I've tried many gyms in NYC - Crunch in the Village, the various NY Sports clubs, but I always go back to Steel Gym. Very traveler friendly, reasonably well-equipped for a smaller space - not large in square footage, but definitely a huge comfortable volume. Couple of missing pieces of equipment, but you can easily get an adequate workout. Some good eye candy, clean locker rooms (bring a padlock), no towel service. Can find a hardcore crowd. Cruisy, but clearly a mixed group going to the space, and very gay friendly. I'd recommend this as a good choice where you want to avoid bland gym-mill chains.