Konami Sports Club Bentencho

I guess I can write the first English review for this location.
I’ve only been to this location once because I was overseas in Japan for a couple of month and my brother-​in-​law wanted to train with me. Overall, I would rate this place 4/​5, but there are some positives and negatives.
Start with the «bad news», I regularly go to gyms back in Vancouver, so in comparison, the machines at Konami does seem a bit dated. The equipment and machines looks like it’s from the late 80’s or 90’s, which is perhaps when the gym probably first opened up. So there are some wears and tears in some items. Perhaps I’m nitpicking, but the dumbbells are a bit rough to hold onto. Sure, I didn’t have my workout gloves with me, but there were no rubberized grips, just that rough texture that resembles a metal filer. That particular room is a bit small by Western standards, but (generalizing) there aren’t too many people there compared to aerobic classes and there aren’t those grease monkeys that hog a particular piece forever. There are a few benches, and many machines to work on your quads, biceps, tricep, chests, etc. You can still get a good full-​body workout.
Now to focus back onto the positives, it’s the other conveniences that are part of the complex. Most premium health clubs in North America probably provides only a sauna and Jacuzzi… but this is Japan and this gym has actual multiple onsens and hot rooms. Pools to soak in after a workout ranges from very cold to very hot. Then there are dry rooms and balmy rooms to relax in. The showers are extremely clean too.
Then there’s also a pool for those wishing to swim. I didn’t check it out, but there were tons of kids and parents prepping to get in.
In terms of location, it’s located in ORC200… Osaka Resort City… so lots of nearby businesses like drug stores, restaurants, entertainments, etc. As with most locations in Japan, there are lots of public transit connected to the complex. Both the JR and Subway stations are here. While there is ample parking available… kinda pricey.
On the topic of price… my brother-​in-​law says he pays about 10 000 yen per month… so about 100 bucks Canadian… or $ 85 in US dollars (all depending on exchange rates). It does seem a bit much, but apparently it’s the norm over there (I pay only $ 25 for Club16 back in Vancouver). Konami is also a chain, so I do believe that membership means you can get access to any other locations.
My drop-​in fee was about 2500 yen, which kinda sucks, but yeah.
Overall, if/​when I go/​move to Osaka, I’m definitely signing up there.