Bally Total Fitness

Pros: lots of equipment. Many locations (if you can get into all of them)
Cons: Tricky wording on contracts, current fees are overpriced.

3/27/08 *This is a bit lengthy but worth it - Read this if you are planning on buying someone's old membership or getting it transferred from someone else* Wow, what a month I've had trying to get this membership. I live in Manhattan right next ...

Pros: Absolutely none that I can think of...
Cons: Far to many to list here, but we can start with deception and theft.

My experience was with a Bally's gym in Tampa, Florida. I was sold a package that included some time with a personal trainer. Naturally, I would like to get the opinion of a "professional" trainer to get started on the right foot. I was told by the...

Pros: Some staff are particularly helpful and friendly...Lots of space/equipment...Good instructors for classes.
Cons: Locker room sometimes unkempt...Can get really crowded during peak hours...Classes have been consistently full.

Ever since I joined Bally's (about 3 days ago) and signed a contract, I have been reading these reviews and scaring myself silly. THE FACTS: 1) Joined the gym for $0 enrollment/down, $44/month. Automatic debit from my checking account. 1st month is ...

Pros: Decent equipment, particularly cardio
Cons: CONTRACT CONTRACT CONTRACT

If you are thinking of signing up:
1) Ask yourself if you are sure you will be in the same location for the three years stipulated on the contract (and think carefully about that one, because a lot can happen in three years...). Even if you move and...

Pros: Convenient, decent equipment.
Cons: Poor work out environment, untrained staff (some gyms)

I've been a member of Bally's for over ten years. I live in South Florida and they are a popular c ...

Pros: lots of varied equipment, social atmosphere
Cons: too many rude/pushy/slack/$ hungry staff, broken equipment, deceptive sales tactics, internal/rule enforcement/nursery/class problems, unclean

Hi,

I wish I had seen this site a couple of years ago. I did well at Bally's, helped them out and all that. Boy have things changed.

First it was taking all the classes for free and making them pay classes except for hi-lo (no...

Pros: variety of equipment
Cons: crowded

I got talked into a membership by a college friend and a salesperson. I don't do well under pressure. There were two Bally's near me. One was in Towson about 2 miles from campus. The other was a 15 minute drive. The Bally's in Towson had poor...

Pros: Lot's of locations, large-well equipped, indoor tennis courts, and a pool
Cons: meat market, I've never seen one that looks like the commercials, expensive

When I first moved to Puyallup Washington, I wanted to find a gym and a tennis club. I found Bally Total Fitness. At $41 a month on a one year contract for the “VIP Premier Plus” membership, it would not have been a bargain, except for the fact that it...

Pros: They have a pool...a tiny pool
Cons: Salespeople, Atmosphere, Membership Contract, Just About Everything Else

UPDATE: I recently applied for a credit card. When I got my response for it back, it turns out Bally's did ruin my credit rating. So I have to sit through countless holds in order to correct someone else's mistake. I would have thought that such a large...

Pros: Cheap membership dues
Cons: Overcrowded

If you are like me, you want the body from the commercial but spend as little time as possible in the gym. Don't get me wrong, i love the feeling you get after a good workout, but dragging myself to the gym three times a week is quite the battle. Being...

Pros: Conveniently located, large facilities with a great variety of machines, classes
Cons: Unethical sales tactics

In May of 1995, a friend and I had both just turned 18 and were working together at a restaurant in the same shopping center as a Bally's Total Fitness. Out of curiosity, we walked over to the facility on our lunch break one day to check the place out....

Pros: only one in my area, so it was easy to get out of contract
Cons: Nasty bathrooms, nasty employees, nasty equipment, nasty smell

I wish I had internet access before I joined. I was lucky enough that there is not another Bally's within 25 miles of my home.
When I joined Bally's the schedule fit mine the location was good, and of course the salesperson was very nice.
...

Pros: Multiple locations, wide range of classes, several choices of equipment for targeting specific muscle groups
Cons: current contract prices are overpriced, extra fees apply to dedicated trainings

I started a contract with Bally's in 1996, prior to the merger in the 'corporate Bally's' that increased monthly and yearly fees significantly. I believe my husband and I paid around twenty five dollars a month for each of us for 3 years. Based on...

Pros: Many locations, aerobic/Spinning classes, daycare, convenient hours.
Cons: Equipment often broken for a long time, deceptive salespeople, front desk often unfriendly

I got married in September and my husband tried to add me to his Bally's membership. He spoke to a manager and was quoted a price of $299 for 3 years and was going to pay in full, but had left his wallet in the car, so he decided to just pay the next...

Pros: cheap
Cons: horrible deal despite being cheap

I joined an inner-city Ballys for one reason, it was the only gym around. Despite the obvious "used car salesman" feel of the contract and the employees, I signed up for a three year membership. Be careful here, it will be the last day of the...