I like MY gym, but you might not like YOURS
Written: Feb 27 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: MY gym is new, clean, friendly, convenient and accomodating.
Cons: Not all of their gyms are created equal.
The Bottom Line: Go visit the gym nearest you and check it out thoroughly.
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| txrevews36's Full Review: 24 Hour Fitness |
I've belonged to 24-HR Fitness twice. The last time I belonged, my husband and I had a family membership and paid by the month. Eventually we stopped going (don't the gyms bank on that?) and cancelled our membership.
The gym my husband went to was close to his work and the one I went to was closer to our home. But both were in strip malls and looked like they had just taken the place of old grocery stores. I spent more time in mine, so I'll stop commenting on the one he went to.
The one I went to was filled with serious steroid-types. Maybe it was just that part of town, I have no idea. The staff was really pushy. If you weren't in the process of signing up, or introducing a friend who might sign up, they didn't want to speak to you. They'd rather stand around and shoot the breeze with each other than help you figure out how to use a piece of equipment.
The Kid's Club employees were always young, disinterested and never stayed for long. My young children were never happy in there. From what I saw, very few children were. The attendants did the minimum to take care of them, which is ultimately, one of the main reasons I quit going.
The equipment was standard, however, I didn't know how to use most of it. I mainly stayed on the cardio equipment. I never took any classes at this gym either.
Frankly, there was nothing about this gym was excited me. How much can you really impress someone with a building that is a vacated grocery store? It was just average, and I wasn't happy with the employees.
However, just over a year ago a brand new 24-Hour Fitness was built from the ground up, right near me. It's a gorgeous 2-story building with lots of glass. The cardio equipment is all upstairs overlooking the main floor, where all of the weight equipment is. The Kid's Club is immaculately clean, and loaded with fun things for the kids. They have computers, t.v., coloring stations, great climbing equipment, punching bags, and the attendants are terrific. They are always involved with the kids, whether they are reading books to them, blowing bubbles with them, coloring with them, etc. My kids absolutely love going there. That's really motivating too, because if I'm waffling about whether or not I want to go to the gym on a particular day, having kids who really want to go can make me go. Having kids scream about not wanting to go can make me stay home.
The staff at my current gym is pushy, but they are also friendly. I can't really explain their different payment plans because they have so many and they change all the time. I paid around $900 upfront and that included childcare for both of my kids. That's all I have to pay for 3 years, and then I'll pay $100 a year after that to renew. This time I also paid $500 for a personal trainer.
I wanted to have a professional train me on the equipment and I wanted to be in there enough so that I felt comfortable going all the time. It really was worth it. My trainer was a pro and she's even been to my house. The man who signed me up knows me by name and always says hello when I see him. I've gotten to know some of the other trainers by name as well and they all smile. I know how to use every machine in the place. Makes a world of difference when you walk onto the floor. I don't worry that others are seeing me do something really stupid by using a machine incorrectly. And now that I know what I'm doing, I realize how beneficial this knowledge is because there are a bunch of people who obviously don't know what they are doing. Doesn't bother me any. I'm just glad I'm no longer in that group.
My gym offers a huge variety of weight machines and cardio machines. They are always well maintained and are always very clean. I have taken several classes at my gym. The water aerobics class is great. More challenging than I had expected and works as a great cardio and muscle builder. The pool is very clean and the hot tub gets drained, cleaned and refilled every week.
The yoga classes vary from straight yoga, to PiYo (Pilates and Yoga mixed), to Power Yoga (not one of my favorites because I'm usually looking to destress in there, not work quite that hard), to Pilates. I'm addicted to the Yoga class. An hour in that class clears my mind, tones my body and elongates my muscles. I preach yoga now to all of my friends. I just love it.
Ultimately, my recommendation would be for anyone considering joining 24-Hour Fitness to visit the one they plan to use. The quality of the facility, the staff and even their clientele varies. My current gym is in the middle of a suburban area and is filled with non-intimidating-looking, average, middle aged men and women who range from fit to fat. The gym I went to previously was in a business area and loaded with musclebound, unfriendly, clique-types.
I would highly recommend going to their website and getting their free 10-day pass and using it as much as possible, including going to some classes. You need to check out the Kid's Club, if you plan to use it, and go at different times so you can meet some of the different attendees.
Also, don't fall for their time-pressured sales pitches. They have something different almost every month. I think they must tell every new potential customer that they really need to sign on the dotted line right now, because they can't guarantee the same deal the following month. Well, there's a new deal every month. They are always posting something all over the walls, hanging balloons everywhere and pitching something. Don't feel pressured. Take your time and check it out.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
txrevews36
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Location: Dallas, Texas, USA
Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
My interests are: Yoga, Photography, Interior Design, Business, Bichon Frises, Family
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