I was working out hardcore back in America during the summer before I moved here, but I visited the university AVSZ to work out, and I noticed that they didn't have any free weights set up. I'm used to doing Olympic lifts and the occasional deadlift and all that, so I was sort of thrown off by it, and haven't really had a chance to exercise much in the months that I've been here. Do most Swiss gyms lack free weights (even a simple flat or incline bench)?

Also, what about boxing gyms? I noticed a few gyms open, but they have extremely restrictive hours, and it seems like they only allow you to work out there if you are taking part in a class ... and I'm not really looking for a coach. There was a heavy bag at the AVSZ, which I liked, but all I have are hand wraps, since I left my 16 oz. gloves back in the states.

Free weights?. Get a girlfriend

I like doing snatches.

I bet you do

Swiss gyms are miserable and miserably expensive compared to American gyms; Swiss university gyms are the bottom of the bottom. If you get yourself to a proper gym, you'll find the equipment you're looking for (but I can't help with the boxing).

As for the hours, that's normal across Switzerland as well. All businesses here have tightly controlled opening hours. You'll have to adjust your workout schedule to fit the Swiss working day.

Yes, they do. I'm thinking you might just be unlucky in that gyms in your area are lacking. Mine isn't big but there's a good selection of free weights (and benches) and they're regularly in use - by me and others.

Weightlifting is fantastic. Definitely one of my favorite things. Check the "for sale" section as I occasionally see sets of free weights for sale. Might be worth setting up your own mini-gym at home.

Thanks, guys. I'll look into starting a better routine, probably starting around January.

There are crossfit classes in Fluntern several times a week by the ASVZ. I've not been there myself but supposedly they have kettlebells and some stuff, no olympic bars or weights though. You could check it out. Personally I do crossfit in a gym close to Oerlikon which have all the equipment, but of course you have to pay for it unlike the asvz gym.

I didn't join a gym. I just take a pair of dumbbells, I think 10kg each, and "run" one of the many parcours available around Zurich. Speaking of which, I'm actually moving out in a couple of weeks. If you can make it out here to Erlenbach, you can have them for free.

I go to Let's Go Fitness next to my place, and when I'm there doing my cardio there's always a bunch of men in the corner using the free weights while showing off their muscles to each other and doing weird orgasmic noises. They seem to be happy with the equipment.

So they do not need a girlfriend

Im from the UK where Gym's are plentiful and very reasonable price wise. You can go to the ponsy ones, or the hardcore ones.

Im used to working out in the basement of an old mill, where it was just bars, racks, benches and weights....very few machines. Most of the guys were bouncers or security type yobs....it was fantastic.

People in switzerland train much differently. They dont seem to do splits. Its the norm to see a guy put his towel down on the shoulder press machine, not actually use it, go over to the leg machine, do one set, then do one set of shoulders, then use his towel to claim another machine.....very odd.

Best gym i have found free weight wise is easyfit in seebach/oerlikon.

Its around 40% cardio, 30% resistance machines & 30% free weights. Its working ok actually.

There are a lot of powerlifters, and semi pro people in there, so the swiss dont look at me strangely when i start doing clean & sweeps, deadlifts etc

Its also reasonably priced compared to all the other ones, 580CHF for a year, all in.

Much better than the other ones i tried, ranging between 900CHF and 1400CHF.

Not sure how this works, but, I do free weights as part of my training programme. I am a member of the Athletics club TVLACUnterstrass which is aprox. 250-300cf a year, and with this you can use the facilities at Sihlholzi which is the track and free weights area. At night it can be busy with athletes but during the day apart from the odd Triathletes it is dead. They have squat racks, bench, incline bench, pull-up bar, no platforms, but enough space to clean etc (just maybe not slam the weight on the floor after). Not sure if you can become a member just to use the facilities but might be worth looking into

He'll need more than one girlfriend - for the different weights you see.

True, ASVZ gyms are not really the best ones I have seen, but if you go to Fluntern you should be able to do most of the stuff. There is a proper bench press (that you can also find in Irchel and Science city), and also a rack (not smith) for squat, and a place and bars for doing deadlift. Nevertheless, the dumbells there might not be heavy enough for you so for that I would go to Polyterrase (the small gym downstairs).
Good luck with your training!