Best Gym near Lancaster, Pennsylvania

I’m a college student who only comes to Lancaster for a few days/weeks at a time and I find this gym very convenient since they have several different options for short term passes. Prices are very reasonable and they don’t charge joiner fees, which is great for people who don’t need year round memberships. If I lived in PA I would come here year-round since It’s kept very clean, there’s a great variety of equipment, and everyone is very friendly including staff. They also have a lot of great discount codes and deals if you sign up for text message alerts. I’ve been to a lot of gyms in the Lancaster area and this one is definitely the best deal in terms of quality and cost.

I have never really been a gym person up until the last couple years. Been coming here for at least 2 years now and it’s a great spot! Derek is a great guy and is always a friendly face willing to answer any type of question I have. 10/10 would recommend this spot for a newcomer to the workout seen or any experienced gym goer!

I’ve been training at The Foundry for over a year and absolutely love it. I appreciate the addition of new equipment, the amount of variations of equipment and the vibe is always great as well. The gym feels safe, is clean, and the supplement store is an added bonus!!! The owners are wonderful, friendly, knowledgeable people. Very thankful to have The Foundry in Lancaster!

The atmosphere here is awesome! On top of that they are always adding new machines and updating the space to keep things fresh. It for sure can be a little crowded with all the machines and people during busy hours. But you can always find a machine you’re looking for and or adjust your workout and check back in a little bit.

Great gym. Great variety of equipment and all in good condition. Gym was exactly what I needed it to be. Traveling through Lancaster and my hotel didn't have a gym, was able to get a 1-day pass online on Saturday night and had access through my phone when I got there a few minutes later. Vert satisfied!

My experience of working with a personal coach at OPEX Lancaster has increased my knowledge and skills, while giving me the understanding of how to keep my healthy lifestyle going for years to come. My coach, Jeremiah, works with me personally, guiding me toward my goals, through all the challenges I face while trying to achieve them. As a coach, he listens to my desires. Then, through his expertise in programming my workouts, helps me to reach those goals on a regular basis. I always feel supported and encouraged in and out of the gym!

I've been attending Opex for three months and I can’t say enough good things about it. My experience has been amazing! My coach created customized workout routines based on my needs and even helped to support what I could do on my own, outside of the gym! My health habits have spread into our family routines and my children now workout with me on a regular basis. We feel so much stronger. Opex is not a place to go it you want a cookie cutter experience. It is the place to go if you are serious about changing your life. The knowledge is there, the accountability is there and the encouragement is there!

OPEX Fitness Lancaster has changed my perspective of a gym. I have learned so much about the value of functional fitness in my life, the importance of basic lifestyle guidelines and I have grown in strength in so many ways. The team of qualified Coaches are superior to any prior coaching I have received. My Coach designs my daily workouts, based on our monthly consultation goals, so I always walk onto the gym floor with a purpose and a plan. In short, it's an empowering experience to be an OPEX Lancaster gym member.

My kids love the Youth PE class at OPEX. They are gaining strength, confidence, skills, knowledge, and healthy habits, all while having fun. Coach Kim is not only super encouraging and upbeat, but also knowledgeable and creative in how she structures the activities and movements in each class! Highly recommend!

I have been a client at OPEX Lancaster for over 2 years and have loved every minute of it. Not only are programs designed specifically around my goals/lifestyle, but the support offered by all coaches is incredibly unique. They adjust to my intense work schedule and keep me on track with nutrition. I've also built a community with other members and enjoy the additional activities we are part of outside of time on the gym floor!

My favorite place! You can spend half a day here if you want. Has everything you can possibly imagine - hydro massage chairs, cafe, dry and wet sauna, pools with all kinds of different temperatures and cold plunge, gym, tons of classes to choose from, some are included in the membership and some have to be paid for separately, childcare (kids club), programs for toddlers, kids, seniors, towel service, beauty salon, AI based gym, nutrition coaching - I can go on and on! They help you be consistent and help you along your fitness journey. I haven’t seen a gym with a more personalized approach. I feel like everyone who works there is my friend. All the fitness instructors are fit and healthy and they are friendly, help you and answer all of your questions. We go there with my whole family and we love getting protein shakes after!

Shannon is SPECTACULAR . . . HYROX IS THE BEST CLASS Danielle is also amazing she is a great instructor I highly suggest body pump as well but HYROX IS THE BEST . Cindy is the face of universal SHE IS THE MOST WELCOMING FRONT DESK LADY ONE COULD EVER MEET . I went from 260-209 in one year working out HERE I SUGGEST U FIND A BAND OF BROTHERS OR SISTERS AND GET TO WORK

4.5 stars in my opinion. I have been going here on and off for 20 years, many of the people that were there when I started going are still there; both staff and attendants giving the place a sense of community. Universal provides a real sense of warmth to their customers when it comes to front of house staff. They have tons of options for classes and equipment, there is something for you here and you will never have to wait. Everything is also immaculately clean. However, I find their administrative staff to be stiff and inflexible at times, not that I or anyone deserve special treatment, but you would think that 20 years of attendance would have them be more flexible with some policies at times. Also a nice benefit of going here is the reward system, mine was messed up in their system, I asked them to fix it multiple times and they didn’t. That’s a small price to pay though when you have staff that care about knowing you and supporting you on a personal basis. You can always count on Kelly at the smoothie bar to give you a warm smile and greeting. For example here is a smoothie she made me during finals weeks. It’s people like her and acts like that can make an ordinary place extraordinary. Thank you Kelly and everyone else!

My experience with Universal was a great one. The ONLY con of this gym is that it can be on the expensive side. However, the price is well worth it if you actually go to the gym every day. [What do I get?] Universal Athletic Center (UAC) offers a large number of classes with your membership. It also offers a large number of exercise machines, freeweights and slightly more exotic equipment (sleds, punching bags, medicine balls, ropes, etc.) However, there is no strongman equipment as of this review. There is also a registered dietician on site as well as a salon and a nice food bar. The hydro massage units cost extra to use, but are extremely nice to have. [How is the staff?] In my experience, the staff at Universal is it's strongest selling point. Alison and Beth were great to me as were the rest of the staff. I was able to change memberships when I needed to and they were great about me cancelling when I had to move out of the area. [Is the gym worth it?] I would say that UAC is 100% worth it. The gym is huge, the classes are great and the equipment is well maintained and seems quite clean. The only con is that the gym can be expensive and charges biweekly. If you use the gym then this is definitely worth it. If you want something to help convince you go to the gym then this will be a great excuse for you. I miss UAC and haven't really seen too many other gyms that offer as much as it does. I highly recommend UAC.

Fantastic gym if you can afford it. Considering everything it offers, it's worth every penny. Getting discounts from local businesses and being rewarded for checking in are huge pluses.

Scheduled classes have always been the best motivation for me, and they have the best times and coaches. The classes are almost a full hour, which is great, and I can almost always get into any class, even with a waitlist. Booking is easy and every one of the coaches are super supportive!

5 stars across the board! The staff and coaches are amazing, always leave feeling like I accomplished something for the day and everyone is there supporting you along the way because they're all doing the same thing. It's really a great place to be!!

I love the coach-led classes, and the encouragement and motivation I receive. The coaches here all make me feel welcome. The treadmills are the best I have ever run on, as far as cushioning and wear on my legs. The variety of the workout means I never get bored, and I have seen results in my body and weight. I love how the heart monitors track your heart and gives you details on the level of your workout.

It's a nice facility, a good workout, and the staff were all great. However, when it's time to cancel your membership, beware that they will charge you for another month of service even if you cancel before your bill date. I was thinking I would be back someday. Now, that's highly unlikely.

I enjoy the station work and the variety of strength exercises. It is an intense workout that goes quickly because it is never boring. I am able to adapt that intensity to my personal ability and goals. The instructors are very clear and concise with instructions and very personable. I recommend it for individuals of all ages who are seeking to improve their health and fitness.

It's crazy that a workout can be equal parts humbling and empowering, but pure barre nails it every time. I always leave with a smile on my face, feeling both accomplished and uplifted. The sense of community here is genuine – every single class and every single person I've interacted with in this studio are day makers. The instructors are supportive, and the fellow members are friendly and motivating. Highly recommend to all - no matter your fitness level, age or size - come experience for yourself, you’ll be thankful you did !

This is the best workout I have tried and I have tried MANY different types of exercise. I used to consider myself a spin and hot yoga guru... then I started Pure Barre. I saw results within about two weeks which is amazing! I am now approaching my 100th class and still continue to see growth in myself each week. The best part for me personally is that the workout class has a routine schedule however within that schedule, the instructor makes the class their own. They play awesome music that is motivating and fun. Everyone that works there treats you like a friend and compliments you by name over the speakers. Finally, this is the only workout I have found that helps me truly block out the outside world. The studio becomes an oasis where I only have the mental capacity to focus on MYSELF. These classes are my ultimate form of self care and I would pay double the amount for the physical and mental changes I have seen in myself. ❤️

I arrived 2 minutes late but before the class started and I got the door closed on my face (literally) and was not allowed to join in. Their policy states that for Pure Reform "no late entry is granted", but the class had not started yet so technically I was not late. I tried to reason with the instructor explaining I drove from out of town just for this class to no avail. I will be canceling my membership due to their poor customer service. *UPDATE* As of today, I have not received a call from the owner about my membership. I talked with a billing representative, who added a note to my account regarding the call promised to me by the owner. In addition, I tried to reach the owner via email and phone (I left message), but there has been no response from her. Moreover, I am being asked to pay a $20 USD late fee on top of the monthly membership, for services that were never rendered nor used, due to their 30-day notice policy. This policy, requires customers to cancel their month-to-month membership with a 30 days in advance notice. In other words, to avoid charges for another month, as a new customer you would have to cancel your month-to-month membership on the same day you sign up for it. This is the only way you could avoid having to pay for a second month if you do not like their services. This information was confirmed to me by the billing representative I spoke to.

Fell IN LOVE. Every class is a challenge no matter how many times you go! The instructors are friendly and relatable. Laura (the owner) is encouraging and invested in your development. Had no yoga or ballet background and it was easy to pick up the lingo and movements. It's truly 50mins of you time. Feels great to leave the studio feeling refreshed and a little leaner and taller :)

Crazy awesome studio and class!! Took the free class and was immediately hooked. unfortunately out of my price range - but santa will see this on my wish list!!! If you can, take this class- you will feel different after just one class.

Their summer volleyball camp was amazing. It was only a 3 day camp, but you can see the improvements in your child every day. The environment was wonderful, too. Coach Julie and other assistant coaches are very nice, patient, and professional. This is our first time joining this camp, but if I had known earlier, I would've let my daughter join this camp much sooner.

Very nice facility! Watched my granddaughters play volleyball 🏐!

It's a very nice sports center. It however was a little difficult to find but that is more on the signage than on the center itself. Another problem I had was the temperature. It was very cold inside which if you are playing a sport is probably fine but as a spectator, it's pretty bad. But as a whole it was very clean and well lit.

Good gym, clean floors and great students and faculty.

Very nice school. First time visiting the school. Gym a little on the small side but it is a small college but very nice.

Not a very welcoming. Everything is way outdated and the machines that need maintenance and or are out of order aren’t dealt with due to laziness? Lack of money? Too busy watching shows at the front desk? Who knows. Dumbbells and weights are always unorganized and scattered, most if not all the rope pully machines need some serious maintenance and don’t hold the same tension throughout the whole movement. I only go to this gym because of the convenience in location. Also only one squat rack but a thousand fake bikes and treadmills? Walking is free.

Its a good gym, am currently a member, and i go there everyday, but there two comments for me: - hours are very very bad - the cable machine is need to be fixed since over two month now and there is no warning sign on it, almost dislocated my shoulder !

( Please Read Before Joining) After being a member for two months and never once used the gym I had to cancel for personal reasons, I was told that I had to give a thirty day notice and would be charged one more payment. I understand that, but why was I charged an additional charge for a administration fee and yearly renewal charged? They said it was in the contract. So I guess that makes it right? Total rip off. And what administration charge I'm the one who had to either cancel by writing a cancellation letter or come in and fill out the paperwork myself and cancel, so why am I paying you for what I did. And the owner did not even have the decency to come to the phone when I asked too speak to him. Yes he was there, I never made it to three months so why do I have to pay a yearly renewal fee when I am not renewing? Please read the fine print. If I was there for six months or even used the gym once out of two months I would understand. It's not even about the money it's about the fact that there is nothing right about this. Fine a gym that care more about their members then there hidden greed. Never Again! There are plenty of up to date and cleaner and much better gyms to join and some that's even cheaper!

I cancelled my membership 4 months ago and they will not stop billing me. I've now paid 2 months of membership dues, and a $40 yearly membership fee all after several months of canceling my bill. Called them and complained and they were no help and even fought with the credit card company. Beware of giving them your credit card you will regret it.

Best gym around by far. Tried LA, the Y and Crunch and they’re all way too busy. This gym is just right, and the owner is extremely friendly! Would love if a few of the cardio machines were fixed though :)

They don't offer any open/family lanes/times for people who don't want to lap swim but still want to exercise in the pool. This facility is even more prejudiced against non-lap swimmers than the city center one. Why bother joining if you just want to use the gym? Planet Fitness is much cheaper. It used to be much better and much more open to people using the pool for other types of exercise.

Pool - on a good day this is a wonderful experience for my husband to go swim laps. On a bad day, the lanes are taken even though the website says they are available. Example - today senior splash was supposed to have ended but one lane was taken by some from this group. "Life guards do not do anything to enforce the schedule or monitor the situation of lanes being available for lap swimming" There have been times when the pool has been closed unexpectedly with no notification. There have been times the online schedule says one thing and another is true once at the Y. Facility is beautiful but definitely needs work on organization of schedule and enforcement of it.

Great place to come whether you are a member or not. They have day passes for the outdoor pool. I bring my family and we pack lunch and enjoy the pool for the day. Reasonably priced, and clean facilities. Kind staff. Overall a great place!

This is a very nice YMCA facility. We were visiting from our of town and had power issues and being YMCA members at home with the nationwide membership allowed us to use this facility without extra cost. The staff was super friendly!

It's a good gym. Not too crowded. Equipment is always available. The free weight area can get a bit full and is a little small, but I can always get on my full workout. Locker rooms and the gym are always clean.