, its actually the best deal I was able to find. But the instructor is very helpful and is very charismatic and is knowledgeable about everything he does or brings up in a conversation. But they are very polite and friendly and the instructor is very professional.

I spent 4 years practicing both Shaolin Kung Fu and TaiJi from Master Black here during my college years. There is no better place to learn authentic, effective martial arts. If you're looking for a school where you're going to learn real Kung Fu, this is it.

I studied Kung Fu at Black Mountain Spirit all through college and it was a formative experience for me. Sifu Marc Black teaches a rich curriculum of traditional Kung Fu with an emphasis on practical application. This is not a school where aerobics are dressed up as martial arts, but is instead a place where students work hard and learn valuable skills. The studio itself is clean and well-equipped. The front room has full-length mirrors along the entire wall and weapons for students who are studying advanced forms. The back room has rugged and modern training equipment, with changing rooms downstairs. But even setting aside the facilities, Marc Black is a teacher second to none. He is personable and knows how to break complex maneuvers down in a way that anyone can grasp. Even more impressive, he scales his lesson to the skill level of the student. Every time Marc shows you a technique, the feeling is that what you are seeing is easily attainable with just a bit more practice. If you have ever thought about taking a martial art, you owe it to yourself to visit Black Mountain Spirit.

I've been attending Black Mountain Spirit for about four years. The instructor, Marc, teaches Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Bagua. I've been taking the Tai Chi and Bagua classes. He's very knowledgeable about the intricacies that make a technique work or fail. What I like about the Tai Chi lessons here is that Marc teaches both the form for health benefits, as well as the martial aspects of the techniques. Sparring night is very open, with people from other styles coming to spar some nights. I find Marc to be professional with his teaching methods and practical with his technique. The price to quality instruction ratio looks great compared to some other schools in the area, and I've attended a few. I would say the best way to get a grasp on what you can expect at this school is to come view an open sparring night and see how amazing the technique looks.

I have been a student at Black Mountain Spirit Kung Fu for four years. It has been an amazing experience. I used to be in the Marines, where i learned Marine Corps Martial Arts. The self defense i am learning at Black Mountain Spirit in terms of practicality and professional instruction far surpasses the system of hand to hand fighting i learned in the Marines. To say that i highly recommend this school is an understatement. Whether its Tai Chi, Shaolin, or BaGua kung fu, you will learn simple yet awesome techniques for street defense and survival. I work in a state correctional facility and the skills that i have gained in learning kung fu at Black Mountain Spirit helps me perform my duties with a certainty and confidence that did not have before. There is no doubt in my mind that i can effectively defend myself while on the job or on the street in a hand to hand, self defense, survival situation. The instructor is waterfall of deep knowledge and incite about fighting with kung fu, he absolutely has a battlefield mindset when it comes to self defense. It doesn't matter what style of kung fu you gravitate to, he can show you how to practically use any technique for fighting. There are no flowery punches or embroidered kicks, you will learn that every movement has a practical purpose from form to fight. The instructor is very knowledgeable of the rich cultural history of kung fu and lore from the land and people where kung fu was first developed and cultivated. Overall the curriculum is excellent, the people are friendly and welcoming, and the price of tuition is most likely going to be the lowest your going to find when compared to many other martial arts schools in the area.