Extremely dissatisfied with my experience here. Please read the full story. For respect of the employees working here, I will not provide names.
I started my gym membership here because my friends started going and it was close to home. They charge $20 every 2 weeks and charge gym maintenance fees every few months (I think it was every quarter). That’s $40 + fees per month.
This should have been a red flag considering Some of the top gyms (such as LA Fitness) charges half of that price for the same experience. Planet Fitness has practically the same experience as well.
Here is a text I received when I asked what the justify the gym rates for:
“It really comes down to what you’re looking for. If you just want basic access to equipment, there are places built for that. We’re 24/7, but we also provide hands-on support with training, programming, nutrition guidance, and recovery so members aren’t figuring it out alone. That’s the difference - Anytime Fitness from Anytime Fitness”
My experience involved a monthly check ups and metric tracking and a piece of paper with my metrics and a few recommendations which took maybe 30 minutes. In my opinion as a sales person, this does not justify the prices.
Now we get to my personal situation and what I was unaware of when agreeing to a membership here.
I struggled financially recently and asked that I have my membership cancelled so that I can figure things out. They refused to cancel, saying “[You are locked into a 2 year contract, so you only options are to keep it or pay a lump sum]”. I asked why they lock people into the contract like that, and their response was “It’s your commitment to your health” (which was said in a sassy, look down upon you tone in my opinion. I’m sure it was a sales tactic to be firm and shut me down).
After arguments with the staff. I eventually connected with the Area Manager, who worked with me. She had somewhat of the same response, and, due to Illinois State Law, refused to allow me to record the phone call. I was recording for possible legal action and for my own memory of what we discuss, but I cut the recording due to lack of consent.
The Area Manager and I agreed that we would suspend the membership until December/January, when we would reconnect and discuss the possibility of cancelling the membership if my finances were still bad.
My finances were still bad, however, I did not receive a call from the Area Manager. I had to reach out to the location the have the Area Manager call me, which they again did not do so.
I did find that my membership was cancelled that day without notifying me. So it was eventually resolved after months of stress and contact.
Now, I give the 1-star review not in reflection of the people, because people do their jobs and try to be successful. There are good people that work here. The 1-star review is of Anytime Fitness as an organization
There are better options, lower priced and well-respected gyms. The experience you get from this location is nothing more than what a cheaper membership and some minimal fitness research you can do. Your doctor cares about your health. This gym cares about getting more people in the door and locked into a 2-year agreement.
