Gold's Gym

Pros: - They are everywhere, I don't understand why.
Cons: Nearly impossible getting out of the contract, the staff is unsympathetic.

I need to be fair. If you enjoy paying lots of money to use run-down equipment then Gold's Gym is perfect for you.

If you want to give it a fair shot, don't. The best word I can think of to describe these guys is "slimeballs."

My wife and I fell for the trick. Please don't do the same.

Remember that when you sign that contract you are not signing a monthly membership. You are agreeing to the $$/month TIMES the leangth of the contract. That is what you are paying. Then, you set up a payment plan for that huge payment. So, 2 years at $49 means you promise to pay 1,176. Also, you must be vigilant to be sure the agreement doesn't auto-renew. If you want to cancel - stay alert.

Pros: clean, well organized, friendly older staff, cardio, free weights, women's gym, child care, saunas
Cons: not open 24 hours!

I've read a lot of slander and bad press about Gold's but I have to say that I've been a member of the Amherst, MA gym now since '04 and I think it's the best Gym in the Pioneer Valley (clean, well organized, and staffed by friendly professionals in their 30s and 40s).

Pros: just another gym
Cons: Unfair extorting bastards

I signed up in January of 2001, at Gold’s in Deerfield Beach FL. I used the auto-pay credit card feature (another clause with teeth). I paid every month for the entire year. 17 days before signup anniversary, I called to cancel (due to relocation). That wasn't acceptable, because they insisted I wait in line at the post office to send a registered letter. They wrote back, that cancellations in writing are due 30 days before anniversary. But they would be happy to take another $200 to cancel their contract. I canceled my credit card. No word for all of 2003. Then on 12/26/03 (yes Virginia, after Xmas!) A collection company is seeking $565 for one Gold's Gym.

This legalized extortion. Do not give these scumbags any of your money. I wish them nothing but bad things, because they could give a crap less about good customer service, and treating people with any degree of fairness. I hope they burn in hell.

Pros: Wide variety of equipment.
Cons: Poorly run establishment overall.

I have been a gym goer for approximately 12 years now and never had I had a poorer experience than I have had in the last year and a half at the Gold's Gym in Renton, Washington. Customer service is non-existent at all levels from ownership to management on down the personnel chain. In addition, prioritizing their budget is clearly not among their concerns. They spend a (seemingly) ridiculous amount of money on things such as Barbeques (in the parking lot), "80s dress up day" and Gold's Gym drinking nights at various local bars while meanwhile equipment, both cardio and strength training, goes un-repaired and unusable for months on end. They also close completely on numerous holidays including Easter, New Year's Day and the Fourth of July. I suggested that they open limited hours, but was met with rudeness from the manager by the name of Van. Terrible experience. I can not emphasize enough that membership at this gym is an extremely unwise investment.

Pros: brand new facility
Cons: deceptive contracts, unmotivated instructors, inflexible aerobics schedules, sauna dirty, showers dangerously slippery

I joined Gold's Gym in Buford, GA beginning of 2003. As I was about to sign up, I asked the clerk, J., what it will cost to cancel the contract and he told me that it was merely $50.00, no strings attached.

Well, I decided to cancel the contract later that year only to find out, that canceling the contract would cost me approx. $281.

Pros: clean, friendly staff, well-run
Cons: cost? but, then again, i am a cheap-o ;)

I joined this gym when it was newly opened in the NYC area. Location was a big factor for me. So, while I was doing my comparison shopping, I took their tour.

The tour was thorough, and though the gym is not large, they layout is very efficient. Cycle rooms and studios are tucked away in unobtrusive places, with class offerings that range from yoga to boxing to hip-hop dance.

The locker rooms are clean, equipped with showers, steam, and sauna. Locker rentals are available, which I took advantage of, along with the complimentary laundry service. Towel service is a daily offering and the towels were always pristine, with their laundry machines on-site.

The machines were very well maintained, and their free weight selection is pretty large for a NYC urban health club. Gold's gym has done very well in transitioning to a fitness club as opposed to their previous reputation for being a weight room.

Body builders and urban fitness white-collars can both find a place here.

Pros: - Nice Equipment - Clean Environmnent
Cons: - Over priced - Rude Employees - Arrogant Company - Ripoff - False Promises

If a company has ever forgotten why they are in business, it is GOLDS GYM. While the gyms look nice and clean, the blood running through this dragon is cold. Customer service is beyond horrible, there are hidden fees for every thing you do, they make every attempt possible to make you feel uncomfortable, they take advantage of those who do work out there by trying to sell them over priced fitness gear (clothing) and rip-off rates on all fitness shakes (protein shakes, etc).

I have been a member at several clubs over the past decade and GOLDS GYM is BY FAR the worse I've ever used. It's not the equipment, it's the company and their ethics. I've tried to be forgiving ... but they continue to burn me time and time again ... and for that reason I've taken the time to write my FIRST ever EPINION -- in hopes of keeping you out of their claws.

My advice: STAY AWAY!!!!!

Pros: staff, facilities, hours of service
Cons: no child center

My time with Gold's Gym has been great. The facility and equipment are fantastic as well as hi-tech. Their staff is very friendly and are willing to help you with any of your questions. The workout environment is really great, not to packed or small.

Pros: Great atmosphere if you pick the right Gold's
Cons: Some Gold's have slim offerings; don't get caught up in the hype.

Others have reviewed how they've lost weight and other miracles that'll get you to read the review; but here's the real deal.

I travel quite a bit around the U.S. I've seen 5 different Gold's gyms from 4 states. Arizona, California, Illinois, and Florida.

There is not 1 single standard other than the "Gold's Name" that any of these gym's have had in common.

2 of them had pools
2 of them had raquet ball courts
3 of them had no pools and raquet ball courts
1 had a basket ball court.
1 had a hardcore lifting atmosphere
4 of them had classes for tae kwon doe; spinning; etc.

If I can offer the reader anything; it would be to carefully take a look at all the offerings and make sure it is exactly what you're looking for in a gym. The only thing Gold's seems to mandate at their franchised gyms is the license to sell their clothing line.

Pros: members are friendly
Cons: daycare manager sucks. front desk staff is unprofessional.

stay away from golds gym if you have children. the daycare needs to be shut down. the management is careless and unprofessional. the manager does not watch out for the children, she is too busy playing he said she said games with the teenage desk staff. do not join this gym. people do not stay here.

Pros: There's parking.
Cons: Their pricing scheme is a con for sure!

Gold's gym is a franchise so the experience will vary according to where you go but my husband and I were very dissatisfied with the service and the atmosphere at the Gold's Gym in Somerville, MA. In comparison to the gym we use now, I would give it a negative rating if I could. Plus, they continued to charge me after I had already sent in a cancellation request, they claimed they never got it. In my opinion, it's a complete waste of money, pay a little more and go to Bally's or BSC.

Pros: it's a gym
Cons: shady bastards

I moved and found out I had to cancel my gym membership. I found out the membership does NOT transfer to other Gold's Gyms. I sent in my information they requested along with the $50 fee for cancellations. I then received a letter telling me the FINAL payment that would be withdrawn from my account would occur on 3/10/07. After I paid it, I closed the account. Now they tried to take out a payment in April and are threatening me with other charges for closing the account! They say the account is not closed and will continue to withdraw money from my current accounts monthly! I had no problems with the gym until I needed to cancel. Many others have similar complaints. They are a money-hungry scam. Apparently, they have a company that does the billing for them and the two don't communicate well.

Pros: ummmm.....
Cons: They are not obligated to maintain or supervise ANYTHING to ensure patrons safety.

READ ENTIRE CONTRACT, FRONT AND BACK. It releases them from any liability "for injury that occurs from their negligence", including machines falling on you, machines malfunctioning causing injury, their negligent instruction or supervison, even lockers that can become detached from the wall causing neck and back injuries. If a cable breaks and weights fall on your head. They are not liable. Read you contract!!! Nothing that they do can ever be held against them. This means they do not have to properly maintain anything or properly supervise anything. Basically your paying for hazardous conditions.

Pros: good operating hours
Cons: snake contract

Golds has average equipment, average staff, and good operating hours(24/7) where i live.

The biggest problem is their membership department, will try to get you to sign a 2 year "agreement" that its nearly impossible to get out of, even after the 2 year period. Should you try, its still likely they will forward some large bogus amount to a collection agency for as much as 2 years of future services u cant use and will still be billed for(1000$-2000$).

Pros: n/a
Cons: Hard sell. Stay away unless you've already decided to join.

Just wanted to warn people about the new Gold's Gym in Medford, MA (between the Meadow Glen Mall and Wellington Circle.

Hard sell defined. When the young lady couldn't get me to buy a membership, she brought in the "membership supervisor." He wasn't going to quit until I signed. I literally had to walk out.

Whenever a second person joins the mix -- get up and walk out!