The Gym @ Contagion Athletics - Amarillo CaseyDaisy: Dropped in for a day as I was traveling and looking for something better than a hotel gym (i.e. a place with a barbell and squat rack at the very least but bonus if there was more).
Pros: gym was awesome and did not disappoint in terms of available equipment . 10 squat racks with one side of 5 all for squatting, the other side of 5 all for benching. 5 deadlift platforms. Correct bars for everything! Like the deadlift platforms had true deadlift bars, the squat racks had true squat bars, etc. A powerlifter’s dream. More cable racks for upper body things across from the row of 5 squat racks. A free weight section. Lots of cool equipment like glute ham raise, etc. A huge turf training spot with box jump padded cubes, kettlebells, sleds, resistance bands, all kinds of things. A dodge viper to look at. Upstairs track. It was easy enough to drop in and do my workout. No one bothered me or micromanaged me. The front desk person was very nice. Other regular members seemed very friendly. Signs everywhere to rack your weights or you’d be charged (hate it when people don’t rerack their plates!). Super clean, organized gym.
Cons: it was $27 for a one time drop in fee, so I only came once and then just made do with the limited hotel gym after that (I was staying in the area for 3 days). I thought I had read the gym was 24 hours and a 24 hour pass was $20 and when I asked about it sounds like they changed their policy. I was so paranoid that I would forget to wipe down equipment or not put something back just right that I’d be charged that $50 fee (didn’t happen though). There are huge windows by the row of squat racks, so if you come in the afternoon, you may get hot with the sun shining in.
Overall a cool spot to get a workout in while you’re passing through, but prepared for the price if you want to come back more than one time. Definitely would seriously consider this gym rather than a commercial chain gym if I lived here.
