The Backstreet Gym

I saw the pictures and f platforms and serious weight equipment on Yelp so I decided to drop in while in town for thanksgiving weekend to visit family.I train olympic weightlifting so a commercial gym would not cut it. I called they said $20 for 3 days so I thought that was a deal. The employee went on to let me know to bring a FULL SIZE TOWEL. I was already on my way so I stopped into Walmart on Black Friday for one towel. I get there and they want you to Ly it down on any surface you sit on. I was squatting and snatching, and clean and jerking so I didn't need any bench equipment or sitting/laying down so I did not even use my towel at all. I wish they would've explained what it was for from the get go.The whole place smells like cleaning solution which is good and bad. I'm glad it's clean but inhaling the fumes from cleaning solution while working out is so toxic. I hope they consider going all natural cleaner. The owner walked around and was nice but you can tell she is very strict about all the rules. There are signs on the walls all over this gym. One read "you chalk, you walk." I train oly lifts, I pretty much bathe in chalk (I didn't bring any) but still why I've all the platforms and equipment if you can't actually comfortably train. I always clean up after myself and I understand having that standard but I was afraid of getting yelled at the whole time I was there which made me wanna hurry and leave. I bit the $20 and did not return. They have so many plates and bars and equipment but zero 15kg bars so I had to use a 20kg bar to do oly lifts. The bumper plates were off brand and incorrect color/weight coordination by a lot. The plates on the squat racks were all iron plates. The elliptical machines were old and squeaking. I could go on. I did not enjoy this gym despite all the pictures that drew me in initially. If I lived in town I would not join. I'm sorry to say because I live and breathe in gyms and gym equipment is my favorite. The lighting was so dark and music was old school rock like Motley Crue (I love Motley Crue but for working out?!) ... I wasn't digging the vibe. Im sure a lot of people thrive here, I definitely would not. I can't live in fear while I'm exercising. Im an adult avid gym goer and can be given the benefit of the doubt that I will clean after myself and care for the equipment.

As a body building enthusiast and amateur of the sport I have to say this is by far the most seriously equipped gym in El Paso, hands down. The facility is comprised of three machines for each body part you wish to focus on, has an extensive amount of cardio equipment including the popular Old-School Nautilus brand. They were restored to perfection. There is even a section of the gym to the more grueling lifts and a platform for deadlifts. The owner is a professional bodd and builder with an extensive record of both bodybuilding and strong lifts. She is very knowledgeable and makes herself acceessible to those who have the drive to take things to the 'next level' so to speak. The gym is also well known in the professional bodybuilding scene as one of many the best gyms across the USA for weight training. The place is in immaculate condition and their are very high standards for patrons to keep.My only gripe and why I didn't join was the policy that seemed to be too big of a reach for me. I was told that my spouse could not wait for me while I trained. I felt that this was not very courteous and an inconvenience as many gyms permit family to wait in the seating area. People have lives outside of bodybuilding and it doesn't stop when we go to the gym. What is their to lose by accommodating your patrons family members or significant others time there? Dojo's do it. Crossfit Boxes do it. And even local gyms do it. It is a very bizarre policy. I asked for justification as to why my wife had to leave and I was told it's just the way it is.In the end I decided not to join as I get the impression that the facility is too 'hardcore' to be a family friendly place. It's sad because I really liked the facility, but if you can't accommodate your customers then I'll have to take my money elsewhere. I like bodybuilding but my spouse is #1.BUT... if your not like me and don't have occurrences where you bring others with you to the gym, this place is it!

I was a member of this gym for well over a year. My first impressions were amazing. The gym is well stocked, super clean and never super busy. It was and is a fantastic facility. So why the two stars?In my 30+ years as a fitness competitor and expert, I have never seen such an unprofessional approach to running a gym. The gossip and negative energy generated by the very person who owns the gym boggles my mind.I did my best to mitigate and ignore the baloney, but when an individual actively tries to pull you into the muck one must rethink why they are paying money to a facility that is sub-par when it comes to a positive experience.I have a very active social media presence and I happily promoted this facility. Only to be accused of using the facility to make money somehow under the table or at the owner's expense. This is absurd as anybody can clearly see my online presence and I have never made money off the gym.I could go on, but the bottom line is I will not pay good money to be in an environment where the management is less than professional.The extremely high turnover rate at the front desk should have been a warning along with the low membership. I was just happy to be in a great facility that was never full. Now I know why. I've had several people decide not to join based on their experience with the owner during their visit with me for a workout. This is poor business at best.It is a shame. The place was brilliantly designed and has great promise. It should be the hottest place in town, yet it falls short.Pity, a lot of potential.

Excellent gym with plenty of equipment. The place is one of the cleanest I've EVER been too, and while the patrons still don't always wipe down their machines after use, the dumbbells are always re-racked in order, the plates taken off bars and I've never had to wait for a machine/bench. The place is large and although it can get busy it never FEELS crowded~it's like your personal gym. The owner is a bit eccentric but it becomes endearing after a while. A lot of business professionals, lawyers and physicians use this place... if that's important. One critique, the protein shakes sold at the front are ludicrously overpriced. It's like the airport or black market prices.

The Backstreet Gym - Serious FitnessBookmark Checked!!Yes...I'm a Yelper that doesn't immediately bookmark restaurants when I'm out of town. I bookmark gyms. I've had this place bookmarked since February and can't believe it took me this long to head out here to beat up on some weights. IFBB Pro Bodybuilder and Power-Lifter Mary Ellen Jerumbo is the CEO/Owner of the Backstreet Gym. I had the pleasure to meet her and witness her train. She knows what's she's doing and her staff respects that heck out of her. Mary Ellen is a very nice woman and manages to greet her members and non-members when she's on the floor. She left no stone unturned when she had this gym built. This gym has everything and I mean everything. Do the research (www.backstreetgym.com). I've heard that Mary Ellen invested nearly a million dollars on this gym. That's dedication to perfection, a perfect gym that is. Here are a couple of highlights:-A ton of free-weights and benches. They even have 200 lb dumbbells for those that can lift them. -They have a separate room for powerlifting with at least 4 power racks, more benches, a powerlifting platform, and my favorite...steel weights. I love the sound of real weights clanging against each rep. Music to my ears!! -Treadmills, recumbent/stationary bikes, ellipticals, and stair-monsters. Yes, they have a lot of these and with their own TV screens. -The gym is quiet. I've been here at 5 AM, 9 AM, 5 PM, and 10 PM. The gym goers here check in, do what they gotta do, and then get out. -Super Clean: This has to be the most organized and cleanest gym that I've been to. This starts with the staff and ends with its members. You won't find a speck of dust here, every piece of equipment is working, and every one re-racks their weights. -The equipment is all strategically placed by body part. This is a big deal for those that do a lot of Giant Sets and Supersets. Another fact about their equipment is that they're all functional. Yes, that means working. That also means that they got the "right" equipment. You know, the type of equipment that maximizes time under tension, muscle hypertrophy, and at the same time, minimizing mechanical leverage. This gym may be labeled a "Serious Gym", but it's not intimidating at all. The staff and members welcome all people at all levels of fitness at this gym. Unlike the purple gym down the street that discourages big lifts and intense workouts, this gym accepts everyone. By far, this is the best gym that I have worked out at. Great Job, Mary Ellen!! Now, build a gym like this in Vegas. Yeah Buddy!!TIP:-Call for their rates. I got their Week Pass for $40. I think their Monthly Membership is around the same price. -Weekday Hours 4:30 AM to 11:00 PM. Friday through Sunday's vary and closes earlier.

Ever seen the movie "Pain & Gain" with The Rock and Mark Wahlberg? Every corner I turned, I expected to see their characters pop out. This place is definitely stuck in the 90s. From the design of their logo, to their colors, to how dark it is inside. That being said, I love this gym. They have a huge selection of weights with a few cardio machines thrown in for good measure. They have machines I've never seen, and machines I never want to see again . They also have a huge selection of free weights with different strongman bars and apparatuses (apparati?) that I've not seen anywhere else.Backstreet has a separate powerlifting area so the grunts, groans, and dropping weights don't disturb everyone else. The biggest downside was the two young guys working the counter. They didn't seem to have any idea what was going on as several people had questions that they just kind of shrugged off.

Great gym terrible management starting with the owner. Great equipment , clean , layout of gym is great. I've been to many gyms and this ranks as top as far as gym set up. I've tried the gym on two occasions in my 8 yrs here. Now in lies the problem, the owner....she is quite a peach. I can't quite describe it but she is intrusive on the gym floor. Anytime I brought my girlfriend in there we seemed to be targeted. It made an uncomfortable atmosphere. When I was alone there were no issues. I'm not the only one to have these issues and several people have quit because of the same reasons I stated. It's funny because everyone knows the owner and it's a known fact she is very abrasive mainly with females. She doesn't like girlfriends. Lol. It seems. I've always said once golds gym moves to the West Side Back Street will lose most of its members. Unfortunately I won't be here to see it because I'm moving to Florida. As I stated very nice gym but poorly managed/owned. There's always anytime .

Best gym in El Paso. great gym for a competitor. Mary the owner , is amazing at training , she loves what's she does and very passionate about her work.

Probably the best gym in El Paso. I have been to many and I have never seen one where the equipment is made out of metal and not plastic. I highly recommend this gym to anyone who is serious about fitness. The owner Mary is such a sweet heart. She will help guide you to different workout routines. Mary will also tell you what and how to use her machines. I do not understand all the negative reviews here, yes you have to use a towel and you have to clean up after yourself, but that's common gym courtesy. Overall this gym is amazing, Mary keep on doing an awesome job! And thank you for opening the best gym in El Paso :) Hugs!

The equipment is phenomenal. It's top of the line and kept in perfect workong order. Mary and her staff are kind and welcoming. I highly recommend this gym.