Best Ames Workout Decided in Readers' Choice 2012

People of Ames must love its fitness. More than 1,000 votes were cast in the best workout/fitness contest that began on Ames Patch Feb. 27.

It was the first poll in an occasional Readers' Choice 2012 series featuring Ames places. Winners of this series will be entered into a Readers' Choice 2012 section on Ames Patch, so that readers can easily click through the Ames contests and read about each Ames place.

with three Ames locations was the clear winner of the Readers' Choice 2012 workout poll receiving almost half the votes.

Here are what some readers had to say about the fitness centers:

“Love, love Ames Racquet and Fitness only place in Ames where the group fitness staff encourage and motivate me and know enough so I don't hurt myself. I have tried the bootcamp personal training classes and lost 25 pounds from attending!”

“Love that ARFC has three locations, one which has 24 hour access! They offer a wide variety of FREE fitness classes and even some group training classes to push you even further! … For those who can't make it to the gym because they have children, ARFC offers childcare and kids gym! I highly recommend them!”

People also had good things to say about , and too.

“I've been a member at many different venues in many different towns across the U.S. I've never stuck with a place as well as I have with Farrell's! The instructors are fun, know your name and work to help you achieve your goals. The coach's stay with you through the 10 week challenge working out right at your side. I love that when I walk through the door I liken back to "Cheers" - everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came!”

“Goals In Motion is the real deal. It practically saved my life! Most of my life before GIM was a diet roller coaster. I experimented with every diet known to man, including not eating for long periods of time. … I was so pleasantly surprised by the real interest that the instructors and coaches took on everyone.”

“Surefire Fitness has been fantastic. I’ve never taken part in anything like Surefire because there is nothing like Surefire. I lost almost 15 pounds and over 13 percent body fat in 2 months.”

where local editor Jessica Miller has a membership didn't receive many votes, though it has three 24 hour locations in Ames. , and Ames All American Sports Complex also participated in the contest.

Watch for Ames Patch's next Readers' Choice 2012 Poll on the Best Saint Paddy's Day celebrations. It's coming Monday. Businesses in the contest include: , , , ,  and . See something missing? Send a message to Jessica.Miller@patch.com or leave a note in the comments.