BTF: Look out Arnold, I'm coming for you
Written: Jun 03 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Variety of Facilities/Equipment
Cons: 3 Year Contract, Cost
The Bottom Line: A good gym at a hefty price.
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| tbthorn's Full Review: Bally Total Fitness |
Bally Total Fitness and Me
I'm writing this review in celebration of my upcoming second anniversary with Bally Total Fitness (BTF). While I have had several issues with BTF over the past two years, there has never been anything significant enough to cause me to try to sneak my way out of the 3-year contract period. Overall, I would actually have to say that I am at least reasonably satisfied.
Contracts, Contracts, Contracts
My major hesitation in joining BTF was the almost ridiculous 3 year contract period. Before joining, be sure to read the fine print, there is quite a bit of it. There are only a few circumstances under which you can cancel your contract, such as moving more than 50 miles away from any BTF club or serious illness/death. Otherwise, if you opt to simply stop going, you still owe them the balance for the remainder of your contract period. If I wanted to find a bright side to this, it would be that anyone who has stuck with their exercise program for 3 years is much more likely to continue this important habit than someone who has only been working out for a 6 month to 1 year period.
Costs and Finance Charges
The cost of your membership is determined by the features that you select. These features include, but are not limited to, aerobics sessions, nutritional supplements, access to any club nationwide and personal training sessions. When you go in to sign up, be sure that you are only getting the features you will use. Another gripe I have is the finance charge. I pay a monthly fee for my BTF membership, but this fee also includes the interest that is accruing over the 3 year contract. To keep your monthly payment down, put down as much as you can upfront and pay your contract off if you ever have the money. I suppose the upside here is that paying $35 a month is enough of an incentive for me to keep working out.
Universal Membership
The most compelling reason for me to join BTF was the the fact that they offer a universal membership. This allows a member of any BTF club to work out at any other BTF club, simply by presenting his/her card. So, I can work out if I am at home, visiting friends and relatives or on vacation. I realize that not everyone will find this useful, but it is probably the one reason that I will stick with BTF. I have never been hassled in accessing another club.
Facilities and Equipment
Exercise Machines: BTF clubs have a wide variety of exercise machines, including cross-trainers, treadmills, ellipse machines and stationary bikes. Some clubs require you to sign up for the use of the exercise machines and impose a 30 minute time limit, while other clubs operate on a first-come, first-serve basis with no time limits. Check with your local club for their policy. Although the machines are generally kept clean, they aren't always in working order. There was an entire month when greater than half of the exercise machines were broken at one time. BTF said this was due to a problem with their service contracts, but I still feel that something could have been done to avoid a problem of that magnitude. The machines are replaced on a semi-regular basis, lasting anywhere from 6 months to two years. Carefully inspect the machine for damage prior to use, it might save your life or keep you from embarrassing yourself in front of dozens of people. Trust me on this. I will tell you that my story involves a flying piece of metal and a rather acrobatic dismount, but I will leave the rest to your imagination.
Magazine Selection: BTF offers a number of different magazines to read while using the exercise machines. The selection varies from week to week, but there is usually something I can find to read while working out. The titles range from TIME to Entertainment Weekly to Golf to Black Entertainment.
Weights and Benches: BTF also has a huge array of weight training apparti. These include free weights and weight machines for working out any muscle you can think of. There are even some fully electronic weight machines where nobody can tell how much (or how little) you are lifting. These are the ones that I use. The weight areas consume the vast majority of the floor space at most BTF clubs. The weight areas tend to be kept relatively clean, although I recommend bringing ear plugs in case you run into a grunter or a loud breather.
Indoor Track: Most BTF clubs have an indoor track. They vary greatly in size and quality. One club that I have been to has a track that is carpeted like my grandmother's old living room (green and orange). I just found that to be pretty odd. The club I normally go to has a decent track that is approximately 0.1 miles in length, but just a wee bit narrow for my liking. Be sure there is enough room before passing someone. If you plan on using their track, check with your local club to see if they have a decent one.
Pool/Hot Tub/Sauna: A few months ago I switched from running to swimming. Most BTF clubs have an indoor pool, a hot tub and a sauna. These facilities are generally kept in decent condition, being cleaned and chlorinated on a weekly basis. So far I'm enjoying my new form of exercise, it is a nice break from running and the people tend to be a little more laid back. The hot tub or sauna feel great after a nice work out. Just beware of the splashers and the guys that think nudity is ok in the unisex sauna.
Women's Gym: Many BTF clubs also have a special gym with weights and mats almost strictly for women. I say almost because I was told that I was free to go in whenever I wanted. To me, this makes no sense at all. The larger problem is that the male staff members frequent this area looking for creeps, when they are the biggest creeps in the entire place.
Racquetball Courts: Some clubs have them and some clubs don't. The facilities generally require a reservation.
Floor Mats: This is another feature that varies widely from club to club. The club that I visit the most has no floor space outside the women's gym and the aerobics room. So if there is an aerobics class going on and you aren't allowed in the women's gym, then you're out of luck. I usually stretch in the locker room, although this is just inconvenient.
Aerobics Classes: BTF offers a range of classes, some are free and others require additional payment. They range from Spinning to Water Aerobics. Schedules and availability vary.
Nutrition Store: What gym would be complete without a place to peddle their overpriced, do-nothing crap and poorly made sportswear? In general, if you tell them that you're not interested then they will stop bothering you. For me, this may have something to do with the fact that I threatened to stand outside the store one day and educate people about the garbage they sell. They do have some reasonable products (sports bars and drinks), but they are way overpriced. The biggest problem is the lies and misinformation that the employees will use to try and get people to buy some of the nutritional supplements. The staff have absolutely no knowledge of the biochemistry behind any of their products. Educate yourself prior to making a purchase and don't be pressured into buying something that you don't need. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. The Wellness Advice section on Epinions is a good place to start:
http://www.epinions.com/well-Topics-All
Creep Factor
I feel as though I should warn you that the Creep Factor for BTF is extremely high. I've seen guys in jeans and a sweatshirt stretching out on a stairway in clear view of all the machines (and the women using them). I also see some guys approaching young women on a daily basis and nothing is done about it. In general the creepiness is more subtle than this, but it is still there. The worst part of the whole thing is that the male staff members are the creepiest of the bunch. I constantly see them gawking and slinking around.
Staff Friendliness/Helpfulness:
This is a real craps shoot. Some staff members are nice and knowledgeable, others are rude and idiotic. The stuff I hear coming out of some of their mouths is downright ridiculous. I have a select few trainers and desk clerks that I will talk to and I avoid the rest. The cleaning staff are actually the nicest and most helpful people in the entire place. If you need something, start there. Most of the others are just too busy chatting amongst their elite group of fitness gurus to be bothered with someone like you. This, of course, is not the case with everyone. There are a couple of people that I think are great, but the majority rules.
Be Courteous
If you are going to come work out with me, DO NOT:
Grunt or make sexual noises while working out,
Cover an entire locker room bench with your crap,
Stare at anyone,
Occupy a machine unless you are using it,
Leave your stuff on a machine to save it, OR
Ask someone what they did to get such a nice (_body_part_)
Final Comments
Keep in mind that BTF is not a work of art, it is just the studio where you create it. If you don't have the dedication to stick with an exercise program for three years, then BTF is not for you. Remember to do your research on exercise programs and nutrition in addition to doing research on the club you choose. Your program is what will determine your results; the club should just be a nice environment in which to achieve those goals. Overall, BTF is a good gym with a variety of equipment and facilities that have not yet left me board in two years.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tbthorn
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Member: Tom
Location: lost in thought
Reviews written: 196
Trusted by: 192 members
About Me:
Vacation (vA-kA-shun) 1. Eating too much 2. Drinking too much 3. Getting a tan
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