Bally Total Fitness- The Walmart of Exercise!!!!!
Written: Jun 21 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great equipment, 360 locations
Cons: can be crowded, there is a contract
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| cmeinoz's Full Review: Bally Total Fitness |
Summer is coming, are you ready? Have you tried on that bathing suit yet? Need to lose a few pounds? If you, like most of us do...... have a few things to work on then Bally Total Fitness is THE place to be!
Bally total fitness has over 360 locations in 27 different states. Their most recent acquisition is the Oregon market. They are the number one fitness club in the United States! And with good reason.
While the services offered will vary from club to club, they have the best selection of fitness equipment around! They have a great free weight area, including Hammer Strength. Bally's offers many lines of circuit equipment such as Cybex, Lifefitness, Nautilus. You can work up a sweat on the treadmill, eliptical trainer, stairclimber or choose a bike! Some clubs have an indoor track, swimming pool too! I enjoy a relaxing dip in the whirlpool after a hard day at work!
Bally's is a great club for ANYONE! You do not have to look buff like the people in the commercials either! In fact, most of the people that go there do not! The members are just everyday people like you and me trying to get in shape!
There are certain times of the year that are busy in any health club. January is the busiest time of the year because everyone realizes that they need to do something before spring!
Bally Total fitness does require a contract for 3 years in most locations. Although, they vary in some states. Do not join on a whim, this will be a commitment. But being in shape is a lifetime commitment you know! They have a lot of different membership options and almost everyone can afford to join!
THE INSIDE SCOOP
Check out any company or business and you will find people that are happy with a product or service and you will also find people who are unhappy with a product or service.
Here is a brief list of information that I hope will be helpful in your choice:
1. Do not join on a whim! As stated before, most contracts with Bally
Total Fitness are Three years. Most of the people that I talked with
on a daily basis that were unhappy with their memberships were people
that fell into this category. They joined Bally's with a friend or
because they felt it was a good idea originally. When they stopped
using the club, suddenly everything was terrible. Even though the
contract was for three years, they no longer wanted to use it. And
had remorse over their decision.
2. Do not under ANY circumstance rely on verbal agreements with any
member of the sales staff. Bally's will not honor something that
is not a regular part of their contract.
3. READ the contract completely! This is a legal document and should be
treated with the same importance as buying large ticket item. There is
important information on the reverse of the contract. Here you will
find your rights as a consumer. Take your time reading them. This is
the place where your right to cancel is located, prepayment
information and relocation information.
4. There ARE set prices for their memberships and upgrades. Sales staff
does NOT have capability to make a deal with you. If a member
of their sales staff gives you that impression, ask for the General
Manager and resolve the situation. Bally's does offer specials that
will waves dues and they also offer many seasonal specials. Please
also be advised that making payments on your membership will double
the cost. Your best bet is to put a larger amount down and pay the
rest in a lump sum. Check the interest rate as well if you choose to
make payments. You may be able to get a line of credit at your local
bank and save several hundred dollars on the same membership. If you
pay in full, check the contract to make sure that you are clear when
your dues must be paid.
5. Understand that once you sign the contract there are only a few
situations in which you may cancel. If you become unable to exercise
AND have documents from your doctor you may cancel. If you move MORE
than 25 miles from a Bally Total Fitness location you may cancel.
This does not include temporary relocation! These are the ONLY cases
where you may cancel.
6. Visit the club during the hours in which you intend to exercise! You
would be amazed at the difference in the club in the afternoon versus
the evening hours.
7. Ask to speak to a trainer regarding your individual goals. Ask for an
orientation of the equipment. Find out your options if you choose to
have a personal trainer.
8. If you have children, set an appointment to visit the childcare
center. In most cases, you must have one anyway. Make sure this
will be a happy place for you AND your children if you plan on
using this service! They are not a daycare center. Bally's staff
will not feed or change your kids. They will not allow sick kids
either. You MUST check your kids in and ONLY you may pick them up.
9. Check to see what your locations locker policy is. In most cases
you may not leave your things there overnight. I must advise you
to also bring a lock if the locker itself does not have one. This
is an open locker area and unlocked lockers can be an open invitation
to a theif!
Finally, ask for a pass to use the club for at least a week before you
join. This will give you a feel for what being a member is really like!
Bally's is a great place to exercise. I lost over 65 pounds there! You can
too!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cmeinoz
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Location: Tornado Central, Land Of Oz...
Reviews written: 106
Trusted by: 309 members
About Me:
Previous Restauraunt manager, Health club manager, Petsmart manager. Currently area manager for financial service co.
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