Absolute Recomp Gym Review: High-End Equipment, But Does It Deliver?

Absolute Recomp claims to be "the best gym in America." But does it live up to the hype and is it worth your money? As someone who has visited over 200 gyms and developed a rating system based on equipment, maintenance, atmosphere, staff, and inclusivity, I put this luxury fitness center to the test. My friend CJ (who's training for a bodybuilding competition) and I spent two and a half hours hitting chest day at their Fort Worth location. Here's what we discovered.

The Facility

Absolute Recomp prides itself on having the most expensive equipment on the market—and lots of it. They carry all the high-end brands: Panata, Prime, Arsenal Strength, and Atlantis, to name a few. Their website boasts 600+ pieces of top-tier equipment, which is certainly unique and attracts a specific crowd.

The Fort Worth location lives up to these claims with an impressive array of machines for every body part. Their marketing claims their focus is to help members "Train Like a Pro." However, the truth is that professionals can train effectively almost anywhere. I'm not convinced you need to break the bank for a "pro" experience.

Our Workout Experience

CJ trains like a professional bodybuilder, while my style falls somewhere between bodybuilding and strongman. We typically train well together, and in my opinion, the right vibe is essential for both a training partner and a gym environment.

We started with a flat bench smith machine press that was misaligned with the supporting beam on the upper level—not a great first impression. This issue foreshadowed maintenance concerns we noticed throughout our visit.

From there, we tried several of their expensive press machines, which offered mixed results. While impressive looking, many of these high-end machines have unnecessary moving parts that seem more for show than function. They take up considerable space in what was, during our visit, an extremely crowded gym layout despite having only about 10 people present.

When we visited, the gym's internet was down, creating an eerily quiet atmosphere in this massive space. CJ and I found ourselves whispering because our voices carried throughout the entire facility.

Equipment Hits and Misses

After chest pressing, we tried various high-end fly machines. While we got a decent pump, we didn't enjoy the feel of some of the more expensive pieces. On the positive side, I discovered they had an M-Torture Pec Dec Fly machine, which became my new favorite piece of chest equipment due to its exceptional stretching capability.

We finished with some shoulder work, which led us to the dumbbell area—and a major design flaw. I have firm principles about gym setups, and their three-row-high dumbbell rack violates one of my non-negotiables. These tall racks may look impressive, but they're impractical and suggest the gym was designed by someone who doesn't actually work out regularly.

Atmosphere and Inclusivity

The gym's atmosphere was disappointing. The staff came across as cold, and the manager kept walking through our workout space for no apparent reason—either wanting to be on camera or curious about our conversation.

More concerning is the lack of inclusivity. Based on their social media reposts and overall environment, Absolute Recomp caters to a very narrow audience. This isn't a welcoming place for people beginning their fitness journey. The gym seems designed as an expensive photo backdrop rather than a community-building fitness center.

Final Verdict: 6.75 / 10

• Vibe - Low energy, zero vibe. 

• Equipment - Impressive selection, but some pieces prioritize appearance over function. Crowded arrangement with impractical design choices.

• Maintenance - Too early to tell, so far so good.

• Staff - cold staff interactions.

• Location - Large facility well accessible if you’re on that side of Fort Worth.

This Absolute Recomp location has only been open for four months, the atmosphere might improve over time. However, I have serious concerns about how well they'll maintain their high-end equipment. I plan to revisit in a year to see how things have evolved.

Click the link below to watch my YouTube video to get a better look at Absolute Recomp Fort Worth.