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THERE ARE SOME GYMS WHERE THE only workout you get is an exercise in futility. You end up either battling to keep your bench ("Dude, I was doing supersets ... "), getting blocked in the mirror by middle-age behemoths, or walking blindly through the locker room trying to avoid the emerging nudist colony. It's enough to make you want to renovate the garage or start lifting rocks in your backyard. But don't go throwing in your complimentary towel just yet. We're about to unveil the best gyms in the country--a range of facilities from coast to coast that we consider the last bastions of real men's fitness. You can walk into any one of them and get to work right away. Check them out the next time you're on the road; try out the latest equipment, spot for the hottest women, or test your strength against the best in bodybuilding. Enjoy your workout.

THE OLDEST

New Orleans Athletic Club

LOCATION "Nawlins," LA PRICE $20 for a day pass (if you stay in a nearby hotel) WHAT'S COOL ABOUT IT The NOAC opened its doors in 1872, charging 50 cents a month in dues. It had only two pieces of equipment--a horizontal gymnastics bar and parallel bars made of oak. Since then, its floors have caught the sweat of Olympic swimmer (and Tarzan star) Johnny Weismuller, Tennessee Williams, Clark Gable, and (more recently) Harry Connick, Jr.

MF-APPROVED BECAUSE It's now a full-service health club complete with a state-of-the-art weight room, racquetball court, and swimming pool. You can also grab a "post-workout shake" on nearby Bourbon Street.

THE HOST LUXURIOUS

Sports Club/LA

LOCATION New York City PRICE $35 for a day pass (if accompanied by a member) WHAT'S COOL ABOUT IT The furthest thing from your typical iron dungeon, this $60 million, 150,000-square-foot facility covers all your fitness bases in the lap of luxury. It has a rooftop terrace and more than 50 sports and fitness options.

MF-APPROVED BECAUSE

Even guys who hate cardio have to admire bikes and stair machines with built-in cable TV. There's also a gourmet cafe, a rock-climbing wall, a spa and salon--for her--and a cardio area with 200 pieces of equipment.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:29 AM