LA Fitness Consumer Reviews - Page 6

Yesterday I was told to see the manager about my "issues". I tried today but he wasn't in yet at the time he was supposed to be in. Today the story has changed again. I was told that when I am done paying my year of training the contract will be canceled and my printout is my receipt.

Yesterday I was told to cancel by certified letter because she was showing it was not canceled. Online it is stating my membership will be canceled July but I asked about that today and the trainer manager said no my gym membership is fine and my training will be canceled after 2 more payments. I asked him if he was looking at a different screen than what I get at home but I didn't get an answer. At that point he ignored me left his desk to socialize with 2 other guys, one on the floor doing push-ups. I was still sitting there and he said everything is fine. I have 44 more training sessions left to use which he told me would take a year.

So far the bill, contract issue has flip flopped 3 times. I will talk to the "real" manager later this week if he is in. I have a funny feeling when my contract is paid in full I will be billed the next month and will never get a refund like all the other people on here so my credit card will stop payment for that amount. Supposedly the gym membership is month to month but my gut feeling is that it is going to be just as hard to close as the training. Do NOT sign up for the training. $40 an hour is a lot for what you get. BTW the training sessions were canceled back in December by a very nice girl at the club so it can be done.

I was told by 3 people in York, LA that my training sessions have been closed after I finish paying for the first year, one more payment. Now it is 2 more and I paid 2 this week for a total of $320. I have to go back through all my credit card statements and see how many months they billed me. The training manager told the 4th person I talked to that I wanted to continue my training sessions and that was not true AT ALL. I told him no way do I want any more and I was told my account is closed.

Today they are saying it is not and I need to fill out the paper and send it in certified mail. I was told to talk to the manager Monday morning but he doesn't arrive until 10:30 so I have to hang around an hour after my training session to speak to him. The trainer manager is not a trainer and he apparently didn't hear me loud and clear. No more new sessions. I want to use up the 40+ I have. I told the girl on the phone I will do the certified letter but I have heard all the horror stories trying to close training accounts and memberships. I will do it but make copies of everything and hope I stop getting charged $160 a month for training.

I was offered an incentive to keep going with the training sessions at a cheaper rate than I have been paying and I said NO. What is it with this company? Companies can charge your credit card after your credit card account is closed. I had that happen with another company. NO charge, then it was added a day after the card was closed and LA can do the same. No more with LA, I am done. I work too hard to have them rip me off financially and they make it difficult to end memberships etc. It all has to be done from California.

There is no reason why in this computer age it can't be done locally. They only want your money and they are NOT in the fitness business. They are there to make money and that is all. The staff changes all the time (new manager again) and are not very friendly. I know a personal trainer with a four year college degree (not from LA fitness) who told me how and where the trainers at LA get their certification. LA has added a lot of stress to my life the last 12 months.

EDINA, MINNESOTA -- I had been a member at the YMCA for quite a while and was looking for a bigger and better gym, so I checked out LA Fitness. I had one of those "one week free" passes. This manager who gave me a tour said he would take the free pass and in exchange, he would knock the price down for my membership. I decided to go with the "2 for 1" membership so my boyfriend could join as well. But he changed his mind, never stepped foot in the gym so I told this manager to take him off and just have the membership for me.

Well, a couple months went by and in my next bank statement it showed that I was still being charged for my boyfriend and plus another fee of $47.91. The manager apologized and said he would "take care of it." The moron never did, he just kept sweet talking me, calling me cutie and sweetie... and just a few days before Christmas I realized I was -$221 in my checking account. Because of all these extra charges I was not prepared for, they caused me to have 4 overdrafts.

I reviewed my account activity online and saw that I was still being charged for my boyfriend's membership which was supposed to be canceled, plus other random fees. Again, the manager said he would take care of it. They said they weren't sure if they could cover my overdrafts and said the refund may take up to 10 days because of the holiday. So basically, they were giving me the runaround for 2 months.

It took that long to get my refund, but they still haven't paid for my overdrafts yet. My bank was nice enough to cover half. All LA Fitness cares about is squeezing out as much money as they can from each member. Ridiculous customer service. Once they have your card they will charge whatever they want, and hope you don't notice. As much as I don't want to, once all my refunds are processed, I am going back to the YMCA.

ORLAND PARK -- I am the type of person that is usually enticed by big gyms with personal trainers and saunas and Jacuzzis, etc. The truth is that you will probably not have time to use all these amenities if you are really there to get in shape. I used the Jacuzzi once, and it wasn't worth all the hassle that I now have to deal with. I wish I could make this review into a commercial so people would know before they fall into the trap like I did. They will give you free passes, free personal training sessions, free this free that all to get you sucked in.

Once you're sucked in, that's when they start to financial rape you. I told them that I was a college student and I only wanted the membership for one month, and they eagerly told me that I should just get a regular membership and then freeze it until I come back in the summer. They failed to mention that it costs $10 a month to NOT USE the membership. They made me pay for the first and last month in advance, so if I were to cancel, then I would waste a month's worth of membership since I will be out of town.

Mind you, they had me sign the contract on a pin pad without once mentioning the 10 dollar fee for freezing the account (even though they so zealously emphasized that I wouldn't have to continue paying the membership fee). I got my membership around December 18. I froze it today (January 15) and the freeze will not be in effect until February 17 which means that they will try to charge me for another month of membership despite the fact that I only used one month. They are so conniving so I advise that you know what you are getting yourself into before you give in to the outward beauty of the gym.

Please find a smaller gym with better prices and policies. You will also find that you spend more time actually working out instead of steaming up in a sauna. Spread the word about LA Fitness' horrible policies so the next person won't be tricked like I was.

I have been reading a lot of reviews of LA Fitness on this website and I would like to offer a more positive review. Most of the people who posted on here about the "Salesman being pushy" are probably accurate. They are a bit pushy with the sales piece. But folks, this is a business. They make their profit off memberships, not from people trying out a gym for free. Furthermore, I am not aware of any gym out there that does not try to "sell" the public into purchasing a membership.

The fact that LA Fitness tries to sell memberships is not something unique to LA Fitness. Every gym that I have ever been a member of and every gym that I have ever looked at has tried to sell me a membership or additional services (Golds Gym, 24 Hour Fitness, Bally's, Lifetime Fitness, etc.). If you do not want to join or you do not want the extra services, simply say "No, thank you." I agree that they can be a bit pushy at times, but when they start getting pushy with you, be pushy right back. If you say "No thank you," and they start coming back with something that sounds pushy, say something a little pushier like "I understand that, but I said no.

This is something that I need to think about, I am not ready to purchase a membership/service/etc. right now." All I'm saying is that every business will try and sell things. I've been a member of LA Fitness for about 2 years now and I enjoy it. The membership is inexpensive for my area and the gym is always clean. I don't have to wait for equipment, even during peak hours. I've never come into much contact with the staff, other than when I first arrive and some of the classes. So I can't comment on that. Good gym, good location, at this time I see no reason to change gyms.

HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT -- I stop by today actually to check out the class timetable of LA fitness in Hamden, CT. I read those many complaints, and would like to share my bad experience with others too. I started my workout in LA Fitness in this past summertime, I had been working out on daily basis since 2001. I transferred my membership over to LAF because it has a pool that most gym in the area not having.

Since I went to the first Circle and bodywork class, the ladies in those classes kept talking about how hardly the sales people push them to sign up for a personal training program. They felt they were enforced to do something that they are reluctant to do and tried to avoid talking to service staffs every time they are in the gym.

Only two weeks later, I was in the same situation, the sale staffs talked to me when I was working out on machine, he explained to me few training programs that were available. It took about 10 min. I told him that it is my first time to get knowledge of personal training program, which is truth, I also explained that I am basically a lady who may stay in good shape by only attending those cardio classes. I appreciate their time, but I would like to think about it.

The sales staff instantly showed me a very rude attitude and yelled to me."You are simply wasting of my time, you should never be treated seriously." He also told other staffs that if I did not sign up for the personal training program that day, I would never be given a chance to consider it again.

I myself is also a middle aged and very well educated marketing person. I have to say this sales behave like a elementary school student who is selling ice cream at campus. If you don't buy my ice cream immediately, you never see me again. LAF has a better facilities and bigger space compare to other gyms, but a good and professional service is key to bring in or keep the customers.

14100 SW 8TH STREET, FLORIDA -- Women use the sauna room fully dressed including shoes and fitness bags and purses. They wear jewelry, watches, reading glasses and use their phone, iPods, blackberry and other electronic devices while in the sauna room. I spoke to the manager and advised me that there are no rules and if they post a sign women would still go in there with their shoes on.

I called LA Fitness International in Irvine California and they told me that they have no rules and it is just a matter of courtesy for people not to wear shoes and that the health department does not have any regulations concerning the use of saunas. It is unhealthy to enter the sauna with your shoes that carry bacteria. Things you'll need: glass of water, towel, bathing suit.

1. Shower before entering public saunas and steam rooms. The difference between a sauna and a steam room is that a sauna most often provides dry heat, while a steam room provides moist heat. Steam rooms in particular are a good environment for bacteria to flourish. Showering before entering can cut back on some of that bacteria.
2. Drink a glass of water before entering. Saunas and steam rooms are meant to induce extreme sweating (#), which can be cleansing but also can cause dehydration. The dry heat in saunas provide especially dangerous potential for dehydration.
3. Wear a towel or bathing suit. Not only does this promote good hygiene (#), it also keeps other patrons from feeling uncomfortable. If nudity is permitted in the sauna or steam room, bring a towel to sit on.
4. Read all of the warnings and instructions posted outside of the sauna or steam room. These instructions will include advice on medical conditions that could be irritated by the environment and advice on how to get the most out of a session.
5. Stay away from all controls. Do not fiddle with the temperature controls or prop the door open to lower the temperature. If the sauna or steam room is too hot or cold, consult a worker. Never pour water on any of the steaming devices, as many of the newer steam rooms are electric. Dousing those steamers with water could short out the system.
6. Limit the amount of bathing time, especially on the first few trips. Spending too much time in a sauna or steam room can cause dehydration. Try to leave the sauna or steam room after 15 or 20 minutes, at least for the first few visits.
7. Cool down after a visit to the steam room or sauna. Allow your body (#) temperature to gradually adjust after exiting.

MCDONOUGH, GEORGIA -- DANGER!! IT'S NOT SAFE! DO NOT TRUST THEM! My locker was broken into and they stole my wedding rings and LA Fitness will NOT take any responsibility for their lack of security. They informed me and the Police that they did not have a surveillance camera outside of the locker room doors to see who goes in or out. (Feel safe lady?) So if a woman is attacked they will never ID the monster. They do not have cameras inside or outside the building anywhere.

People were walking right past the check-in counter and off the street as I was talking to the police! They insisted it was safe for me and my children while my husband's in Iraq. I have a 14 year old daughter that I was concerned about safety wise working out while I was with my trainer and they insisted she would be safe so I signed.

They said they were not responsible for unlocked lockers and I agree with that but mine was locked and the assistant manager said straight to my face that nothing has occurred at that location before and LIED! The police officer said he had been there 5 times already. When I canceled my membership after the police report was done they wouldn't even refund the time remaining back.

Do NOT do business with these awful people. They don't care about you, your belongings or your safety at all. This has to stop before the bad guys win and we pay the price for their cheap ignorance. As for me I feel like someone ripped out my heart and if god forbid my husband is killed in Iraq I have no wedding ring to keep close to my heart for comfort. They can't get away with doing this to people. Spread the word. Beware. I am a cops wife and wouldn't lie about something so devastating. PLEASE DON'T go to LA FITNESS. It's not worth it. I promise you that the sacrifice is too great.

FLORIDA -- After a 4 year reprieve from the fitness industry I decided to start teaching again. I have been teaching at LA for the last 4 years. I have been a group instructor for the last 25 years. I love what I do and at this time in my life it certainly isn't for the money. I have brought a complete new level of fitness to the step program at my gym. When I began there the members were clueless. After working with them and bringing them to this level it is both amazing and rewarding to me as an instructor.

LA Fitness takes no pride but only your money in offering nothing to their members as well as their employees. This is a corporation that cares nothing about anything but to have you sign on the dotted line. As far as an employee, well it's degrading. I'm just lucky because I love my classes and the people that come in. Management is a big problem. They hear you but they don't listen. We have been receiving many many complaints about the temperature control in the aerobics room. This making the conditions very uncomfortable and unsafe for the participants that are taking classes.

We have even had several members that have had to leave because they are over heating too fast. I have along with the members complained repeatedly about this. I have actually sat with 4 different members at different times that have had the on set of heat exhaustion. Cramping, nausea, and dizziness. Upon getting them cold water and a cold towel, management has become very upset with the fact that there have been so many complaints and they don't want to deal with it. It always comes down to corporate this and corporate that.

Where the hell are the owners of this gym?? LA has a bad reputation for not paying their instructors very well. This is very true, however you get what you pay for. For myself alone and all the years of experience, I don't need the money. I just would like the respect from the company that I work for. We are just numbers in the system. LA puts just about anyone on the floor to teach, and that's a huge liability if you ask me. How would you like taking an aqua class with an instructor who doesn't have a clue.

After reading some of the complaints in this web, let me just say this. I am currently still working there. Please please if you are checking out your local fitness facilities LA is a beautiful club. However be very careful about their personal trainers, (not good, you might do more harm to yourself than good) don't let them get you to sign on the dotted line. Corporate is always cutting back to save themselves money at our expense. Lots of talk and not enough action. It is about member quality and satisfaction. I guess I care too much.