I'm an out of towner, and tried a few gyms in Durham while I was there. I found the staff at Velocity to be very helpful and welcoming. Whether this gym is right for you depends on your goals. With the normal (non-crossfit) membership, they have 2 squat racks, 2 benches, and no deadlift platform. They also had a decline and incline press. Unfortunately, there were only three 20kg bars to share between the 6 pieces of equipment that need bars. The equipment seems old, but can get the job done. There is only one pair of 2.5lb weights in the facility that I could find. There is, of course, a variety of machines and dumbbells if one is into that sort of thing. There was a crossfit area and a dance-studio area. The cardio area looked like it was decently equipped. Despite the relative lack of lifting equipment, I was still able to get through my lifts in a timely fashion as there were not many people using the free-weight area. Most of the members seemed to use the cardio and machine area; so, if that is what you're looking for, you might find this gym crowded. Overall, it would seem that this gym does a lot of things adequately, but not anything extraordinarily well. That said, I did not have any experience with crossfit or classes. If you're looking for a good, general gym close to home, this could be a good option for you. If you're primarily looking to lift, I would explore all of the options in the area.

I joined Velocity a few weeks ago, after researching gyms in the area. First of all, it's privately owned/operated, and their membership price is very reasonable. When you walk in, it has a quaint hometown feel and the staff is always friendly. There's plenty of free weights/machines, cardio equipment, and a designated cross training area. There are countless group fitness classes, and they're all taught by certified personal trainers. I've tried out most of the classes, and have been so impressed with the variety - from Zumba to Full-Body, Hula-Hooping to Yoga, and everything in between. The classes are free to members, which is a great asset to signing up. They also have child care, offer reduced rates for tanning, and also have a smoothie bar. I've been completely impressed with everything about this gym, and would recommend it to anyone looking for gym in the area.