The worst is LA Fitness, formerly Bally's. Unlike the other club in Gambrills/Crofton area, this place is filthy! They have one shift cleaning while people are still working out in the evening, and they do a terrible job. The locker rooms and old, dirty, and always getting broken into. And the new staff since the change are rude.

The best club is Anytime Fitness. It can be 11 pm or 4 am and I can still work out. It is clean and the equipment is maintained well. Owners/staff are pleasant.

Love Anytime Fitness. It has just about anything you want or need in the way of equipment and classes without being overwhelming. Owner/staff are very helpful

Anytime Fitness, hands down! Jonathan and staff are very friendly! Jonathan even knows your name when you walk in the door! Reasonable monthly fees. Most group classes are free with your membership. Tanning is available for an additional (but small) fee. Great 24 hour gym!

Been a member of Bally's now LA Fitness for 20 years. LA Fitness is HORRIBLE!! The only reason I go there is because it's about a mile from my house and has an upstairs track. If it wasn't for the track, I'd be going somewhere else. They also took at the snack bar AND tanning and no one knows when or if they'll be getting that back either. Horrible.

I love anytime fitness. It has a great neighborhood feel about it. Johnathan and Craig know you by name and are very helpful. It is a smaller gym but has everything you need at an affordable price. Craig has made a lot of great improvements to the gym and does a good job of keeping the place clean. The trainers are all very nice and great at getting you in shape. I also love the group classes and the fact that is is never closed even during blizzards or holidays.

Judging by the size of most people in Perry Hall I would say McDonalds.

Ok, I'm not saying this simply because I am the owner of the gym I am going to recommend but I have worked out at all of these places and been offered jobs by 3 of them (besides the yoga and dance place - and I love yoga btw!). I'm sorry but these are lame gyms. There is too much fluff in the fitness industry and many people have lost their way because of it. It pains me to see people donned in make up, wearing the trendiest fitness apparel and on their cell phones while "working out." Let's be honest, if you can immerse yourself in anything else BUT your exercise, you're not really working out, you're just going through the motions. This is actually the preferred clientele for these establishments - less wear and tear on their machines. The big commercial gyms don't care about the well-being of their people - they are too big to concern themselves with individuals. They'd much rather you pay and don't come. Maybe they'll have doughnut and pizza day to keep you fat like Planet Fitness? Regardless, if you workout at one of these places and 1) are getting results and 2) enjoying the process, - then keep doing what you're doing, you've found something that works for you. But if you are looking for something more; a fun, fast paced, full body workout, come take a kettlebell class at Art & Strength located at 4115 Wholesale Club dr (by the BJ's). Patch readers first workout is free. Just register for a beginners class online at www.artandstrength.com

To add to that, I have heard good things about Anytime Fitness and I have met the staff and they are friendly. They also have an incredible squat rack. Very nice.

I agree with all of the comments about LA Fitness. This gym has seriously gone downhill. There is no longer a secure check-in like there used to be with Bally’s. The staff does not regularly check people in. It is getting rundown and desperately needs an update. The treadmills are so old and when they break down, it takes a long time for them to be repaired. It is true, what one person said, about the cleaning staff cleaning while the gym is still open, which is just wrong. No one knows if the smoothie bar will ever be opened again. Whenever I ask the staff about anything (including management), nobody ever knows the answer. One redeeming value about the place is that the staff in the kids’ center is wonderful. I hope someone in management at LA Fitness is reading these comments and will do something about it. At this point, I am ready to just go on over to Anytime Fitness and pay whatever their fee is, on top of the small payment I am making over at LA Fitness.

Anytime Fitness for sure. While I wish so much there was another gym with a year round pool other than now LA Fitness, Anytimes hours and staff are fantastic. They have Zumba offered and the Monday night class with Di makes a workout super fun. Where else can you learn Thriller moves as a part of your workout!? She's super creative and hilarious:)

Although I have not trained at any of the other places, I have "trained" at Brick Bodies in Cockeysville. I've also "trained" at Planet Fitness and Merritt Athletic Clubs. I have nothing really bad to say about them. All I can say is - A gym's a gym based on my experiences at those gyms. This is what separates Art & Strength from the rest of the field. I was introduced to Art & Strength by a friend and did a private group workout that incorporated Kettlebells amongst other things. I was hooked. One kettlebell work out with Dan (owner) is like working out for a full week at other gyms. I saw him offering a free class to Patch readers and I suggest you TAKE HIM UP ON IT. Do a test also. Why don't you run on the treadmill today. Wear a heart rate monitor and see what your heart rate gets up to in you 30 minute run. Then wear a heart rate monitor at your kettlebell class at Art & Strength. I guarantee you will have a better workout with Dan, and you'll get a full body workout.

I currently do a private group training at Art & Strength with some friends on Friday mornings at 8AM. We definitely have more room if anyone else would like to join us. Just e-mail Dan and ask about it - it's not your typical gym workout - it's a whole different ball game!

Either way - don't be a fool - sign up for a free class and see what you've been missing. You're also not dealing with a corporation. It's just DAN and it's obvious that he cares about your goals because he keeps you motivated.

Who cares about fluff/no fluff-you get out of a gym what you put into a gym. I Love Brick Bodies-friendly staff, great upkeep on equipment, very clean!

Anytime fitness! Great gym and have great classes! Everyone is so nice there.

When I was able I loved brick bodies. Disabled now.

According to "Men's Health Magazine", we're not doing very well.
America's 10 Fattest (and Leanest) Cities
Research By: Jaclyn Colletti and Maria Masters
Baltimore, MD, Overall Ranking: 8th, Overweight: 34th, Obese: 7th,
Type 2 Diabetes: 4th, No Physical Activity: 3rd, Fast-Food Visits: 87th
Grade: F
Read more:
http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/metrogrades-fattest-cities/metrogrades-fattest-cities-baltimore.php#ixzz1oH1jyf00

Anytime fitness is definitely the best! It's a comfortable environment! I get trained by the manager, Jon and he is amazing! Makes sure to great everyone and gets almost every Clients name memorized! I love going there and it is a clean and fun environment! The classes are great as well!!! Definitely the most affordable for me!

Anytime fitness hands down! The only gym where I have made friends and actually lost weight! Awesome place :)

I LOVE Anytime Fitness. I have always disliked large impersonal busy gyms; Anytime Fitness is nothing like that. It's clean and the equipment always available for use even at the busiest times. The classes and instructors are amazing, great variety and incredible energy. I train with the manager Jonathan and he is fantastic! Even before I started training with him, he knew me just from being in the gym regularly and always offered encouragement. I especially loved the Zumbathon fundraiser they just held. Anytime Fitness is just like Perry Hall, somewhere you can always count on a friendly face and running into someone you know.

There's not much I can say about LA Fitness that hasn't already been said, but truly, its horrific. I would never complain that they're cleaning the gym while we're there...at least they would be doing it!! There was a cleaning crew there last night and the place STILL looked dirty! Too little, too late. They need to step up the cleaning crew asap. Until they do, I definitely won't bring my kids to the daycare.

If money weren't an issue, I would be at Brick Bodies in a heart beat. LOVED their daycare!! It's entirely the opposite of the dark, dingy day care at LA Fitness. And they have a huge staff! I loved the few classes I took at Brick and I found the facilities spotless.

I would also jump at a chance to join Anytime but I'm assuming there's no daycare option there, right?

Anytime Fitness is GREAT!!! I have been a member at a number of local gyms. The staff at Anytime was great, and was always around to answer questions, but not around to bug me and try and Up-Sell me on training, or t-shirts, or pools, or classes. And they are open ANYTIME.

The only gym that I've tried since living in Baltimore is LA Fitness (Bally's) and I couldn't agree more with all of the comments. Until very recently, there was a visible layer of dust/filth on the treadmills. Last week, someone was cleaning them while I was working out after work (yes, at least they were being cleaned finally). The secure checkout is gone, the parking lot is *so* poorly lit and feels unsafe, I miss the smoothie bar big time as well. The staff rarely bothers to scan my card when I come in. Even though we pay for the childcare option, I can't bring myself to use it because it's so dingy and gray in there. The bathrooms are gross. Several of the treadmills are in horrible shape -- they visibly shake or make awful noises while you're working out.

Convenience is the only reason I keep going there and unless something changes there, I'll find a new gym pretty soon.

Brick Bodies! Diverse with variety! Fun for singles and family!

I was a member at Bally (now LA Fitness) for over 9 years. By the end, the gym was in a nose dive. The management was disrespectful, the club dirty and the free weight area just plain unsafe. I needed a change and checked out Brick Bodies. One workout there was enough to convince me. The gym is kept clean not only by the staff but also the members as they are spray bottles and towels throughout the club. The majority of the members really care about the club and you can tell by how they wipe down the equipment after it's used. The staff is friendly and very approachable from the manager of the club to personal trainers who walk the gym floor. I've never been to the YMCA, Art and Strength or Anytime Fitness, but unlike LA Fitness, Brick Bodies has not made me want to go anywhere else.

All Female Fitness appears to have been left off of the list. Hey ladies???
All Female Fitness in Perry Hall is an excellent gym that offers by appointment only personal training sessions. Top of the line equipment and outstanding p.t. skills will get you to your goal before you know it.

LA Fitness needs to see these poll results. For the largest gym in the area, they really could be something if they just tried! New machines. Clean facilities. Helpful/friendly staff. Cheerful daycare! It's time to see what the competition is doing....

Sure, Emily. All Female Fitness 443-850-2516, Perry Hall area, private gym, contact for info. Feel free to call and verify. Thx so much!!

Anytime Fitness is by far the best gym and I've belonged to them all. You can work out 24/7, staff is very friendly and they have the best classes. I challenge anyone to swing by and try Jon's Monday evening MMA class..... first class for non-members is always free (if you're a member, it's FREE unlike most clubs).

My vote is A Step Ahead Dance Center!! The entire staff is amazing to work with especially their Zumba instructors! They offer more Zumba classes compared to any other Gym around town. Amazing place to dance, workout, and creat great relationships!

Love, love, love my Zumba classes at A Step Ahead!!!!!!! I don't belong to a gym, and I don't need to with A Step Ahead. They are fantastic!

A Step Ahead Dance Center is an amazing place to workout. Not only do you have Zumba, they also teach Zumba toning and Zumbatonic which is Zumba for kids! All of the instructors know you by first name and we are all like one big family! Even if you aren't sure about a step or two, there is no judging and all about having a great time while burning calories!

Zumba at A Step Ahead makes me VERY happy!

I highly recommend All Female Fitness for that one on one experience with a trainer !

AGREE! ALL FEMALE FITNESS is excellent! I am stronger, leaner, and the personal trainer is phenomenal ! The private one-on-one training works!
The pool at Bally's in White Marsh is disqusting!
I belonged to Brick Bodies years ago-- until I watched the filming of a commercial there and saw Victor Brick act horribly towards Lynn Brick-- total jerk, then I quit there!

ALL FEMALE FITNESS is awesome!
I am a competitive swimmer and I get the best one- on- one training with an extremely dedicated, qualified trainer!

The Perry Hall Family Center Y is great. The staff is wonderful, the programs are terrific, and it's the only charitable non-profit on this list that is solely focused on serving families, kids and seniors.

A Step Ahead Dance Center is amazing! They offer classes for the whole family in virtually every genre including but not limited to Tap, Musical Theater and Zumba! The instructors are highly qualified, know their students AND their families by name, and support their students in other community efforts through monetary donations, personal attention and mentions in studio newsletters. If its the best "community gym" you're looking for, A Step Ahead Dance Center is just that, a wonderful community to be a part of!

A Step Ahead Dance Center is by far the best! They have zumba almost every day of the week, and you can't find that anywhere else. The staff is beyond amazing and make you feel so comfortable. No need to feel gunshy walking into this studio. It really is like one big family that I am proud to say I have been a part of for over 3 years. A Step Ahead deserves this honor!

Anytime Fitness is the only gym I have ever joined and have always been satisfied with the service. Jon Venuti is a great trainer and instructor, and makes a sincere effort to get to know all members. Craig, the new owner, is very pleasant and friendly, and has invested a lot of time in the gym. The classes offered are free, which is a huge bonus, and the instructors invest time and effort making these classes well worth your time. The gym is also affordable and well maintained. I wouldn't go anywhere else!

All Female Fitness!! Great trainers, great atmosphere, great encouragement. I have lost 20 pounds & 25 inches since December 21st.

CORE CONCEPTS PERSONAL TRAINING -- Nicole is the best!

Core Concepts Studio and Personal Training!!!! Nicole is awesome and really listens to the goals you want to achieve and helps you get there!

David Schurtz
Core Concepts ..... I have lost over 200 lbs and kept it off for over 4 years now!! Nicole is totally results oriented. A true commited professional !

Core Concepts Nicole is wonderful and really keeps you focused on your goals

Barb
ALL FEMALE FITNESS is the place to go. Your choice - one-on-one workout or bring a friend and share the time. I have joined so many gyms over the years and by far my instructor at ALL FEMALE FITNESS is the best - ask for Debbie.

Core Concepts.....I started working with Nicole over a month ago to loss weight and tone those troubled areas. She is wonderful to work with and her routines are ever changing and never boring. We have yet to do the same exercise twice. I would highly recommend consulting her if you are looking to get in shape before the summer.

Why isn't Core Concepts on this poll?

Core Concepts Personal Training -- just starting working with Nicole and she's great! Really holding me accounable.

UPDATE (9 a.m., March 9)—Voting is now closed. We're counting up the results! Watch to find out the winner at noon today.

UPDATE (Noon, March 9)—Nearly 500 readers voted this week for their favorite place to work out in Perry Hall. And the winner is ... A Step Ahead Dance Center at 3615 E Joppa Rd.—it got 177 votes in the poll, in addition to positive reviews on its listing and in the comments.