i have always worked out at "chain gyms"...and those are OK for basic things...however, i recently joined a stripped down, hardcore, "mom & pop" type gym in the next town over from me that is run by a former competitive bodybuilder who has been doing this his entire life...i plan on utilizing both gyms...the more commercial gym for cardio/basic weight training and saving my more hardcore, strength building movements (squats, deadlifts, etc) for the more hardcore gym where i can get more guidance and proper spots...i'll see how the combination works out...