I joined a local Snap Fitness with a friend a few months ago, they're not too bad. They're also inexpensive. (I've only visited my gym and a gym that was in another state when I was visiting family, they had comparable equipment.) The major benefit is that they're open 24/7, which is nice for those of us who are mildly self-conscious. (Or don't want to deal with hook-up people, or trainers annoyingly trying to get new clients, etc.) I typically go (with or without my friend) between 11pm-4am and almost all the time there's no one else there; when there is, it's no more than 4 other people and they usually leave before me. (Especially if I spend my first 30 minutes on the treadmill/cycle/elliptical machine.) Your area may be different.
The main downside to my gym at least (I don't know if it's the same at all Snaps) is that they have a Smith Machine, not a Power Rack. This is only a downside to me because I just recently started the Stronglifts 5x5 program, which gives a convincing argument for the Power Rack over the Smith Machine. While not a big inconvenience in the grand scheme of things (all the 5x5 exercises but the bench press can be done with the bar starting from the floor) it's something to consider. Other (typically more expensive) gyms have showers, pools, hot tubs, or climbing walls, all of which might factor into your choice too depending on what conveniences you care about.
Edit: If you can get a friend to sign up with you, that will help a lot. Instead of midnight snack trips (okay we still do those sometimes), my friend and I have midnight gym trips.
Smith Machines are awful. Gyms choose to get them rather than squat racks because it reduces their insurance payments. When you go to an inexpensive gym, this is the kind of tradeoff you get.
The main downside to my gym at least (I don't know if it's the same at all Snaps) is that they have a Smith Machine, not a Power Rack. This is only a downside to me because I just recently started the Stronglifts 5x5 program, which gives a convincing argument for the Power Rack over the Smith Machine. While not a big inconvenience in the grand scheme of things (all the 5x5 exercises but the bench press can be done with the bar starting from the floor) it's something to consider. Other (typically more expensive) gyms have showers, pools, hot tubs, or climbing walls, all of which might factor into your choice too depending on what conveniences you care about.
Edit: If you can get a friend to sign up with you, that will help a lot. Instead of midnight snack trips (okay we still do those sometimes), my friend and I have midnight gym trips.