I really debated whether or not to ever discuss things like this on this particular blog. As long as I can do so in an honest and ethical fashion, my intention has always been that one of the byproducts of this blog would be that local businesses might be patronized. I’m no shill for any commercial interest, but healthy local businesses mean a healthy community.
But I think I’ve had enough and can no longer tolerate take the lousy service at one local business. I have been a premiere member (sounds fancy, I know) of Bally Total Fitness since 1994. I’m not one of those guys that just pays for his membership and never shows his face. I use the facility. My wife and mother are both members, too. I love Bally for the price and location. Everything else leaves a bit to be desired.
First and foremost, customer service there can be awful. In the last few years, I’ve asked dozens of times for the music to be turned down. I understand that supposedly loud music “motivates” people to work out harder, but sometimes that music is so loud that I have to yell for the person 5 feet away from me to hear me. That was the case this morning. I was practically screaming to be heard by one of the other regulars, who agreed that the music was too loud, and I once again had to be the bad guy and ask the front desk to turn it down. My request was ignored. I was told that it had already been turned down when the desk help came in this morning. I want to hear my music and the people that I’m talking to and I’m tired of requesting this and being treated like I’m a fool for asking.
I just spoke to the manager on the phone about it and was told the volumes are kept at “acceptable levels. “ That was the response I expected.
Second, I’m sick of the rank amateurishness amongst the management and/or staff. While recently it has been better, in the past it was not uncommon to have the person in charge of opening the location in the morning arrive late. It was also not uncommon for some of those morning employees to be pissy, whiny and unfriendly. Again, that has been better in the recent past. It should never happen and it took plenty of time to correct it while it was occurring.
Theft, disarray, weird behavior in the locker room shower areas, poor condition of the equipment are all things that I have experienced or seen. Obviously theft and weird behavior are not caused by Ballys. But a gym, like any other service, should provide the best atmosphere possible. It’s getting to a point that I’m strongly considering not renewing my membership.
If you are thinking of joining a local gym, I would suggest you take these things into consideration before joining Bally Total Fitness.
I too was totally turned off by my experience at Ballys. Last year I started an exercise program and I want to work out at home and a gym. I was given a certificate for a free two months at Ballys but I ended up never using it because the person who was doing the selling/intake interview tried to use classism and even a bit of racism to try to sell me a membership at that location. I rather work out using my dvd’s and comcast on demand. I have thought about going to lifetime but they look like they are kinda expensive. Let us know if you check them out.
I’d be interested to hear what the classism and racism stuff was. Right now I’m not sure anything would shock me.
I’m tempted to say more negative stuff in response, but I’m going to give Bally a chance to undo some of the damage its reputation has suffered with me. I’ve already called the national customer service line to discuss my various complaints and the woman that spoke with me said the matter would be looked into. She treated me wonderfully and took my complaint seriously. I couldn’t have asked for a more professional response. It’s the response the location manager should have given me this afternoon when I spoke to him.