Before anyone jumps on me for being biased, as I've said before, I DON'T HATE OTHER GYMS. I just hate the way that they are killing the industry, or being "run into the ground" as the saying goes. I've said it 1000 times already, "If all gyms were getting results for their members, we wouldn't be able to build gyms fast enough to accomodate everyone." But this is not the case. I believe, in my experienced opinion, that most gyms care more about making money than service. I've personally had quite a number of individuals who have never worked out a day in their lives who have come to me and wanted to invest or franchise. In a polite way, I basically told them to go away. We don't need any more absentee owners in an industry where SERVICE is so important. And by service, I don't mean looking good in a suit and kissing member ass, all-the-while looking like he/she has never trained for a day in their pathetic pencil-necked lives.
But I digress....
Besides obviously Eclipse, I'll go over the various gyms of which I believe you can do a 5x5. Most of these are from experience, while others are from the information given to me by others.
If I haven't named the gym of someone reading this thread, assume that I have not heard about your facility. If this is the case, you'll need to give me some sort of evidence that you can cater to my readers with respect to this 5x5 program. So away we go....
1)
Eclipse (duh) - Each branch has at least 9 power cages or squat racks, complete with safety features, 1" pin catches, Olympic bars that are made for the squat, thick rubber floors, round (not octagon or hexagon plates that will roll) plates made of a composite rubber material, bumper plates for speed-strength and strength-speed training, plates as small as 2.5lbs and clips that weight 0.5lbs, official bars, the fact that you can drop the weights and not disturb neighbors below, 10" benches, etc. Eclipse is a full health club with state-of-the-art amenities and cardio equipment, in case you care
2)
Zest - Zest is a power gym in Quezon City. I've never been there, but it has produced some very fine athletes, a couple who are internationally ranked. It is "hardcore" meaning small and old equipment. It's not for people looking for full service facilities, but it will get you started if getting big and strong with a 5x5 is your only concern. They have basically everything you need.
3)
Gold's Alabang and Galleria - Notice I didn't say Gold's Makati. Gold's Makati is not a place condusive to 5x5 training. They have octagon plates that will roll, no 2.5lb plates, a power cage with annoying 2" catches, a squat rack (it's ok I guess), and are above Teriaki Boy so you can't bang the weights without inducing the ire of the management.
Gold's Galleria is ok....as is Alabang (but I've never been there...second hand info), but they are still very expensive since they are in the mall and have other franchise induced overhead. I'd warn you, however, that Gold's Galleria tends to get crowded around 5pm when the offices let out. If you are a serious trainee who wants maximum results, you might do better elsewhere.
4) Pinnacle (not the Libis/Eastwood branch) - I've never been to the non-Libis branch (I don't recommend the Eastwood/Libis branch for the 5x5) but I've been told the other Pinnacle is acceptable.
5) Manila Polo Club - again, I've been told this is adequate by another Coach, but I have no first-hand knowledge.
6) Lord's Gym - it's a very private club by invitation only. You'll have to read the Men's Health Philippines Forum to contact their Director for a membership.
Gyms that are NOT conducive to the 5x5
*Note that what is written below is my opinions and observations. If the representatives of these gyms make a change and wish to address what I've written for the better, they are welcome to post as well*
1) Fitness First - as a former member, I give them a HUGE thumbs-down. Their Olympic bars are too small, and will hurt you when trying to squat. Most of my current members agree that if you are looking for results through a scientific program like a 5x5, you might as well forget about Fitness First. They cater more to the "general fitness population" (whatever the hell that means) who are more concerned with socializing than results. Fitness First doesn't hide this fact, but I wish they'd be nice enough to let their inquirees know that they are mainly for people who just want to get out of the house and move around.
Their equipment is inadequate for what I'm teaching.
If you try to do your 5x5 training at Fitness First, you will fail, pure and simple. Don't say that I didn't warn you. Furthermore, some individuals who have done some of the movements like deadlift were told to stop doing so. I hope this is clear enough.
2) Fitness Advantage aka Sphere - I've never been there...but my current members tell me that they do not allow Olympic lifts or deadlifts.
3) Gold's Makati - as said earlier
4) Slimmers World - the problems with Slimmers World are too many to list. I'm a lifetime member there, and have been to most of their branches. You might as well forget the idea of going to Slimmers World to do a 5x5 and succeed at the same time.
5) Red Corner - focuses more on boxing and machines. This is not a place for strength training or a 5x5. I know and like a couple of the "big dogs" at Red Corner, and they have spoken to some of my staff about putting a Red Corner boxing area at Eclipse (partnering), but I still cannot recommend their facilities for the 5x5.
6) Planet Infinity - they are not properly equipped to handle a 5x5.
7) Basically every other gym out there that doesn't have olympic bars, power cages, small weight measurements, allowances to do deadlifts, olympic lifts, etc are on the "Negative" list. If you are going to one of these gyms, consider yourself warned if you are trying to do what I've written here.