Jonathan T.
Yelp
WHERE THE DAMN HELL HAVE I BEEN? During the first twenty minutes of my workout today, I heard the following Golden Age Hip-Hip tracks:
-DMX - Ruff Ryders' Anthem (hype s***).
-The Wu-Tang Clan - Gravel Pit (rappin' in my living room in 6th grade steez).
-Puff Daddy & The Family - Victory (don't front. This track is hot).
-Jermaine Dupri & Jay-Z - Money Ain't A Thang (one of the ultimate whip ridin' songs).
-Mobb Deep - Quiet Storm (ooh, so gangsta).
-and more hot ish!
I frequent Los Campeones' other location on the reg, and never considered visiting this one (because of the distance) until I found myself stuck in traffic. Thank you, 35W Southbound.
This no-nonsense, gritty gym is BY FAR the best gym I've ever gotten my sweat and pump-on at. (This also includes the other Los Campeones' location, Crossfit boxes, and chains.) Don't believe me? Then check out the people there! It seems like 1-in-every-3 body peeps that stroll through the joint are body builders. One brotha had arms as big as my legs, and I'm sure he eats 10,000 calories or a baby cow a day. And if he did eat that baby cow, I'm sure he killed it with his bare hands and butchered that thing while curling at least 75lbs. RIDICULOUS. There's also a line of body building trophies above the mirrors on the first level. #srslymotivating
OK, helpful information:
+Two levels.
+Top level: Includes basic lifting (squat rack, preacher curl, pull-up bars, bench press, dumbbells, etc..) and cardio equipment (four treadmills, two Stairmasters and five elliptical machines).
+Bottom level: A huge dungeon of crazy awesomeness with everything above and more. It's about three times the size, and it even includes boxing equipment such as punching bags! There are fresh Los Campeones logo murals on the walls there, too, and it's more suitable for powerlifting.
+Throughout the gym, there are slogans like (and I'm trying to remember), "The worst thing in life is to wonder what you could've been," and "You can do it. Give it 100%!" (Don't quote me.) Even though they are sort of corny, they got me going!
+The staff there are really chill and super friendly.
+If you're a woman and worried that it's too bro-y, it's not. Sure, there are tons of guys, but there's a significant number of athletic women that workout there puttin' in dat work!
+There's plenty of drinks, supplements, shirts, and all that good stuff, for you to purchase.
+The locker rooms are tiny and not the cleanest. They aren't ones that you would find at some gym chain - I'm looking at you, Lifetime Fitness - but who cares? It's about dat work!
+Check out the pictures of body builders posted on the wall. (Shout out to Arnold S!)
At the end of the day, if you're a person that's really serious about working out and loves this atmosphere, then this is the place for you. I think one locker room convo I overheard kind of summarizes Los Campeones:
"I've been working out here forever, and now I'm strong as an ox. My parents are so proud of me, and show all their friends my picture and how I look yolk. This place has also taught me what hard work is. How to excel not only physically, but in all other aspects of my life."
I cannot reiterate that this is the best place to workout. Ever.