24 Hour fitness

gotti911 · February 13th, 2006, 12:12 AM

check out this story from http://www.epinions.com/Health_Club_Chains--~all :

"Nothing illustrates the old saying "there is no such thing as a free lunch" more than a visit to 24 Hour Fitness. At 24 Hour Fitness, nothing is free. I'm not just talking about memberships, I'm talking about basic human rights... like the right to choose. 24 Hour Fitness not only attacks your pocketbook, it attacks the very freedoms that we as Americans hold so dear.

I called 24 Hour Fitness one day because I'd been meaning to joing a gym for a while, and I saw their ad on TV. All I wanted to know was, of course, "how much?". But first I had to give my phone number (Big mistake, I should have given them a fake number.). Then they transferred me to a sales employee, who told me that he couldn't give me the rates over the phone, but he could invite me down to the club to go over it. After a little bit of pusning, I got him to give me a range, like $30-60 or something, I don't remember. I immediately said "OK Thanks!!" and hung up. I justw anted to compare prices and would probably call few more gyms.

Five minutes later I received a call from the same guy, who again invited me down to the club to have a look. I politely told him I'd have to think about it, and I would give him a call when I was ready.

I didn't hear from them for weeks, but then all of a sudden this salesman called me again. This time he said that my name had been selected to receive a free membership. Like I just, out of the blue, won a drawing or something. Yeah, I was skeptical about this, but since I still hadn't joined a gym I agreed to go down there and see what they had. I made an appointment and went down to the club (Sunnyvale, CA on Fremont Ave.)

Upon arrival, I filled out a little survey and wrote down my address and phone number. I was them led on a tour by a sales employee (a different one from the one who called). Actually, the facilities looked okay to me. I was there on a Sunday afternoon, and it was busy but not packed. I had no complaints about the facility, because honestly I don't know enough about this kind of stuff to complain about it. My issues with 24 Hour Fitness have little to do with their facilities, it's more about business ethics.

This salesman was a nice enough guy, but he was starting to put the pressure on right away. Everytime he'd show me something like the aerobics room, or a personal trainer, or a display of vitamins he would say "we need to get you in on that". He actually took a bottle of vitamins off the shelf and made me carry them around like I was going to buy them. (I didn't)

We finally headed back up to this little office, which I later called "the interrogation room". It was at this point that he showed me the available plans. The prices he showed me are as follows.

1. This plan includes 5 sessions with a personal trainer

$445 enrollment fee
$69 processing fee
$18 monthly fee

2. This is the same plan, without the trainer

$196 enrollment fee
$69 processing fee
$42 monthly fee

3. To add any extra family members on

$75 enrollment fee
no processing fee
$20 montly fee

Prices and plans might differ at your club, but it gives you a general idea...

I kind of expected high fees, but you understand that this is a big investment. Before you put down this kind of dough, wouldn't you want to think about it...at least overnight, if not over the course of several days?

I told him that I would have to talk this over with some members of my family, who are also interested in joining a gym. He said "Okay sure!" and then HANDS ME THE PHONE. They're forcing me to make a decision before I've really thought it through. To be polite, I pretended to dial home, but dialed my cell phone (which I had turned off) and then told the salesman that nobody was home, and really all I needed was a few days to think about it this and I'd call him back personally.

It was at this point where pushiness turned into INTIMIDATION. The salesman leaves and comes back with a big meatheaded "general manager" with a dead serious look on his face. Didn't smile once, just looked like he wanted to inflict pain on me. So now there's two of them in this little room with me, the guy who gave the tour next to me and the meathead across the desk glaring at me. He had me fill out a survey (actually he filled it out, and asked me the questions out loud...giving my rating of the sales staff, etc.), and then he offered me on a "trial membership". This deal was $69 enrollment and $31 a month, but you could only use the club on 4 days out of the week. According to the terms, this offer could only be offered by a general manager. And according to the big jock, the offer was only available to me today and I couldn't have it if I came back a few days later.

There were long uncomfortable silences as I pondered this new offer, and as I tried to think of something to say to extract myself from this situation. He had an answer for every excuse I could come up with. I told him I wanted to check out a few other clubs. He shot down every single one of them. He also said "You've been planning to start working out for months now, why do you want to put it off any more?" And "If your family doesn't join, does that mean you're not going to join because of that?"

You know, no one should have to explain their reasoning for not wanting to sign away $500 right off the bat. That is a very personal decision, and here 24 Hour Fitness is prying into things that really aren't any of their business. And the worst thing about it is, it started to make ME feel guilty about turning down a "one time only" offer.

So after much delibiration, I finally broke down and signed on the dotted line, right? WRONG. What do you think I am, an idiot? I tolf them I wasn't comfortable with making ANY decision at this time. The meathead shook my hand and left. The original salesman then gave me my "free membership" which was for 4 days, after which I'm expected to meet with a salesman again (and go through the same interrogation). Haha, after all that they actually think I'm going to set foot in that place.

My tips if you're going to visit 24 Hour Fitness...when you fill out the form during your tour/sales pitch, put down a fake phone number, a fake address, hell...even fake your name. If you decide to sign up later, you can just say you were using your maiden name, or ethnic name and your school address. Don't let these people get to you. Better yet, don't go there at all. If they're going to force you to make decisions under duress, these are not the kind of people you want to deal with on a daily/weekly basis. I know this is teh case at almost any 24 hour Fitness center. Even the ones in foreign countries. I know at the ones in Hong Kong, their salesman stand on the sidewalk and harass people walking by.

We have a lot of freedom and rights here in America. Excercise yours and find another gym."

I have a similar experience with this. I had a 30 day pass just to try out the gym but and the manager/trainer tried to set me up with a personal trainer.. I said that I wasn't intrested and he ignored what i was saying. It's a long story like this to the double team intimidation tatic and snickering and joking about my knowledge of fitness.

**ItalianStallion** · February 13th, 2006, 10:57 PM

I had the same experience...well almost. I went to ask for a price for the gym, n they put me thru the whole routine bout walking around and all. I went with my friend and his dad, so they asked us all for license otherwise we're not allowed to look. I would have given all the fake info, but I think they do this so they have the truth. Not cool! Well we looked around same deal....best machines around, best trainers, best classes all that stuff, no gym compared...but I differ, same thing all over just what gym pleases u the best, go with that.
But at the end, time of interrogating us with the price, he gave us the numbers....amazingly outrageous, I didnt kno what to expect, but this was high for a 18 yr old kid...BUt my friends dad got the price for them, and then about a family deal...n when he said thank you he wants to go home and talk about it with his wife, the guy said sumtin along the lines of like " you cant make a decision without her" or sumtin, a statement that ne aggressive guy would take offensive but my friends dad laid bak, just let it roll off.
So sales man says, hold on let me check on sumtin...at this point we wanted to break for the door, but too many salesperson eyeing in, dont think we would have made it cleanly. He comes bak with a special manager special, one time if we sign up. Not like it changed our mind, remember we just wanted to find out the price not sign up for nething! We said, no we'll call you, after 5minutes of trying to get away, the salesman was ok, whatever kind attitude, and as we got up he kind of just sat there fixing his papers like a shamed dissapointed man. It was us who was tryin to be polite and thank him n shake his hand, but he only did that because we intitated it. Dooshbag to the fullest. So Gotti911, I hear ya...24 hr fitness customer service sucked for me too...lesson is hopefully not all are like this, just these 2 individual guys. O ya, plus the main reason I wanted to go to 24 hr fitness was because of,well duh....open 24 HR....Wrong, not even r they open that....i have some bad words to fill in, but u can imagine that....alright theres my story...One more bad 24 hr fitness story and we have a trifecta

gotti911 · February 14th, 2006, 12:07 AM

I feel you. I know exactly how you feel. I wanted to kill him just because he made me look stupid and I even doubted myself.
A carsalesman are less horrific than 24 hr fitness managers.

I was intmidating, i felt that like they had a gun to my head to get a personal trainer. "I have a 30 day pass" I didn't even join the gym yet. THe manager was making assumption that I eat Fried Chicken all the time just because I work in a fried chicken restaurant.

There was one point when one of the PT pass us and the manager stopped him and the manager ask him about the PT client who gain 15lbs of muscle in 3 months. He was trying to convince me. Hasan(manager) was like he thinks he knows about fitness to the PT. So they were chuckling.

One part I was naming the gym in my area. Then he was like 24hr fitness is the best, we are the biggest chain, what other gym doesn't offer that we do are results"

Me: OK thats because you force people to get a PT

One time the manager said "what are you a personal trainer or certify" after I told him I know about fitness. I know enough to not get a personal trainer.

Another part of the time was like are you even going to join the gym at all. I had a 30 day pass. So he was assuming that I was goin to just get a free ride. I said if i like the gym I would join.

He set me up like this want are you hoping to achieve? He shows like a 24hr fitness chart like lose weight (green), performance (blue), muscle(red). So i said muscle i didn't know that he was goin to set me up for a PT by this. He asked me a bunch of questions like that on fitness. He was starting to fill up his chart on my personal trainer schedule.

Me: WTF

I didn't even use the gym w/ my 30 day pass because i felt that the manager will scruntinze me if i come.

The price is ridiculours $99 as the cheapest to $500 package

We talk about like 90 minutes to get a personal trainer. At the end he was like

"I'm not goin to dig in your pocket, I just want whats best fore you"

Me: WTF "how could you say that after having our converstation" I didn't say that but thats how i felt.

I'm a senstative person and when I came home I had a bad feeling like I was a bad person just because I didn't get a personal trainer.

I left with the imperssion join the gym w/ a PT or don't join at all.

I should've filled out a faker personal Information on the chart he gave me before he gave me a tour. Dude has the audacity to call me and ask me hows the gym in my answering machine.

**ItalianStallion** · February 14th, 2006, 01:19 AM

Dude forget it...go sumwhere else n join a gym where you are comfortable. a personal trainer is good but only if u want one...u can go to the gym n use the bathroom for all u should care, they just try to push nething to make more money....go sumwhere else n good luck

mgs4life · February 14th, 2006, 06:29 PM

I'm not a big fan of 24 hour fitness. They seem to be way too crowded. And that's something I don't like. A Personal trainer is much better.

adamantiium · February 14th, 2006, 08:00 PM

yea, 24 can get pretty crowded, i go there alot with friends. but if i didnt go with friends i wouldnt like it

**bbabb22** · February 14th, 2006, 08:06 PM

You can be a person trainer or aerobics trainer or any trainer at 24 hour fitness with an online class. I love the exercise they have people do. I sit there and laugh.i had one try and "correct my form" so i corrected his view on fitness and gave him this website.

**mudrock** · February 14th, 2006, 11:50 PM

I've been working out at 24 hour for a little over a year now. My biggest complaint would have to be the crowds, but I have adjusted my workout schedule so that I am there when it is less crowded.
I think that they have a great variety of cardio and weight machines, and the freeweights area is great. I rarely have to wait in line to lift, and occasionally have to wait in line for cardio.
The location I workout at has a pool as well, and there are never more than 2 or 3 people in it at any given time. I am a swimmer, so this is great for me.

**Old_Fart2** · February 21st, 2006, 04:55 PM

Gotti

I can't believe you tolerated so much from those guys. I would have told them to go f-- themselves within 5 minutes. I just don't put up with their BS. I tell them up front, I don't want you to show me around; I'll look at it myself. When I'm through, if I like the place, we can sit down and you can give me the details on membership.

If anyone pulls that crap about having to take the offer right then and there, I say, OK, goodbye.

If at any time I feel like they're pressuring me, I'll get up and walk out.

Same thing when I'm buying a car.

**Hercalees!Hercalees!** · February 21st, 2006, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old_Fart2

If at any time I feel like they're pressuring me, I'll get up and walk out.

Same thing when I'm buying a car.

Good advice in any sales related situation. I have worked in a few different sales positions and I can tell you when people have to give you the run-around like that they are either offering an inferior product or are behind in trying to fill some type of quota. Good salespeople sell on the strengths of their products and care how those strengths meet your needs. If you're in any situation with a salesperson and they are doing most of the talking, leave. They should be interested in what you want/need, not what they want/need to sell you.

**ppsuprise** · February 21st, 2006, 06:20 PM

well, i use to work for 24 as a salesman and i gotta tell you this is all true and this is waht they want outa their employees. i was in this for bout 2 weeks and realized that working out there and working is not the same thing and i hated working there cause i felt liek i was lieing all day. they will push you till you break ive seen it numerous times to old people and non-english speaking people which are the easiest. and the classic bring a manager in routine man i hate to tell you but that guy was prolly the toilet guy or even some dude just working out there that the guy knew tryin to make you feel like your getting a deal by saying this crap. heres a tip 24 hour fitness never have specails or deals its all how they say it that makes it sound like a deal, also those 4 day passes is just a way to get yo in there and thats all they need to put there marketing routine on you. also just liek you said dont give them your phone number or a freinds at that cuase they will call every week till you agree to siging up or get a freind to sign up, trust me i had to do it. all in all dont trust the sales man and if you dont like what you see from the beginning then just leave, dont give them a chanve to retalilate or make you think twice. now if i ever go back to 24 hour ill know the cons of the game and will know how to demand a "real" good deal and wont be hassled around by some chump making commision.

gotti911 · February 22nd, 2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old_Fart2

Gotti

I can't believe you tolerated so much from those guys. I would have told them to go f-- themselves within 5 minutes. I just don't put up with their BS. I tell them up front, I don't want you to show me around; I'll look at it myself. When I'm through, if I like the place, we can sit down and you can give me the details on membership.

If anyone pulls that crap about having to take the offer right then and there, I say, OK, goodbye.

If at any time I feel like they're pressuring me, I'll get up and walk out.

Same thing when I'm buying a car.

thanks, now i know better I will make wiser deciscions. I really wanted to kill the manager.

Before i visted 24hr fitness I went to Powerhouse Gym the lady manager gave me a tour and gave me a fix price and everything. She was cool but I didn't expect that from 24hr fitness.

I have Lifetime Fitness, LA fitness, 2 24hr fitness. Powerhouse Gym, Bally in a 30 mile radius from my house.

I'm goin to use gift certficates for 24hr fitness and Bally to use the gym.

I'm leaning towards Lifetime Fitness in the summer, mostly for the pools and bball court. My friend online said that they have hot girls in the pool area

but the enrollment fee is a pain in the butt. The only thing bad is that its a 15 minutes drive

LA Fitness I'm waiting to get a gift certificate somewhere, they have a pool and bball court also but Lifetime for like $20 more is worth it because its so huge.

L

**ppsuprise** · February 22nd, 2006, 05:36 PM

yea any gym that doesnt require a contract to join is a good choice. lifetime is a good choice and if you have one close to home i would go for it, but make sure to see when they have specials or coupon deal. also sometimes on enrollment fees i woudl get the guy to split the fee up to pay with my montly dues in a 4 week perioid. so instead of paying 200 up front i would split that up and add the 50$ onto my monthly. man if you got honeys at the pool too, shoot i would hook that up instantly no contest or desicions to be made, all i got at my gym are old people and posers.

**illiniballfan112** · February 22nd, 2006, 08:01 PM

ha, u know what's funny is that nobody commented on what they do to you once you start working out there. i could only imagine it's personal trainers left and right trying to "correct your form" to impress you and break the ice to sell u a membership. i used to personal train at lifetime fitness and honestly it's probably not as bad as 24 hour fitness but we had to harass members too. i think they changed their philosophy since i've worked there but lifetime was hardcore into selling personal training when i worked there. i hated it so much cuz u can't help people as in helping them get in shape, it's all about money. plus, part of the reason i don't personal train anymore is most of my co-workers were complete douchebags

i saw a trainer last night at the gym, training a client at about 10 pm. the dude was about 30 years, about 5'6", allright shape. he was training a young (probably 16-19 years old), very attractive girl wearing short shorts of course. he felt this was an excuse to do every single exercise in the book that involved the girl spreading her legs in inappropriate positions or bending over. i know alot of exercise, i study juan carlos santana and all those functional training dudes. but i would NEVER think to have this girl do this shit because 1. the exercises were so inefficient, and 2. even if they were relevant, i wouldn't want to put the girl in a position of all the guys in the weightroom being able to see her twat. oh, and don't even get me started on the technicque he used to spot her in squats...it was so invasive and perverted.

he probably thought he was the biggest stud in the world. i thought he was a dick. i'm just about as obsessed with the female form and looking at porn and shit as anyone on here, but that's his job and he has to remain professional and the client comes first, not his desire to see some young girls ass.

sorry bout the tangent guys, i don't personal train anymore (trying to save to start my own biz) because of people like that....it ruins our image

gotti911 · February 22nd, 2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illiniballfan112

ha, u know what's funny is that nobody commented on what they do to you once you start working out there. i could only imagine it's personal trainers left and right trying to "correct your form" to impress you and break the ice to sell u a membership. i used to personal train at lifetime fitness and honestly it's probably not as bad as 24 hour fitness but we had to harass members too. i think they changed their philosophy since i've worked there but lifetime was hardcore into selling personal training when i worked there. i hated it so much cuz u can't help people as in helping them get in shape, it's all about money. plus, part of the reason i don't personal train anymore is most of my co-workers were complete douchebags

i saw a trainer last night at the gym, training a client at about 10 pm. the dude was about 30 years, about 5'6", allright shape. he was training a young (probably 16-19 years old), very attractive girl wearing short shorts of course. he felt this was an excuse to do every single exercise in the book that involved the girl spreading her legs in inappropriate positions or bending over. i know alot of exercise, i study juan carlos santana and all those functional training dudes. but i would NEVER think to have this girl do this shit because 1. the exercises were so inefficient, and 2. even if they were relevant, i wouldn't want to put the girl in a position of all the guys in the weightroom being able to see her twat. oh, and don't even get me started on the technicque he used to spot her in squats...it was so invasive and perverted.

he probably thought he was the biggest stud in the world. i thought he was a dick. i'm just about as obsessed with the female form and looking at porn and shit as anyone on here, but that's his job and he has to remain professional and the client comes first, not his desire to see some young girls ass.

sorry bout the tangent guys, i don't personal train anymore (trying to save to start my own biz) because of people like that....it ruins our image

yeah, it's unethical. I can't see myself being a pervert or taking advantage of people. Personally I think personal trainers are overpaid.

I want to be a personal trainer but I don't want to be like that. I have to get big first so people won't question me.

DON DIESEL · March 1st, 2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old_Fart2

Gotti

I can't believe you tolerated so much from those guys. I would have told them to go f-- themselves within 5 minutes. I just don't put up with their BS. I tell them up front, I don't want you to show me around; I'll look at it myself. When I'm through, if I like the place, we can sit down and you can give me the details on membership.

If anyone pulls that crap about having to take the offer right then and there, I say, OK, goodbye.

If at any time I feel like they're pressuring me, I'll get up and walk out.

Same thing when I'm buying a car.

AGREED.

man they only get away with intimidation and those type of tactics if you are letting them intimidate you.

i have the money & the power, they want the sale, i got the money, fuck all that sitting in a room listening to bullshit, they punk who they feel they can punk, and obviously he seemed like the type to those salespeople that they could punk.

i cant believe you even fake dialed a number....to please them, fuck that shit they punked you short of getting a membership and you let them imho.

im with FART i'll look around by myself , and NO im not buying these shitty vitamins and NO im not going to your office FOR WHAT, im not getting a card today, and NO im not going to care abnout some offer that dissappears after i leave and is no longer available..

fuck them, i wouldve controlled the whole situation from jump, im doing the buying...thats why i go to my city recreation center, top of the line, state of the art gym....111.00 a year, flat fee...only crowded when the yuppies get off work between 4-7, they got a full size gym nba style, olympic size pool, boxing ring & traiining bags galore, big ass cardio room, free weights, hammer, machines galore..

all for 110.00 a year, cant beat that

flower · March 4th, 2006, 07:41 PM

I completly agree with everyone in here. They have a tactic they use on women. They try to hit on you. My mom is in her late 50s and some 20 something year old salesmen was hitting on her. She found it hard to belive untill he made himself pretty clear. There like snake oil salesmen. They try to act like your best friend. Oh Ill do you a favor and get you a low rate because I like you. Bull! There should be some agency that can go after them, it seems as if they are on the verges of breaking the law making someone sign something under duress. They take advantage of nice people. That's there job. They have no concience.

**ItalianStallion** · March 4th, 2006, 08:28 PM

hey illiniballfan112...wats that location of the gym u were talkin bout? lol jk/...ya personal trainers should have an obligation to help u out n become fit, but im guessin sum take it to a different bad level...not cool....tho nutin betta than hot gurls in workout clothes gettin sweaty...o i better stop

badbietz · March 6th, 2006, 06:41 PM

I have mixed feelings about 24. I work out at a pretty old location which is fairly big but a bit run down. Good location, a lot of equipment and a low price (I signed up a while ago). However it’s run down and needs some renovation and god help you if you are new and trying to sign up.

They have some really nice and knowledgeable personal trainers on staff however they also have a lot of goof balls. My wife has trainers that are totally out of shape trying to critique her form when she probably lifts more then they do. Then they want to sell her 6 sessions for $700.00. I mean who wants to be trained by someone who is in worse shape than you. I think some 24 locations have trouble retaining good trainers (I hear it's hard to make a good living as a trainer). Seems like they have a lot of turn over.

**Haystack** · March 27th, 2006, 02:56 AM

The last time I went to a 24 with a free pass, I told them "Don't bother witn an orientation, because I'm not going to sign up." Too many people who don't know what they are doing, especially the staff.