While visiting the Mohawk Valley on vacation, I purchased a one week membership at Oats Gym in Herkimer. I found it through the yellow pages and called to check their hours. No one answered the first three times I called, but they *69'd me within 10 minutes of my last call to answer my questions.\r
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They were open reasonable hours and offered an extremely reasonable rate of $5 a day or $12 a week for short term membership. I said I was interested in the week-long membership an said I'd be right down to purchase a 1 week pass. Unfortunately, that was where my good experience with Oats Gym ended.\r
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Although Oats Gym is technically located on North Main Street, the main entrance is actually located on North Washington Street. The main entrance is also NOT handicap accessible. In point of fact, it actually has an asphalt barrier built around the door which inhibits accessiblity.\r
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After decending the staircase to enter the gym (there was no elevator), I was greeted with a musty, mildewy odor. The gym itself is dimly lit, and the equipment is old and well worn.\r
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While there, I used the best of the four treadmills. It worked well, but had duct tape on the tread and it's plastic surfaces had yellowed with age. There were several ceiling mounted TV sets in the cardio area, but the remote controls were hung from the ceiling with twine. Worse yet, the twine was stained with hand sweat. \r
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The free weight area accounts for a full half of the floor space in Oats Gym. All weights are metal and show some rust or chipped chrome finishes. In addition to a full range of dumbells, there are machines for squats, bench presses, etc.\r
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Overall, Oats Gym is not a place I'd recommend to anyone unless they're on an extremely tight budget. The next time I visit the Mohawk Valley, I'll certainly explore other options like the local YMCA or the gym at Herkimer County Community College instead.\r
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7/6/08
Pros: Affordable, flexible rates
Cons: Everything else. Old equipment, dirty enviroment, musty odor, no sanitizing solution
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