Metroflex Gym

Look, I’ve been to many hardcore gyms, and let me tell you, the words «hardcore» and «hygiene, «air-​conditioning, and «safety» are not mutually exclusive. This gym is filthy and has a ton of broken equipment, including bent and broken barbells and barbells that aren’t bent but don’t rotate as they should. The deadlift platforms are uneven and my boyfriend stepped on an exposed nail. When I went to use the women’s bathroom, it was just pure filth. There were dirty paw prints all over the toilet seat and there was no soap. I did some planks on the floor and my whole arm got covered in dirt.
The term «hardcore» goes out the window when your facility is genuinely unsafe and unfit for basic fitness movements such as deadlifts. I saw a review that said this is a good place for Olympic weightlifting. I will say that given the technical precision Olympic weightlifters require, the uneven platforms, bent barbells, and unmatched plates here will not help you.
The only good things about this gym were the cool graffiti, the gym cat, and the outdoor getup. They had tires in all sizes as well as a monkey bar outside.
I am not a member of this gym, just merely have dropped in a few times when in town. Every time I’ve gone there I was the only woman in the gym. There’s also no air conditioning which, in humid Houston, is not only uncomfortable but unsafe. Needless to say, if I lived here, I’d choose a Crossfit gym over this place.

I like the environment The old-​school equipment how they have music so loud there out the gym no AC so you could really get a sweat going! But also very dirty and quite a few things broken only three pieces of cardio equipment, it’s just a hard-​core gym.

I thought I’d done a review on this place a long time ago but I guess when you’re happy with a place it’s not as pressing as when you’re disgruntled and want to tell the world about it. And now that I’ve been here a year, you’ll get a year’s worth of prospective.
Anywho, I found it on recommendation from a couple of friends when I needed a change from the gym I had been at for the past 5 years. I HATE corporately owned gym like LA and 24 Hour and don’t even get me started on Planet Fatness. I bounced all over Houston and even as far as League City, Cypress, and the Woodlands on occasion trying to find another gym that I truly liked, no loved since the gym is my sanctuary and second home. I have been training for years but wanted something geared more towards real results. I wanted something more «real» and not a place where some members come in to socialize and chat it up about their weekend conquests.
When I first walked in this place, I thought yes my kind of gym. It lives up to the «hardcore» hype. The energy from the other members is contagious. They all support each other and encouragement is shouted out across the floor for anyone working on a PR lift. This is the home of many a body builder, power lifter, and strongman competitor. And people who are there to actually change their physique for the better make up the rest of the mix. Ryan the owner trains members in any style and I’ve seen a lot of awesome changes for the better in his clients. The place is well known for collecting trophies in many a competition. People come from out of town to train here including the pros.
Another thing that I love and this is going to sound sadistic but there is no A/​C. The heat is great since I learned I don’t really have to do any cardio anymore. Just lifting is all I need to stay tight and I can push myself hard with all ideal conditions this place has. And really, who needs to look all fresh when training? No one!!! Get in there and do what you came to do at the gym! Sweat to make gains, PR’s, cut the flub off, etc. The music is not that PC crap at other gyms either. Heavy metal and rock blare for the most part which gets the blood pumping. I’ve heard a little of everything though since Pandora or personal ipod music can be used as long as most of the members training at the time are good with your selection.
This is one of the few gyms that has month-​to-​month memberships but of course you get a better deal with a year sign-​up. It’s also less than most gyms for that year membership and you get waaaay more than another gym in the results department. But this is not for the weak or if you want anything fancy. I don’t need a pool or rows and rows of shiny cardio equipment to be happy. Just give me the iron. Best damn therapy in the world!

This place seems wonderful. When I first came in, I asked «Can I sign up even if I’m not 18 or older?» The two men behind the desks exchanged a few glances and asked me a few questions. Upon realizing that I was interested in powerlifting, one of the men proceeded to give me a tour of the gym (after having me sign a sheet of paper about liability or something). He was extremely friendly and even offered to give a free work out the next day.
The overall gym had a serious aura to it. If you’re here to talk about random stuff, go to 24 hour fitness. Most of the people here are regulars who are in shape and know what they’re doing.
There’s pretty much everything you need, ranging from 2 – 3 squat racks, outdoor monkey bars, tires, and a full-​on kickboxing (?) ring. Although these are mostly old-​school equipment, there’s some modern stuff, too. Great for leg presses and that sort of thing.
The pricing is $ 10 for a first time visit, $ 40 a month, and $ 90 (or $ 95… I forgot) registration fee. Quite pricey, I know. But if you want to make some serious gains and improvements to your physique, strength. and overall well being, this is the place to be.
Oh– and this place was sort of hard to find. It’s not on Westpark, it’s on Hartdale. It’s no where near the highway, you have to drive in and turn to that street. The metroflex sign is placed on the side of the building facing the street, but the entrance is located where the parking lot is. If you’re anything like me where you tend to overlook quite a lot of things, this advice is pretty useful. The side where the sign is has cardboard covering the windows, trash thrown in pots, and a random grill located there. I thought the place was closed or something before I realized the door was on the other side.
Last thing– they plan to relocate to Gessner and 59 in Feburary.
EDIT: Forgot to mention– no A/​C and really heavy rock/​rap/​upbeat music in the back… Could be a bit uncomfortable for those transitioning from 24 hour fitness… If you can’t handle it, just go back to the commercial gyms! (Although honestly, a bit of A/​C wouldn’t hurt)

The best powerlifting-​friendly gym I’ve found near the 610 loop so far. I wish it didn’t take me so long to get over there, or I would definitely have kept lifting there!
There’s a DL platform, racks, all the free weights you need plus some machines, flipping tires, etc. Metroflex is an old-​school gym with no air conditioning and a higher ratio of people who actually know how to lift than any of the chain gyms. No problem accomodating your training (weight lifting training, anyway).

Metroflex, «A Hardcore Training Facility» according to their website and I found out that, that is most definitely true!
For someone who is used to going to everyday conventional gyms when my friend invited me to go workout with him here, I was nervous…
…but, no need to fret. Everyone is very friendly. The owner, Ryan, was nice enough to just let me walk in and look for my friend, no questions asked (of course, my friend paid the 10 bucks it costs to workout for a day there.)
There wasn’t any women working out the two days I went (my friend says there are so, ladies, don’t be scared to go) the guys were very friendly and were truly focused on their goals.
The equipment at this gym is definitely not shiny and pretty like other equipment you would see at everyday gyms but if you find yourself at Metroflex then you know why you are there.
They offer crazy amount of weights and just tons of dumbbells.
My favorite part is at the back of the gym, outside, where you can find giant tractor wheels to flip! Wonderful way to workout those quads and glutes!
The gym doesn’t offer any air conditioning, but like I said, this isn’t your typical everyday gym, this is, how they said, «A Hardcore Training Facility.»
They always seems to have events going on leading to competitions like, Powerlifiting/​Bodybuilding.
My friend is training for Olympic lifting so this fits him perfectly. If you’re looking to become the next Strongman or compete in your first NPC competition, this is the place for you! However, if you simply want to workout and get strong this will be suitable for you too!

I’ve trained at MFH since I’ve moved to the area. I drive about 30 minutes to get there. There are some pros and cons to the place
CONS
1. It’s dirty. Beyond dirty
2. A lot of the equipment is in poor shape, especially the bars. Damn near every bar is bent. When you walk in there is a whole pile of straight bars in the corner by the cardio room that people bring in for their own use. Mismatched plates too.
3. The music. I don’t know where they got the pop techno remix channel but somebody must love it because it’s always on, I look forward to being the only on in there so I can change it. The Mexican narco pop and Dirty South gangsta rap is about 100x better. And it’s often too damn loud.
4. Locked up monolift and competition bench. There is one good bench for benching, the other one has shitty angles for taking it out without a lift off. I don’t think the gym owns the nice stuff, but the evening Powerlifting group does.
5. New MMA cage taking up space.
PROS
1. If you are here, you are serious about training, even the dude bros are serious.
2. Big dumbbells. Up to 200
3. Strongman equipment galore
4. Bumper plates and 2 platforms and a bar jack.
5. The owner Ryan is often around and seems like a very good dude.
6. Attitude. If you are training here, you get the benefit of the doubt. People are pretty cool to each other.
I can’t train at LA Fitness or Crossfit MILF, so MFH is the place for me. It is the hardcore lifter’s gym in Houston. If they got some new bars and plates, I’d give it a 5.
this is not the worst Metroflex I’ve been in.

Coming from a woman’s perspective, i believe Metroflex Houston is the best gym in Houston out there to actually get results!!! I am no body builder or fitness model, I am a woman with curves. I have been looking for a place to TRAIN not workout. Isn’t that what the goal is anyway? to TRAIN our bodies to act and look a certain way? Metroflex will definitely give you those results. No gimmicks, no annoying people trying to get you to buy supplements or training packages in the middle of your training session, etc. The aura of Metroflex makes you WANT to give your all and then some more. Ryan, the owner, is the most genuine, helpful, insightful, person i have ever met. It’s obvious he’s there to help you, not himself. No a/​c… so what? you’re there to sweat anyway. it’s actually not bad at all because they have two garage doors wide open that allows air to constantly flow. I’d rather workout with no a/​c in that condition so my muscles can stay warm. Yes it gets hot in Houston, but trust me it’s not terrible at all. You come to this gym, yes, you have to go hard, but that’s the whole point. Everyone i have met has been so kind and helpful so never hesitate to ask. I am glad to be a part of the Metroflex team and i am never looking back. Give yourself a challenge and let Metroflex show you the person you’ve always wanted to be, but never thought you’d become.

Metroflex is NOT your typical gym which makes it the best darn gym in the city.
No annoying sales people and the members are there to TRAIN, not socialize.
There are imitators out there now, but Metroflex is a TRUE hardcore original!

As someone who worked out in chain gyms like 24hr and LA Fit for over 10 years I was looking for change. This gym is geared towards people who want to improve not just maintain. Evertype of weight, and strength equipment you can imagine. Also in the parking lot there’s an impressive amount items for cross training. The enviroment is great and without pushy salesmen. I usually see a couple body builders but also many other people of every level, gender and age. There is plenty of equipment so I have never had to wait. Also a plus is there is no a/​c but plenty of fans. The owner is friendly and knowledgable. If you would like a trainer he is beyond what you will find at chain gym. Check it out and you will see dramatic improvement over the results of your current gym.

Careful of this place. Gym rats steal from your bags and lockers. There’s a troll name Tree Shakuh that will rob you blind. Horrible! help me help you stay clear of this dump!

Kay’s review has to be a troll. A bad one at that.
The equipment isn’t shiny and polished like a 24hr gym because unlike their equipment it actually gets used. The other points are too dumb to comment on.
If you want to join a serious gym with no frills, no contract, and no 20 year old trainer/​sales monkeys pestering you then metroflex is a good match.
I am proud to call myself a Metroflexual!

Metroflex Gym is definitely NOT your typical 24, lifetime or la fitness type gym. There is a lot to say so I’ll start with what this gym isn’t.
This gym isn’t for the average person. You will not see half of the gym covered in treadmills like most gyms. There isn’t pop music playing throughout the gym. Yoga, Pilates and Cycling classes are nonexistent. You won’t see any lavish locker rooms but there are some lockers. There isn’t towel service unless you happen to find a used towel the ground. There isn’t AC nor a heater. You won’t see any trainers walking around that look like they’ve never exercised in their life. This isn’t a place for hanging out or a place to come pick up girls. There also isn’t a nice café for you to hang out in after your workout.
Everything that I just listed might sound like a con but to me there aren’t. In my mind everything that I just listed is really a perk. Now onto what I think are more perks.
This gym is for those who want to train, not «workout». There are a couple treadmills but there are many more pieces of equipment to use if you want to lose weight. When you walk into the gym floor, chances are your ears will be ringing with hardcore rap or rock music. While there aren’t any classes like yoga there is mma and boot camp. This gym does get hot in the summer but it’s a perk to sweat as now most gyms are covered in ceiling fans. It does get quite cold in the winter time but it’s just more motivation to work harder to get warm! The trainers here know exactly what they’re doing because they actually practice what they preach. They have tons of free weights, dumbbells that go to 200, machines, power racks, two deadlift platforms, strongman equipment and more.
Did I mention there aren’t any of those pesky membership salespeople? It is tough to sum this place up in a review, the only way to really experience it all is to go there. If you think this place is for you then sign up, if not then don’t. They won’t pressure you to do anything. Ryan (the owner), is very nice and very approachable. I was hesitant about joining at first but after talking to him I ended up getting a membership and haven’t looked back since.
Overall I think that this place has fulfilled what I felt Houston has been lacking, a hardcore gym. If you are serious about improving yourself, then this is the place to be!

all i gotta say is… YEEEaaah BUDDDDDDDDDDYYY!!!
LIGHTWEIGHT!!!