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AVOID FITNESS USA
Posted by deneve3468 on 10/01/2009
I joined the Royal Oak facility on Woodward Avenue. I
It did not take me long to realize that Fitness USA was a horrible experience.
I wanted to try the gym experience to see if I would like it. The advertised price,19.99 a month, no contracts, pay as you go, sounded like a good deal. I could try it for a month and it would not cost me much. It turns out there are lots of start-up fees and a contract to sign.
Even though I made it clear to the lady who signed me up that this was a trial basis, she checked the box that automatically takes money form my checking account every month. So I had to write a letter to Fitness USA headquarters and have this changed.
I never got help in running the machines. There is a twenty minute limit on many machines even though I was paying extra to use all the equipment. Staff ignored me except when they had a promotion. Then one staff member followed me around trying to get me to agree to sign friends up at a discount.
The fitness center was not working for me; I was bored and I hated the rude staff, so I went in to cancel. I couldn't do that. I was a member, so I had to let a staff member fill out a form for me. I said, �No way, Just write my name, my membership number and the word 'cancelled.'�
�We don't do it that way,� said the staff member.� She smiled but did not start writing. I have no idea what she was waiting for. Perhaps if she delayed long enough another month would pass and I would have to pay for another month of membership.
Then the manager came and told me to be patient. �There is no call for rudeness,� she said. �You are a member and you will fill out the proper paperwork.�
Good. Then just let me write �I cancel.�
�We have to do the paperwork."
I walked out.
I was a customer at this place, but all they were interested in was my money and how many of my friends they could sucker into opening a �membership.�
Since when do customers have to fill out paperwork to quit a store that provides shoddy services?
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Fitness USA Sterling Heights
Posted by czecker on 06/17/2009
First of all i have been a member here for about 16 years.. and back at that time you paid a one time fee and that was it. I think it was around $800 in total for a lifetime membership. Actually, that is pretty good, considering Ballys has membership dues, and renewal dues. So I have had this membership for quite some time now and it has been paid off for over 14 yrs.. not bad! I am disturbed to hear about all the other fees that are now associated with peoples memberships
I still workout here occasionally. I would say a few times a month, i am not as close as I used to be to the facility.
Everytime i have been there it has been fine. In the past you would have to wait for treadmills, etc.. I have not found that to be true at all lately.. Actually it has been a good workout everytime ive been there. I only have one problem with FItness USA
First of all, ALL the Treadmills, ellipticals are set up for 20 minutes.. so after your twenty minutes is up, you would have to start the machine/process all over again.. Thus, ruining your concentration/workout.
Are the people at Fitness USA aware that you do not even start burning fat until after 20 minutes!!! For most people that is just a warm-up!! That NEEDS TO CHANGE ASAP...
Would i take a friend here?? NO! If you bring a friend in as a "guest" and i use that term loosely!
The Guest is NOT allowed to work out and is pushed into there lair where they try to convince you to join!!
Also, the girls, who work there are more concerned about being on their cells and online than their job.. I should be working here. I have had to show many people how to use machines and correct their form when working out. Also, this is a workout facility... the people who work here, should reflect that! And by that i mean, they should be knowledgeable about equipment, form and should be IN SHAPE!!!!!
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Don't Waste Your Money
Posted by monsta0311 on 02/20/2009
I have been a lifetime member of Fitness USA for over 13 years and like the previous post said, if I didn't get a lifetime membership when I was 13 I wouldn't be a member at all. Since it's not coed, you only get the privilege of using the place 3 times a week and those 3 days the place isn't open any later than 10 PM. They have recently incorporated a new coed cardio room so you can at least use a treadmill any day, oh but wait, you have to pay extra to be able to use it. Even if your a lifetime member. The "personal trainers" spend more time standing at the front desk talking than they do actual training. The place is so small that come 5 pm be ready to compete with 10 other people for the same bench or machine. All and all I really can't think of a single good thing to say about this place when compared to other better run gyms and have every intention of finding a new place to workout now that I'm better off financially and no longer handcuffed to SH!Tness USA
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Fitness USA Sterling Heights
Posted by Chris5463 on 01/26/2009
Went to Fitness USA last night. Am currently a member at Lifetime Fitness. Place was small and seemed crouded but also seemed more user friendly than Lifetime. Met a woman named Amy who was not pushy. Although there were a few others that certainly thought the hard sell would work on me. I am concerned about a comment someone else had posted regarding the type of membership and that there is nothing in writing that specifies what each membership includes. The jury is still out with me.
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I would give them a zero star
Posted by redcherry1982 on 01/14/2009
Joined this gym 5 months back. They don't have contracts, it is a month to month agreement and they use this "no contract" thing as their weapon when they change their policies evrytime you go in. They wont sign any paper, dont have a document outlining the facilities available for different memeberships. On top of all, staff is misbehaved and harassing. Lisa Shephard (the manager at Royal oak location) was about to choke me when I asked her to explain the sudden chage in membership dues. Phew..keep away frem them, if you ask a little more, they start barking rudely. Will never return to this gym.
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Just Joined 3 months ago.
Posted by EricaMarie9706 on 12/31/2008
I've been a member at some other female only gyms and I visited a Ballys once. I joined this gym a few motnhs ago because I wanted a no contract, easy place to work out. I would reccomend it to anyone like myself who wants a no frills, but fun place to work out. It's nice having all ladies, but at the same time it's a real gym. Too bad it can't be the same but open 7 days a week. This is a good gym and if you don't know what you're doing the staff is pretty friendly to show you.
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Rude, Pushy Staff
Posted by midtwentiesFemale on 09/04/2008
Basically, I stopped by because I was considering a membership. Instantly, they required my name and phone number on a sheet of paper. I was given a 2 minute tour by one of the employees., and brought into a room to go over the rates. The manager busted in the room and was instantly pushing for me to sign up right away. I said that I would like to come in on a day where I could actually see the pool facilities (it was a male day, so I couldn't go in there) and see how busy the place would be at the times I would normally be coming in. He said that what I saw in the picture (a small picture of half of the pool area, with 8 girls in bikinis lying around) was exactly what it was, and that seeing it wasn't going to make a difference in my opinion, he'd heard people say the same thing a million times before. He said that female days were admittedly busier, but if I only signed up right now, then I wouldn't have to mess with paperwork when I came in and I could start right away. I insisted that I would, in fact, need to come in another day before I decided. He said that I would need to ask for the same employee who assisted me, because this employee works on commision, you know, and that is what earns him money and feeds his family at home. Needless to say, I was completely turned off by this rude and aggresive way of trying to obtain my business. There was not even at attempt at trying to make me feel comfortable or catering to my needs, and I hadn't even signed up yet!!
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Not as trendy, but a place where middle aged can go and be comfortable!
Posted by deblouvee62 on 12/05/2007
After being a LIFETIME member I came back to Fitness USA to take advantage of my Lifetime membership I owned.
The trainers at the this location are probably the best. I think they may be under new supervision.
Some of the new updates are alright, but overall the place is no the "cool" spot. Nice members, and definately have gotten results with the help of some of the trainers.
If you don't want a contract, and don't want to spend some money... then don't go here. But, if you are serious and want results I would reccomend this place. It might not be the newest, but it is pretty irritating to see some people downgrade a really great gym~!!!~ (Beats Bally's, which only hosts hook up spots or LIFETIME where they charge an ARM AND A LEG to show you how to use a machine!!)
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Shafted by Fitness USA - make your voice heard!!!
Posted by fitnessbbb on 11/13/2007
For those of you who have had a terrible experience during your membership or getting out of your membership with Fitness USA, file a complaint with the b b b. Just go to their website and it is very easy to file a complaint. Surprisingly, Fitness USA is recommended by the b b b which needs to change!!! Their billing practices and membership charges and completely outrageous and oppressive to the ordinary consumer. They snatch you in with lies about how you will have a personal trainer - but that "personal trainer" is merely a salesperson. Don't let this company continue to get away with this.
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Buyer beware!
Posted by donotjoinfitnessusa on 09/08/2007
I am a Lifetime Member of over 20 years, when I can afford to or have the time to I join other clubs with roomier class areas and professional personal trainers. The personal trainers at Fitness USA are salespeople. Once you join they circle you as you work out and try to give you guest cards to bring people in. If you go at a busy time for a class you have to watch to not bump into equipment or other members using equipment. I was told by an employee years ago not to use the whirlpool because the old ladies that hang out in it have weak bladders. I was talked into signing up a friend recently and when I balked because of the 3 day cancellation the salesperson assured me that if the gift wasn't wanted she'd let me out of the contract. Stupid me! This was after telling me 3 times not to bring her in 2 days later, but to wait a half month for her birthday, they'd let me out if my friend didn't want it! Oh well, just to warn others.
