Vasa

Vasa Gym's Sandy location is somewhat of a mecca for Vasa gyms throughout the valley. The parking is plentiful and spread out — but it can still get crowded during peak hours, which is honestly a testament to how popular this place is. The facility itself is laid out almost perfectly, in my opinion. From the front desk to the side sitting areas, everything has its place and it just works. The cardio center is well-arranged and boasts plenty of space and equipment to give everyone the variety we all crave. On a side note — the ventilation throughout this entire facility is exceptional, especially in the cardio area. That can be a lifesaver when the person running next to you may have forgotten to wash their gym shorts. The stretching areas are magnificent. Large, with exceptionally comfortable padding to lay on, and plenty of space to move freely. There are two of them, placed separately throughout the gym (split by an artificial turf section) each with weight racks stocked with pull-up bars, heavy bags, kettlebells, free weights, plates, stretching bars, and more. They also have any closed "cage" area for personal training sessions. The free weight center is quite large. The dumbbells go from nearly nothing to a weight that very few people will ever lift — and they're all in mint condition and feel great to use. That said, for as big as the free weight area is, it still gets crowded during peak hours and could use a few more benches. The machine area has recently gotten new leg equipment, and it's highly used — most likely because of the functional movement and isolation each piece provides. Overall, they have an array of machines that target every area of your body in a productive and satisfying way. Cleansing wipes are plentiful throughout the gym as well, which helps keep things clean and germs low. The full-size basketball court is beautifully laid out and tends to get busy in the later evenings. There's also a swimming pool and hot tub that are almost always full of life — sometimes laps, sometimes a water aerobics class. Whatever's going on in there, it's being used, which is more than you can say for some gyms. One of my favorite spots — I call it the dungeon — is the leg area tucked down in a cubby. Several squat racks, deadlifting platform, and an overall old-school bodybuilding atmosphere. The facility also includes an aerobic studio and three separate studios offering everything from spin classes to circuit training and yoga. That's just the tip of the iceberg. There's a comfortable massage area with two water massagers and three anti-gravity chairs, each with a TV in front of them — a great spot to relax and recover. There's a red light therapy room as well, though it tends to be out of service more often than it should be. Hopefully that gets addressed. They also carry clothing, supplements, and drinks at the front desk. Now, for the things that need work: the locker rooms are not particularly clean and feel a bit outdated. They do have private showers and private changing rooms, which is a nice touch for comfort, but the overall appeal leaves something to be desired. I also have to be honest about management. I've approached them more than once about staff not keeping up with sanitary wipes, overflowing trash, and general attention to detail. Instead of staying on top of those things, staff members can sometimes be found deep in personal conversations — to the point where they forget to greet you when you walk in or say goodbye when you leave. That's not every staff member, but word around the gym is they could use a fine-tune on customer service. Regardless, if your workouts take you to different places and you enjoy a variety of exercises to keep your body in tip-top shape, Vasa Sandy could absolutely be your go-to gym in the Salt Lake Valley.