dresese

I totally f$%^&^% agree. I go there sadly but I think 24 hour sucks. I was going to sign my girlfriend up there, but the customer service was so rude and has no respect. Don't worry your rant paid off, my girlfirned is not going to go there. Those bastards!!!

John

I was going to use a ten-day pass a friend of mine gave me but was asked by the manager if I that was my first time with 24 Hour Fitness. I said I was a member (of 24 Hour Nautilus) some ten years ago but I left because I wasn't too happy with the location/etc. Then he said that the pass was good for first time users only. My membership at another club just expired and I was looking into another gym close by comparable to my old one. The manager wouldn't let me work out. I either had to pay $15 for that visit (which I didn't) or given a tour and still not allowed to work out. I was a potential customer that they just lost. What would they have lost had they let me work out at least for one evening? NOTHING! What could they have gained? Oh, just another member who could have been happy or satisfied. There you go! 24 Hour Fitness is only concerned about making money and nothing else. Customer service is nowhere to be found and I hope/wish they go down the drain. There are other clubs out there who actually care about their members as well as making profits. I will try Gold's Gym or another instead of their arrogant corporation.

My old roomate and I signed up for a family membership a couple of years ago after being told by the person at 24 hour fittness that " this would be the best way to sign us up". The guy who signed us up said there will be no problem when we move out and split off seperate memberships. A year later and I'm still trying to get those pricks to fix the problem. I have been beeing charged for 2 people for over a year now. Not to mention that they are also charging my old roomate for the cost of his own membership. The membership services department will not give a refund without documented proof from their employee that this change was made. After I finally get her to break my membership to "single" status, I ask her for "confirmation" and she tells me that there is no written documentation they provide for this......Does that seem kind of ironic??????

That stupid one day free pass is only good for residents within a 25 mile radius. So in other words, People that are recruitable. What if your siblings or guests come into town? Well then it will be 15 dollars for them to have the privelege of working out in the crappy gym.

I used to workout at Gold's Gym and was happy, as well. I reluctantly quit the Gold's in Mountain View about 6 months ago, due to a change in jobs. I say reluctantly, because the staff was so friendly and the equipment was always available whenever I was there.

I decided to join a 24 Hour Fitness because it was close to home - at the discouragement of colleagues and friends!! But there are few choices in the San Mateo area, so in a way it was 24 Hour or nothing. Well...I learned my lesson. Everyone here who has posted is absolutley right! 24 Hour is only out for the money and have no interest in their clients whatsoever. The machines are always occupied, the staff is hideously rude - and no circulation in the building whatsoever. Luckily, I only bought a 3-month trial membership online, so after 3 months, you better believe I never stepped inside there ever again. In fact, I think I stopped going there after the 1 month mark.

And they're so disorganized that I received calls to join even after I had already joined. UGH. I am thoroughly unimpressed with the chain and would like to discourage all who are considering it...please don't do it!

I agree with all of you. I used to work at the Gold's gym in Oakland. Now I've worked for 24hour fitness for about 2 years. I totally agree with you, we are rude to you and for the most part, the company doesn't give a rats @ss about it's members. The way the buisness is run is this. Members cancell, and resign at a higher rate. The employees get treated like shi!!!! too. And although I am a manager, I really don't get paid that much. I use this company to travel, (as i can transfer anywhere with a guarantee of a job) SO I'm milking them myself,ha I dont even work out here. I work out at golds

Fellas, your rants are not wasted. I did a search on Google for "24 Hour Fitness and Gold's Gym" because I live close to both and wanted to find out what America thinks of them before I sign up. Even though 24-hour is about a mile closer, I'll go with Gold's based on the astute observations I've read here. Thanks for your public service.

I have been to the San Mateo 24 Hour Fitness twice now. I got stuck with some salesman, sorry I mean "Fitness Counselor" named Hector who despite my telling him within politely that he was coming off way to 'salesy' and acting like he was trying to sell me a used car, he continued with the attitude. Maybe they got him from a timeshare comapany. More likely from what I've read above that it's the status quo over there. Despite my explaining to him that I was only going to be in town for six to eight weeks, he told me that the best deal for me was to sign up for a year at full price and then they'd somehow refund part for that after six weeks. He couldn't explain exactly why that was the best deal so I told him I wanted to do some research and shopping around. He told me specifically not to talk to friends who were 24hour Fitness members there in San Mateo because "what they pay isn't what we are offering you here and now". I couldn't believe this guy! When I told him that it wasn't about money, but about overall value, he became very dismissive. I came back again and told him that a friend of a friend had something like a 'temporary membership' which cost about $31 a month, he said "Oh yeah, we could sign you up for that." But he said despite there being no "signup fee" that there was still a $79 paperwork fee PLUS I'd have to pay first and last months fees on top of that. What a crock. No signup fee but a $79 paperwork fee!? And when I asked about the specifics of the first and last months costs, it turns out that they add another last month payment on and KEEP it with your actual last months payment as well. What I mean is, if I let them know that I want to cancel TODAY then they say, OK well your last month starts today so you have 30 more days to use the facilities and you get no last months payment back. Or in other words, you have to let them know an absolute minimum of 30 days in advance and even then you don't get anything back, you are just required to use the facilities for the following 30 days just to get what you paid for. Of course Hector didn't tell me about this at all until I specifically asked about it. I found out a friend didn't have to pay for the first/last and $79 costs for the temp memebership and asked about that, he rudely said something like "I know with you it's all about money" and started asking me how much I had in my bank account!!??? I told him AGAIN that I'd be willing to pay a lot for a good value and that it wasn't just about the cheapest price. I asked him why he was asking about my bacnk account balance, specifically I said it made me think that he could offer me a better deal than the $79+$31+$31 for six weeks. He said no way and that they only had specials for 2 days ending the following day (maybe he had forgotten that he told me the same thing the previous week). The previous time when I had said that the $1300 or so wasn't sounding like a good deal for six weeks even if I got half of it back, he went off to 'talk to him manager'. The whole place really feels like a scam. At this point I walked out and did some research on the web and foudn this site. I'm glad that I did. I'm going to do everything that I can to keep people out of that place. I'll probably sign up at the YMCA or something even though it costs more. It seems like a WAY better value and at this point it's worth it to me just since my experiance with Hector was so disappointing.
(I don't have time to proofread this so sorry if there are typos...)

There actually is a Gold's Gym in San Mateo now, near the new Whole Foods Market in the Bay Meadows development. I think there is going to be another one on 17th and El Camino soon. Yay!

Great comments guys. Peter FDA

I took a friend of mine into 24 Hour after she had lost 35 lbs. at home on her own and was looking to "graduate" to a gym. I knew that the salespeople were sleezy from my own experience, but we figured that a 1-day workout with me would be more comforatble than going on her own. After her mandatory tour, the sales scumbag took her back to his desk and gave her the price. She told him she wasn't interested. He told her she wouldn't be able to loose weight without joining a gym. She explained that she had already lost 35 pounds working out at home: His reply: "Don't you think you need to loose a few more?"

I went back later and had a talk with the guy about his sales technique. He was unapologetic and told me to screw off. His manager did the same.

If it wasn't for the fact that I am paying $99/yr for an all sport club membership, I would bail. I don't recommend anyone starting out to go to these guys. Their sales people are horrible, most of their trainers suck and the ones that don't are just there to get experience to go work at a real gym. Think hard before ever walking in.

It all began in the summer of '01...I took a little trip to visit some friends and family on the island of O'ahu in the state of Hawai'i. While there, a friend talked me into playing some basketball at a local 24HF that he was a member of. I unflinchingly agreed, thinking that I'd be paying some kind of minimal fee for a day's use. Oh, how naive was I. Just like you all have stated, I ended up coughing out waaaay more than I wanted just to play some ball for a couple of hours (I was only going to be on-island for a couple of days). After parting with my hard-earned cash, I took the dreaded 'tour' and listened to the required spiel. I finally drifted back to reality after god-knows-how-long and was directed to the basketball court...HAH! You call that a basketball court? I'm paying how much to play here?! Long story short, I ended up paying way too much to play on a POS court for an hour. I felt violated.

Yet, that isn't the end of it. Tonight, I get a call from another friend who has a corporate 24HF membership. Dude wants me to play some ball with him at a 24HF in Beaverton, OR. Fine, I say, since I'm not a member I'll print out one of their 'FREE' 10-day trials online and we'll be in like Flynn. Heeeeelllll naw!!! After driving 20 minutes to get there, I eagerly plop down my printed out coupon for entry into the gym. And where does that get me? Nowheres. And why? The time is 10PM, and if I had happened to read the microscopic, 6 pt. type at the bottom of my coupon I would have noticed that the dang coupon is only good between the hours of 8AM and 9PM. What the fizzle?! Yup, I guess that's when the vultures are allowed to feed. And since there were no 'sales associates' around after 9PM they couldn't let me on the court. 24HF employee says that their network shuts down at 9PM so they can't even check-in guests if they wanted to. Yeah, I'm sure that's the reason...So I ask 24HF employee why it doesn't state these rules clearly somewhere on the website before you actually print out the coupon. He simply gave me a dumbfounded look and the "hey, I just work here" routine. I know it's not his, or any employees fault. It starts at the top, right? Anyway, I'm definitely glad that I found this site as it's serving to vent some of my pent up frustration. It also gave me an idea to start a website dedicated to people like you and me.....
http://www.24hourfitnessrocks.com
A place where all of us haters can go to do our thing. Also, you peeps will love this....I did an online domain registry search for 24hourfitnesssucks.com, and guess who owns the rights to that name? Sneaky bastards...see for yourself:
http://www.register.com/whois-results.cgi?aab6fab43f453714ee09439d5bd9388347a0072319cd2b95dc6ce4784e30d879085b8b71c09f3f6c3a8bdce82be5c22942009c07a0b9e23e

y0sh

As a former employee of 24 hour fittness, I can say that the company only cares about one thing; MONEY! Customer service is about the worst I have ever seen. This is consistant at any one of they're locations. With meetings three times a day discussing how to increase revenue, I found that the company has no real intrest or care for its members at all. Expect of course if there is an opportunity to sell something.

I forgot to mention, thats what led me to quit.

24 Hour "Criminals" is more like it. I have had a horrible experience with them trying to cancel my wifes membership. She was apparently on a month to month contract but when she went in to cancel 6 months later they told her she was in a year contract and that it would cost over $200 to cancel which is more than the remaining 6 months of dues. This was a complete lie but since she did not still have a copy of the contract she assumed they were telling her the truth and so we waited 6 months and then cancelled. When cancelling, we were told that she was on month to month and should have been able to cancel 6 months ago without any cancellation fee. We moved too far from the club for my wife to use it so we wasted 6 months which added up to $162 that we wasted or rather they stole. The kicker is that after cancelling 5 days ago they just billed us today. I called and they said you have to cancel within 10 days for billing to be stopped. Comeon you lazy a-holes does it really take 10 days to cancel billing?! I run my own business and I do not charge people for a service they don't use and I sure as hell don' bill a customer after they cancel. Even if they cancel the day before renewal, if they are accidentally billed I give them a refund. 24HF policy is pretty much to never give a refund under any circumstance. Must be why they have such a bad record with the BBB. They also lie every chance they get. I was lied to repeatedly by the superviser. They said they had no corporate number but they do it's on their website. She also said they don't have cancellation fees even if you are in a year contract. I find that hard to believe. Either she's lying or the person we tried to cancel with first made up the cancellation fee.

DO NOT TRUST ANY 24 HOUR FITNESS EMPLOYEE!!! DO NOT SIGN UP WITH 24 HOUR FITNESS!!! STAY AWAY!!!

I WAS A MEMBER OF 24 HOUR FITNESS FOR 3 YEARS.AT THE TIME WHEN I JOINED I DIDN'T HAVE A CREDIT CARD,SO WE USED MY MOM'S.MY MOM HADE AN ANYUERISM AND TWO STROKES,SHE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AND WE DIDN'T KNOW IF SHE WAS GOING TO SURVIVE.AT THE SAME TIME,HER CARD HAD EXPIRED,AND SHE WAS ISSUED A DIFFERENT ONE.WHEN THEY WENT TO DEDUCT MY DUES THAT MONTH IT DIDN'T GO THRU.THEY CALLED AND ASKED ABOUT THE PAYMENT.I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THEM,WITH THEIR TOTAL LACK OF COMPASION THEY SUGGESTED I HAVE MY STEP FATHER LEAVE MY MOM'S SIDE AT THE HOSPITAL AND COME DOWN AND STRAIGHTEN THIS OUT.YEAH RIGHT!!!FINALLY I CONVINCED THE WOMAN ON THE PHONE TO WAIT A COUPLE WEEKS FOR US TO GET THRU THIS CRISIS AND WE WOULD STRAIGHTEN EVERYTHING OUT.AFTER ALL,I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER 3 YEARS.THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO WORK OUT,AND WAS DENIED ACCESS.I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THIS LONG STORY AGAIN BUT THE GIRL WOULDN'T HEAR IT.BESIDES' I REALLY NEEDED A BOX OF CRAYONS TO DRAW HER A PICTURE.SINCE I WASN'T ALLOWED TO WORK OUT I ASKED IF I COULD TAN,I HAD PAID CASH FOR MY TANS.ONCE AGAIN I WAS DENIED.THEN I ASKED FOR A REFUND ON MY TANS.AGAIN DENIED AND WAS ASKED TO LEAVE.I REFUSED TO LEAVE WITHOUT MY MONEY.I ENDED UP LEAVING IN HANDCUFFS.THIS IS HOW THEY TREAT THIER CUSTOMERS.I NOW GO TO BALLYS AND LIKE IT MUCH BETTER.

I can't believe the service that they provide. I travel all over the country and thought I would try them out. Shit 15.00 bucks for a workout? I paid the "blood money" and worked out just to find myself waiting for equipment all evening or some pretty boy to get off it.. Heck I want a gym to work out and not be bothered. If I want to pick a sweety to take home then I'll hit the nearest bar..

Rip off all the way..

24 hour fitness sucks indeed! The one in San Leandro blows particularly. This has got to be the only gym in the world where the personnel pass the buck on simple matters such as equipment chaeckout. I approached a trainer to check out an "abdominal ball" (which already mekes me look like a schlep). Seems like a simple request. The guy looks at me, shrugs his shoulders, kind of shakes his head no, blinks, mumbles, and points to the front desk where there stands another employee on the phone. So, assuming that means to ask the front desk I ask the young lady if I could checkout an abdominal ball. Her response was, "How am I supposed to checkout a ball for you and I gotta stay up here? You need to go see a trainer." And points at the guy who just dismissed me (coincidentally he happens to be standing in front of the Ab Balls.
I say,"OK, but he just directed me to you."
She says,"He's an idiot. He knows I gotta stay up here."
Then there's a two second awkward silence
Then she says,"Holdup."
She gets on the phone and picks up the P.A. system and announces, "Trainer to the front desk..."
She turns to shuffle some paper. I stand there. No one comes. I ask for a manager and he never comes. I get bored and go home.

Hey - stop cryin- teens work at the front desk, and make mistakes, just like they do and you did at your first job or second or third. None of you smucks own a business or you would understand that at a point- when you get big enough, and hire and fire hundreds a month- you are bound to get some idiots. In terms of the money making side of it- what would you do if you owned it- let everyone in your private gym for free- whats the point, well if you dont like the product dont subscribe to it. The problem with that is, you do like the product and just want it for free or on your terms- boo hoo

If you have no better alternative but to join 24, note, if you bargain hard enough, ie to the point of walking out the door, they will pull out the "special binder" under the desk where they have special pricing for the really difficult potential customers. About the trainers, my friend is one. I asked what his qualifications were, he told me they had to take a one day course, ONE DAY! I dont think that would qualify anyone to guide anyone through any exercise. Some of the class instructors are ok, most aren't great though. And the facilities are often filthy, some more than others. (Daly City is REALLY gross) I dont even use the bathrooms there if I can help it. there's often toilet paper, used Q-tips and tampon wrappers all over the floor and huge hairballs in the showers. They dont supply spray and paper towels to wipe down equipment and arent firm about everyone having a towel to wipe down.
SOOOO nasty I can't believe they can operate legally.

I had better luck trying to buy a used car than getting a honest deal here! They wouldnt tell many any prices or info. unless i filled out a form with my name and address, etc.. I refused and they called a manager, after speaking to a sales person, trainers, manager, several kiss ass members and taking the tour and wasting 45 minutes I was running for the door.

Whoever made the above comment signed "the man"
left out the obvious fact that he is also not an owner, instead he is a company brain washed idiot,
who is oviously oblivious as to how a real health club should operate. 24 hour fitness is the k-mart of health clubs. One club was so filthy
there was an actual layer of dust about an inch thick on the treadmills. The managers response was
"we dont have enough payroll to hire more than one
porter" The problem is that the way these clubs are marketed,you would expect a top notch facility.Instead you get a second rate club, overcrowed, dirty, managed by kids who are still there because they are dumb enough to keep buying that old corporate story; "You'll own stock one day" It is clear how the company treats theyre employees, all you have to do is look at how the employees treat there customers.
Mark M.

Do any of the 24Hr gyms clean there equipment? The place I have been to, in Mountain View, CA, has digustingly dirty equipment. Of course, they also don't provide any cleaning solution or paper towels to clean the machines. The equipment sticks to your hands if you don't clean it yourself.

I brought in some antibacterial wipes to clean the stair machine before using it. You wouldn't believe how mach crap was on it. It took three towels to get it even close to being clean. It's obvious that they do not clean their equipment.

Avoid this place!

Yet another 24 Hour Fitness Complaint here...I wish I had seen this site before joining! Well I had a bad experiance at the Gym in Walnut Creek, California. Im not gunna go into the whole story because there are so many others to view :). I decided to cancel my membership within the first 3 days. It states that if you cancel withing the first 3 days you will recieve a full refund. Well when I signed up I signed up with my sister under a "buddy account". Basically under one credit card and we are both members. We canceled within the 3 days and my sister recieved her refund with a few days. Here it is 10 days later and no check for my portion.hmmmm...So I called the corporate number in Carlsbad,Ca and asked what the status was of my refund. They said there was none because my sister never canceled the account. But it did show that my sister recieved a refund for canceling the account...What? So it showed that she cnceled but then it doesnt show? Im lost and apparently out 286 bucks. I am re-faxing the cancelation forms today but the operator told me there is not much they will probably do since the new date of cancelation will be today instead of the original on the paper Im faxing. Arrrggghhh.
Well just one more things guys. Ballys is awesome. Went and joined with no problems was 29 dollars to join..no enrollment..no processing fee. And 29 dollars a month every month.They want you to sign up for 36 months but have about 7-8 ways to get out of the 36 months if you need to. Easy ones. And maybe its just at the gym Im going to in Pleasant Hill,Ca but the people at the counter...actually know what they are talking about. :)
P.S. Did anyone else out there want to take that calculator the 24 fitness sales ass used to quote the rip off deal and shove it down his throat? I really hate that calculator. Even know I can hear his fingers tappin away on it rippin someone else off.

I'm so glad I saw this sight today and glad to say I used them a couple times on free passes only. I was thinking of treating myself to a personal trainer and joining a new gym. I was going to check out 24 only because my friend goes there, butt now I will gladly seek elsewhere : )
D.C. 24 hr is overcrowded and it stinks!

Here is a letter I recently submitted to 24-hr fitness.

I am a member of your 24-hour fitness club, and have been for the past 15 years. When I became a member, the club was actually called Family Fitness.

For the past 15 years I have religiously paid my dues month after month, thinking all the while that I was a good client.

The funny part about that is that I have not actually used your gym facilities for the past 9 years or so. Many times along the way I thought about canceling my membership, but felt that the rate I had because I was such a loyal, long-term client was worth paying every month- so if and when I began to go to the gym again, I could with no hassle. After all- I have an all-access membership. I can remember back in my actual exercise days- going to one of your facilities in Las Vegas, while traveling, and one in Beverly Hills while visiting a friend. I had also experienced some moving around with my career, and felt great about the fact that wherever I went- wherever I lived- I would always be able to go to the gym.

During these years, I have moved from San Diego, to San Jose, to Sacramento. I have had twins, had two of my children diagnosed with Autism & dove into the world of coping with special needs children, traveled the world as a Corporate Event Planner for a company in Silicon Valley that I am still employed with, and started my own business as a Salon & Day Spa owner in the Sacramento Area- which I still currently own. I am a strong believer in customer service and donate my time- even though I have none for myself, energy, and as much money as I can to various different causes and charities. I am a true American, who has always supported the small business & corporations in this wonderful country I live in.

During all of these times- I continued to support your corporation with not only my monthly dues- but also that of my husband and brother-in-law, all three of these memberships coming out of my pocket. Although it is no one’s problem but my own- my brother-in-law has never paid me for his membership since he signed up as a package deal with my husband- under me, approx 6 years ago, due to the fact that there could only be one checking account given for both of them.

Through my pregnancies, and various other life experiences, I had even contemplated freezing my account- but didn’t even do that. So your corporation has collected my money- as little as it may seem- every single month since the day I originally signed up back in 1991.

Here is what brings me to why I have written this letter.

I finally, at the age of 35, decided that I needed to take care of myself just a little for a change. I turned over a new leaf- started eating healthy, and made a strong commitment to go to the gym and work out. It had taken me 9 years to reach this determination- and will, and ultimately to be at a point where- finally- I could actually take a little time for me.

I couldn’t wait to go to the 24-hour fitness near me. I summoned my dead-beat brother-in-law to go with me. Then I had the big decision as to where I should go……the one on Wallerga Ave. or the one over by Car Max……two facilities very near my house- one of which I drive by everyday on the way to my day spa. They both looked very nice, and I ultimately decided to go to the one on Wallerga Ave.

I made sure I had my membership card- the one that your corporation sent me a few years back- which was a nice up-dated red, white, and blue one. I also made sure I had my I.D. so they could know it was me- because after all- my picture was not on my newer card.

When my brother –in-law approached the front desk with his card he was scanned, processed and sent on his way. I excitedly mentioned that this was my first time at the gym for a very long time, and I was sure they needed to take my picture for my new card.

It was then that I was told I wasn’t eligible to work out there. I thought- there must be some kind of mistake. I assured her I was a 15-year client that had never missed a single due- and furthermore was an all access member. This is when she went to get the General Manager.

This is when I was whisked over to the “desk” area- where I had been hard-sold on “Family Fitness” a.k.a. “24 hour Fitness” to pay my $250 initiation fee to become a member some 15 years ago. Which- by the way, is a lot of money for a poor student.

I’m also watching the clock tick away- my one-hour window of free time….my big day at the gym after 9 years…..while desperately trying to comprehend what was being said to me.

The general manager informed me, that unbeknownst to me, although your corporation had helped themselves to my piddly little dues every month for years- what I was paying you for had totally changed. Now, apparently you had added some extra words to the end of your business name- such as “Sports Facility” or Fitness Facility” that made these “all access locations” not accessible to me- a person who has paid month after month for the past 15 years. A person who felt as though they were a dream client- very appreciated. That all the while you were doing your automatic debit from my checking account, and could send me the up-dated card and guest passes- you could never send me any letter stating that these corporate changes had taken place. Never were these things disclosed to me so that I could weigh out whether or not I wanted to continue to pay every month for all of these years. Because believe me- I had considered it many, many times. And it is a huge slap in the face that for the very reason that I continued to pay- in the hopes that I would reach a point where I could begin going to the gym- was what I was restricted from.

I was then told that if I wanted to work out I would have to drive to Howe Ave in downtown Sacramento- which is a 45 minute drive for me each direction- because it didn’t have “group exercise and a pool”. You have got to be kidding.

I have my own pool-, which is ironic- as most people in Sacramento do and have never utilized any of the pools at your facilities anyway. But I used to be able to work out in a facility with a pool, and classes to choose from….even though I never used those services. I was informed that it depends on the square footage of the location now. Please explain why I care to hear that? Please explain to me why I have an all-access membership that doesn’t allow me to go to either of the two 24 hour fitness gyms 10 minutes from me- but that I would have to go to another city to use my all access membership? Please explain to me that although my brother-in-law who is signed up under me- and signed up at a gym where all able to work out at was allowed to work out on the membership I PAY for at this facility- but not me? The person who not only pays for his membership, but also signed him up, and has been a member for twice the amount of time he has? Please tell me why I have toted this membership card around in my wallet- sure to not lose it for all of these years?

So as I sat at the GM’s desk, I was told- of course- how I could work out at that facility. You guessed it- more money. I could pay another initiation fee- and have my monthly dues nearly double. And- not only that- but I would have to pay more per month now than my husband and brother-in-law. How can that be? Don’t you find that to be a little backwards?

I just want to use some Nautilus equipment and try a yoga class for Christ sake!

Please understand, that it was not about the money- and I am a very reasonable person. But this is just not right. I have been really taken advantage of by your corporation, as I feel many other people have. And something even funnier, is that I recently received an offer from your corporation for my employees that stated no initiation fee and $19 a month. This is better than what I- a 15year client, was offered today in your gym. So in reality- I have paid every month for all of these years for absolutely nothing. I could have canceled years ago- and then signed up without paying a dime and have a smaller monthly due than the option I was given today in order to up-grade to something I thought I already was.

I began to cry in front of the GM of your corporation, which is un-like me, but I was so shocked and upset that this could be happening. I then went to my car and sat there on your 800 number for a good 15 minutes until I finally gave up. I waited in my car for the remaining 30 minutes of my free time for the day- for my mooch of a brother-in-law to finish his wonderful workout at your facility. All the while pondering what a truly un-fair world this is.

You may be rolling your eyes right now- or even laughing……if I were in your shoes I may too. But know this- what you have done is not ok. I may be just an ordinary person out there in the working world- but if I feel passionate about something- nothing or no one will hold me back from doing whatever I can to contribute. This is not a threat of any kind- but more a plea. A plea that you correct this situation- or at the very least give me an explanation that makes sense.

Regards,

Darla Granger

I was a loyal employee of 24 hour fitness in houston, texas for a few years. When first graduating from college i got a position in sales at 24 hour and was astonished as to how money driven the company truly was. When I first started I had no sales experience, now I feel I could con any person into buying a piece of shit for $100. This company is exactly what's going wrong with america and it's corporations. This company has 8am conference calls every morning to light a fire under the ass of the managers for the day and to make sure that the # is hit. The only thing that is important to these people is "THE GROSS"!!!!! What is sad is that 24 hour will hire people who have been in prison, who have drug convictions, anyone they feel that will be the one guy or gal who can "GET THE GROSS". Some of the people that work there are truly into helping people, too bad they are the ones who don't last. The reason they don't last is because they are not the hungry closer, the "RHINO" as called in the business that can close a 80 year old granny in a wheel chair on a $3000 training membership and turn around and laugh as she walks out the door not knowing what the hell she just got herself into.

I know that many of the people that go into these health clubs get pissed off at the workers for the horrible treatment they receive, but I plead with you not to blame them. The only reason they treat people the way they do is because this is the way they see the district managers like (HARRY REO) conduct business. If you want to change the business there is one way and one way only. DO NOT GO. Find another gym surley there is an alternative close to you.

good thing I found this site... had just returned from a 24-hour place since I was interesting in joing. You are right about the binder and that stupid calculor of them.
Spent about 30 minutes there in the office and it was good thing that I didn't bring my checkbook and credit card. Heck! when I said that I will need to check with my wife and come back later, the guy actaully picked up his phone and had me call my wife at the moment! very pushy salesfolks. good think that my wife was not at her phone.
Anyway will spare you the glory details on what went on... but I went in becuase it is very near work and plus few of my collegues had signed up 3 years ago with $900 for 3 years and $8/month thereafter for lifetime! just got curious and had decided to stop by there today.
Too my surprised... everything I had read about this fitness center is very true... every word!
I am actually had made an appointment with Milpitas fitness center in Milpitas since I live in south fremont. I will see if that place can match what the rate/plan of these 24hrs pushy sales fitness center!
Here is what they can offer me! The guy said that the offer had actually expired last weekend! Don't you hate this sort of sales pitch. I hated it... why can't they just come out clean and not con or lie to potential customers. This is why I tend to support family owned and operated business!
$800 signup fee (refundable if cancel within 3 days) this include 4 sessions of useless training from.
$3.45 /month lifetime or until you quit!

I will see if the Milpitas fitness center can match this sort of plan... if they can, I may sign up with them in a heart beat!

Well... based on what I read here and from today's experience... I may just look somewhere
else and just hope that words get around and they will have to "re-think" how they do their business.

robert

This is the best website ever. I can't believe how dead on these descriptions of this company are. I have worked for 24 hour for a few years and I agree with (former rhino) above, the only thing that is of concern is the almighty $$$ !!!
The crazy thing is, I am currently in Harry Reo's district in Houston, Texas and it's not just him b/c I have worked in a few other districts and the atmosphere is the same no matter where you go in this company. I believe it is because the company is full of Harry Reos'. Grated this is the most obnoxious, egotistical piece of shit salesman I have ever had the displeasure of being associated with. The companies bottom line is driven by them. The best thing you can do is DO NOT COME IN THE DOOR!!!!!!!!!!!!
Because the simple fact of the matter is, if you do, someone like Harry Reo is going to close you and take a shit load of money from you. I am so glad that I am not in sales (thank god for personal training jobs) Do yourself a big favor go run in the park because these guys are snakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a similar experience going into the local 24 hr fitness where I printed the 10 free days off the website to try things out. The mandatory "tour" was given and then when they sat me down at the desk, I was told some incredible story about how I could not get 10 free trial days because it was three days from the end of the month and the computer systems "turn over" at the end of the month. This attempt to pressure customers into signing just plain turned me off as did all the other car salesman tone and pitch I had to go through (ie the multiple price structures and vanishing/reappearing pages) in that pricing binder. Unbelievable.

Being a former employee, i must agree with all of the posts on here...I will say that i was blessed with a Personal Training Manager,Jim Faulk, when i began my job as a certified personal trainer(this was for the Tomball Texas Location)...As a previous post stated about the "ones who care", Jim was definitely one of those people. I had a large clientele, made very good money(it was a different pay scale then...credentials, not amount of GROSS you made). Jim never pressured us into selling supplements or how much "Gross" we were making for the company for the day. Jim philosophy was to help the members achieve their fitness goals, whether they bought 1 session or 100 sessions. That was 3 yrs. ago, and i had quit long since then to go to school...I recently saw Jim working as a meager personal trainer for the company now(kurkendaul Location In Houston)...Out of respect, I didnt want to approach him, for i knew that his ways of managing did not agree with the company's money-hungry ways, since he was demoted to the lowest common denominator...There are some good people there at 24, but dont bet on getting one...sad but true....DJIICE30

I am so fed up with 24HF I am ready to go to the BBB. I've tried to have the manager call me, but they will not return my calls. I tried calling the office in Carlsbad, and I get put on hold for too long. Please do not get a membership at 24HF. They are awful. I firt got my membership at the 24 HF on Kapiolani in Hawaii. I was at the time a traveling nurse and was having to find gym memberships in every city I went, then cancelling them. So I stopped into the fitness club to find out about their memberships. The sales guy convinced me to get the prepaid 3 year contract so I could go to any 24HF club. I told Tony, the salesman, I actually live in Fort Worth, TX and there is a Q Fitness club their and I know 24 HF just bought out the Q's. I asked if I could work out at that club. He said absolutely I can work out there. So I lived in Hawaii for the next year, then came back home. I went to the gym and they said I could not work out at the Fort Worth club because they were a "super-sport". I had to pay an extra $200 to work out at their club. I was really upset I was told I could work out their, but decided not to fight it and pay the $200. I thought $200 was still a good deal for the remaining 2 years. A year passes by and they said I owe $200. I was confused and spoke to a membership representative. He said that $200 was only for one year, even though I was led to believe it was for the remaining two year contract I had left. I said I would not pay them any more money. He said fine, then you will have to pay $15.00 to work out here everytime or go to the Arlington club, which was not a super-sport and also a 30 minute drive. I said fine. I got a membership at the YMCA. So then I was visiting Hawaii and decided to use my membership since I still had several months left from my prepaid three year contract. When I gave them my memebership card, they informed me my membership was cancelled. Without my knowledge my prepaid-three-year-membership was cancelled. They said when I decided to upgrade the membership, it cancelled the other membership. No one ever told me this. I am just sick with what to do. I think I deserve a refund for the remaining year my memebership was cancelled without my knowledge. I have been mislead and promised things from the beginning by this company which were all lies. I hope I can convince at least one person not to get a membership at 24HF. If anyone has any suggestions for my next step, please let me know.

After recenting re-joining 24 Hour Fitness (after a 3 year absence), my wife and I got ripped off again (within 24 hours of rejoining) when the club in Santa Clarita, California, refused to exchange (not refund, exhange) a defective music workout CD they were selling. They outright refused to exchange the CD even though I had the reciept.

My wife and I exercised our 3-DAY NOTICE rights and cancelled our new membership immediately. Rather than call themselves 24 Hour Fitness, maybe they should change the name to 24 Hour Rip-Off. I not only sent letters to the BBB and the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, I also send a letter to the California Attorney General's office in Sacramento:

April 18, 2004

The Honorable Bill Lockyer, Attorney General
California Department of Justice
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550

Re: 24 Hour Fitness

Dear Attorney General Lockyer:

At first glance, it may seem like an over reaction for my wife and I to cancel our gym memberships simply because 24 Hour Fitness refused to exchange a defective music CD we purchased from them for $10.80. But this isn’t the first time I’ve felt ripped off by the 24 Hour Fitness club located at 18645 Via Princessa, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.

Several years ago, my wife and I each pre-paid for 3-year memberships at this same 24 Hour Fitness facility. We also each prepaid for an individual Trainer for an initial period of time. Before 2/3rds of the Trainer sessions had been complete, my wife’s Trainer stopped showing up and wouldn’t return calls. When we complained to 24 Hour Fitness, they told us that the Trainers were independent contractors, not employees, and there was nothing they could do. They did not refund, credit or prorate the unused Trainer sessions and they did not offer my wife another Trainer to complete the remaining prepaid sessions, so we stopped going to 24 Hour Fitness and wasted our 3-year memberships.

Recently my doctor told me I needed to lose weight and exercise. Since last year, I have lost 42 pounds and my wife has lost 37 pounds. This past Saturday (April 17) we decided to give 24 Hour Fitness another chance since their facility is closest to our home and the most convenient. We went to the facility and spoke to Fitness Counselor Angie Diaz. We explained how we felt we had been “ripped off” by our previous 24 Hour Fitness experience, and she expressed regret and promised that things were different now. So after much hesitation, my wife and I both agreed to re-join. Before leaving that day, I noticed they were selling a 24 Hour Fitness compilation music CD for $12. Ms. Diaz let us know that new members could get a 10% discount on all merchandise for the first 30 days, so I purchased the CD for $10.80 (+ 89 cents CA sales tax).

While listening to the CD a short while later, we discovered that it was defective – distorted sound and skipping after track 5. So the next morning, at approximately 9 AM, I returned the CD and asked for an exchange. Not a refund. Just a simple exchange. I had the original receipt (copy attached) which clearly states: “Purchases can be exchanged up to 30 days of purchase when accompanied by receipt.” 24 Hour Fitness refused to exchange the CD. The desk clerk, Susan, said only the manager could exchange merchandise and said he would be in during normal business hours at 9 AM on Monday. I said I would not be in during normal business hours because I work 30 miles away in Hollywood. I asked her to call the Manager to authorize the exchange. She

refused. By now I was upset, so I said if she didn’t exchange the CD, my wife and I would both cancel our new memberships under our 3-Day Notice to cancel rights and 24 Hour Fitness would lose two memberships worth over $900.00. She responded: “Go ahead and cancel.”

We did cancel our memberships, despite the fact that 24 Hour Fitness makes it extremely difficult to satisfy the 3-Day Notice requirements by requiring that the notice be sent to a P.O. Box in Carlsbad, California. They do not provide a Fax number or a physical delivery address for Telegrams, FedEx, door-to-door couriers or any other means of quick delivery. The only option is depending on the U.S. Postal Service to deliver the notice. Perhaps the State should require companies to provide full disclosure of their corporate information, including a physical address, a telephone number and a fax number to satisfy the 3-Day Notice requirements.

In any event, my wife and I believe 24 Hour Fitness should be investigated for refusing to exchange defective merchandise. I still have not received a replacement for the defective CD they sold me.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Terrible customer service. They did not even try to make adjustment to please their members. I signed for the club on 12/31/02 and cancelled my membership 1/19/04. They said that my membership date agreement was the 25th - meaning I didn't give them 10 days notice (according to them). Hey! I signed the agreement on 31th!! and yet they charge me my monthly charge after I gave them 12 days before my montly cycle (31th)??

Beware you guys. Don't get trapped by being a member. They treated members badly. They just want you to join the club to get your money!

I purchased a prepaid lifetime membership in 1999, which was good for 3 years and then would only be 8.95 a month for life. When I went to to the Tomball club here in Houston, they informaed me that I did not have the upgrade and could not work out at their Super sport facility only the regular 24 hr. fitness locations. I was also told that soon all would be upgraed facilities so I would have to pay more. I called the member services "hotline" to be told that at the time of purchase I only bought the base membership which was ($600.00). I was told it was good for ALL clubs world wide when I bought it. In reading over my contract (which I kept) they marked Non-prmier instead of premier . I was unaware there was a difference because at the time, these other types of clubs did not exist and I never really read the membership type, since I had told the salesmen that I traveled year around, I figured that was all I needed. They now want a $50.00 enrollment fee and an extra 15 / month for life.

Lying, cheating money hungry bastards. Has this happened to anyone else? Let me know.
Mark

I'm a 24 Hour Fitness Group Exercise instructor and although the club I work for isn't quite as bad as what I've read above, I totally agree. I am an educated fitness professional and have been working in this field for over 10 years. I became a certified personal trainer 3 years ago and would not train at 24 hour fitness no matter what you paid me because I do not believe in their "one size fits all" approach to personal training nor do I agree with other practices such as pushing supplements, which IS NOT within our scope of practice. I there only because its the only decent sized gym with child care where I live. I love the members and I love my classes but HATE the corporate bullshit. For those of you who have not choice but to join, 24 Hour Fitness employees receive membership coupons every couple of months to give to friends and family. It's actually a great deal; $24/month and NO enrollment. If you can get ahold of one of these, do it!! I often don't have anyone to give them to since most people I know already workout there.

Wow, I am very happy to see that I'm not the only one who's been screwed by 24 Hour Fitness. I was beginning to feel so stupid for trusting them to cancel my membership and refund the money they continued to cancel my credit card. It's been 6 months and 6 requests so far. Here's hoping it comes through one day!

By the way, if anyone reads these postings and thinks, "Aw, shucks. That may be true for some people, but I'm sure the 24 Hour Fitness next to my house is okay." I have just one piece of advice. Do NOT give them authorization to automatically bill your credit card or debit your checking account. I don't think that's even an option though.

24 Hr Gyms are bad, just bad... Support you local "small" gym, they're hard to find, but the knowledge and results are waay better.

Houston

I recently went to a twenty four hour fitness gym. Hey, did you guys know that they actually SELL your name to third parties? Yep. If you read the fine print, it clearly says that your information (everything you give them) will be voluntarily sold by them to whoever the hell wants it. They care nothing about you - not a damn thing.

So here's how it started. I went in to find out about membership pricing. They gave me the form, were extremely pushy and insistant that I fill out the damn thing and take the tour. So I did and I'm really sorry I did. I saw their facility which was DISGUSTING to say the least as well as their locker rooms. I almost wanted to vomit. However, since I'm a nice guy by nature, I said they were nice.

So we go back into their office. The first guy tries to sell me into buying his stupid contract where I have to put down $800. I said no. He cut it down to 400 bucks. Still I said no, and repeatedly told him how I just wanted to see the memebership price. He didn't listen. The damn freak had his eyes twisted (some kind of birth defect). He was so pushy. I kept refusing and he just got angrier and angrier. He even pulled out his damn notebook. When he left, he brought in these two big black dudes, as if they were making sure that I didn't leave.

This isn't how you run a business, that's MOB mentality!!!! When the salesman came back in, they pulled my chair and corned me. He brought in three different managers who looked so angry. They crowded all over me and wanted nothing but money. When I got pissed off and started yelling back and screaming, the manager played a fucking guilt trip by asking me, "why did I come to their facility to waste his time and his employee's time? He's not in the business to waste time."

Isn't that the biggest crock of shit you ever heard??

My answer: You fucking twisted eyed prick, get another fucking job. If I'm not going to buy it, then I'm not going to buy it. Fuck you and your damn place.

I spat on their floor and stood up to get out of their facility.

He then signaled his friends to let me leave, and they obeyed. As I left the establishment, the managers were yelling at me and being SO rude.

24 hour fitness sold me nothing except an experience I never want anyone to go through EVER.

Oh for those of you wondering, this was in DALLAS, TEXAS. Stay the hell away! Bally's is NO Different!! Stay away!!! RUN, don't walk, RUN!!!!

Corrupt, selfish, greedy, immoral, pushy and dickless people are NOBODY I wish to do business with.

We should move 24 hour fitness and Bally's to Iraq and just bomb the HELL out of them! Stop the war on people, let's go after spineless corporations who treat their people worse than cockroaches!!!

They're definitely about selling supplements. They could be top quality, but it's hard to accept their statements completely at face value when they sell them, and at VERY high markups. Apex has a website and stupidly let me browse over to wholesale pricing without logging in.

http://wholesale.apexfitness.com/cgi-bin/apexwholesale.cgi

Most of the retail prices are triple cost, with some double.

For ALL of those who are fed up with 24 Hr. Fitness and all their corrupt employees, PLEASE start seeking legal counsel or public venues for your specific complaints.

I am not an attorney, but as someone with friends in the legal field, I have been reminded that 24 Hr. Fitness will not change their corrupt ways until people start taking action - whether through legal or public venues (i.e., broadcasting, radio, TV, news, etc.).

Until 24 Hr. Fitness suffers a financial loss or a public battle, they will continue to disregard all of your concerns. Apply action to your words and force 24 Hr. Fitness to listen!

Well, here is my 24hr horror story. I've been a "valued', lol, member since 2002. I joined through my wife, who worked out there, and I didn't know any better, as I moved to San Diego from Canada. When I joined on her plan, I paid 150 to start, plus 22 a month. Well, now my wife is my ex wife, so of course, I need to remove myself from her plan and get my own. I go to work out tonight, and after my workout stop by and talk to a sales guy, and tell the situation, and am prepared to give him a voided check to start withdrawing the 22 bucks a month from my account as me and my ex's dues had both been being withdrawn from her account. Boy, was I in for a surprise. I am told that I need to get my own membership, which is going to be 200(or around there) for an enrollment fee, 79 for a processing fee, and 39 a month now instead of 22. Are you kidding me, enrollment fee????? I allready paid an enrollment fee, and besides, I am not enrolling in anything, I am allready a member. Processing fee???? That's a good one, what is to process I ask, I allready have a card, paperwork, etc etc. And, of course, inflation, or so the sales guy told me anyways, is what caused my monthly dues to go from 22 to 39 a month. Well, after laughing at him, I asked him to get serious about this, or they would be losing a customer. He looked at me with a confused look, so I explained to him that I was not going to pay any enrollment fee or processing fee, and that I would pay no more than 30 a month to use their facility. He just ignored me, and told me that I could have 3 years for 800. Again I laughed, and asked him to listen to me, which again, he didn't do. He then told me he would cut the enrollment fee in half because I was a current member. What a nice guy, allthough again, I told him politely that I was not going to pay any fees. He continued to ignore me, and just closed me again and again, saying that it was summer and everybody wants to workout. etc etc etc. I just got up and left, as it was getting to be too much to take. I've just about had it with 24 hour, but I will go in one more time, on Monday, and again offer them my 30 dollars a month to work out there. If not, I'll take my money somewhere else. So, now that that is off my chest, anybody have any good ideas as to where to work out in San Diego, preferably in Pacific Beach.

You guys are going to want to kill me for this, but - so far, I've had no bad experiences with the 24h here in Oceanside, CA or Carlsbad, CA.
It might have to do with my only going late at night and on the weekends, when sales dorks aren't around. It might have to do with being near their corporate headquarters.
At the Carlsbad one, I know they run cleaning folks every night around 2am, because... uh, I'm there when they're cleaning.
There's rust on the free weights, but I'm current on my tetanus shots and I haven't gone into the bathroom. Beyond that, I haven't seen any filth at the two 24h locations I hit.
I've also never once had someone try and push a supplement on me, either. It might be because the sales guys are already gone - or I might be in shape enough that they figure I wouldn't be easily dissatisfied and guilted into supplements.

I am a former 24 hour fitness personal trainer. I know what you are all talking about. The sales people are all sleezeballs and will screw you over any chance they get. Alot of the trainers are the same, but some of them are good. The front desk people are cool and when they tell you that they dont know, they really dont because 24 has not trained these people properly. They are trying to make the trainers into second chance sales people. That is why I left and because they kept telling me to sell there supplements and I kept telling them they were crap and it is my personal duty to inform people of true fitness not of corporate supplement sales quotes. There customer service sucks. There managment are pieces of crap. They are only modivated by there monthly sales goals. I hate them with every breath in my body.

24 Hour Fitness has robbed me as well. I have been a lifetime member for YEARS!!! Belonging to 1 site only, Costa Mesa. I work in Fashion Island in Newport Beach. A sales person at the Fashion Island location kept telling me he'd find me a deal so I could go to NB. I thought it might be nice if I could work out during lunch since it was 100 feet away. An additional cost of $19 per month to use the Newport Beach facilities wasn't too bad, because I knew I could cancel this month-to-month service, a special he got me. At the same time, knowing I would keep the Costa Mesa membership since it is $60 per year always! The lifetime membership renews every June at which time I pay the whole year up front. The rep, Jerry Davis, knew I intended to keep my Costa Mesa membership as I expressly told him exactly that. After just a 2 or 3 months, I decided I did not want the added expense of the Newport Membership and didn't like working out at lunch and having to put back on my work clothes afterwards. Too much hassle to get ready for work TWICE in one day! So I told them I wanted to cancel that Newport membership. The jerks cancelled out my lifetime membership. Not only that, I found out that they did it when they started my Newport membership. They did this without my permission or instruction. Not only that, they did not notify me in any way shape or form. When June 04 rolled around and I did not get my renewal form in the mail, I went to Costa Mesa in person. I was told I wasn't allowed 2 memberships (like that assbite company would ever turn down extra money)and that was why it was cancelled. I'm working with both locations now and if I have to sue them I will. At the very least they owe me the full years dues cuz Costa Mesa was cancelled in June 2003 by them. I'm getting the aforementioned shrugs, "see what I can do's", as if these people are powerless. The Member Services dept said, "we are not responsible for things verbally told to members by our reps". God, what are they responsible for? Anything?

There is someone who is in charge handing down these dictates, so there is clearly someone who can be gone to in upper eschelon. Which, I swear I will not give up until I get to them. I have tenaciously looked up information in various places and the websites and phone calls are paying off. The CA Secretary of state posts for public access LLC and Corporation information. While I believe the address listed there is an outdated one, using it in other various lookup sites at delivered me the following information. Feel free to use it. There is a Employee Services Access number 800-600-2007, which is where I got someone to tell me the name of the 24 Hour Fitness President, Brian Bouma. I also located an address on the internet that matched the Corporation filing, which is 24 Hour Fitness, 1647 Alcosta Blvd., Suite 500, San Ramon. If that helps anyone. All corporations must have an address where they can be served with legal documents. There's a phone number, but no one ever seems to answer it. 925-242-1424. I will update this as I progress with this battle. What a nightmare. I may very well stand in front of their place of business with a nasty sign warning of their disceptive and corrupt business practices. It's a high traffic site that should make them very uncomfortable.

I use to be an employee of 24 Hour Fitness. I read the above comments and have to agree with all of them. 24 Hour Fitness runs their opperation just like a HMO...quanity not quality.

They force all of their employees to "force feed" their products down the members throats. Mangement sets up quota's for each employee to meet and, needless to say, if you fail to meet your quota, your job is placed in jeapody.

24 Hour Fitness is one of the (if not the) worst, when it comes to paying for quality people. They rather lose a good instructor than pay current market value. By this "penny wise but dollar foolish" approach, they are short changing the members. If the members complain, the complaints fall on deaf ears. Management's approach is, 'the members will wine for about a week, then they will stop.' After that, 24 Hours will replace the good instructor with a far inferior one.

As a former employee, I would not recommend joining or signing up for a membership with 24 Hour Fitness. This recommendation is not based on spite or vendictiveness, it is based on an honest appraisel of the organization as a whole.

24 hour fitness is a private business.What do you expect of course they want money.Who else is going to pay for the club and equipment.AND IN ANY BUSINESS THERE ARE GOOD AND NOT SO GOOD EMPLOYEES.stop whining.

Sucker me signed up for a 3 years membership. Yesterday when I went swimming, I saw a big sign at the door "Last day: Sign up family member for $24/year". I asked if they were still running that promotion. The front-desk lady said "No, the promotion has changed. But we have other great promotions. You will have to talk to the sales rep for that."

No, thanks. Those guys are worse than used-car salesmen.

If anyone has the address for the 24 Hour corporate headquarters please e-mail it to me.
Thanks

I had the worst gym experience ever. I joined the West Seattle gym in Wa. I've been working out on my own for 30 to 45 min/day. I took them up on the "free assessment".

The man took me to the front of the gym, where the scale is located. He rolled his eyes the whole time that he took my measurements. He got pissed because I wouldn't lift up my shirt so he could pinch my damn fat in front of the whole gym.

Then he took me to his desk and told me that I was basically fat and the gym is not going to be enough. He informed me that I eat to much. No shit!

lol, here I thought I was proud of myself for coming into the gym in the first place. He finally reamed me so much, I was in tears. I told him that his customer service was horrible. He wasn't concerned. I walked to the front desk in tears and told them to cancel my membership and they asked my "why" and tried to give me the "don't cancel your membership speech" while I stood there like an tearing asshole.

Big girls....do not join these 24 hour fitness clubs. You'll walk in a beautiful, vivacious, big girl...and walk out feeling like a fat cow grazing on chud.

Everybody SHUT UP!!!!! We got your money now suck it up and quit complaining. We have an expression here at 24 hour... GROSS IS KING!!! Translation: All we care about is your money, not your weight, size, shape,,,,,, MONEY!!!!! So instead of wasting your time here, bring in some of your family and friends so we can close them too! GROSS IS KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The person who left the comment above has a very sad life. How can the slime at 24 Hour fitness not look at themselves in the mirror everyday and not wish that their mothers would have just aborted them and mercifully spared the world of people that go around saying "GROSS IS KING!!"

That is what your life has lead up to. Gross is King? Whatever dude, good luck with the rest of your sad, sad life.

I have my horror story, but reading this has been much more theraputic than writting about it.

All I can say is, for everyone thinking of joining, you get what you pay for, and so much less.

Golds is more expensive, but its so worth it. They are really that much better, I've had memberships at both places. 24 Hour is cheeper for a reason; they suck donkey dick and they have no intention at all of changing, no matter how much you whine. That and they are banking that you'll continue to give them money if they annoy you enough.

When weighing the price, you have to ask yourself how much value you put in a well trained, polite staff, how much value you put in never having to deal with people like the idiot above and how much value you put in liking your gym enough to actually want to go to it and work out.

As for me, there are about five deseases I'd rather have than give them another red cent, all of which I'll probably aquire anyway by continuing to work out in their filthy club.

I'd love to see every 24 Hour Fitness in flames, but unfortunately its not really 24 Hour that is the problem - its 1) People like the moron above who are recruited and infest the place (and the world) like a virus and 2) People that are easily persuaded by price and pushy sales tactics keeping them in business. If 24 Hour didn't exist, another one would just pop up as long as their are sleasy people like this guy and gulible or just overly optomistic people (obvioulsly like me at one point).

You just gotta open that door, walk in and yell; "I'M MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!"

I think the post you were referring too is merely a parody of the typical 24-hour fitness employee. It's not meant to be taken seriously.

I have had a terrible experience with 24 Hour Fitness and refuse to ever join their gym again. After purchasing a 3 year contract which included some worthless training for about $900 at a "regular" gym in Houston, TX, I decided to "upgrade" to the All Sport Membership about a year and a half into my membership because I had moved to Sugar Land and they had recently converted the Q Sports Clubs to 24 Hour Fitness. Plus, at the time I was travelling for work a lot and thought the convenience of having gyms to work out in while travelling would be nice. (By the way, as a side note, they don't have any affiliate gyms on the East coast).

Well, little did I know that the sales people at the former Q Club (now 24 Hour Super Sport Club) would not know the upgrade prices for their own clubs! I went in and spoke with a sales person who gave me a price which I was told would upgrade me for the remainder of my contract to all clubs. So I paid them $150 and left thinking...great! Two months later I start getting calls from people at their "Corporate" office regarding my membership. I never called them back because I figured they were just trying to sell me something else. Then one day, I am in my local Super Sport club trying to check in and the person at the desk tells me there is a problem with my membership. So I get taken to the "desk" and am informed that I was given the "wrong" price and if I wanted to keep my all club membership I was going to have to pay an additional $100 for the remainder of my contract. Like an idiot I paid it.

Fast forward to the end of my 3 year contract. I get TWO membership renewals in the mail. One for a price of $109 for a year and another for a price of $197 for a year. So I take them both into my Super Sport location and ask the guy which price is good for this location? He proceeds to tell me that "this happens all the time" and that the $109 price is valid and that will allow me access to all clubs. So again, I pay it and go home thinking everything is fine and AGAIN, about 6 weeks go by and I start getting calls from "Corporate" about my membership. (I am amazed that you don't have to deal with "Corporate" when you are initially joining but afterwards it seems they are GODS when it comes to pricing). At this time, I am told that the $109 was only for my regular gym membership renewal, NOT the ALL SPORT membership. If I want to continue with that... (you guessed it)... I was going to have to pay an additional $197. I said no thank you and promptly left, fuming. This happened after the jerk off sales guy at the SUPER SPORT had told me that the $109 would cover my All Club Membership.

I am letting my basic membership run down and will NOT be renewing with these jerks ever! I cannot stand being blatantly lied to about pricing. If their sales dorks can't even know the prices then what good are they?

I will be investigating Bally's here in Houston as well as Larry North Fitness which just opened in downtown Houston near my office and maybe some smaller gyms. I like the convenience of 24 hours a day to work out, but the bullcrap is just not worth it. I will make do with regular gym hours.

Heather

Happy 4th. Show your Independance by seperating yourself from 24hr ,if you are unhappy, like we did to those other opressor's O so long ago. Like the other comments only you can make the difference. The best way to make things happen is to go to a different club of your choice. But remember there will be issues where-ever you go. Take your hard earned $s to a small location or franchies. As a former longtime employee(not sales) I have seen the good and the bad from both employees and members and yes "Gross is King". Also though not all employees live by this moto. Some actualy care about you, your concerns and their facilities. Mostly the ones that have nothing to do with sales. The best way to make your voice heard is to quit or not join. Or to make changes, is e-mail your concern to 24hr and on 'mode of reply' make sure to put phone, they have to call you back. To be honest though you are going to need more voices. 24hr has hundreds of thousands of members but this site has less than 100. It's a start but there is a long way to go before we can put a chink let alone cut the main artery to 24hr/Corporate America. To all the hard working Maintenance Techs who do the best they can with the BS they are forced to work with, best of luck, will miss working with you all and to all the MAS's, Good Luck, Good Times and watch your back "He" lies to your face. P.S. 02's picnic will always be the BEST!!! HAPPY 4th

If the airports ran their security as well as 24 hour fitness, 9/11 never would've happened! Oh yeah, I forgot though, a Fitness Bureaucracy is probably 'necessary and proper' in this modern day.

So back to the airport. Do you like feeling like a nothing, getting padded down because some impassionate assholes from some screwed country decided to crash some planes? No. But let me tell you, you could sneak Osama Bin Laden himself through an airport onto a plane faster than you could sneak him into 24 Hour Fitness.

My best friend of several years comes up for my graduation a month ago, around the middle of June. We decide to workout together...after all, we played hockey together, sports at the same middle school...and hell, he just flew all the way from AZ, so might as well get rid of some jet lag.

So, I foolishly assume that my guest pass will allow him to enter the facility. But wait...wasn't I forgetting something? Oh yeah...he's under 18, so parental consent is necessary...so we have his dad sign a piece of paper and fax it over, as well as provide his phone number, drivers license, etc. 24 hour can't fool me, I'm prepared. Oh yeah, the joke is on me though. I, in all my ignorance, actually thought that with a signed waiver, proof of identity, a guest pass, and a back-up $15 for a guest charge that he would actually get into the gym.

Desk Monkey: "His father needs to be present to sign the waiver"

Me: "But he already signed it, here it is, you can call him if you want"

Desk Monkey: "He must be here...I'm sorry, those are the rules"

Me (feeling as though 2 years old speaking with my mother): "He flew over from AZ for my graduation, that's not exactly possible"

Desk Monkey: "Then his entrance to the gym is not exactly possible, either"

Me: "Wow"

I've never given a herd of bulls ex-lax, but this incident by far is more bullshit. Not to mention the other policies they enforce. I could run away from home, underage, go workout in some gym I've never been to before, without parental consent, and they'd let me in. So long as I had a member card. But no, if you don't 'meet the requirements', you are F-U-C-K-E-D!

Desk Monkey: "Have a good day, sir"

Yeah, real nice fuckin day. Thanks bro.

Three months ago, we updated our 24 hour membership at La Mirada, CA. At the time, we were told that it would cost $5 more per month, which we agreed to do. Prior to this we had our dues being taken out of our checking account, $9 for my wife and $15 for myself. Upon doing the update, we had the new contract amounts deducted from a credit card, $14 for my wife and $20 for myself. We were told that the old contract would be terminated and those payments would stop. The next month, the payments continued and we informed the gym (La Mirada, CA) about it. They said they would check on it. The next month, it happened again, we brought down bank statements and credit cards and a written explanation. Again, told that they would check on it and let us know. No response. The third month, nothing has changed. I have now gone to the bank and had them cancel the $9 and $15 charges. I then went to the gym to tell them again about the problems. The bald headed man who was working on this referred me to another lady up front. At this time, I was told that the $14 and $20 amounts are in addition to the $9 and $15, which is not correct. I went to complain again to the bald headed man who seems to run the place. He was on the phone with his wife so I hung up the phone on him and told him we needed to get this staightened out. He became very angry and I could see he could become very violent, so I left. I wrote corporate telling them I plan on taking them to court. They then terminated me from going to any 24 hour fitness club. They are the worst, now considering Bally's.

Today I went to 24 hours fitness with a coupon for 2 weeks free or $19.99 deal.
When I asked about the 2 week free deal, I was automatically given the Standard “Bait and Switch” sales technique that’s often used by less than honest sales reps. Of course I did not accept any of their varied pricing schemes.

The thing that concerns me the most is their “payment strategy” the dreaded EFT – Electronic Funds Transfer scheme. They do not accept as payment Legal Tender(cash) issued by the authorizing power of the U.S. government via the Treasury. The 24 hour fitness stores also will not accept -checks- on an ongoing basis.
If I had the money or the time I would file a lawsuit concerning the former, that is I venture to make an educated guess that any Corporation doing business in the United States “must” accept Cash as a form of payment.

I refused to even consider using an EFT as a form of payment with any corporation let alone a minor outfit like 24 Hour Fitness. 24 Hour Fitness only uses EFTs for one reason and one reason only, that is to have a more DIRECT control over your MONEY. Yes people, if you allow them, they can now reach into what should be your PRIVATE Domain and secure for themselves funds that you might or might NOT owe them. As has been demonstrated by the various posts. 24-Hour Fitness takes in money quite easily and gives it out with difficulty if at all.

After reading “all” the Posts, I think that someone should file a Class Action Law suit against this chain, for fraudulent practices, larceny, lying, and an illegal payment scheme(my opinion).

Someone here wrote that all Businesses and Corporations try to make a “profit”. My response: The Profit motivation is an integral part of Capitalism. Profit, Innovation and Continuation are honorable pursuits in a highly Capitalistic Democracy such as ours. However when earning a profit comes at the expense and detriment of other human beings, the environment(plants and animals) and whole ecological systems, then we as guardians of our small world, must take collective action to either disband the Corporate entity , force it to change, or replace it with a responsible and just corporate entity.

Tarrelle: Seattle Washington

The 24-hour fitness in San Mateo sucks! First of all, it's more of a social scene, where people seem to enjoy sitting on the benches and machines, but fail to actually use them. Second, the place is filthy. Third, there is a gross man who works behind the front desk in the mornings. He is always asleep and is typically snoring loudly and drooling on himself. In addition, the man's hygiene is questionable. Fourth, NONE of the weights are EVER re-racked! This gym is very amateur in this regard. The weights that do exist are thrown about, and many of the weights seem to be missing, particularly 2.5-lb & 5-lb free weights.

This past year, I went to the gym to re-new my membership, and while the cashier was ringing me up, another employee snuck up behind the cashier and pulled his gym sweats down to the his knees. As this unfolded, a group of employees who were congregated at the counter began to laugh hysterically over the fact that their fellow employee was "pants-ed" in front of a customer.

hi another 24 hour complaint...i work out at the 24 hour fitness in daly city for about 3 years now. this is by far the crappiest gym of them all. the bathrooms are the dirtiest ive ever seen..and the customer service is appalling. all the workers are little no-brain young people that think they know everything about fitness. the snooty girls at the front desk make you feel unwelcome when you come in to get your membership card scanned. and the trainers are all dogs that just use thier job to get at girls.i had a trainer that did not help me out one bit, i did not get a meal plan and it was months of cancellations and stress just trying to set up appointments with him. daly city has the most attitude i have ever experienced, the only thing that keeps me there and dealing with the drama are the classes and instructors. other than that
if you want to feel like unwelcome crap at a gym go to daly city 24 hour fitness.

So I started working at 24hour fitness in Castro Valley California. I loved it, it was 1999 then and the company wasn't as big as it was now. The trainers were happy I was happy, sales was a little more honest, and we were a big family. The members were awsome, and i was friends with most of them. Now this picture perfect view of the company quickly dissolved. I decided i wanted to become a trainer and actually help people. WOW was I MISLEAD! I studied hard, and became a trainer. I did my best to help them. And for the most part I did! I wanted to reach more people, and Castro Valley wasn't big enough for me. So I transferred to a bigger club. VAN NESS In San francisco. I was a trainer there and had ONE client!! WHy? i woudn't push supplements. It wasn't about helping people anymore. I thought well, mabey if i can't train them the wasy I want, then i could try and be a sales counsoler, except a honest one. So I transferred to the Marina club, and became a Sales rep there. MY GOD!!! I really started to relize what this company was about! I didn't want to stay, they were sooooo shady in the things they were asking me to do. I decided to become a Front Desk Manager and at least make sure that the front desk could help them as much as i could. So I transferred to North Point (still in San Francisco). I tryed my hardest to become a manager. But since i didn't have money on my mind enough i didn't get promoted. I stayed with the company from my 18th birthday, I'm 21. I still work there, but as a graveyard attendant in Arizona. I came over here to go to school, so it's the only job i could get that would allow me to study. But I totally agree! 24hour fitness isn't out for fitness, they used to be at one time, but greed got to them. There would be nothing happier for me than to see this company go down somehow. Listen to what people are suggesting on this site, and support your local gym. A single gym owner has an idea of fitness that they want to share with the community, for the most part they are honest, and would love to see results in people that are using his gym. Local buisnesses guys! Corporate greed is ruining the gym experiance.

Where is the Carlsbad 24 hour Fitness Center located?

I am a 24 Hour Fitness employee. I agree with a lot of what has been said here. The fitness counselors will milk you for all you've got. But just to clear a few things up.

Guest passes: you must be 18 years of age or older, unless you have a parent WITH you, working out. Must live 25 miles within the club (because if you don't... obviously you aren't interested in joining.) And it must be your first time being a guest or a member. Must be between the time of 8 am to 9 pm.

Cancellations: You must cancel 10 days prior to your bill date, because that is how long it takes corporate or whoever to get their stuff together. We will not refund you, because all this is clearly stated on the paper you sign when cancelling.

Other problems: All we can do is submit a request to corporate, even the operations manager (the highest level of club management) cannot make these changes, only submit requests. We DO infact have the numbers to corporate and whoever won't give you their number is obviously an idiot. We have numbers for everything, every club, every person.

Anywho. I've read a lot of these comments and I laugh at how incredibly true they are. I am a current employee, and I just want to let you all know that half of what you are ranting about is not under our control. If the numbers don't get met, people get fired. Member issues get delt with on a higher level than our club. Most of the staff at my location, including myself try to be as friendly as possible, but then again the position (front desk) doesn't demand selling (as much) as others.

Don't be afraid to stop by, but don't think I won't politely tell you that.. rules are rules.

BALLY's was the problem for me- I went for a year, then cancelled. A year laterm they sent me a promo- $100 for a full year if I paid in full. Well, the credit card payment on line didn't go through properly, but they didn't notice until a few months later. By then, they said "the offers run out- if you want to stay that'll be $400. Oh, and by the way our computer says you owe us 800 bucks for the last year..." the year I had canceled. The employee knew it was wrong, but it took her hours to get through to corporate dick-wad headquarters to straighten it out. They all passed the buck.

I used to work out at a place in Beaverton OR called Tito's gym. If you had a problem, you talked to Tito.

Go see the movie "The Corporation." It will explain a lot to all of you who have ever worked for or been screwed by Bally's and 24 Hr. Corporate Fitness sucks, period.

Also, ALL OF YOU need to complain to the BBB. It does make a difference, but only if enough people complain.

Hi. 3 1/2 years ago I got a part time job at 24 Hour Fitness. Shortly after I realized what a wonderful environment it was. I started working out there and making friends. Its now years later and I am an Operations manager of a 24 Hour Fitness in Oregon. I am very passionate about fitness and the company I work for. I care about the member, employees and my number one priority is customer care. I too go into different establishments and receive poor service but the larger picture is that that is one person not the company. We do have policies and procedures to follow and I am proud that the employees take pride in them and enforce rules. I guess the disappointment for me is that when a member signs up for a membership they receive an agreement, policies and a large new member checklist stateing our policies as well as guest procedures, so why are people okay when they join but not once they have to follow them. We have had many success stories with our programs we provide and the convenience of 24 Hours with hundreds of locations. I personally am glad I have seen this website so I can make sure my staff is aware of how one bad day and service without being genuine can out a very bad taste in ones mouth. I only hope one day you can bring yourselves to come to one of our clubs and see how much we have improved and how passionate we are not about selling but getting results.

24 hour fitness has only one goal in mind, sales. The above comment is from someone who is trying very hard to buy into the ideas of the company. The reason people make mistakes regarding the rules is that there are so many put into place, all benifiting the club. Example, A guest pass is valid for local residiences only with proof of address. Why? Because if you dont live in the area you are not an immediate potential member. It doesnt matter that you just spent $900 on a 3-year membership 2 weeks ago and now your brother is visiting you from out of town for a day. Another thing I find interesting is that when enrolling everything can be done at the club level. Why is it that once your allready a member, all problems need to be handled at the corporate office. Its good to hear that there are a few good employees at 24 hour, but the problem is you have a small handful of good employees working for a corrupt corporation. These so-called managers have no authority at all. they are micro-managed to ensure that all of the systems put into place are being used. Systems that all have one thing in common, no its not trying to get the members results, its getting more and more and more new members, than maximizing the amount of money you can suck out of them on useless products like overpriced supplements and unnecessary personal training sessions. By the way to the operations manager who made the above comments. I wonder how many months you can go without hitting your supplement,
and other line item goals and still have a job?

The problem with 24 hour fitness is that people are promoted based on how much "GROSS" they can write in a month.this is one of the reasons the customer service is so bad. Its not uncommon to see General Managers in theyre late teens early twenties. Why? Because they can GROSS!
If you can sell an eighty year old man a pre-paid membership with 60 sessions of personal training and a complete line of supplements you are the man! Unfortunately thats what gets you promoted. The new guys emulate the manager and the cycle perpetuates. This now becomes the culture. I for one chose to seperate myself from that type of enviorment. One of the great things about America is its diverisity. For every 24 hour fitness location there are several alternatives. Theres nothing wrong with a company making a profit, but when making a profit superseeds service its time to go somewhere else. Pointing people to this web-site wouldnt hurt either.

Nick H

Hey guys,
The other day Magic Johnson's 24 hour fitness made me the following offer:
$630 pre-paid for three years.
after that $20/year for life time.
Is there anything I should be aware of here. The gym is walking distance from my house and that's why it's of great interest to me. Any thoughts?

Is the guy who wrote the above comment for real? Is there anything to be aware of???? We have a whole page of horror stories here and this guys only concern seems to be whether or not he's getting a good deal. This is exactly the type of person that 24 hour fitness targets. Uneducated people that have no standards of quality or service and base theyre decision solely on price.
This is why the clientele is so bad. The gym is full of people like this guy. People who shop at Pic n save dont care about service and quality, they only want something cheap. I bet this guy only eats at cheap fast food resturants and wears cheap clothes too.

tragedy @24 hours fitness youngman collapsed die no cpr machine bad attitude of staff

Wowww, you're definitely showing me how educated you are by making judgemental comments like the one you did. Nothing wrong with people who shop at Pic-N-Save and eat at cheap fast foods... are you for real???????? What planet do you live on man???
Listen, I have heard horror stories about other gyms as well. As an example, check out this site:
http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=Forum&report=Topic&TopicID=0074&firstrecord=0&finalrecord=14

What I'm saying is, you can find horror stories about any service oriented establishment out there!!!!!!!!!!

Certainly there may be horror stories about every business, but take it from me, 24 hours is particularly bad in comparison with other gyms. I've looked at several gyms, and been a member of a few, and most are straightforward. 24 hour fitness is not, and as you can see from the above comments, especially from those who worked there, customer service is not high on their priority list.

Being in the gym businees for over 30 years- this column seems very funny to me for all thee complaints. I have managed a golds gym, a LA fitness, and a 24 (retired now). Every gym has their plusses and minuses- What gets me is that, GUESS WAHT, they are all bussinesses. BIG SURPISE. I can guarantee you that from all these posts that all you people work for, their are hundreds of people who complain about who you work for. The best one is that------om my god----people get promoted for how much they----gulp---sell. NO CAN'T BE!!!! A Burger King manager gets promoted on how much they sell, how about starbucks, or almost every other business out there. The one good thing I can say about 24 hour is they REQUIRE all trainers to have either a degree or NASM certification. Theyre are alot of paranoid pople on this website- just go to a gym, take your time, find the best membership and thats it. If you buy a TV and 2 months later its a little cheaper or goes on sale, do you guys get crazy. Probably not. This is your health and fitness you are talking about. Stop bitching beacuse theyre are THOUSANDS upon thousands of other people from all these gyms that love these facilities.

Heres my final thought- I did sell memberships, and I did try to sell the most- but guess what- whether you paid $100 or $700 when I slept at night I know one thing, I helped SAVE your life. Lack of activity is the #1 KILLER in the US. If it was $1000 to join and $150 a month, everyone should have a membership somewhere. We drivve 30,000 cars, spend $100 a month at Starbucks, by 7 "value" meals, but bitch about 30-40 a motnh in memberships dues. Seem a little strange to anyone?????? Spend less time posting and more time working out and you will be alot happier and have less to complain about.

Working out may make you live longer, but than again it may not. I think it would be safer to say that working out may improve your quality of life. Every corporation trys to rationalize theyre product by brainwashing its employees into believing they're saving or changing lives. I dont think the people here are complaining about the 40 monthly dues, but the service you get for that.I agree that other corporations promote soley on sales,(like starbucks, burger king ect)
and all of these are large corporations whose number one goal is to be the most profitable in theyre piticular catagorie. (However I would be surprised to find out that starbucks promoted its entry level employees based on how many cups of coffie they personally sold) It seems like most of the people here feel that the customer service at 24 hour fitness has taken a back seat to sales. 24 hour has thousands of complaints logged with the BBB, and because of that they have an unsatisfactory record. I think that todays customer is much smarter and less tolerant than cunsomers of the past. 24 hour is either looking to make a fast buck (10 year run and sell) or they will be forced to change in order to keep they're existing member and refferal base. That being said if customer service is not important to you mabey 24 hour is the right gym for you, I still would be leary of purchasing a long term contract for the reason stated above.
Mike former member

Interesting post, but I don't buy it. Selling is important, and there's nothing bad about it, but dishonest selling is (see above examples). High pressure sales is as well. I haven't experienced ANY high-pressure sales at Gold's, nor at New York Sports Club. So far, only 24 Hour Fitness.

Also, I have not experienced the level of customer hostility that exists at 24 Hour Fitness anywhere else. No where else I know of has announcements interrupting your workout about fitness supplements.

Working out is important, but we have a choice about where. Making informed decisions is what capitalism is all about, no?

Andrew, I think that I meshed bad customer service with high pressure sales. In other words because of the mic-announcments every 15 minutes, guest passes handed to you every time you leave the gym, promotional flyers advertising this months "special" plastered all over the walls, telemarketing rooms that look like they're straight out of the "Boiler Room" Trainers and sales counselors using agressive sales tactics, even interrupting people on the workout floor, and lets not forget the famous "closeout special" that is supposed to be the end of all ends to the current promo, but seems to pop up every two weeks. My point is that these types of sales systems create the 24 hour culture/service. You would think that because their sales culture is so bad they would ballance it with honest employees, that go above and beyond to make sure that you have a good experience there.(like Starbucks) Unfortunatly what you get is a double negative, bad sales systems, bad dishonest employees, ie; bad customer service. One final point that I find intresting. If you ever visit the 24 hour Super Sporting club (formerly lakeshore towers) in southern cal. (one of only 2 or three) You will see a different set of rules in effect there. No flyers on the wall, no mic announcments, and no guest passes handed out. Than again the demographic makeup is an upper echleon corporate crowd who would not tollerate the simple car sales attitude at one of their regular locations. Overall I think were on the same page.

Mike

Mike, my comment above was directed at Roger, not you. Sorry for the confusion.

I actually agree with some of your comments, closeouts are certainly every 2 weeks. lots of flyers. However some stuff has changed, as in no more mic announcements are allowed at the gym since in a customer service survey, it was showen to be very anooying. There is an element of high pressure sales involved at some, but not ALL of the 24 hour fitness's is. The one point I disagree with is dishonets selling. Specials come and go, that is not dishonesty. If I buy milk for $2.50 today, and you get it for $2.25 tommorow, oh well. 24 hour employees, and theyre are a few that have responded who can attest to this, DO NOT get paid if they sell a membership that is under the standard rate. I.E. if the membership is $30 a month, and I give it to you for $25, I actually would have,. no bull, got $0 for the sell. However by the same token, if I over charge someone $40 on a $30 membership, I only get the comm for the $30, and the GM gets no credit for the sale on his override report. Its called Return to Club, and it stops barganing in the gyms. Heres the problem- people want to feel like they are getting a deal, so SOME counselors will make up a higher rate, than make you feel like you got a great deal- Funny thing is thet great deal was the original price, and had you agreed to the first inflated price, he/she would have come back and said "oh I made a mistake, it's $30 not $40"- again because they can't overcharge. That causes all of society to feel like its used car sale.
Also, do not take this to be rude, but my degree is in Exercise Science and working out does in fact lead to a longer, healthier life.
By the way, you are %100 correct about your thoughts on the Ultra Sport club, where I still work out today.
I guess it comes down to the GM- my clubs always hit goal, and I never once had a complaint, of course I staffed my so called "sales positions", with people educated in fitness instead of salesman. What good is sales if I couldn't "adjust" prices. But educating people on the benefits of health and fitness came in handy. The truth of the matter is once in a while we did push hard for the sale. When someone comes in and says their doctor told them they need to lose 50 pounds or they will die, and the look you in the face and say- "I'm no sure I am going to use it, $30 a month seems a little much" and you see a Mercedes key chain, a Tag Huer watch, and a heartattack in front of you, damn straight I am going to push to get this guy a membership. One of my clients took 7 months of calling to get in the gym. Thing was, he never told me to stop calling, and if he had, I would have. He actually thanked me for staying on his ass. Every club is different granted.
Last thing- I was thaught this- every negative experience. people tell 10 people. Every positive, people tell one. I had people come up and sit at my desk every day and tell me how wonderful my gym was, emails sent to corp about how profeesional my Front Desk staff was, and trainers with Degrees taking 30-60 pounds of people, rehabbing 70 year old gentlemen, etc. Problem is, those stories don't get told. For example, there is a website, WALMARTSUCKS.com. where everyone complains about Walmart. I've never had a bad experience there, nor anyone I know, but that site is packed with comments. It's always the negative stuff that will come out, get people screaming and yelling, and the sad thing is, EVERY company has it. believe me, theyre are more than 1 person who has been blown out of NY sports club (where I am orginally from by the way), and told all the friends how much they hated it. They don't have over 300 clubs, 24 hour fitness does. 1 complaint a day at 300 clubs versus 1 complaint a day at only a
couple clubs- OF COURSE there are more complaints in the BBB. Go figure.
My suggestion, all the clubs are the same. Go try all the clubs in your area out and see which gets you a better vibe. I had people leave the Golds Gym right next door to me all the time beacuse they hated it(it was less than a mile from my 24). I became friends with the GM there and we used to talk about that stuff all the time. SO you had a good experience theyre, these people had a bad one. Again it is a numbers game, more customer =more complaints no matter what business you are in, that can't be argued with.
Anyway, thanks for your time. Even though I may disagree with some of the comments or the tone of some of the post, a few of you like Mike have valid points.

I was lied to at 24-hour fitness in Vancouver Washington, on Tech street. They lied to me about membership and double charged me, refused to provide refund when a letter was presented to them for cancellation and refund on the 2nd day of a 3-day cancellation period. Did not provide me with a printed receipt for sales purchases.

The General manager, fitness manager, and the operations manager all lied to me and ganged up on me all at once.

Do not join this gym for membership.

Amy

google search: bally's lawsuit to join in the class-action lawsuits against bally's for your state. New York has already won money.

Please note as well that there is an on-going class action suit against Bally’s in eight different states including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa and Massachusetts. Please note that on February 16th of this year, The New York Department of Law issued a press release saying that Consumer complaints about Bally’s “deceptive ads and high pressure sales tactics” have led to reforms on the part of Bally’s. Please note that on April 14, 1994 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a press release stating Bally’s fine of $120,000 in civil penalties “regarding the health clubs’ billing, cancellation, refund, and debt-collection practices. Please also note that on February 18, 1999 the FTC issued $300,000 in civil penalties to collection agencies, specifically Perimeter Credit, L.L.C., because while attempting to collect delinquent accounts, which they had purchased from Bally’s, they “harassed consumers, made false and misleading representations, failed to send required validation notices, failed to verify debts when requested to do so by consumers.” The FTC also requires a disclosure and a notice to be signed by the consumer that states the consumer’s rights and understanding of those rights.

LAWSUIT AGAINST 24-HOUR FITNESS
Attorney General Announces Health Club Sweep; Actions Taken Against Five Oregon Fitness Clubs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 13, 2000

Attorney General Hardy Myers today announced a health club sweep that found four Oregon fitness clubs failing to include a number of mandatory cancellation and refund provisions in their membership contracts.
"Tens of thousands of Oregonians have joined health clubs without being informed of their rights under the law," Myers said. "Consumers must be told of their obligations and refund rights under any health spa contract before agreeing to thousands of dollars in payments."

Department of Justice investigators first looked at the health spa industry last year after receiving complaints against some of the 24 HOUR FITNESS CLUBS that refused to give prospective members copies of membership contracts as required by Oregon law.

"Consumers have the right to request and take home a copy of any health club’s membership contract in order to review the terms carefully before deciding whether to join the club," Myers said.

Investigators found that 24 HOUR FITNESS was not complying with the Oregon health spa laws although it had promised compliance to the Courts in two separate settlement agreements filed in Marion County Court in December 1998 and in September 1999. Attorney General Myers filed a contempt lawsuit against 24 HOUR FITNESS in February 2000. The Courts approved a judgment in August 2000 finding 24 HOUR FITNESS in contempt of court.

Contract problems with 24 Hour Fitness triggered investigations of the other four fitness facilities with investigators finding non-compliance in their written contract disclosures.
Under the agreements, the four companies agree to revise their membership contracts to conform to Oregon law and to each pay $3,000 to the Consumer Protection and Education Fund. The companies also agree to send amended membership agreements to all current members.

Oregon’s Health Spa law requires the following provisions to be included in health club membership contracts:

Consumers may cancel their health spa contracts for any reason and receive full refunds if they write the business by midnight of the third business day after signing the contract. At anytime during the contract term, a consumer may cancel: 1) If the buyer dies or becomes physically unable to use a substantial portion of those health spa services used by the buyer from the date of the contract until the time of disability;

2) If the health spa goes out of business;

3) If the health spa moves its facility closest to the residence of the buyer on the date of the contract to a location more than five additional miles from that residence;

4) If a facility, construction or improvement is not completed by the date represented in the contract;

5) If the health spa materially changes the health spa services promised as part of the initial contract;

When consumers cancel for any of the five reasons listed in the contract, the health club must provide a refund based on the calculation of dividing the contract price by the number of weeks in the contract term and multiplying the result by the number of weeks remaining in the contract term. Consumers are reminded that the Oregon Health Spa law applies to tanning salons and any business whose intended purpose is to assist consumers with physical exercise, weight control or figure development.

Additional consumer information is available by calling the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at (503) 378-4320 (Salem area only), (503) 229-5576 (Portland area only) or toll-free at 1-877-877-9392 or online at www.doj.state.or.us.

24 HR SUCKS!!! PLAIN AND SIMPLE. DON'T GO. HEAD FOR YOUR NEAREST MOM AND POP GYM AND DON'T LOOK BACK. BY THE WAY FUCK HARRY REO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my son died at 24 hours fitness with no help and untrained staff giving cpr and no AED EQUIPMENT TO SAVE HIM AMAZING THEY WANTB UR MONEY BUT GIVE DAM FOR MEMBERS SAFETY LIFE TODAY MY YOUNG KIND LOVING SON WHO WENT TO THE GYM CAME BACK DEAD THEY NEVER INFORM US OF HIS DEATH FOR 3 DAYS TOOK HIS WALLET AND DID NOT CALL 911 IN TIME TO PROTECT THIER MONEY MAKING SCAMS AND AVOID IT TO THE EXTINCT MY SON GAVE HIS LAST BREATH I AM A WIDOW MOTHER MY SON WAS MY FUTURE MY LIFE AS MOTHER I SAY SAVE UR FAMILY LOVEONCE AS I AM BEN VICTOM OF CRUELTY BY THE GYM MY SON DEATH IS WORST EVER THEY DID GOD HELP ME

I have been to many gyms in my lifetime including Gold's. Personally Golds was the only one that was clean and took care of the equipment. I just resigned up for another membership at 24 hr fitness for $830 for 1yr and 2 yrs free with guaranteed $20 a year for life. I don't particularly like 24 hr fitness but its the only gym in my town. From my experience all gym's try to rip you off. I expect it and guard myself against it. Do not expect them to help you if you have a problem. Try and make sure you don't have a problem. Read the contracts carefully and make sure the contract says in writing what you agreed on. If the gym is that discusting call the health department anonymously and have them inspect the facility. Maybe they will get busted and forced to clean it. Also don't prepay for memberships too far in advance as many gyms go out of business or move locations and you will be screwed. No refunds ever!!!In my case I expect to pay about $30 a month at a gym period. If I go to 24 hr fitness for 3 yrs then my cost is $23 a month which is acceptable to me. I don't need trainers or extras just weights and cardio machines. I agree that they suck but all the gyms I went to in the last 17 yrs sucked too.

Bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch...

Good God I've never seen so many whiners in my life....I can't speak for all 330+ clubs, but the one in my area is by far the best equiped, cleanest and best run facility in town...For Christ sake, we give away free passes to people to let them try the club for themselves with the possiblitly that they may choose to join in the future....It ain't a freebie, it's a promotion....Get it??????? If you're from out of town, you have the same chance of screwing Jennifer Lopez as you do of joining, so why should we give away free passes to non locals??????? It's a business, and in order to run a business it has to be run....oh yeah....PROFITABLY!!!!!!

AS for the tour--yeah....You walk into a 40,000 square foot, split level facility--you probably need a fucking tour.......If I don't show you around, I'll get a question like: "Where's the locker room" within 3 minutes and have to give the fucker a tour anyway...So why not get it over with???????

As for the memberships.......3 years prepaid at $23 / month and $20 / year for life........That clear enough????? Where's the bullshit sales double speak in that line??????????? How about a simple month to month at a $208 one time fee and $38.99 / month....That too fucking confusing??????? Don't believe me??? Go to www.24hourfitness.com and look it up...

As for sales pressure and techniques, for fuckes sakes, you're all grown ups.......You don't want to hear the pitch, go back and sit on your couches and grab your cookie-dough ice cream you fat fucks......No one makes the decisions for you, you only hear a presentation...If you like the facility and the price is reasonable, buy the fucker...If not, get the fuck out and quit wasting everyone's time...

24 hour sales counselors (yes, I called them sales councelor--this is a sales organization...period) are very well-trained and know the public is a lazy bunch of assholes who would rather talk themselves out of a gym membership than committing to...ughhhh....exercise.....They know that the typical "I want to think about it" crowd has a 93% probablitly of never ever coming back in and actually joining, so they have to do whatever it takes to ink the deal today or the time they have spent with this idiot procrastinator has been completely wasted....If John Q Public weren't such a lazy ass, the sales counselors wouldn't have to be so pushy.......

I suppose it shows that I'm an employee of 24 HR....Lol....I'm a top-ranked councelor in my area and enjoy the job.....The people I have signed up love me and I take care of their problems that comes up to the best of my abilities...(many of whom have come from our local Gold's or several other competing clubs in the area).....

I'm under tremendous pressure each day to produce to the best of my abilities or else......Go to a copier company and ask a salesperson there similar questions and you'll get the same fucking mindset that I have to have everyday I go to work......Sales is sales no matter where you go......

Welcome to capitalism in the Good ole U.S of A........Now learn to live with it and shut the fuck up.....Idiots.......

Wow you convinced me, can I join now?

It's a scam and they should be reported to the better business bureau. I went to the 24 hour fitness in Brea with a 10 day free coupon which I showed them at the front desk upon entering. They then made me endure the tour and a 1 hour "high pressure sales pitch" before they told me that they would not honor the coupon. As a result of this experience I will never join 24 hour fitness. If this is how an organization makes money (by creating ill-will) then we're in trouble. I encourage everyone to complain to the corporate headquarters.

Julie,

You failed to state whether you have used a pass before--been a member before--or live within a 25 mile radius of the club...Also, had the pass expired????? I write about 40 10-15 day passes a month for 24 hour....And if someone doesn't want a tour, I don't give one--but just about everyone is eager for me to give them a tour so they can find their way around......

Passes are a great way to get people involved and to eventually get them to join.....But they are not for folks that have a snow balls chance in hell of joining...That would simply be stupid....Pay the fricken fee....

Incidently...it's $10--not $15 as many on this site have insisted......Few things in life are free.....Wanting something for nothing within a viable business ain't one of them......

Also, to set another record straight...There are no 8 A.M. sales meetings every morning to "light a fire under our asses." LOL......Many of the councelors don't straggle in till noon...The manager starts his day at 9.....There is a once-a-week sales meeting--sue us!!!.......What other company involved in sales doesn't do the same??????

As for cleanliness--I absolutely cannot speak for all 300+ clubs, but mine is scoured nightly by an outside janitorial service.....It is one of the highlights on my "tour" and I acquire many members from other clubs who cannot take the filth from the other clubs in the area--Gold's being my best source of new members......Our club is absolutely pristine......

The people who work there don't have MBAs from Princeton, but they are far from the jerk asshole image that this site has conjured....Most work part time and are attending college and under 21....Pretty good reason for not being the people with all the answers to your petty little problems.....

If people are nice to me, I cut them the best deal the company has to offer.....If you're a prick dickhead, I will wax your ass and your wallet beyond anything you ever expected.....Perhaps most of the posters here are natural assholes and they had it comin'.......

Lot's of paranoia and disinformation on this site......Once again, you're all adults...You don't want a sales pitch, get up and leave...No one has shackled you to the chair.....

I welcome all comers and will dispell your myths one by one........

Sorry deeboll, we've dispelled your myths already. You really must not have experience at other gyms. They really aren't all like 24 Hour Fitness. Some (like all the Gold's Gyms I've been a member of, New York Sports Club) actually are nice and straightforward to their customers. You may think that you have to treat your customers like shit, but you really don't. Case in point: I can bring in a guest to Gold's every other Friday. No, they don't have to be recruitable. Plus, you want to try out the gym before you join? Sure, just go in, work out, and see what you think! No need for a tour or a $15 (yes, $15) fee, no hassles. Just respect for the customer or potential customer.

Jeez, deeboll, you didn't even get Julie's point: wouldn't a respectable business check the coupon before subjecting Julie to the tour and 1 hour sales ordeal?

Anyway, no need to spend a lot of time to refute your claims. No need to, deeboll, when your posts are such a good example of the typical 24 hour fitness employee that thinks nothing of their customers, and if the customers dare complain, they are "idiots", and probably are "natural assholes" who "had it comin'".

24 Hour Fitness is indeed a corpse full of overhyped sales experts, not fitness experts, whose goal is to get as much money as they can. What hypocrites, too. Example, 24hr: "you have to notify us ten days before the debit to stop it."
Us: "We did."
24hr:"No, it's ten business days."
Us: "But you just said you submitted it the 25th of Sept., that's a Saturday. Why is a weekend a "business" day for you but not a business day for Us!?"
Stay away if you can, if like us, it's the only choice in your town, either be prepared to get screwed or be willing to drive the extra mile to find a club that respects you as a person, not a receivable.

Roger is an idiot. I bet he's the manager at the Super Sport club in San Ramon, CA. Ok, here's my complaint....

Seven years ago I signed up for a lifetime membership for ALL clubs,....the contract didn't say only 'mini-clubs', only 'micro-clubs', only 'pro-clubs', it didn't say 'excluding Mega/Super/Utra Sports Clubs'(they didn't exist at the time) etc....it said ALL clubs. A year ago I went to the San Ramon sport club and had no problem, it was a Super Sport club. Just last night I went again, and was told that my membership did not include this club. I was pissed. When I spoke to the manager on duty, one of the many incompetent people that work for 24 Hour, I was told I had to upgrade. I told him that was BS, that my membership was to ALL clubs. He told me to speak to the General Manager (Roger) , who, of course, was not available. The next day I contacted 'Roger' and he informed me that he could order the contract and go over it with me, I told him that he knew that would take weeks to get and meantime I would not be able to work out there. I told him that was unacceptable. I asked for the Corporate Office address and phone number and he refused to give it to me.

I am seriously considering filing a class action suit against 24 hour Fitness. If you are interested in joining, or had a similar experience, please e-mail me. Thanks.

Mark

I don't have time to go into detail, but 24 hour fitness does suck - from their mediocre, dirty, never-kept-up, unventilated facilities, to there MORONIC staff, management, and ultimately, executives.

Hate 24 hour fittness read this link will make you laugh...

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1086706007829

I'm shopping for a gym membership and have several choices... was considering 24HF but not any more. Thanks for your posts - sounds like you saved me a lot of trouble.

honestly, i didn't have that much of a bad experience. i agree, the sales was a bit money-driven. i walked in and asked "how much does it cost?" and they gave me a form, followed by the tour, etc. one of the guys was a real jerk. he just dodged my question everytime i asked how much it costs. i started out asking about personal training, because i'm a pretty skinny guy and needed to gain weight.

but, you all have to admit that it's because they probably need to make that commission because they probably aren't paid much. i think if i asked the sales guy if he could afford $500/mo he'd probably dodge that too, but probably because he can't afford it. america is pretty cutthraot when it comes to business, and this gym is just another example. this is the twenty-first century, so you gotta expect and be aware of it. every body is just trying to get theirs. heck, you gotta admit that most of you above actually bought the plan, right? so they're pretty good sales people, right? now, i'm not saying their good/honest people, but good sales people. and they do whatever it takes to make a sell. it may be sleazy, but they're good at it, because most all of us bought into it.

two trainers also came to try to help out (to make me get started that day). the trainers were a bit more understanding. the price was initially 500/mo. when i said i couldn't afford it, the sales guy asked if my parents would pay for it, and he told me i should call my parents that moment and ask them to charge it to their credit cards. damn. that's a bit too much.

i kept saying the price was too high, and they kept lowering it. they finally got to the point where they brought out a sheet that i had to sign saying they did their best to sell me a membership, and i rated their performance. at that point all the employees were staring at me, like i'm wrong for not signing. then, when i was about to sign the sheet, the manager offered me $125/3mo (i wanted 3mo because i may move after that to another place), which i thought was good.

besides that, i found that the personal trainers are available for questions even if you don't/can't buy the personal training membership. and, there's this trainer there who agreed to help me if i need it, on weight lifting form and diet, etc. also, the place is pretty darn clean (it's in irvine, ca, right next to, if not on, the uci campus). my uncle had also joined 24 before, and he was pretty pleased with it; he had also joined bbb, and he says 24 is actually better. i think the front desk people are actually ok. yeah, they do still try to push their powders and everything, but i think i get targeted because i'm so thin. plus, i'm buying them anyway because i want to, not because i give a rat's ass what they say. i get most of my diet tips from an online forum of trainers/weight lifters. and, the trainer (at 24) who's agreed to help me out actually preferred i buy powder from a nutrition store across from 24, and he buys there too.

so, overall, if you haven't been there, don't buy into the hype they sell. negotiate if you can't afford it, and tell them to lower the price. they may offer you a great deal. i haven't been to gold's but this place is ok. the environment is not much 'family' (if it used to be family fitness, according to one lady's post above), but it's ok. just try it out. 45 min is not that much time to say you wasted on a tour, so give it a shot, you may actually like it.

Just to respond to the comment about "just look it up on line" it is $42.99 per month and $238 to join right now online in San Mateo. Of course tomorrow the price will change.

I have to agree with all the people complaining about 24 Hour and most gyms in general. I've been a member of Golds, 24 Hour Fitness, LA Fitness, and several other gyms. Golds by far treats their customers the best. After meeting with the sales staff at most gyms you feel like you need to go take a shower!

The thing EVERYONE hates is the multi-hundreds-of-dollars for "enrollment" and "processing." They have a fargin' computer! Even the cable TV monopolies don't charge as much for installation as 24 Hour Fitness charges to add your freakin name to their database.

The second thing everyone hates is being forced into long term committments. There is definitely room in the market for a gym to come along and NOT pay its staff on commission and NOT charge enrollment fees and NOT sell memberships that are long term contracts only.

I agree!! 24 Hour's customer service sucks! they have the most reude, unpolite, and unprofessional personal you have ever seen. I am cancelling my membership and moving somewhere else.....

I am just counting down the days until April when my Gawdawful contract will be over with and I can tell them to Go to He!! when they ask me to renew. :)

OK, me and my wife went and saw them on Holloween to look into joining, because it's the most conveniant place to work out for us.

They wouldn't let her have a trial pass because she told the truth about getting a day pass for a 24/7 sucky gym a million years ago. But I could, because I didn't. They said, if she lied about working out, they would have found out, because their computer data base would have told them (told them about some one who had a day pass, 5 years ago in a farm town far far away).

If that is the case then why the different processing fees? Since all their computers can track a person who gets a day pass, why is it 149 dollars more for a processing fee to get the delux package, then the only work out every other day deal.

The best thing about all of this is, I burnt alot of calories just getting frustrated with 24 hour fitness. And even more just trying to figure out their contracts.

Well, lot's of interesting comments. here's what I've experienced so far with 24hr Fitness in Tualatin, OR:

I recently got the 10 day pass, and there was no truoble with it. Yes, I had to take a tour of the club. It took about 3 minutes. The sales guy asked me some questions, printed my pass, and away I went to work out. He asked if I wanted to know what the pricing was. I told him no, and that I just wanted to see if it was a club I wanted to work out in. He told me it was no problem.

So, I've worked out there for a few days, and although there are some aspects of the club that I dislike very much such as the overly industrial design, the bubble-headed bleach-blondes working the front desk, and the lack of a decent calf machine, the rest of the club is light years ahead of anything else in the area as far as equipment is concerned.

Several friends from the Bally's I work out defected to this gyn when it opened, and now I see why. Case in point: I had a chance to speak with the Bally's distric manager last year when my club was undergoing some remodeling. He re-stated an old line I had been hearing at this club for many years- that they were going to be updating weights, machines, cardio equipment, etc. etc. Well, I've been working out there for the past six years and there's still nothing new.

So anyway, I spoke with the sales guy who issued me the pass and he explained all of the different options there were for payment and such. What the hell was so hard to understand about it??

I'm sure that there are many gyms out there with shady practices that make people indeed feel like they're being hustled by a used car salesman, but I haven't really experienced it here.

I agreeeeeeeeeeee! 24 hours fitness sucks. They won't tell you the rate schedule unless you spend time with the sales person in an office with the door closed. I saw TV advertisement "no enrollment fee" etc, then I called the 1-800 number on their website, the lady was rude and asked me to call the store. I visited the store with my friend. No one seems like to offer me the no-enrollment fee plan that was advertised on TV. Inside was dirty, and stink ~~~~~~~ my friend does not like to come back either.

Example of how 24 hour is dishonest. One month the company was offering a 0 enrollment membership $27 per month. My District Manager told me (who was a general manager at the time) to have all of my sales counselors "build in" a supplement kit that we normally sold for $50 and tell the customer that the enrollment is only $50 and $27 per month, and because they're joining today they get a free supplement kit. This is flat out stealing. Do not trust anyone , anytime at any 24 hour Fitness club!

Hey all-

I've worked for a 24 hour and I can tell you that yes, the salepeople are pushy and are trained to be that way. Their pay is commision based, if they don't sell enough memberships they get about 5 bucks an hour.

So, you need to be great with people, have a geniune interest in helping people get healthy, or be a pushy SOB. Now ask yourself, which type of person is most common?

It also comes down to customer knowledge. Fitness is big bucks, and if you want to play you need to do some research first. Clubs dont like to give out info over the phone because they do not consider "cheapest price" to be the determining factor when someone takes an interest in their own health, and niether should you!

I recommend you take the tour! See the place for yourself and then figure how many times a week you want to work out, and what equipment you will be using. If the facility is a dump, and over crowded during the only times you have available to work out (busy times are usually 5-8pm), and you will only makes it once or twice a month- don't bother to join a club!

We used to always get people who would come in, sign up, buy new workout gear, and never come back. They threw their money away. Don't be like them.

You should only be paying about 20-25 bucks a month for unlimited access. You will most likely have to pay the "new member processing fee", which is about 35-50 bucks depending on where you live.

My advice, is to tell the salesperson what you want and what you are willing to spend. Don't let them BS you. And yes, some actually do know quite a bit about getting fit. Put them to work for you.

At 24 Hour Fitness we pride ourselves with our mission statement: We hold ourselves to a higher standard, One that removes all moral codes of ethics and standards in order to ensure the highest sale possible from each and every unit that enters our facility. We promise to maximise every sale, knowing that we did everything humanly possible to draw as much money availibile from said unit. We than promise to disengage all futher communication/ assistance to said unit , unless there is a potential for a reffered additional unit or expanding services or products to said unit. And as always, We promise to promote from within, based solely on numbers. 24 Hour Fitness, its the way we make you feel.

well if you come to the 24hr on portero hill in sf, i'll treat you nice. sure it's g ym.. but remember.. it's mainly a business... meaning money. and they don't pay very well. i work @ the front desk and only do for the ppl who i work with. i swear they are great ppl once they are out of uniform. and remember.. if you don't like it you don't have to go. you DID come to them first. but eh... i did the 10 day pass, but kept comming for a month.. till i got a job there. i really don't care how you treat the trainers and sales really... @ least they get commition. but us poor front desk staff.. jesus. just smile for us PLEASE!!!!!

beka

p.s. haggling dosent work... they have no REAL controll over the monthly fees.. they dont get paid on that @ all.you get a better deal up front, and they will make more money.. win win huh?

You guys are pathetic! Don't come to my f***ng gym if you don't like it! Boo hoo hoo! You made me cry. Sheeeeeit.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Want to buy a membership?

<-- 24 hour employee

24 hour: Corporation
Golds: franchise
24 hour: Sales driven
Golds: NOT sales driven

If you like the facility then join. If not then get up and leave. Nobody is stoping you. If you are nice to the staff then they will be nice back, HOWEVER, we DO have to follow certin rules to be employed there. It is the corporation that has the problems. If you are going to be an ass to the staff, dont even bother coming in. It will make everyone's live easier.

Wow, I never realized there were so many bad experiences at 24-Hour Fitness. But, since we're sharing, here's my story (cue the blues guitar):

I went in last week...
to get a membership....
in a Sport-level....
24 Hour Fitness facility (I won't say which).

The salesman sat me down at one of the desks and proceeded to try to sell me a family plan. I told him I didn't have a family; I just want a good month-to-month rate. He came back with a bunch of different pitches (at one point he even tried to sell me protein powders. LOL.) I said I just want the basic package. I just want to work out! No frills.

He said $42/mo is the best he could do. I told him I want $24/mo, not $42.

He said that's absolutely not possible. So I told him that my buddy had an employee coupon he could give me that would entitle me to $24/month with $0 signup fees. So it was *entirely* possible.

But, because it's an hour out of my way to go pick up the coupon, I told them I'd be willing to pay them $100 for the enrollment/processing fee plus pre-pay for 6 months at $24 ($244 total), if they saved me the hassle of driving to get it.

He talked to his manager for a minute, then came back and said I would *have* to bring in that coupon. I said: ok, no problem dude. I got up and left.

I came back the next evening with the coupon in hand. The sales guy saw me and looked stunned! "Oh, you're back. Hi... uh... please... sit." The instant I went to sit down, his manager materialized out of nowhere and immediately grilled me as to why I didn't bring in the coupon before? He was irritated. Very irritated. I politely explained why (again.) Judging by his facial expressions, he wasn't happy.

He must have thought I was bullshitting when I came in the night before and offered them $244. So I felt a great sense of satisfaction when he was forced to give me an *even better* deal when I came back the next day: $0 fee / no-prepay / flat $24 month-to-month!

The funny thing is that I was more than willing to pay them the $100 fee plus prepay for 6 months, just to save me the hassle of driving to get the coupon, but noooooo.... he wanted to be greedy. He thought I was lying. He thought he was Mr. Slick. He was wrong. The rabbit outsmarted the fox.

My grin was the size of Texas when they handed me my membership paperwork. I shook his hand, walked into the locker room, changed, jumped in the pool, and took my victory lap :)

hey i recently got a membership (which i extremlely regret) and want to cancel. I called to cancel and they told me i had to come in, write a letter, or fax. Can anybody give me advise on how i should go about doing this, and if they have a cancellation fee. I can use all the help i can get thanx for opening my eyes and will be sure to let everyone i know to do the same and refer them to this site. FUCK 24 HR.

Fuck Sucker.
It is people like you that make the employees pissed off. Read your agreement. It states that you can 3 (business) day cancel your membership, after that you can cancel without any fees whenever you want to. However, with out 3 day canceling you do not get your money back.

Rabbit- The COMPANY requires that you pay 12 months in advance OR month to month. The sales person/General Manager did not make the rules.
So, paying for 6 months means nothing to them. If you have a problem than complain to the corporation.

Bill:
You missed the point. It was not about pre-paying. It was about a technicality. A technicality so they wouldn't have to honor the $24 month-to-month deal.

They insisted I go get that silly coupon. And when I did, the manager (whom I'd never met before) approached me and spoke indignantly.

So, with all due respect, I realize that you work (or worked) for them, but surely you must see that this is no way to treat people.

What if your mom came in to sign up? Would you try to sell her protein powders and other unnecessary things you know she'd never use? Would you sit and watch as your manager mistreated her?

24 Hour Fitness takes advantage of people... as a matter of policy. That's just reality. You may think it's acceptable; but most people wouldn't agree.

Was thinking of getting back into working out as it's been a while, so spent some valuable time (which I want returned to me) going through the now famous convolution known as "24 hour fitness Tomfoolery" yes. Shoulda known. But didn't.
Tried to vent my frustration and send corporate an email, but can't find it... i suppose they have learned to keep their contact info very private, since they MUST have gotten other similar, as this:

******

My dear 24 hour fitness,

You guys pulled a fast one on me and it was not very pleasant.
You lost a potential client and created a dissatisfied
contact who, not only will NOT recommend 24 hour, but will
dissuade others from your establishment.

I was going to join after a long intro sales pitch by your
employees.
And a lllloooonnngg tour through your magic potion department, which was really a hardsell episode. Came in to work out. Led through the supplement store instead. I hate having my time wasted. Then finally the tour through your facilities.
But first, I had to check out a few other gyms in the
area. So, I did. Then I decided 24 hour may possibly work for me, as it was located a mile from home..
So I call and ask what is needed to join based on what we heard, just to confirm. They told me what amount of cash. I said that's the minimum and then I can be working out then?
The answer; Yes.

So I bring in the cash.
But NOOOOOO.... The whole format changed and not only did you guys NOT want to take my cash and sign up another client, you wanted me to sign up under a whole other plan. It's the old bait and switch. And, you wanted to ruin the goodwill of another client that came in with me by telling him he must be billed for MY membership.
I NEVER thought I would see the day when a health club would NOT sign up a prospect when they are warm for it, at that moment, willing to join for at least a year, with MONEY in hand. Why do you want to send customers away to your competitors?!
Yes, that is what you are actively involved in now. Chasing away prospects.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Corporate mentality will sink you all.

Have a GREAT day.

Hey everyone... I actually work for 24 hour fitness... Now i COMPLETLY understand where everyone is coming off from with their memberships. Like I said I work for 24 hour fitness... I am there 1-800 cancellation number. I am in Wisconin, but thats just where the cancellation desk is located. If anyone wants me to hook them up with a great REDUCTION OF THEIR MONTHLY PAYMENT and a lot of free things, please feel free to give me a call from Monday-Friday 10-7pm Central Time. ASK FOR PAM. I will do everything in my power to hook you guys up with great D-E-A-L-S. The number is 1-877-277-9787. CALL ME I WILL HELP YOU

Let me get this straight. First someone makes a mistake and actually joins 24 hour. in the process they are lied to and theyre membership is messed up. then the corp office makes billing mistakes and overcharges you, but Pamela who works 2500 miles away for a company that is more than likely subbed-out by 24 hour is going to "hook you up with free stuff". Why not just join a smaller club that wont create all these problems in the first place? And Pamela, you are so clueless you dont even know you are clueless.

Come on. We're dealing with a fitness company. Not real bright. It's not like they work there part time while getting their degree in physics or something. They really don't have much gray matter. They are going to be assholes.

How do you think 24 hour remains the largest health club chain in the nation? Of course they're in it for the money, that's why they can dominate the market.

All you people need to get your fat asses away from your computer chair, stop bitching and do something about it!! Fine if you don't like 24 Hour, don't go there, chances are they don't want you there because you were one of those lazy assholes who wasted every employees time trying to find something that worked for you.

You are all pathetic people who don't know how a successful business is run.

Sarah, why do you assume that just because people are expressing theyre oppions they are fat lazy assholes? Dont be so brainwashed by the company and think that just because 24 hour didnt meet my needs I was wasting theyre time. Im sure many of the people on this site are in great shape, as there are other places to workout than 24 hour fitness. I do agree that 24 hour is successful as a corporation from a financial standpoint. Unfortunately this only benifits the upper echelons, which you are most likely not a part of. From a service and image standpoint I would agrue that 24 hour is clearly unsucessful. your own statements represent the mentallity at 24 hour. money = success. If you are a low level employee or middle management I would be truely suprised if you believe that you have reached the heights of success by working there. A truely successful company will be financially sound, with brand equity (something 24 hour has failed to capture) and low employee turnover rate. (something else 24 hour has failed to master) Your limited ideas of what makes a successful company are the only thing pathetic. Ben

What sucks the most about this stupid gym....is WHY IS THE MUSIC SO FUCKING LOUD.....I DO NOT WANT TO WORK OUT TO YOUR IDEA OF MUSIC....WHICH IS STUPID CRIMINAL RAP SHIT OK! ANOTHER THING: I DON'T WANT TO WATCH TV WHILE IM AT THE GYM..I WATCH A COUPLE HOURS A DAY AT HOME....JESUS MAN.....TVS ARE NOW EVERYWHERE AT THE GYM....CAN'T I GET A BREAK FROM THEM FOR AN HOUR?

JOHN

wow, glad I checked this sight out while looking up information on a good gym. websights cannot give you a firm qoute on their plans...whatever. I would suggest each one of you copy & paste your complaint to the BBB (Better Business Bureau), it will only take you five minutes, and get these nutcases on their toes. That's what I had to do with SPRINT. good look to you all and thanks again
kiwi

I think believe 24 Hour is engaging in outright unethical business practices, by making "mistakes" that essentialy amounts to stealing money from your credit card account. Here's my complaint to the Better Business Bureau about 24 Hour Fitness:

I signed up for one month ($10) of the VIP Pass on 8/2. I cancelled it one week later, since I had only wanted it for one month. I am completely certain that I cancelled the VIP Pass one week after 8/2.

24 Hour continued to charge my father's credit card for the VIP Pass on 9/27 and 10/25, two months after I had cancelled the VIP Pass.

I called 24 Hour central office today, 12/28. They informed me that their records show I had cancelled on 9/28. Again, I can assert without a doubt that I had cancelled a week after 8/2. However, ordinary citizens do not keep written records of their phone calls for cancellations. Therefore, I unforunately do not have a written record of the phone call I had made a week after 8/2.

It is a mystery to me how 24 Hour could have made the mistake of recording a call made around 8/9 as a called made on 9/28. I suspect they may make this "mistake" on a regular basis with their customers. The amount is small (I only lost $20) and they may figure that most customers will either not notice the extra $10 or not care enough about losing such a small amount to do anything about it. I am filing this complaint because I find 24 Hour's practices unjust and unethical, and would like to see their practices improved.

THANKS HUGELY for this great site!! I was looking to join a club to try and get back into shape and called 24 Hour Fitness to get some membership pricing (I had previously been with Ballys which I loved but I moved and there isn't a Ballys here.) Long story short, the salesperson refused to quote me any prices and asked my to come in for the "tour". I said that would be fine and set up a time to come in the next day. I was still curious about membership prices so I started searching the web for info from previous members and LO and BEHOLD I found this site. After reading part way through the posts, I decided that 24 Hour Fitness was probably not worth the head ache so I called and cancelled my appointment. I then called a locally run gym and the person I talked to was so nice and answered all my questions with no hesitation that I went down and signed up with them. I have a really great feeling about this place. It was very clean and obviously well run. Goodbye 24 Hour Fitness, I hardly knew thee (and I'm very grateful for that lol.)

Peace Tony :)

If I can just save ONE person from making the same mistake I did, it will all have been worth it! Good choice Violet!!

All of you are crybabys..WAHHHHHHHHHH....Me, i'm an arrogant AGM at a boomin 24 SPORT club in ORANGE COUNTY, CA. I admit im a money hungry closer but I get the job done and gross 20k+ a month. You're the fat ass that went to workout. You're the fat ass that knows results don't happen over night. So realize it's a long term thing when it comes to committment and a membership.. All of you are soft and vulnerable when it comes to money. Understand it's a business and when you walk into a health club, there are fees to use the equipment. Do you fockin go into ROBINSONS MAY to bargain and whine about why the prices aren't right for you?? Nope. All of you fat slobs need to stop crying and get into any gym, regardless if it be 24 or not and start caring for your health, your future, your unhealthy weight. 24 hr fitness is a premier company with premier clubs, if you can't afford it then we don't want your business. I will close you before you even start filling out the GFP, suckas....

The above poster is precisely the reason why I won't be renewing my membership at 24 Hour Fitness. It is this attitude that turns me off. Anyway, Jacka$$, If I go to May/Robinsons (Foleys here in Houston), the PRICES ARE CLEARLY MARKED ON THE MERCHANDISE so that I know what I am paying for what I am getting. Not so at 24 Hour Fitness. Your prices are not listed ANYWHERE except in a secretive notebook that only the employees have access to. Now that is just plain WRONG.

I can't speak for anyone else here but myself: I've no problem with a business trying to be profitable. What I take issue with is their cut-throat, high-pressure sales atmosphere. It's designed with the implicit purpose of taking advantage of as many people as possible.

Does it accomplish its goal? Obviously.

Does it breed sales jackals like our friend "The Closer"? Unfortunately, yes.

Sales reps like him are an inevitable side-effect of an unwholesome atmosphere of unreasonable demands placed upon them by their managers** to meet or exceed sales quotas.

That said, I am fortunate that I was able to find a coupon that gave me month-to-month Sport all-club access for only $24/mo. It goes to show that even in this crazy place, you can get an awesome deal IF you play your cards right.

** who in turn are pressured by their regional managers, who in turn are pressured by headquarters.

does anyone have a spare employee friends invite coupon?

my ex girlfriend joined a 24hr fitness a few years back with the all access membership. she asked the sales guy if she was able to change to a single club if she changed her mind in the future because she was still deciding on which location to join. the sales guy said "yes". unfortunitly the sales guy failed to mention that my ex had to quit her all access membership and rejoined with a single membership and had to pay the outrageous enrollment fee and processing fee again! that's total bullshit so needlessly to say, she quit going there :)

I have a complaint about another gym, and I agree with the complaints about 24 Hour Fitness. I think all gyms are a rip off!

The gym is called San Diego Workout and they allow an even bigger rip off of a company called Pro Body Fitness to sell personal training at their locations. San Diego Workout is called Fitness 4 Life in other areas.

I have not been able to prove it just yet, but I believe they describe the membership to you, hand you a contract with a brief verbal description of what you are signing only to find out later, that they continue to take money from your check account (EFT) according to "the contract". The verbal conversations never match the contract wording.

alright now, my turn- coming from an employee who seems to have heard it all in my five or so years with this walmart/microsoft/24hr-shitless corpo crap until i've come across all this- this damn company has tried so hard to sweep its problems under the rug and now in their process to "retool" with a new playbook and players who will do whatever it takes to "change lives", they do seem to forget about us poor pissants who attempt to sell our product of health with integrity- and what kind of high level people in this company say "sell the solution to their goal and deliver" when it all comes down to making the 'numbers' and that gross is king...this damn company is well aware with its business model that the 90% of those that don't come into these gyms (or should i really label our place 'a fitness resource') is because of FEAR- obviously i'd be upset too if i was going down the line of 'get the guest pass, take a tour, heres all our different memberships so that you're even more confused as to why again u came in thru the door, and now get your free orientation if yer even offered, and choose when in the first place ya just wanted to know the price...If you don't like our product or how i'm offering it to you, then why did u stay there the whole time? the process of the drawn out membership scheme is obviously one of two things- either to get you suckered into something bécause you've never invested in your health in the first place or simply the fact that we've given you all that time to re-evaluate why you want to work out in the first place. all these rants, not getting a straight answer, its all cause-and-effect. That sales counselor or manager f$%k'd you all over because they kept all their ammo and were pushy, often sounding desperate right? its all salesmanship, and obviously some people dont know who the big winner is... if people come across this and have taken the time to read it with our rants, someone cut and paste all this to the BBB and also at the source- email your comments and thoughts to FuelMag@24hourfit.com I'm sure the big boy chairman and CEO Mark Mastrov has heard all this before, and I bet you all that the person who submits the best improvement suggestion to this damn company's situation, you will be rewarded. Things here dont go unnoticed or unappreciated, its just sad that i've almost forgotten why i myself got into all this mess.

Help! My husband and I are contemplating joining 24 hour fitness, here's the deal...$799 for him, $449 for me, and $449 for his sister too. This amount for the first 3 years then $49 a year for each after that. This is for all sport & active gyms. It seems like a good deal. What's the catch?

Numerically, that's better than the deal I received based on a two for one deal. But, if you read on, you might find that you probably won't get what you pay for.

I was just offered $574 for myself for three years, with a $49 annual renewal fee, after that. I asked to use the facilities for the 10 days, as the infamous "10-day pass" suggests you can. However, the associate sales manager, Mike Stoichio, at the Antelope, CA club stated that the pass was either a coupon or a pass, not both. So, if I didn't close the deal with him then, I wouldn't get the deal at all. What a load of crap!

Furthermore, when I asked to try the facilities for the 10 days, the associate sales manager asked, "Have you ever worked out?"

I replied, "Yes."

He continued,"A 45-pound plate is a 45-pound plate!"

I can't understand why a salesman, let alone a salesmanager, would be so pompous and cocky to think that he could speak to a prospective customer that way, and still get the deal.

I'm not finished... I had decided to leave the club because Mike was such an idiot. So, since I had filled out their liability waiver form with my information, I asked for it back. He said,"It's corporate information."

I replied,"It's my information!"

He didn't want to return it to me, so I asked if they had a shredder so he could shred it. Mike was very agitated by this time, and decided that he would tear it up very slowly, as if to spit in my face. What a joke! He asked, "Is that good enough?" Then, he threw it in the trash.

I replied, "No, let me have it." I didn't feel that he had properly destroyed it, so I wanted it to destroy myself. Finally, he reached into the garbage and handed me my information.

Not being one to think one apple could spoil the bunch, I went to the Downtown Sacramento club to see what they could do for me. The salesman adamantly stated that the best he could do was $699 for three years, and $49 annually thereafter. This guy told me that each store was separate. The best deal he ever saw, which actually wasn't bad, was $649 for three years, and $20 annually after that.

I feel the service is crap. They are rude, and they don't care about the customer. My theory is it has something to do with being failed bodybuilders. Who knows?

I have trained, worked out, and found comrarderie at many gyms across Southern California. You name it, and I have a membership there: Gold's Gym Venice, World's Gym, LA Fitness, a few private owned gyms, and yes - 24 HOUR FITNESS. I myself am in the supplement and nutrition industry, and really have become accustomed to dealing with a variety of situations and people. However, if I was new to fitness and health, and were to base my expectations on the representation of their clubs, I would end up at Krispy Kreme and/or Taco Bell very quickly.

Despite having large clubs and offering amenities, 24 hour fitness seems to enjoy employing impersonal, rude, and inappropriate staff members to man their clubs. I have trained at at least 6-8 of their clubs all across my region, and have either observed others situations or been involved in issues with the staff at EVERY single one of them.

The proportion of employees who actually look like they do practice a health and fitness lifestyle is probably less than 30%, which indicates that most employees of this company probably treat their job just like that - A job.

I have had ZERO problems at the many other gyms I frequent. Even LA Fitness, despite being a corporate giant such as 24 Hour Fitness at least has earned some respect from me based on the way some of their clubs are managed. Some good experiences mixed with some bad. 24 Hour I Have had no good experiences.

Problems range from lack of customer service, pushy trainers and salesmen, to the notorious "Can you please stop making noise". They are so concerned with the state of their metal barbells being scratched, that they fail to fix half of the cardio equipment.

I do not consider myself an uncompromising individual, and try to make communication Numero Uno. But the feeling one gets from dealing with this corporate joke of a gym is that once you've signed up, you had better be ready to conform yourself to the ridiculous rules and regulations that do not apply to any of the real problems this gym has:

1. Filthy and disgusting Locker Rooms at All the gyms I have been to. A word of advice: Maybe you don't need three people behind the desk. Why don't you get some help for that one man/woman Cleaning Crew who is usually Latino.

2. Broken cardio equipment that takes months to fix. I have yet to see them ask people to stop running so hard on the treadmills like they tell people in the weight room to stop lifting hard, but I'm sure that time is coming.

3. Over signing memberships to make the gym like a concert or meat market at practically any time unless you go in the middle of the night. Ladies, bring your mace if you aren't looking for a date.

4. Customer UN-friendly staff and trainers - to the extent that I've observed many of the "expert" trainers (who usually become so with a short class that usually takes only one day) poking fun at many members that workout there.

5. Parking that must be validated and still have to pay. This happens at two of the gyms I've been to - bring your wallet.

6. To some of the staff's credit, the ones that are nice usually don't last more than a few weeks or months.

So if this gym sounds like your cup of tea, and you'd like to become another dollar sign in the multitude of other 24 Hour Fitness members, my suggestion is get a months pass first, or sign up month to month so you can get out without losing a three membership. If your goal is train hard, and look good, and be healthy, try another gym.

I have a guest pass to 24 Hour Fitness. The following restrictions are clearly stated on it:

1. Guest hours are 8 am to 9 pm
2. Guests must be 18, or 12 with a parent
3. Guests must live within 25 miles
4. Guests must sign a waiver.

The restrictions are clearly written on the pass.
If you have a guest pass, then read the restrictions before trying to use it.

If Gold's gym allows you to bring as many guests as you wish, at any hour, as often as you want, then more power to them. Go ahead and join Gold's.
But, I doubt this is the case. I would imagine that Gold's has a restriction on its guest passes.

Whenever you are given a document by a health club, read what is printed on it. It will save a lot of time and hassle. Just a suggestion.

One day my dad was in the culver gym, 24 hour fitness. He overheard a man named Fredrick Tennet say, that too many jews worked out there. SO my dad said yes but we help pay your salary, and walked away. Back in August is when I went to the spectrum gym. Well at this time Fredrick is the one running it, and he kepts giving me dirty looks. The nest thing I knew the staff started to harass me as well as 2 skin heads. I got really mad.

after 14 years of membership, it was revoked. Fredrick went and made up a bunch stories to the police, how he was scared of me, even though he weighted 300 pounds and played college football. I had a whole situation because of this ignorant pig.

24 Hour Fitness, The Enemy Amongst Us

The company we keep is a reflection of our ethics. When that company becomes a threat to the American public, failure to distance oneself from that threat brings those ethics into question. Clearly this is the case with 24 Hour Fitness CEO Mark Mastrov, who seems to have lost the ability to differentiate between right and wrong when he chose to conduct business with terrorists. This became apparent when on the night of May 17, 2004, I was attacked by a Middle Eastern extremist at a 24 Hour Fitness center in southern California and was subsequently discouraged by the club employees from notifying the police. Aggravated battery is a felony in any state, and for the employees of a multinational corporation like the one operated by Mark Mastrov to actively interfere with the legal process would suggest that there was something far more sinister going on there than was readily apparent. Following an investigation it was revealed to me that not only had this person committed multiple felonies on the club premises prior to my incident, but in each case the employees went out of their way to cover up for these transgressions. So obviously, the question became why?
With over 400 locations within the United States and its recent expansion into the global market, put simply, 24 Hour Fitness is doing everything in its power to suck in investors to fulfill Mastrov’s ambitions of creating the largest fitness corporation on the planet. According to Mastrov, “we haven’t been able to raise the capital to develop the product line across the scope of the United State,” especially when he plans to open between 30 and 40 new clubs per year with the hope of tapping into the nearly 90 percent of the national population whom he claims doesn’t even bother to exercise.
“This country is obese,” he says. “When you travel the world the way we do in our organization it is amazing when you get back home and just see the size of the people in the United States.” And whether or not he has the statistical evidence to justify these statements, they are far from complementary toward a public from whom, despite his insensitivities, he his more than willing to dip into their pockets. Which brings us back to the point.
In the business world, money is the key to growth. The problem with this, however, is that rapid expansion tends to diminish the quality of a service, which in turn negatively affects that service’s reputation. One would think that at least some of the 150 million dollars provided by their primary investor, McCown DeLeeuw & Co., a private equity firm based in Northern California, would be utilized not just to train the personnel necessary to operate these clubs, but to ensure that each of those clubs represents a safe and friendly environment. When opening nearly 3 dozen facilities per year, finding competent people to run those facilities cannot be a simple task; therefore eventually something has to break, which is what I see happening here because as the service grows, relationships with customers become increasingly robotic because there is far more emphasis on cash flow rather than the individual client’s actual well being. Put simply, Mastrov’s company operates like a factory, a crude assembly line where clients are nothing more than replaceable parts. And if he chooses to run it as such, just as there are dangers within any factory, precautions should be taken whereby safety comes before profit.
In the fitness industry, what CEO’s like Mark Mastrov fail to emphasize is that first and foremost should be the safety of their clients. Granted, within any one of his facilities there is a list of rules and regulations that, if violated, could result in immediate expulsion. And if such a violation should involve a felony, then the local police should certainly be notified, as failure to do so would reflect poorly on their customer service. The truth is, however, that this is not what happened when I was assaulted, a fact which has led to the unveiling of some very peculiar details regarding the club’s ethics. And not just that particular club, but all 24 Hour Fitness clubs, as one club reflects on them as a whole.
The events in question involve a Middle Easterner who demanded that I relinquish two 35 pound weights that were clearly in my possession. Knowing that this individual had a history of rude behavior, I politely informed him that I was not yet finished with the aforementioned weights. Any reasonable person would have acknowledged this, yet rather than wait his turn he punched me in the chest, with full force, which twisted my upper body, and then proceeded to rip each weight out of my hands, flinging them across the room and nearly shattering another gentleman’s knee in the process. The assailant then spat on me and walked away, shouting racial obscenities as he went. Naturally, I chose not to force the issue because I was in no position to challenge some behemoth who was twice my size, plus the fact that during the assault he twisted my lower spine, which aggravated an injury I had sustained 3 years prior. So I left.
On my way out, I was approached by another client, who ran up to me telling me that this beast had done the same thing to him, just minutes after my own confrontation, and this time nearly striking a club employee with a 20 pound weight when the latter attempted to intervene. This employee, who was on the heels of this client, quickly explained to me that the assailant was a celebrity cage fighter from the Middle East and that it was best to just leave him alone. To me, this was absurd, yet when I suggested that the club notify the police, this employee, as well as another employee, insisted that they would handle the situation. Once again, they reiterated the fact that this was not a man with whom to cross swords, which to me sounded like a friendly warning. And considering that this miscreant had some serious rage issues, I heeded that warning not just for fear of my own personal safety, but for the safety of other people. After all, if I called the police he was liable to throw weights at them, and I was not in any mood to witness a shootout.
Despite the obvious dangers this situation presented, what I found particularly suspicious was why these employees were so willing to cover up for this so called “celebrity.” Because regardless of what I thought of him, celebrity treatment was exactly what he received, as day after day, week after week he would swagger through the front doors, never checking in at the front desk, hitting on all the women and picking fights with whomever he chose would be an easy target on which to shamelessly bolster that bad boy image. And each time, the club would do nothing about it. In fact, to this day that might even be there policy. And if that doesn’t represent a gross misrepresentation of 24 Hour Fitness’s safety protocols, then hell must have frozen solid the instant Mark Mastrov struck a deal with its poster boy for fire and brimstone.
After discussing this with the club manager, Michael Leonard, he explained to me that the reason they tolerated this violent behavior was because not only are the facility’s clients terrorized by this cretin, yet so too are the club employees, including himself, which is an absolute lie because I’ve personally seen them all chatting it up with this dollop of devil dung. There is no way that anybody could convince me that a 1.5 billion dollar corporation like 24 Hour Fitness would lack a contingency plan for dealing with a situation like this, especially one involving a foreign militant, as all it would take would be a single phone call and there would be a dozen crosshairs leveled on him from a SWAT team. Unless, of course, 24 Hour Fitness had a financial reason for keeping him there; perhaps one of those celebrity endorsements they’re so keen on despite the fact that his mere presence is a colossal deterrent to future enrollments. Even after lodging 5 complaints with the upper management, they failed to remove this person, a failure which prompted me to hire an attorney. And that, according to Mastrov, is a glowing representation of the fine customer service about which he so eagerly blathers.
When a company prides itself in its customer service, it goes without saying that safety should be a principal component of that service. And this shouldn’t be restricted to safety from faulty equipment, but also safety from the destructive behavior of a known and actively violent constituent that they have refused to deal with because of his “celebrity” status. And if the spinelessness demonstrated to me by a manager like Michael Leonard is indicative of the type of people vomited out by Mastrov’s certification program, which he claims to be the best in the industry, then the man in charge had better rethink his priorities by training his ferrets on how to deal with people issues rather than just selling memberships like a bunch of used cars. And why? Because if your club isn’t safe, for whatever reason, you are conducting a disservice to your paying clientele.
Moreover, if a safety issue, such as one involving an individual with known dangerous propensities, is not handled properly one of their clients could seriously get hurt, or even killed. And if the manager claims that he is incapable of dealing with it because he‘s “afraid,” then he should contact the district manager, and then the regional manager, and on up the chain until somebody grows enough spine to take appropriate action. But this spinelessness extends to even Mastrov himself, who is far too busy scrounging for investors so he can spread his company thinner and make it even more irresponsible.
So how does this relate to terrorism? Very simply, when you look at how terrorism is defined under federal law. Under Title 18, section 2331 of the United States Criminal Code, terrorism is defined as “activities that involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, appear to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping, and occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.”
The key words in this discussion are intimidation and coercion. When a person enters a public facility like 24 Hour Fitness, failure to obey the law by deliberately and maliciously threatening peoples’ lives is using blatant intimidation not only to characterize himself as a terrorist but also to ensure that his objectives go unchallenged. When that same person coerces another individual to engage in an act contrary to his or her will like, say for example, surrendering a pair of weights because some oversized foreign radical demands it, this would qualify the second term of the aforementioned definition. Making an example out of someone like myself by punching me, spitting on me, and then dehumanizing me with a racial comment was akin to shooting one prisoner to maintain control over 50 others. And considering that this was not an isolated occurrence proves that this man does in fact use terrorism as a means of social domination. Therefore his own actions define him as a terrorist, not my interpretation of federal law.
Moreover, in this particular case the use of the word “terrorist” on a Middle Easterner with his mind-set is hardly racial profiling considering his lack of respect for U.S. laws and customs. After all, any crime committed on American soil by a foreign national from any country could, in many ways, be considered an assault on the host government which established those laws to protect its own citizenry. His national origin, on the other hand, surely could account for his aggressions toward certain elements within our society, coming from a region where Muslim extremists have convinced a majority of the population that America is the most imminent threat to their political ideology. To avoid that conflict some of those people emigrate to the United States because they sincerely appreciate the freedoms that are afforded them by our great democracy, whereas others come here to exploit those same freedoms with the malicious intent of recreating America in their own distorted image. This tyrant I speak of is clearly of the latter persuasion, one who benefits from our freedoms yet despises us as a people, even to the extent of deliberately breaking the law at the expense of another man’s dignity. After all, it was he, not I, who resorted to using racial slurs, and that is terrorism in the purest sense of the word. Under section 2332b of the aforementioned criminal code, even property damage resulting from a terrorist rampage carries a maximum sentence of 25 years, whereas assault and murder entail 30 years and life, respectively.
If vandalizing SUVs because someone believes that they are environmentally unfriendly is grounds for a 25 year sentence under federal law (for eco-terrorism), then a Middle Eastern radical who runs around beating up on American civilians at a public gym should at least be put on a Federal watch list rather than being given preferential treatment by a corporation like 24 Hour Fitness. But oh, that’s right: he’s a celebrity. And they love him so much they won’t even tell my lawyer his name, indicating to me that there is clearly a financial interest in his being a member or their aristocracy. Why else would they be so willing to cover up for him? Certain European governments take money from terrorists all the time, so perhaps Mark Mastrov has decided to follow that lead. After all, money is money, regardless of who it comes from, and the only way to obtain that money is to indulge the source.
Who knows? Maybe 24 Hour Fitness is planning on expanding into the Middle East, and their little friend here is going to be their celebrity spokesman. Or here at home, for all we know some of these gyms have become terrorist training camps, ingeniously hidden within plain sight, right here on American soil. After all, even terrorists work out, if I’m remembering certain Al Queda training videos correctly, with all those black hoods and monkey bars. Although it’s farfetched, it could be possible. Why else would 24 Hour Fitness’s in-house insurance minion, Rich Johansen, have confessed to my attorney that they fully realized that this person has been a problem and that, pursuant to their discussion, he would be permanently banned from every 24 Hour Fitness in the country, and then two weeks later Mr. Johansen turns around and denies that he ever said that? What are they hiding? That they’re letting terrorists come here to work out on better equipment? I wonder if any of those hijackers had memberships to 24 Hour Fitness. I bet Mr. Johansen could tell us, or better yet, he could tell the FBI. Although I doubt they’d find anything because they probably ran magnets across their hard drives rights after the towers fell. And like bunny in a hat, POOF! All their records were gone. Isn’t that what insurance people do? Damage control?
Incidentally, Flip-Flop Johansen works at 24 Hour Fitness’s headquarters in San Ramon California, side by side with Mr. Mastrov himself, which would lead anyone with reasonable sensibilities to believe that after speaking with my attorney, this matter was feverishly discussed, more than likely with our special friend Osama Bin Pumpin‘, and then the latter must have brokered some sort of deal that would have swayed the Magnificent Mastrov from denying him access to their elite society. And the most logical explanation would be money, investments, or a promise thereof. The only other option would be if this criminal has actually made terrorist threats against 24 Hour Fitness itself, because large corporations such as that cannot be intimidated by any one individual unless they had reason to believe that said individual was a viable threat to their organization. Which, once again, would characterize him as a terrorist even moreso. And if that is truly the case, this would classify what Mastrov is doing as treason under Article III, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, and not just for adhering to our enemies in the form of harboring a suspected terrorist, which is also a violation under section 2339 of the Federal Criminal Code, but for blatantly doing business with him and whoever else with whom he is connected. Because we all know that terrorists never work alone. They’re highly organized, and this man might simply be their emissary. But that’s all fine and dandy with 24 Hour Fitness so long as they get their money.
The bottom line is that their fundamental policy seems to be to keep this man happy at whatever cost, and for a corporation which claims to be so pro-American to even contemplate doing business with anyone who has even the remotest ties to any terrorist organization is an exercise in hypocrisy. In today’s political environment a corporation like 24 Hour Fitness should not allow a foreign militant to rampantly assault people in a public facility without notifying the authorities, especially when there are California state laws that make said corporation liable for third party misconduct. Yet not according to them. In their membership agreement they assume liability for nothing, including accidental deaths due to equipment failure, active or passive negligence, or if one of their criminal investors decides to toss weights around and accidentally kills someone. Then someone at home receives a telephone call explaining that their husband, son, brother or sister was murdered because a certain individual was having a bad day? And all they’ll get from 24 Hour Fitness is a measly “we’re sorry?”
In fact, under paragraph 7 of their membership agreement there is a clause stating that lawsuits exceeding $5000 are subject to binding arbitration and that said arbitrator with decide the outcome of the dispute, not a judge or jury. Furthermore, that the party filing the claim, meaning the victim, will pay the initial filing fee, which is around $1000, and then once decided, the victim, even if he or she loses the case, cannot openly talk about the existence, content, or results of the arbitration. So if one of your loved ones is murdered in a 24 Hour Fitness facility by one of their terrorist supporters, you will be paying for 24 Hour Fitness’s filing fee even though they are a 1.5 billion dollar corporation and are quite capable of paying for it themselves. That’s right. And if you don’t believe me, stop by your local 24 Hour Fitness and ask for a copy of their membership agreement. And by the way, that particular clause can be found on the back of their agreement, bottom right corner, and you’ll probably need a microscope to read it. After examining it closely, most people wouldn’t even sign it because you are literally signing your life away, for they clearly admit, in plain writing, that they are in fact negligent yet assume no responsibility for that negligence, particularly when it is intentional. Other clubs have similar policies, albeit excluding liabilities arising from willful misconduct like, say, catering to a terrorist for financial gain. This shows how much Mastrov cares about his clients; if he gave a damn, he’d pass out body armor with his memberships.
For those of the investigative proclivity, if you really want to measure the extent of 24 Hour Fitness‘s corruption, you can just go to your local superior court, head into the index room and look under the register of actions to find out precisely how many times they’ve been sued, why those lawsuits were filed, and the details defining every single grievance, case number by case number. After all, it is public record, and it makes for some very interesting reading. Perhaps then it will become clear why their membership agreement is so one-sided. And like any fascist dictatorship, not unlike 24 Hour Fitness, now they’re using it as a weapon, even when they are clearly in the wrong.
In defense of the public, however, Mastrov’s little paradise is not a sovereign nation, and it certainly cannot define policies which supercede state and federal laws. In that case, perhaps Congress should pass legislation that protects its citizens from devious business practices as evidenced by 24 Hour Fitness‘s questionable ethics, when said corporation attempts to justify those ethics by claiming that they are simply trying to protect themselves from frivolous lawsuits. A business protecting itself from reckless litigation is one thing, yet when that same business is deliberately covering up for the activities of a criminal, that is called aiding and abetting, and that business should be held accountable.
Yet accountability apparently means nothing to 24 Hour Fitness. They, particularly their CEO, are all about the all-mighty dollar, placing monetary gains before the safety of our nation. To clarify, for those who watched the film Farenheit 911 by Michael Moore, they might have noticed that 24 Hour Fitness was all too willing get a shameless plug during a particular scene involving an older gentleman’s diatribe against our current President. Now, unless an advertiser actually puts money into a film, normally any recognizable logos are digitally omitted from onscreen view so as not to give free publicity for a company which provided no financial backing for that film, or because that company wishes to have their logo excluded because they disagree with the film’s content or fear that such an affiliation might offend their own clients. Yet apparently, neither of these contingencies apply to 24 Hour Fitness, because their infamous logo is clearly and proudly flaunted before that deceitful documentarian’s Machiavellian lens.
Considering the nature of the film, I find it difficult to believe that Mark Mastrov didn’t wholeheartedly concur with Michael Moore’s argument, otherwise he would have asked that his company’s logo be omitted from that particular scene for fear that it might insult those who didn‘t wholeheartedly agree with certain prescribed theories. Yet that was hardly the case, indicating that Mastrov was all too willing to whore both himself and his organization to some paranoid, self-righteous, idealogical jihadist like Michael Moore. Although from an economic standpoint, perhaps that was a smart thing to do, because by siding with Moore he also didn’t risk offending the delicate sensibilities of potential Middle Eastern investors. So either he’s an evil genius, or he’s incredibly stupid because he didn‘t think people would notice.
Incidentally, this is the same Mark Mastrov who, on July 1, 2002 in an interview for the Club Industry Exchange, humbly stated that his wonderful organization could actually benefit from President Bush’s pro-active attitude towards health and fitness, and then less than 2 years later he sells out to Michael Moore. And if that doesn’t characterize him as a backstabbing, Bush-bashing, flip-flopping hypocrite, I don’t know what it would take, because as far as I’m concerned that film couldn’t have been any more anti-American, especially when news organizations such as Al Jazeera could use it to validate terrorist ideologies. There was a time when such propaganda would have resulted in a hanging, yet today people like Michael Moore and his supporters like Mark Mastrov hide under the rights established by the First Amendment, even though they despise the very government which created those rights in the first place. Such being the case, for some reason the name Benedict Arnold comes to mind.
Particularly in a time of war, never give the enemy the upper hand, lest we lose one single American soldier because some turncoat’s activist propaganda bolstered that enemy’s morale, a soldier we might not have lost had that enemy thought that his crusade were failing. With the abundance of terrorist movements festering in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and even here, now is not the time for left-wing extremists to be firing shoulder rockets at a government that is only trying to protect us. That is as irresponsible and inexcusable as a California state senator publicly berating a highly respected member of the Presidential Cabinet knowing damned well that the entire tirade could be used by our enemies to denigrate U.S. policy. Just like Michael Moore’s film.
Soldiers died because of that film. Soldiers died because 24 Hour Fitness endorsed it. And it gave the insurgents hope; it gave them a will to fight rather than fall back and hide under the sand. So once again, that is adhering to our enemies. That is aiding and abetting. That is treason. But to Mark Mastrov, none of that makes any difference so long as the thousands and thousands of Michael Moore fanatics who were inspired by his rhetoric hopped on their pogo sticks and signed up at the nearest 24 Hour Fitness today. Free publicity is the best kind, even if it jeopardizes American soldiers. And that clearly represents an absolute, unequivocal disregard for American lives.
So what we have in Mark Mastrov on the one hand is a man who staunchly supports those who vilify government policy, while on the other hand is willing to do business with a known criminal who very possibly could have ties to a terrorist organization, and this is being conducted right here in our own country. Now that’s anti-American. And even to this day they are continuing to cover up for this man. So much so that I was forced to hire an attorney, which I’d never done before, and now I’m up to my waist in paperwork just to get them to admit that this warlord whom they indulge so passionately is an actual threat to public safety. Under Federal law, “whoever harbors or conceals any person who he knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe, has committed, or is about to commit an act of terrorism,” can be sent to federal prison just for doing business with that person. So Mastrov, as well as his dubious organization, should have something to worry about.
To qualify this discussion, I’m not saying that just anyone who starts fights in a gym, harasses the female clientele (to which I‘ve been a witness), endangers people’s lives and is generally unpleasant is by default a terrorist. Of course not. Yet the circumstances surrounding this case, particularly its connection to Mastrov himself as well as his reasons, which I believe are financial, for actively protecting this felon would rouse anyone’s suspicion as to what exactly is going on here. I, as a concerned citizen, will personally see to it that every law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the above matters gives this case a second look, which is why I‘ve chosen to make this public knowledge. Because the public has the right to know, regardless of whatever Mastrov and his minions at 24 Hour Fitness think. “The government is always looking for ways to cut and slice for the benefit of the consumers and the government,“ he says, which is a cunning way of implying that the government, our government, is the real villain here. I think this demonstrates his political motivations. After all, a man‘s values are defined by his actions, and by insinuating that Americans are litigious slobs and that our own government is corrupt characterizes him as a fervent enemy of the public interest; a duplicitous weasel who has discovered financial solace in catering to the likes of some vile, self-absorbed, narcissistic sociopath who should not even be afforded the privilege of living in this great country. But that’s just my opinion, which apparently means nothing to the Magnificent Mastrov. After all, I’m not Middle Eastern royalty. I’m just a stupid American. A stupid, sputtering vestige of human potential; nothing more than a diaphanous ghoul that evaporates in the light of somebody else’s glory.
The point is, all I wanted was to have this guy dealt with, to uphold the law in the interest of public safety, and they wouldn’t do it. Because maybe I’m just not important enough. Maybe we’re not important enough. Or maybe we’re just expendable; collateral damage on the economic warfront.
Perhaps, it would seem, that behind the barbed-wired fences of 24 Hour Fitness all men are not created equal; that hidden within the wicked complexities of this fascist empire there exists a Darwinian hierarchy whereby those who are bigger, stronger, and morally disinclined are blessed with the inalienable right to prey upon those who are deemed socially inferior, that they can beat down and subjugate anyone they choose because there is a mechanism at work here, generated by an omnipotent force, enabling them to reign with no fear of extinction. In a civilized world, when left unchecked a comparable process spawns the evils of bigotry, where one man’s self-professed dominance over another culminates in the systematic dehumanization of an entire race. To allow this occur would be unforgivable, unethical, and particularly un-American. Yet sadly, Mark Mastrov seems to have forgotten this, and for a man like him to nurture this breed of despotism is a blatant attack on the principles that define us.

Roger,
I'm sure you had some interesting points to make, but no person in their right mind will sit down and read through all that you wrote.

Next time... instead of rambling on and on and on (and on and on and on...), figure out what you want to write BEFORE you write it.

Cheers.

They've sent me home on various occassions because I didn't have my CA ID! I carry that stupid club card, I can tell you all my information and my social and you can call the number on my account and my cell phone in my pocket will ring.... "Nope, can't let you workout..." Sadly, thats not an uncommon situation!

24 HR Fitness isn't worth any amount of money. Save your cash, go to SportMart or Big5 and buy a set of dumbbells and free weights. Then go to Barnes & Noble and pickup "The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding" by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Even if you don't like the guy, he's got one of the most complete and well laid out books on excercise. (It's written by a MD as well, not jsut the governator.) You don't have to be a man or a bodybuilder to enjoy it. My girlfriend and I are in our Mid-twenties and follow alot of the book and have had tremendous luck with at home weights. We've made so much more progress without 24hr fitness, and our wallets are now happy! Its also nice not to have to commute or have those wierdos (who only go to the gym to stair at you) around. Free yourself from that Hellhole.

I worked for 24 Hour for 10 years.
Everyday is "CLOSEOUT"... and to them "GROSS IS KING"... Those employees of 24 Hour that are posting on here and are backing 24 Hour are BLIND.

The reason why it's ran so badly is because the GM's are in their positions because they can SELL. They cant manage,,,Lawsuits are rampant within the company for harassment, pay issues and unfair treatment of employees.

The reason why the facilities are filthy is because they have budgets they have to stay within so if you run out of money you dont get cleaning supplies. Cant tell you how many times I had to go buy toilet paper for the bathrooms on my own dime.!

There are some good things about them, but not very many. There are some employees who actually care, but not that many. When you are paid 7- an hour would you be happy???? 24 Hour has their hands in their pockets... They give only what they have to.

If you GROSS you can do whatever you want,, you can tell a member to take a hike or even harasse an employee and get away with it. But the minute you arent GROSSING,,, your history....
Its all about the MONEY... they dont care about the employees or the members... once they have your money..... they forget who you are.. unless your a hot female then the guys will jump over the desks to help you. If you like guys checking out your girlfriends or wives take them to 24 hour fitness.

They used to be over 400 clubs and have just dropped down to 300,, hmmmm wonder why they are selling them????

I have to say John Romeo is a bad president who only want to steal your $$$$ His 30 year old wife has been sleeping with multiple trainers since day 1.. He tried to fire one but due to wrongful termination he was brought back ( no names to protect the trainer) 24 hour fitness investers be ware this is a club that I don't know how became a Olypic sponsor..

FU John Romeo

Hey infidels! Im back!

HAHAHAHA Michael Lhevan, I can imagine you sitting there right now, behind your pc, in your thick nerdy glasses you little jewish dork you...HAHAHA... I will ask my boy Fred Tennett about you, he will probably die laughing...HAHAHAHAHAA..DIE LAUGHING kid..i can't stop laughing..sh*t you made my stomach ache...

Once again, you all need a dose of reality. Here have a seat at my desk...I've heard every single type of objection out there...it all comes down to price. Why are we expensive? Because we are a fortune 5 company. So we can rip you off, close you and then put the icing on the cake by saying "price shouldn't be the determining factor for your health!" The high pressure sale is the difference maker. Cuz 95% of the time they never come back, so milk them while they're there or never see the loser again. Unfortunately, theres a 24 within a few kilometers by every single mutherfocker reading this. Thats how we stay in business, convenience quality and quantity. Do you know what drives us 24 sales reps? The fat commission paycheck. The fact that we can manipulate your wallet, and do it all covertly with a "salesman smirk" at the end. Bye haters :]

hey romeo hater- who's the trainer you talkin bout?

Me and Romeo are tight, why? Because I can gross :] Any successful money hungry wh0re in a business is just what any business needs to thrive and succeed. Stop hating kiddo.

ThaTS right Olympic sponsor till 2012...

and what is with the signs that say "Last Day?" Last Day for what? I've been working out there for 2+ years and every day I go in there they have a sign that says Last Day! hahahahhaha

Hey Closer,

I can afford to get my eyes fixed, so no I don't wear glasses. To me, anyone who calls another male his boy, must either be gay, or have a low IQ. In my opinion, your fat friend was so jealous of the fact that I am 6 feet tall weigh 185 pounds of solid meat. I mean lets face it the only job Fred, will ever have is working at 24 hour fitness. Looking at him, he looks like a former steriod user.

I know he must feel important talking having white people he can talk down too. The fact is none of you will be laughing when I hit 24 hour fitness with a major lawsuit.

Fred Tennet are you bitter about the fact that you couldn't even make grades at Junior College, so you can never be a big football. Dude get over it. You insulted my father and me. You are a 6 foot 6 inch guy, who likes to push people around. Why don't you try reading a book and become educated. Higher level thinks, have more chance of making it in life, whereas people who have jobs as operational managers of gyms, usually have nothing better to do but cause trouble.

BTW I am going to print this page up and bring it to the Judge.

It amazes me that people from 24 Hour fitness that are employed, would get on this site, and truly show the image of the company. I guess it must be true that the employees of 24 hour fitness must be truly insecure and unhappy in life. All the employees that posted arrogant comments should be embarassed and more likely when never be anything in life. I am willing to bet, I am in better shape then anyone who works for 24 Hour fitness

To all lower end employees, who are sick of arrogant managers that think they are above the law. File a complaint with the Labor Dept, while you are still employeed, this way you are untouchable. If people are really fed up with 24 hour fitness management, then the right way about doing something is to write the BBB, and consumer affairs. Complaining on a web site like this carries no weight, as far as making changes. People like John Romeo, get their rocks off screwing other people over. Just like this character "The Closer", he is s cuh a big man that he gets on this site and hides his identity. They have a term for that, it is called a coward.

You can make all the money you want, but you can't buy class.

PFFFFFT HAHAHHAA YOU'RE 6'0? 185? HAHAHAH That's scrawny...Puny jewish kids don't have good muscle genetics, sorry you don't fool anyone. The only good genetics jews have are long noses and shallow wallets- hahahah..Kid, you aren't buff, i will put money on that. If you only knew my size, there are tons of people in the company in way better shape than you with more muscle on their physiques. Bet on it you lil smelly kike. A trainer at my club is gonna compete at MR Orange county in april kiddo. Smart move putting your israeli name on this site, im gonna look up your membership tool..hahahaha

hey heather you little 5lut- it's always "final days" for blowout specials..how can 24 hr fitness offer $20 a yr for the rest of your life? because it is the top fitness org. in the world...

BTW Jay Cutler will be visiting my club next week..see how 24 gets the best of the best..

Closer, your past comments have been valuable, if only for the fact that it allows people to see a typical 24-hour fitness salesman in action. But your recent comments have gone from merely obnoxious to completely offensive. Your comments to Michael would offends me even if I wasn't Jewish, and your comments to Heather are also highly inappropriate.

I've never had to ban anyone from my website, but I am starting with you. From now on, I will delete any post by you, or any post that even looks like it came from you.

Hi Andrew, this guy called the Closer sounds so pathetic don't even let it offend you. The man (and I use that term loosely), can't even post his name, which makes him a coward.

I doubt the closer is even a man, but as far as him or any other man at 24 hour fitness (IE trainer), if they think they are in better shape then me, put your money where your mouth is.

Closer, go look up my name, I don't even workout at 24 hour fitness anymore. I go to LA Fitness, because the staff is a lot nicer. The price is the same. BTW I am a European Jew, but I am sure you are not intelligent enough to know the difference.

Next time you get on this site, and choose to call a woman, a dirty name, think about your mother.

Andrew don't delete him, let him post his ignorance. It is just going to show what type of people are employeed at 24 hour fitness

I signed up for my membership in 1988. I signed up for the membership that allowed me to go to any, and all Family Fitness Centers. Well eventually the name was changed to 24 Hour Fitness, and I was fine with that. I had such confidance in my premium membership, it never dawned on me that I was about to be scammed, and in my opinion, criminally. All of a sudden one day I was turned down at a gym that I had worked out at for YEARS!?!?!?!?!? Well wouldn't you know it, the scumbags that run this business decided to throw up a sign that says 24 Hour SPORT!?!?!?!?! No longer was my membership good at all gyms because I did not have a "SPORT" membership. C'mon what bullshit, it was the same fucking gym for christ sake!!!!!!!!! I refused to upgrade my membership, and unwillingly I tried to find gyms that I could get in to. Ya know what though? As time went on more and more gyms became "SPORT" gyms. Yeah, I know there are sport gyms today that are better versions of the regular 24 hour fitness centers, but that took years to acheive and the only stupid difference is a basketball court, and a pool, both of which are as small as possible, but do not be confused, the equipment you use is the SAME at the regular gyms. C'mon, a pool with three lanes, and a basketball court so small that you can barely fit on the sidelines to wait for a pick up game. What a joke, they oversell memberships, crowd their gyms, and a THREE LANE POOL IS ACCEPTABLE!?! It is rather disheartening, and pathetic. To me pools that small are only there to serve as a marketing device to sell memberships, not one for actual use. Good luck though, I hear the pool is empty at three in the morning. Oh and what of the saunas, and steam rooms that work 25% of the time. And of course all the treadmills, and cyclones that don't work. I just love waiting 20 min. to get on a cardio machine while four to five machines are always broken, FOR WEEKS AT A TIME!!! My favorite with the sauna and steam room, is how management blames MEMBERS for breaking them. How about those childish signs that say not to poor water on the heating element in the steam room, or it will break. First of all what I poor water on is the THEROMSTAT, not an unknown "Heating Element". I do this because WHO WANTS TO SIT IN A STINKY ROOM WITH NO STEAM AND SIT AROUND TILL IT DECIDES TO TURN ON!!!!!!!!! Time is money people, and you waste mine every day!!!! Additionally I hate sitting in a sauna that is barley hot, c'mon don't bullshit me that this company cant afford electricity, or consistent maintenance. Hundreds of thousands of people pay their memberships, so If we break things, FIX IT IMMEADIATLEY!!!!! Don't put up a sign and punish us by not repairing things, it is criminal. Now here is the kicker, guess what the new scam is? Well now that they have sold everyone on the planet a "Sport" membership, which led everyone to believe they CAN actually work out at all gyms, is now starting to find out that is not so........Guess what people? Now they are starting to open 24 Hour "Executive" Sport clubs. WHAT the fuck!!! I'm just waiting for the day that I go to my Gym and get denied access because they changed the sign to "EXECUTIVE SPORT". It is really genius, if your a scheemer, and a scumbag. It's genius cause they first sign up the planet for 24 Hour memberships. Once those sales are maximized, they change the name to "Sport", and powerplay everyone into upgrading their memberships. Well now that "Sport" membership sales are maximized, whats next!? You guessed it, your gym will soon be an "Executive Sport" and again we will be bullied into another upgrade. I love my country, and it blows me away that a business can get away with these dealings in the U.S.A. Hey if you want an answer to this problem, do what I did. Find a friend that is oblivious to this, and pays for his/her membership diligently. Give him/her $100.00 for their membership card and a photocopy of their license. Additionally pay the $10.00 for a new membership card for your friend. Photocopy your own license, cut out your picture, stick it on top of your friends picture of the photocopy he/she gave you, then photocopy that and behold your new identity. Now that is how you scam a scammer! I have been working out at Sport clubs for YEARS now, all for FREE. I still have my original 24hour membership at $8.00 a month, and never upgraded. Don't let gym employees scare you about doing this, 60% of the time they don't even check you in, and when they do, 90% of the time they don't look at the photocopied ID, and when they do look at the photocopy, it's only to see if there is one. C'mon what highschool kid at the front desk gives a shit who you are. After all, they let their friends in for free ALL THE TIME!!!!!

Se La Vi Fuck Heads

Hey Closer, You sound like you can really sell, I'd like to see you in action, what club are you at?? You sound like you could teach me how to sell. How many years you been doing it?? Is that all 24 Hr cares about is getting the gross? Please provide some insight!! You rock!!

Andrew,

I'm sure Corporate in San Ramon would love to know who this guy really is. His days are numbered at this company (if he works there) and he doesn't even know it. Can you post his e-mail address for us??

I have no information on who anyone who posts here is, or their email address, and I wouldn't want to violate anyone's privacy, not even Closer's.

Thanks Andrew, I understand your issues on privacy, I was just asking you to reactivate CLOSER so I could click on his name and send him an e-mail. Just as others have done since my last post to contact me.

Location in question is in Newark, California

Tell me what you think of this, i went to 24hr fitness last night, i feel like i'm being ripped off, i just called to tell them i am goign to cancel under the 3-day notice right.

The minus $25 below is special they have if you turn in your former gym membership card which they attach to the agreement.

Family Plan (me and my sister)

MY FEE'S
Enroll $99-$25=$74
Processing Fee $79
Monthly $46.99

SISTERS FEE'S
Enroll $0 (presidents day special)
Processing Fee $79
Monthly $28.99

Due before you sign up is 1st and last months dues. so $46.99x2 PLUS $28.99x2 =$151.96

I have until next month to pay the Enrollment and processing fee's $232.

Then he was going to wave next months monthly dues in replace of the 30day trial membership.

And from there on out it would be 46.99 for me, 28.99 for my sister.

Rip off huh?

I called, asked for the sales guy i talked to yesterday. TOld him i wanted to cancel under the 3-day notice thing. He said fine. However I cant make it into the gym to sign paper work. He said my sister can. She will be in there later today.

Melody,

Can you please explain how this is a ripoff??? You're entitled to your opinion, but back it up with something. You're just bashing 24 without any sort of arguement. That looks like a pretty good overall deal for the all-club membership to me.....

I am taking a poll, do people who live in Orange COunty, California, think the Irvine Police are good people let me know, otherwise state otherwise

I am backing it up with the prices I was given by 24. To me it doesn't look like a over all good deal. That's why I'm posting this, asking for other opinions.

I have found another gym with tons of classes to attend that is considerably more afforable. $59 Down, $32 a mo.

Better to me then $99 Down, and then another $79 'processing fee'.

That didnt seem right to me.

I also failed to mention that when I canceled under the 3-day law, 24hr called offering to wave the Processing & Enrollment fee's. THEN it turned into a good deal. Now I had a decision to make, go with a gym who tried to charge the most the could out of me, or go with a gym who's over all honest from the start.

When I told 24 I was looking into another gym called Schrobers, they told me they were going out of business. I laughed, said I just spoke to them the day before, and they made some comment like 'oh, I must have heard wrong'. Yeah, you must have.

Honesty's the best policy.

The longest rant on this page was in fact written by me, yet not posted. I believe someone cut and pasted it from the Rip-Off Report thinking it might strike a nerve. Good intentions, yet admittedly boring unless you're politically inclined. I realize that. So note to Rabbit: your sanity is not in danger. And by the way: if you really want to bring 24 Hour Fitness's sins to light, all you need is a little press. Working in the media, I've seen that pens and cameras have a way of making guilty parties extremely uncomfortable.

Just a note.. 24 Hour is now on the block to be SOLD for 1 Billion... 5 years ago it was 13 billion.
They have so many lawsuits they cant handle it...
They just had to shell out a big chunk to the General Managers for RIPPIN them off,, now they are going to have to shell out some more for PAYING their employees WRONG and rippin them off!
What a sad company, and anyone that would defend them is just as sad...

The problem with 24 Hour Fitness is apathy in the upper management, beginning with Mark Mastrov. They're all about the money yet have forgetten that in the service industry the customer should have the right to make his or her own choices without being berated for those decisions, which brings out the worst in people once they realize how badly they're being treated. Which is why there are so many lawsuits against them for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Fair Trading Act, ex-employee Cynthia Malek won $3.5 million for enduring 2 years of "flexual" harassment from her canine cohorts, and then we have my personal favorite, that arbitration provision in their contract that violates the Seventh Amendment. That's our Bill of Rights. That's our Constitution, and if the government can't take that away from us, a corporation certainly can't. So sure, they may be big and powerful, but they're forgetting about the power of the people. And if you piss enough people off, eventually you're going to get lynched.

When I signed up @ 24 Hour Fitness I endured a grueling meeting with the sales manager, after the (very nice) sales person I originally dealt with was unable to deviate from the packages in their portfolio of options.

The sales manager was a putz. He really did the aggressive, manipulative, hard sell. I held my ground, but was exhausted by the experience.

HOWEVER... I have to say that the staff at the clubs I attend (Oakland and San Leandro) have been very nice. I've enjoyed the instructors, and I haven't noticed any terrible problems with cleanliness.

For me, it's been a good value and decent experience, aside from the a-hole sales manager.

Just my two cents!

What is scary is when a police officer comes to your work, and tells you that this site might be against the law

Let me teach you something about cops ... cops lie. It's a modus operandi. If you were really doing something illegal, or they really could arrest you, they would. Not only would they, but the law requires that they arrest you if they observe you committing a crime. The bottom line is that no matter how much a cop flaps his donut-cutters, if he really could arrest you he would.

Yeah I know Bobby, I laughed, but the fact is, people at work who are losing their jobs, then use me as an easy target. I am the MIS guy, and people here think I make so much money (I wish). A lot of these sales guys that work for my company can not sell. And they have 4 kids, and so on. If people see the cops come to your work, they automatically sterotype you. They came to my work, to serve me papers, and had the nerve to say this might be a violation, but they are not sure. If this site is a violation of anything, it should be considered a civil rights issue. Cops can no longer bully minorities, so they target other people. Everyone in Orange County is so scared to stand up for their rights.

Hey Lhevan: don't for one instant think this site is a violation of any law. Get a copy of West Group's California Criminal Law and see for yourself. This cop obviously is illiterate, as everything in this forum is a civil issue and therefore outside police jurisdiction. So if any cop comes to you under the pretense of a civil violation, that's a scare tactic and I'd report him to Internal Affairs or the District Attorney for implying that he has the authority to enforce laws that are not in that book. Get his badge number next time, and if he doesn't have one then he probably works for 24 Hour Fitness, in which case he then goes to jail for impersonating an officer. Either way, he was out of line, and you had every right to tell him that. Once again: cops don't handle civil disputes. They get sued for them. By attorneys.

Roger, I did all that stuff, but this is Orange COunty. I am hiring an attorney to enforce my rights, then I will sue 24 hour fitness for all the cost. I suspect 24 hour fitness pays people off

Hey Michael. Excuse the quick interruption but did your sister go to SVHS in Rockland Cty? If so, we worked together at Pathmark and I dated her back in about 1986. Every so often, I wonder how she is doing? How is she?

Yes she did, she is still the same. Loud and annoying, is your name brad

No. He was before me. If you speak to her, tell her Bruce says hi and hopes she is well. Of all the girls I dated, she's the one I think of most often for some reason even though it was only for a couple of months.

Hey Bruce,

I stay as far away as possible, but if you like you can email me (lhevan@hotmail.com), and I can send you her email address. I really don't care to talk to her. SHe has her life, and I have mine. SO do you still live in Rockland

I am thinking about doing sales for 24 in Memphis. Does anyone have any experiences with this club? How much do the "sales" team make on average. If any one could help me out that would be great.

Irvine PD have a history of violating civil rights. Please do a yahoo search on Arthur Carmona, then compare his case to that of Greg Haidl (the former sheriff son). This is an example of how Orange COunty handles justice. This will keep going on until, we the people stand up and write letters, ask questions, and stand up to these little bullies

No that's okay. Sorry to hear that you two don't talk. I live in NJ now with my wife and 3 kids. If, by chance, you run into her please pass along my regards. If not, no big deal. Good luck with everything.

No worries, she is a real pain to have to deal with.

Has anyone ever thought that maybe there are two sides to a story. Lhevan causes his problems and has for many years. He is good at harassing and has caused many problems since he was a child. He can only lead people when there is a ring of troublemakers. Go on with your lives.

Me, you sound like someone that I could really careless about. 2 sides to every story, myside has been paper trail. A paper trail never lies. Now hiding behind a screen name, and not using your real name, is sort of cowardly.

Let me correct you, I don't cause problems, I fix them. People who have to cry to everyone that they are always broke, and about everything else, but never actually do anything to rectify the situation is a loser. This sounds like someone who is too lazy to work, and lives off of SSI.

Lets support Arthur Carmona.

Me you don't know who I lead and who my friends are. You certainly, have very little crediblity

There are a lot of animals that need to be adopted or they will be put to sleep. I took in a dog, and have been very happy to have him. Animals are loyal, and will show you love and appreciation. My dog is so well behaved because he appreciates me.

Next subject, until some kind of fitness organization government is formed, employees will get screwed and members will be unsatisafied. The health industry is very new. It wasn't too long ago that steriods were being prescribe by doctors, and deemed safe. Well we know differently today. If what I write is harassment then fine, I am willing to go infront of a judge and jury to prove my case.

dude you are just plain weird, move on, get a life , lurk elsewhere, where somebody cares!

IrvinePD huh,

Obviously you and a lot of others care or you wouldn't write a response. You cared enough to read it.

Weird, can be described as unique. Of course I am unique. If you go visit the Irvine PD, it is like they went to a short man's convention to recruit them. For crist sakes they are all 5 foot 6 inches tall. Where I work out there is a guy who works for Santa Ana PD. This guy is 6 foot 5 inches, and has to deal with real criminals. Whether a cop is 6 foot 5, or 5 foot 6, male, female, true cops don't go out of there way to make a bad situation worse.

My whole situation with 24 hour fitness, had nothing to do with the police. I wish I could I post the police report on this site, so everyone could get a good laugh at what Irvine PD wastes our tax dollars on.

Dana Parsons from the LA Times, can't wait to get a copy. I told him once it is resolved I will talk to him. A lot of Irvine Councilman care. I will keep everyone on this site posted of the score. The truth shall set you free.

yawn!

SO boring you went and read what I wrote

Doh, Mikee, this board is a rant on 24 hr fitness, not your personal whine spot. Post something significant or find your own blog to pollute!!!

24 Hour Fitness, Irvine PD, who cares, I have a right to post what I want. The fact this is a blog, and I know you are so ignorant you don't know what that means. What loser pretends to be a Police Officer from one of the biggest violations of the constitution. Are you communist as well? The whole Irvine PD dept should be arrested for terrorism. When you abuse your power for the fact of promoting your own career, at the expense of someone elses life, in my opinion that represents a form of terrorism.

I DON'T WANT MY TAX DOLLARS WASTED ON PROMOTING THE IRVINE PD'S BEHAVIOR. Nor do I want 24 Hour Fitness to have political power in my county. (I really think 24 Hour fitness makes illegal contribution)

I knew a Irvine Police Officer that made his girlfriends watch him do Doodies!?!!?! Now thats perverted, sick, and not a good quality for a police officer!!!!! Hey Levan.....did any of these officers get a little too aggressive when they patted you down. Ya know, did they squeeze your balls, or grab your ass a little, I heard they do that shit.

DUDE......that reminds me, I knew another Irvine Pig that did shit-loads of coke in the 90's. Bitch loved to suck dick too.....only if you had coke though. She really liked anal style too which I thought was wierd for a cadet, because isn't anal style against the law? I heard she is an "out of the closet" Dike now who pulls over young girls and threatens them unless they let her fuck them........funny thing is she gets away with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guys, can we stop talking about the Irvine PD? This page is about how much 24 Hour Fitness sucks, not how much Irvine PD sucks. All this crap about Irvine PD is diluting the point of this page.

Andrew you are right, 24 hour fitness does suck

BTW can you setup an Irvine PD sux blog.

24 Hour Fitness has no class, oh they can kiss the Lhevan's ass

To make Andrew happy, 24 hour Fitness sucks so bad, they knew themselves to go buy the domain 24 Hour Fitness sucks.com.

Now on to other issues, there are animals out there being neglect in shelters' that are going to be put to sleep, please consider going there. I will only have an animal that was in a shelter. My dog is so smart and shrew. I do not have to train him. Because he appreciates life. Next time you want a pet consider the shelter. Yes the animals are not as pretty, but their personalities make up for it.

you fucking guys suck golds is less cause its filled with rummys pricks like you that dont have any class. if you had to settle for the 4 day a week membership it was because you are a broke dick motherfucker.

Jay, you sound really ignorant. Let me guess you work for 24 hour fitness.

I am a former 18 year empoyee of 24 Hour. I can tell you that this company is a true joke. They are getting sued left and right by every former and even current employee. Have you checked out 24 Hour Fitness Lawsuite .com? I can asure everyone that the company will have major changes within the next few months. As someone that personly holds quite a bit of stock, they are looking to sell the company. For me, this is a great thing because they will not get close to the same $'s on the public stock market by going public. Something that every employee that has put up with all the bull shit they dish out, has been waitting for for years. I really feel sorry for the stupid people like "closer" that bleed purple and don't realize how much of a tool they are. Take it from me. Been there, Done that!!!

jcat can you email me at lhevan@hotmail.com

READ ALL OF THIS FROM A FAIR LOOK AT 24HF FROM A FAIR MINDED EMPLOYEE.
I work at 24HF as a sales guy. I'm sure you all have had bad experiences. Look up some of your favorite companies on sites like this and you will find as many or more rants about your fav company. The fact is that any good organization is driven by a sales force. Yes, we are pushed to sell. Yes, if you're not very good at it you won't last that long cuz you wont make much money. BUT, on other issues: almost all clubs have a cleaning crew every night. As a sales guy i have to do bathroom checks every hour. All complaints have to be directed to the mgr so that there is a consistent answer. We are encouraged to ask clients how theyre workouts are and truly care. The company has gone from about 400 to 360 clubs cuz we decided to get out of the euro market, but are growing by HUGE amounts in the usa and asia. AND YES, we are expensive...but if you dont find value in what we offer... say no to that pushy salesman and you will get a free 2 week or month pass. There are many regulations on guest passes cuz the guests are the ones who start fights in the club BUT also because they might not be potential clients...no value to us. Reply to this and I'll be happy to inform you of more practices. I am happy w/ my job w/ them. Being in many sales jobs i can tell you this really isn't that pushy. BUT there will always be the sleaze ball in any company. A good salesman understands the concerns of the client and finds something that fits them. I am one of the top sales guys but hand out free passes like candy and people usually come back to join after the free trial. OH...one last thing... check out the requirements on the job search for a personal trainer on the company site. You'll find that they actually have to be very qualified. The 'one day training' comment is referring to the WEEK long training that any employee goes through w/ ANY company. Hope this provides insight. Let me know if you want to know more!

forgot to mention one point. if someone comes on this site and says theyve worked for 24 for 10+ years MIGHT not be telling the whole truth. If you have been w/ the company for that long you would in the top 10 or so of employees (ie. regional prez, vice prez of sales, etc.) Why is someone a sucker if they're doing well for 5 years as opposed to the guy that hates his company but only found it out after being employeed for 18 years?? Does that make sense to any of you??

Like I said, there are good people who work for 24 hour fitness, but its is the jerks who blow it for the better people. The good people of 24-hour fitness need to realize something, it takes about 10 complements to make up for one bad experience.

I have trained hard for about 15 years, but at one point I put on 20 pounds due to getting older and not eating right. One day, a trainer came up to me, and said is this your first month working out. You can't possibly been working out longer then a month or 2.

Needless to say, when I told my co-work, he look at me and said that guy has to be kidding himself. All my friends laughed because even though I had a little potbelly, it was obvious I was a weight lifter.

All that guy did was ruin his own credibility. He motivated me to get back down to 185, from 210. Now I think to myself, when they make these comments to people who do not work out, how horrible they probably make the other person feel. I can take an insult, because I grew up back east. But if you are talking about a person with a weight problem, is this supposed to motivate them. I personally think it would discourage person and also give them a negative imagine of not only 24-hour fitness, but people who work out in general. It makes people who train look insecure.

To be honest with everyone, I would have dropped 24 hour fitness but I really enjoyed the gym in foothill ranch. But outside of that I don't feel a loss, since joining LA Fitness. There is a problem there as well with certain people but for the most part, they are good people just like 24 hour. I think it is a problem of upper management. It is runned like a typical retail store, with micro management

Bear is a Dog

OK, so If you could have it your way, what would 24 Hour fitness look like. How would the Sales staff operate? What would make you buy from them? What would cause you to continue to return to the club?

If I had it my way, they would be like Gold's Gym. Honest, straightforward, and providing a good gym. They seem to do OK, while avoiding being assholes.

I would want a professional staff, that gets paid some kind of benefits. When I worked out at 24 hour fitness, foothill ranch, I would go in at 6:30 am, and sometime I would go again after work. I would see the same fitness trainers, there over a 13 hour period.

I think more people would like a none pressure situation. FOr example I avoided buying a new car for 5 years, and just paid for the repairs on my old car, because everytime I went to buy a car, the people were rude and pushy. Then oneday, I went to a honda dealership, and walk away with a rgeat new car. The reason being, the sales people told me to look around other lots and see what is out there.

One more thing, if there is a grievance, a member should be able to contact customer service, and not get the run around.

Ok, I just spent an hour reading these feeds, and I have a great merchandise story. During the olympics, my local 24 hour was offering a free olympics hat, mug, and pin with the purchase of a membership. Here's how it worked: If I opened a membership, the initiation fee would be waived, so long as I paid $25.00 for the free olympic stuff. (I figured that 25 bucks for free olympic stuff was better than 125 bucks for an initiation fee, right?) How can free stuff cost 25 bucks?!

Here's the best part: After the olympics were over the brilliant staff at 24 hour ripped open all of the free olympc sets and started selling "Official Olympic Pins" for 2 bucks a pop. First off, who wants a stinking olympics pin, anyway? Second, what kind of sleaze bucket takes free merchandise that you pay 25 bucks for) and starts selling the individual conents a la carte? PS You could buy a cap for 10 bucks and a mug for 12 bucks. SO for 24 bucks you could save a buck on their 25 dollar freebie. Hummmm.

Wait, another story.....

I was working out yesterday, when I saw an employee of 24 hour(no more than 16-years-old) parading a prospective member around the gym. The prospective member was also a kid around the same age. The employee told the prospective member that any and all of his friends could come down to the gym, and for no initiation fee, they could get set up on a month-to-month plan for 15 bucks. WHY IS IT THAT A KID WITH NO JOB GETS TO PAY 15 BUCKS A MONTH WHEN AN ADULT HAS TO PAY 30?

24 Hour Fitness -- Pissing off thousands of honest people a day!!

When I started my job a few years back we had to 'shop' other clubs to see their approach. I went to a Gold's Gym and, yes, they were straightforward and gave me their TWO options and said "so do you want to join?" That's great n all guys, but it doesn't get people into the gym. And if you have a non sales mentality that gym that you love so much won't be as succesful. BUT Gold's is less expensive and provides all the basics. So if you like it, then go there. 24 is an option and my staff is extremely curtious. I scrub toilets sometimes!! Just so that the facility stays clean when a cleaning crew isn't around during the day! I have seen the pushy sales people and the nice sales people in the biz and honesly both of them do equally as well because people ,in the end, see the value in joining. Lhevan, when I go to a car dealership I know I'm gonna get a sales pitch. In fact, when I go into any SUCCESFUL operation I know I'll geta pitch. That is where it is MY responsibility to decifer what MY NEEDS are. Ha, another thing... people complain alot about 24 being too crowded. Do you know the reason for this?? With 24 being all over the cities that they're in and still being crowded you can know one thing for sure...we're succesful! Hit me up w/ some questions guys instead of assuming something that is incorrect. I'll even give you our commission rates and how we get paid..from the sales counselor to the club mgr. Late.

RE: to MGLite...
You have to be 18 to be a sales counselor and the ONLY 15 dollar fee is something that we offer ONE add on for out of state friends. I offer it in 2 situations: when someone mentions that they have out of state friends coming in all the time OR they have friends that want to come in and play b-ball all the time. That extra 15 can only be used when the person comes in w/ the person w/ the membership... So its an extra 15 a month for the person that is ALREADY a member to get his/her friends in for free, but they HAVE to come in w/ the person w/ the membership. For all you people out there, you can ask about it if you will always be workin out w/ a friend w/ a membership. A small loop hole. Oh, ha, and about the olympic stuff??? God forbid we sell merchandise that the Olympic commission has allowed us to sell. They told us we could offer it at 'cost' during the promo. Much of the proceeds go to the Olympic Committee for undeveloped countries AND to help our own athletes in the USA... That's how a sponsorship works. We help them financially and in return they give us the advertising... Cmon man... Did you know that my I set up a promo w/ a local grocery store. They sell 1 month memberships for 24 for 30 bucks and give the proceeds to breast cancer, in return we get those people names (who are obviously interested in paying for fitness) and free advertising. I just had to give them a bunch of free 1-3 month memberships.. This is how biz's are run. no offense, but use your head dude.

TO:Work@24

It shows good work ethic that you are so loyal to your company and that you do whatever it takes to get the job done: whether it be cleaning toilets or whatever. You work in retail, and I definitely know how retail businesses work. They borrow capital and grow until they cannot afford their leverage anymore, then they merge, sell, or collapse. This is true for many retail chains, whether they be restaurants, department stores, or gyms. Chains are constantly being bought and being sold. These corporate level stresses directly affect customer service at the customer level. Regional managers pushing district managers to push store managers. Everyone is doing whatever it takes to shove merchandise down the throats of customers.

Regarding the olympic merchandise, perhaps I did not make my point clearly. When I called 24 hour and spoke with the manager, he told me that I could set my brother up with a membership for no enrollment fee -- simply 27 dollars a month. He said to ask for him, and he would set me up.

When I went in, the manager greeted me, sat me down, and proceeded to explain to me how I would need to buy a 25 dollar olympic package, which would be the same as a 25 dollar donation to the olympics. I told him that 25 dollars was not free. Free is free. I then had no choice but to pay the 25 bucks for olympic merchandise -- which of course was charged sales tax.

Let me tell you that when you run a truely successful business, your terms are your terms. When you give your word over the phone of how a deal will go down, that is how the deal should actually go down. It is a scam to change the deal. 24 Hour Fitness has it figured out, too: "what difference does it make to charge everyone an extra 25 bucks? It's not that much for a person to pay 25 bucks..."

Furthermore, everyone that goes to the gym should pay the SAME PRICE. We are all getting the same service -- despite whether we think it is good or not. It should not matter whether it is with my friend with a membership on every other Friday from out of town. One common service, one common price. It is a rip off to charge people different prices for the same service.

Oh, and thanks for the lesson on sponsorship, I was not really sure how that all went down. However, it is a bit fishy to be giving out "freebies" for donations one day, then marketing them as merchandise for sale, with no mention of where the proceeds go, the next day. Why don't you get the figures from corportate on where all of the dollars for all of that merchandise went, before you start tooting your philanthropic horn. Maybe you are right, maybe you are wrong, but you have no facts surrounding the sales and proceeds of that olympic merchandise. My guess is that the olympics received no more than 50 cents for my 25 dollar donation.

Surely, when I go to a restaurant and order a meal, I don't expect the table next to me to get charged more/less for the same food. One price.

Also, even in selling cards, I believe Saturn's success (aside from decent quality cars) is its no-haggle prices. What you see is what you pay. They get to charge a little more, and we get the peace of mind of knowing we didn't overpay for the car.

(Well, I guess we can still get shafted if we try to finance the car, but that's another matter.)

Ya know guys...you're right. Next time I see a sale for a cool pair of sunglasses that my I saw someone wearing...I'll think twice. It's just not fair that I would have to pay less for the same quality product. And on the restaurant statement... went to Subway the other night and the person in front of me got 2 6inch subs for the price of one..I asked if I could get the same deal but I had no coupon...the nerve of those guys!! I'm glad I am talking w/ such realistically minded people... You guys have showed me to never buy an on sale item again..that just wouldn't be fair

TO: Work at 24

You want realistic, I'll give you realistic.

What we are talking about is when two different people join the same gym in the same month, and end up paying drastically different amounts of money.

We are taling about a scenario when person A is charged 25 dollars a month for dues and person B is charged 35 dollars a month for dues. Let's pretend these two people join 24 Hour Fitness and keep their memberships for 5 years.

A five year commitment to pay 25 dollars a month for membership verses a five year commitment to pay 35 dollars a month, is a 10 dollar difference times 12 times 5. Lets see, that's 600 dollars. What would you rather have? Six hundred dollars, or the pain of finding out you could have saved 25 bucks on a pair of sunglasses? Humm? Your buddy paid 600 dollars less than you did to 24 Hour Fitness over the last five years, or the guy in line in front of you at Subway saved fifty cents on a sub?

I have been in numberous conversations with people who work out at 24 Hour Fitness, and it is amazing to me that no two people pay the same monthly dues. Many of the people I speak with are new members within the last two years, too.

24 Hour fitness does not publish their monthly membership rates because they are not uniform. They are designed to be flexible to compensate for fluxuations in quota attainment. If they cannot fill the quotas by charging the 30 bucks per month, they'll go ahed and drop the price to 20 or 25 bucks per month to fill them. But they'd like it if everyone would take the 30 dollar rate. And they will never tell anyone that they could come back when business slows down and get a lower rate.

In summary, because people pay drastically different amounts of money for the same service, 24 HOUR FITNESS SUCKS!!!

I agree with MGLite, it was not fair that I had to pay an extra 15 dollars a month to use the sport clubs, whereas other people who just joined were paying a lot less then me. Some of the trainers at 24 hour fitness are really not qualified to train. That is not to say all of them, the best trainers I ever saw at 24 hour fitness, was usually the young girls, who are working for the love of fitness.

LA Fitness charges one price for all, unless you want to pay upfront.

Never the less, half the people who work out at 24 hour fitness would be better off not even going to the gym. A lot of people do one set, then take a 10 minute break to go socialize, which is fine. But then you got someone like me, who wants to go workout for a strong hour, with no interuptions. To me, it is the hardest hour of work. Is it fair to me that I can't do a stationary workout because too many people are using the equipment as though it was their couch?

When I started working out, I started out in my garage. My first gym membership was with a small gym. Mike McKevin (I think that is how you spell his last name) ran the gym, and would also come out and train people. He never asked for extra money to help a person out. AFter all my family had just paid over 1000 dollars for a 3 year membership. Lets just say those days are over. Mike Mckevin now runs one of the 24 hour fitnesses.

Dear work@24:
Don't play ignorant; you know precisely what I'm saying. You can still have sales and offer coupons.

What we're saying is:
2 different people...
same day...
same gym...
same package...
same salesperson...
no special coupons...
2 different prices!

That's what we're saying and you know it.

All I know is this, 24 Hour Fitness (some of the employees at least) hurt people enough to where they started a hate blog.

So work@24, break it down for us. How does it work for salespeople at 24. Why is this blog here? Why can't the largest privately owned fitness company be seen as the leader in the industry and set the standard for it's relations with it's customers? I'll bet that all of this is related back to the way you pay people and ultimately make $. What do you think??

Terminator,

that is exactly what this blog is about. 24 Hour Fitness has been bully the smaller people, and being that they are so strong, they should be setting an example, but there NOT. I am hoping that I didn't risk going to jail for nothing. I really would like to see the fitness industry setting a better example. Maybe if 24 hour Fitness hired on more pschylogy majors, they would teach their people to be more professional. Terminator, this whole hassle with your company would have been avoided had I was offered some kind of fair hearing. 24 Hour Fitness didn't want to do that. They never gave me a real reason why my membership was revoke after being a member for 14 years. Whenever I call Bank Of AMerica, one of the largest banks in the world. The representatives, always say to me, "I see you have been a customer with us a long time, and we do thank you". Bank of America, gets a bad rap, but in reality their customer service makes 24 Hour Fitness Customer service, look like Disneyland.

I have always been bitter towards 24 Hour Fitness, because when they bought Family Fitness, who I was a member with, they did not honor my contract and allow me to use all facilities. They pulled the crap with the sport clubs. I was never even offer any kind of deal. If I was a hot blonde, I bet they would have taken care of it for me.

BTW, I said psychology majors, because that is what Microsoft, has been doing to try and change their corporate imagine.

wow! its amazing what can be said while someone is working during the day! I want to clear up a few things... I've been w/ the company for 5 years and have been promoted a few times so I hope what I say you guys can take as fact...no matter what members you talk to! If you can't then I can't inform you, but if you're willing then you'll gain a better understanding. OK, monthly memberships NEVER go on sale. They can be RAISED at times, but after they are raised they wont go back down. ONE TIME we have raised the monthly charge and then lowered it again cuz no one was buying...other than that, all raised prices have only been raised higher. Different monthly membership prices are based on access. Depends on if you want access to 1 club, all sports clubs, ALL clubs, etc... The only other monthly fee is the ONE CLUB and 4 times a week membership. Its the least expensive for those who wont use the facility that much... Now, different prices might be found in the enrollment fee. For instance, we are waiving the enrollment fee right now (sign up all you lovers!). BUT when I have shopped clubs here in town Golds adn the other competitor gave me the EXACT SAME line. "We are waiving the enrollment...sign up now!" Of course we say the same thing but the deal truly ends on tuesday. At Golds (cuz I make all employees shop the clubs) I know that they have been waiving this fee for 2 years now. (please don't respond w/ "well at my golds gym" cuz they are franchised out in most cases. so things will vary) So as you can see. the only fees that change are the sign up fees. These are the facts... if you want to THINK that im lying or the facts are otherwise, thats fine... let me take a breath so I can address some of the other issues. (i read ur input terminator...thanks for being straight up...ur the only one who has asked someone who might know instead of telling me "what this guy workin out at the gym told me)... be back...

Before I get into the next topic I want to address something I see here alot. The "you're too crowded complaint". Im sure you would all agree that there are clubs all over the place in the cities that 24 is in. So what does that tell you?? That we are really succesful in those terms. Theres 2 things I just can't argue w/: the price (cuz we are a bit more expensive) and if we're crowded.

Next, to answer some of terminators questions: heres the breakdown...Ha, i hope i dont get caught and get in trouble...but it's fair for you guys to know so please appreciate it:
personal training sessions: 10%
EFT(monthly charges): 80% but only on the first month
enrollment:20%
techically we get 10% for products, but i personally get mad at the sales guys if they take that commission cuz it should go to the people at the front desk..that way we don't push supplements that the customer doesn't need...I cant promise that other 24's use that same system.

Second, about why the blog is here: check out ANY major company and you will find a blog slamming it. If you somehow got screwed over w/ the billing process(EFT) or thru cancellation then I understand your complaints...but that has more to do w/ screwed up paperwork at corporate and is not a reflection on the club. EVERY job I've ever looked into I have first checked out on 'ripoffreport' to see whats up. ALL of them have MANY complaints. The other reason is that we are worlwide so many people can relate. LA fitness, for instance, is more local and wouldn't get the same press.

Last, customer service: All I can do is that I make sure myself and my clubs have the BEST service possible. We always run into people w/ legitimate problems and people problems that I can do NOTHING about. For instance, a lady dropped off her baby (in her stroller) at the front desk and went to workout. Not only did I tell her that she couldn't do that but I also called child protective services. She cussed me out sayin that we shouldn't advertise our child care if it didnt have the same hours as the club. Well, we're 24hours and can't possibly do that. Another guy was overdrafted and I had his problem fixed by the end of the week.

Last, let me be real w/ you guys. In ANY sales position theres gonna be idiots. Today in fact there was a guy who came in and didn't want the run around. He said that he would leave if that happened. So I took him to a desk and explained the options (don't normally do that cuz theres no way to build value in the club this way but it was better than him walking away.) This happened at one of my clubs and it turned out that this guy worked for the company...and I got in big trouble. I run many clubs and it was a guy placed by my boss...one of the vice prez's. So ya, it happens, but I still think I handled it appropriately and would do it again. Not only that but it showed my employees that it was not OK to handle customers in this way. Therefore, I told all of them to do everything they could to have someone "go thru the process". BUT if they were like this guy to just give them the prices. Why have a guy walk out just cuz he wants prices?? Not only that, but walks out and tells all his friends that we suck...just good business.

So what else you guys wanna know that could get me fired?? For the guy that runs this blog, I truly hope that our info isn't given out. This is why my email is not provided. Hit me up for more facts guys... I'll be open and honest w/ you.

Oh, just so you know: We are about to start building tons of new 'active' clubs. This will reach the nitch that just wants somewhere to workout that is small. The down side is that you might see some smaller clubs suffer due to this strategy. Basics of business for all those who took ONE class at business school. Remember the SWOT Analysis?? strength weakness oppurtunities threats. This matches that. I'm sure most of you will go after me on this last statement and ignore the rest of it. If thats the case, so be it. Just being up front... later.

Work@24

24 hour fitness doesn't value their customers'. How come after 14 years of membership, your company didn't try to keep me as a valued member? WHy did this whole minor issue have to get blown up, to where I am going to have to probably file civil harassment and rights lawsuit? Anyother industry would have had an upper manager call me up to work out the situation. The whole way the situation was handle, was very unprofessional.

Also why would you want to call child protective services on a customer? That is the worst way to handle things. I know of an incident in your child care where some parent got pissed because a young girl was picking on his son. He grabbed her by her arm, left marks, and then apologized. this is at the Irvine spectrum gym (the same gym who revoked my membership) , so what they did is got the guy out of there as quit as possible. Then they had they other father come in to pick up his daughter. I know because the victims father ran into to me at LA fitness, and told me the story. (People in OC like to visit different gyms, and sometimes belong to multiple companies).

Irvine spectrum gym, did this to protect themselves from a child endanagerment lawsuit. They are lucky the victim's dad is a layed back guy, and let it go.

Hey work@24,
It's great that you have pride in working for 24. However, if you are going to share with everyone all the great ways in which 24 hour "saves lives" and the way in which yo are so greatly compinsated for it, why not share all the ways 24 hour screws you out of all your hard earned $'s. Let's talk about the endless $'s of commission you don't get paid because of the wonderfull RTC program. For all you non workes, this is where they attempt to justify to you how you screwed up a sale and therefore don't get paid on it. The company still gets the revenue but you get nothing. Let's talk about all the times you go to clock in and find your "Time and Labor" hours changed because you GM was getting heat from his DM who was getting heat from his RVP about excessive overtime. This company, while having many good things going for it, seems to destroy all that good with more then few major flaws. And Work@24 you mentioned before that I did not make sence to you that someone that was with this company for more then 10 years has to be "not telling the whole truth" becuse they would have to be a VP or higher. Guess what my friend. I sat in many meettings with Mark Mastrov and listen to his big plans for this company. You know that in 1996, just about a year after they bought Family Fitness and became 24 Hour Fitness, he actualy said his goal was to get this company on the Forbes list of top 100 companies to be an empoyee for. Based on the current class action suits, of which there are a few, and the few that have recently settled, I think he has missed this goal. Which has to be getting to him because he has allways been motivated more by what people say he can not do. Trust when I say I know much more about the company you work for then you may think I do. While your 5 years of service is well deserving of a big pat on the back, the sad part is thta is about all your going to get for it. And for all the many members that feel they have been given the shaft as it pertains to their membership. You were. I also sat in many a meettings discussing the many ways to increase mebership prices while doing nothing to increase the club services. And prices can vary greatly from club to club based on what that club may need to hit it's never ending increasing goal.

It just goes to show, who does 24 hour fitness have fooled.

thanks to you and others like you they will find it harder and harder to pull the wool over people's eyes!

Hey Mr. @24

You wanna explain the new scam with Ultra Sport gyms, that NO ONE can go to unless you upgrade AGAIN!!!!!! Tell me fuck face, when is 24 gonna turn all sport gyms into ULTRA SPORT gyms, powerplaying EVERYONE to upgrade. I don't care who you are in the company, I gurantee you make less than $35,000.00 a year for all your slavery, and I am amused at how loyal you are. I'm sure you will be on here complaining too someday, when you realize you gave up your life to take a chance with this company and got nowhere! The best part of your intellect on this page, is that it tells me 24 Hour filled your head with a bunch of bullshit, and you bought it. C'mon a job at 24 Hour requires that your a moron....now tell me...do you really want me to believe they are paying you, a moron, six figures.....YEAH RIGHT YOU FUCKING LOSER!!!!!!!

work@24, thanks for your comments. It's so nice to know that not everyone there is like "THE CLOSER". Not only that, you make some excellent points. But however reasonable you are, I feel like you and THE CLOSER are saying the same thing, that you have to give the hard sell to have a succesful business. I really totally object to that thought, and the amount of lawsuits that 24 hour fitness evidently has is perhaps a byproduct of that "sales above all else" mentality. You claim that Gold's doesn't have this mentality, and therefore it is not successful. I'm not sure if I buy that Gold's isn't successful, in the Bay Area at least it seems equivalent in locations and crowdedness to 24 Hour Fitness. 24 Hour Fitness may in fact lose customers to other gyms due to it's hard sell. A friend of mine went to Bally's and asked about the prices. They were pretty straightforward, and asked him if he would sign up. My friend said he had to check out 24 Hour Fitness as well. They laughed and said "Go ahead, you'll be back." He went to 24 Hour, got the hard sell, was disgusted, and indeed went right back to Bally's to sign up. It just shows how the super-salesman mentality is not always the right approach.

Also, there are so many instances of shady business practices as described above. Really, read all the posts. You'll find it all, the company making it difficult to reach customer service, rude salesmen, several examples of 24 Hour Fitness either lying to customers, or later weaseling out of contracts (like when people find out the all-club membership doesn't get them into all clubs). Work@24, do you think there is anything wrong here?

Thanks timeserved@24, I hope that the hassles I have faced with 24, will someday be worth it

Lhevan,

Not sure why you continue to rag on 24. You have a choice to go somewhere else. Why haven't you. Is this your lifelong dream . . . .to live on a blog about 24 hr fitness? ever work there? Lose your job there? get your but kicked there by someone not associated with the company? Looking for a deep pocket to pay for your whinings? Really Mikey, what is the deal? can you explain it without going into your psycho babble about Irvine PD??

Work @24. Thanks for the headsup on life at 24. What is the RTC program anyway? Whose Idea was this?? Great way to de motivate sales staff if it's true.

Well, I'm not going to justify some of the comments and I appreciate those of you (andrew hyatt) that have complaints but dont take it to me personally...even tho I'm just about the only one who stands up for 24 reasonably...knowing that problems exist. I'm not sayin that there aren't problems. For the guy who swears I don't make 35k a year... I'm sure 'servedmytime@24' can attest to the fact that I am very well compensated. I'm not gonna give my exact title or my exact pay, but I gaurantee its well over 6 figures...So calling me names won't get much of a response from me. I can't say much to 'served@24' either, but I'm sorry you didn't like your 18 years w/ the company...a shame to waste that much time (not meant to be mean, just sayin).

Personally, I think I'm much too fair for this site. I can give you all my info (and only speak for myself and my clubs) and I can present the bad and the good that I do OR I see...yet the people only feed off the negative. Today for instance, one of the guys at the front desk told someone that he'd 'kick htem out' if they didn't bring a towel next time...obviously not a good way to go. So I took him aside and I'm sure the problem won't happen again cuz he'll be gone if it does.

As for the us constantly making bigger, better clubs and not still giving you full access: There are VERY few super clubs and even fewer ultra clubs. I know of ONE club that has been added upon to make it from a sport to a super. Here's the legal reasons for this... If you sign a liability for a sports club w/ baseketball then we add more facilities you are not covered by our insurance for the extra facilities. MOST people will pay a little extra MONTHLY... up to you if you choose not to.

Hyatt and to everyone really: when I sign someone up I tell them exactly what clubs they'll have access to and have NEVER met anyone upset w/ that access cuz they usually don't want more access cuz it costs them more money...its a money issue, not a service issue. If someone tells me that something is too expensive I ask them if they will only NEED a certain type of club so I show them the less expensive memberships (cuz if they come in to a sport club I assume they want at least that level). I have also read almost ALL the posts and I've seen common threads (for those reasonable ones) and mostly understand the complaints. Also, remember everyone that the sales counselor is entry level. I can only speak for my sales people, but If someone says NO to all the options then we give them a free 2 weeks and at least half of all of them end up signing up...So I have no problem w/ the no's cuz I think that my clubs speak for themselves. Again, I can only speak for the clubs I'M in charge of.

Now, for the all too fair me I will give another example. We are currently waiving the enrollment, and, as mentioned earlier my boss has been shadowing me for the past week. I presented a membership to someone and told them about the waived enrollment right away...the bosses response "that guy would have bought anything, hes not your friend, hes your money. next time dont present the no enrollment until he says no." I don't agree and will do the same thing again if it comes to me. So there ya guys go...me being REASONABLE and showing both sides. I hope some of you can try the same.

HYATT: Alot of times I'm talkin price and I can't put 'cheep' on here(spelled correctly of course) cuz of the spam reasons...but some guy can call me a fu**head?? Not complaining, but cmon. I'm sure you want people w/ serious complaints about the company on this site. I have no problem w/ language or attacks on me..to be expected...but if this site is ALL ABOUT how people were treated... just somethin to think about... not callin you hypocrytical at all, but just the premise of it is a bit hypocrytical.

Lhevan: you are starting to be funny to me. Sounds like a huge grudge you got goin there. The reason is that you don't get into the personal attacks, but at the same time you don't take anything I say into account. You take a reasonable response and twist it. It's like me telling you a problem and you sayin, "oh yeah? well you suck!" Again, somethin to think about. Sorry my posts haven't done anything for you...cuz I am trying to bring some REAL info into this blog. Talk to you guys later...

Thinking of changing my name to "2nice2post". what do you guys think??

Just got home to check if anyone responded and realized I didnt address some of 'served@24' points...which should. RTC, is basically when a sales counselor screws up the paper work during the sales process. If they don't input something right then corporate has to fix it and they lose their commission on that sale. It does suck but only has only happened to me twice in my career. If you make the mistake once, you probly won't make that same mistake again. The up side is that it is a GOOD and FAIR incentive to keep the sales people from messing up. At my best club we haven't had this happen once in the past 5 months. In my worst (grossing) club, it happens about once a month. So take what you want of that.

About the mgrs changing hours? If I were to ever find out that a mgr changed hours I would fire them immediately...its against the law. If it has happened then someone should report their mgr and they will be fired. To take care of overtime I simply tell the counselors that they are not to work hours outside of their schedule. If they do so I won't pay them less, I will simply cut their hours the following week. So if youre scheduled for 40 and clock 42. Then you will be scheduled for 38 the following week. BUT, I must say that if a counselor is working for the hourly wage they won't last long cuz they won't be making any money and probly quit (we work a draw...hourly and commission). The only time I took my hourly wage was my first month on the job.

Last, I wasn't bragging about how much I make. In fact, as you know 'served@24', I am not paid the same way as sales counselors. I just felt like the people here would benefit by knowing how much the sales people are getting paid compared to how much they were paying for a membership. Fair enough, right??

Also, for the wonderful guy that was apparently so full of knowledge about our payscale; in a good club most counselors make at least 35k a year. I don't know the avg nationwide, but that is a typical GOOD club avg. Also in a good club the mgrs can make up to 6figures...depending on how good your club is.

Remember, I've never stated how much I make, just giving people insight to where the money is going. Very fair I think. Night.

You've been very patient and reasonable, in spite of being called names by some less-than-articulate bloggers.

I think you should be commended for your effort to address the various complaints on the forum.

I realize that you've already taken a lot of your personal time to address our concerns, but I don't believe you've fully addressed mine:

2 different people...
same day...
same gym...
same package...
same salesperson...
no special coupons...
2 different prices.

You said "OK, monthly memberships NEVER go on sale" but that doesn't mean that two people won't end up paying two very different prices for the identical package.

Also some of the membership upgrades DO go on sale. For example:
2 months ago one of the sales guys approached me when they scanned my card and said I can upgrade to an ALL-CLUBS Sport membership for only $4 per month plus a $79 processing fee. He said it was normally $8 to upgrade to all-club (which even at $8 seems like an awesome deal!)

So I upgraded after my workout. I now pay $28, month-to-month, for All Sport access. (I can read your mind... yes... I had that coupon you guys give to your 24HR employees... that's why I was able to get $24 month-to-month, with $0 enrollment and $0 processing.)

Work@24 I do have a grudge, this has taken a toll on my life. Terminator in my opinion you sound like someone who has no ability to think, and are one of the bad apples that work for 24 hour fitness.

Work@24 your director of loss prevention Frank Lucentoro, abused his power with the irvine pd. Coming here and talking about it will only prevent something like this in the future.

Terminator, I can tell that most of the people at 24 hour fitness would perfer if you didn't work there. You must be a real selffish, self serving dick, who likes to drag your fellow employees down. The best thing that could happen to 24 Hour Fitness, is that they reorginize, and get rid of the dead weight like terminator. I assume you don't have very many job skills so what you can do is apply for retraining with EDD. You might be able to get your GED.

24@hour, we might disagree but at least you are not disrespectful in explaining your view. (I think it is a little distorted)

I have worked for 24 Hour Fitness, Bally's, Las Vegas Athletic Club, Pure Fitness, and Fitness Experience. ( I have had my own studios for the last 4 years) I was only at 24 Hour Fitness for 3 weeks because I was so appalled by the practices used by the staff at 24 Hour Fitness on its employees and new members. I will spare you the details for the sake of keeping this blog short. As an employee, I was amazed at how inconsiderate the staff was to clients needs. Not only are they pushy to the point of rude, but the shark frenzied end of month sales push creates a tension in everyone in the building from the GM to the kids at the front desk and ultimately to the prospective members walking through the doors. They WILL take a members last dollar! I do not agree that these type of sales techniques are a healthy or neccessary means of successful business. For example, Las Vegas Athletic Club dominates its market without such tenacious practices. $5 dollars down and 21 a month. THATS IT! No scams, no last day signs..period. Hand over a 5 dollar bill, and workout that day! If you wish to see 24 Hour Fitness change its ways, simply choose a gym that treats you the way you deserve to be treated and tell your friends and family about them.

Rabbitt: I'll answer some of your questions for ya. In my previous blog I stated how my boss got mad cuz I pitched the membership w/out the enrollment fee first instead of 'dropping down' to it. So, other than monthly charges you might find yourself paying more when it comes to the enrollment. Processing is never dropped unless your corporate or have some VERY SPECIAL deal (seems like you got one). I can say that my staff doesn't do this, but I'm sure it's standard w/ any company and almost any sales approach. And, yes, upgrades do go on sale simply if we are trying to get more people into a gym...and most people do it. I actually think this is good practice because we are giving better rates to people that are already members. i.e. frequent flier miles, buy 10 smoothies get one free and so on.

Lhevan:not sure why you're goin off on terminator. I'm not just standing up for him cuz he stood up for me. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he hasn't said much that is too bad in this blog... not that I'm aware of anyways. Clear something up for me...when I started reading in the blog all about the irvine pd I just kinda didn't read it. So were you arrested at a 24?? No need to start the PD blog again, I just want your info. Ha, and I def. won't respond if it turns into an Irving PD blog again.

Jeff: You've worked for 5 fitness clubs??? Sales in each?? I happen to know a little about some of the clubs you mentioned. What 'studio' do you run now?? I'm very familiar w/ the Vegas market. To say that LV Athletic Club dominates?? I just looked at that areas competition report to make sure how accurate you are. 24HF #1 and LVAC #2. 24HF over 15 clubs and LVAC 4 clubs. Cleaning inspection as done by a 3rd party; 24HF 92% and LVAC 81%. I won't go on...the point is made. Oh, but they are less expensive!!

Now, you guys will be happy to know that I've looked up some of the complaints I've seen on this site...unless they were completely ridiculous. To date I have found 2 and searched for 12. So for 2 of you I might be able to help out cuz of your situations...which is why I want to know more lhevan. Later.

That is not the same terminator that I talked on email. Hey work at 24@hour if you want to talk to me about this it will have to be through email. Or you can reread my postings. lhevan@hotmail.com

Sorry man, I would but w/ the info I've given here I could possibly get into trouble. So I can't give my email to anyone on here...Ha, especially those of you w/ big probs w/ 24HF.

lol, they try to keep everything secrete, you want my lawyers #

Work@24. Thanks for being straight up. sounds like you are pretty high up in the company. I also notice that the complaints have dropped off since you divulged info.

Lhevan-Same terminator , just tired of the mindless drivel. Sorry

Instead of "Gross is king" 24 hour fitness should start a motto:

"Customer's are king, they pay our salaries"

Hey 24@hour so what location do you work at

I signed up for my membership in 1988. I signed up for the membership that allowed me to go to any, and all Family Fitness Centers. Well eventually the name was changed to 24 Hour Fitness, and I was fine with that. I had such confidance in my premium membership, it never dawned on me that I was about to be scammed, and in my opinion, criminally. All of a sudden one day I was turned down at a gym that I had worked out at for YEARS!?!?!?!?!? Well wouldn't you know it, the people that run this business decided to throw up a sign that says 24 Hour SPORT!?!?!?!?! No longer was my membership good at all gyms because I did not have a "SPORT" membership. C'mon what bull, it was the same gym for christ sake!!!!!!!!! I refused to upgrade my membership, and unwillingly I tried to find gyms that I could get in to. Ya know what though? As time went on more and more gyms became "SPORT" gyms. Yeah, I know there are sport gyms today that are better versions of the regular 24 hour fitness centers, but that took years to acheive and the only stupid difference is a b-ball court, and a pool, both of which are as small as possible, but do not be confused, the equipment you use is the SAME at the regular gyms. C'mon, a pool with three lanes, and a b-ball court so small that you can barely fit on the sidelines to wait for a pick up game. What a joke, they oversell memberships, crowd their gyms, and a THREE LANE POOL IS ACCEPTABLE!?! It is rather disheartening, and pathetic. To me pools that small are only there to serve as a marketing device to sell memberships, not one for actual use. Good luck though, I hear the pool is empty at three in the morning. Oh and what of the saunas, and steam rooms that work 25% of the time. And of course all the treadmills, and cyclones that don't work. I just love waiting 20 min. to get on a cardio machine while four to five machines are always broken, FOR WEEKS AT A TIME!!! My favorite with the sauna and steam room, is how management blames MEMBERS for breaking them. How about those childish signs that say not to poor water on the heating element in the steam room, or it will break. First of all what I poor water on is the THEROMSTAT, not an unknown "Heating Element". I do this because WHO WANTS TO SIT IN A STINKY ROOM WITH NO STEAM AND SIT AROUND TILL IT DECIDES TO TURN ON!!!!!!!!! Time is money people, and you waste mine every day!!!! Additionally I hate sitting in a sauna that is barley hot, c'mon don't bullshit me that this company cant afford electricity, or consistent maintenance. Hundreds of thousands of people pay their memberships, so If we break things, FIX IT IMMEADIATLEY!!!!! Don't put up a sign and punish us by not repairing things, it is criminal. Now here is the kicker, guess what the new scam is? Well now that they have sold everyone on the planet a "Sport" membership, which led everyone to believe they CAN actually work out at all gyms, is now starting to find out that is not so........Guess what people? Now they are starting to open 24 Hour "ULTRA" Sport clubs. WHAT the fuck!!! I'm just waiting for the day that I go to my Gym and get denied access because they changed the sign to "ULTRA SPORT". It is really genius, if your a scheemer, and a scumbag. It's genius cause they first sign up the planet for 24 Hour memberships. Once those sales are maximized, they change the name to "Sport", and powerplay everyone into upgrading their memberships. Well now that "Sport" membership sales are maximized, whats next!? You guessed it, your gym will soon be an "Ultra Sport" and again we will be bullied into another upgrade. I love my country, and it blows me away that a business can get away with these dealings in the U.S.A. Hey if you want an answer to this problem, do what I did. Find a friend that is oblivious to this, and pays for his/her membership diligently. Give him/her $100.00 for their membership card and a photocopy of their license. Additionally pay the $10.00 for a new membership card for your friend. Photocopy your own license, cut out your picture, stick it on top of your friends picture of the photocopy he/she gave you, then photocopy that and behold your new identity. Now that is how you scam a scammer! I have been working out at Sport clubs for YEARS now, all for FREE. I still have my original 24hour membership at $8.00 a month, and never upgraded. Don't let gym employees scare you about doing this, 60% of the time they don't even check you in, and when they do, 90% of the time they don't look at the photocopied ID, and when they do look at the photocopy, it's only to see if there is one. C'mon what highschool kid at the front desk gives a shit who you are. After all, they let their friends in for free ALL THE TIME!!!!!

Uh, This above post by "24 Hour Fintess Sucks" is identical to a previous one by "Toni Chapman". Do you mind not cluttering the blog?

I will say this... there are good 24-hour gyms, and there are bad ones.

A bad 24-hours is in Daly City. The water in the pool gave me rashes. I asked them how often they change the water and they said only once every 6 months. The locker rooms are always (and I do mean always) FILTHY.

A GOOD 24-hours is on Ocean Ave in San Francisco. The pool water, so far, has been less irritating to my skin, plus it's a full 25 meters (as opposed to a meager 21) and the locker room/showers are much cleaner.

Overall, I think 24 hours is a great value.

I complain sometimes because I think it can be much much better. But, for price, I really can't complain.

I had looked into LA Fitness on Van Ness, in San Francisco: an 8 lane pool!!!! But parking is expensive and the monthly fee is around $120 (yikes.)

Dimitri

Sorry, was out for the night and it looks like I need to address more problems! For '24sucks'... looks like you got the system figured out.I mean, whats better than stooping to a level of breaking the law?? The other day someone kicked my cat... so I think I'll go over and kick his cat too...that'll show him (not true, just making a point.) For your slightly more reasonable argument... Ummm... I've been a competitive swimmer all my life and qualified for the Olympic Trials. Training twice a day everyday since I was 12 (stopped after college). But I workout in our pool almost everday. It's no where close to the nice 8 lane 50meter pool, but it def. gets the job done. And are you really complaining about the steam room breaking while you openly admit that you're the one breaking it?? I've been in the steam room before and have told people to stop pouring the water on the thermostat. If the steam isn't good enough for you, then you like it to operate at levels unhealthy for you. There are rules and laws that deal w/ liability that state how hot and humid these rooms can get... I personally don't feel like dealing w/ someone dying in my steam room (which if you look at alot of reports actually happens alot to women and wrestlers going overboard trying to lose weight. And last of all...this is the LAST time I will deal w/ this issue people... we overcrowd our gyms?? We have gyms ALL OVER in the areas that we are in. MOST of them are crowded cuz lots of people like to use them...Sounds like business is good to me?? And how do you help this by getting in illegally?? Do you think its fair for you to do it for free while members are paying good money?? Sounds like YOU are the problem, not the gym. I'm sure you'll come back at me w/ something, but it will slide off my back.

Lhevan: Ha, do you think I'm gonna tell you the area I operate in?? I will tell you that I'm not in a specific club, but run an area. Other than administrative and managerial duties, I still sell memberships like the rest of them.

By the way, I fired someone today for this reason: He was selling the prepaid membership for 899 when we had it at deal for 799. He was stating the 899 price so he could drop down to 799 if they said no at first. Ha, I also dealt w/ a person from a competitor 'shopping' our club. I set an appt. w/ her and everything. It was rather funny cuz she kept saying "what else do you have?" At the point I realized that this seemingly interested person wasn't going to buy anything, I sicked the dogs on her and did a TO (turn over) to one of the more "persuasive" sales people. Ha, her wasting my time for 20 minutes turned into an hour long sales presentation. She talked to me first, then a TO to a sales person, then a TO to the assist. mgr, then a TO to the mgr, then a TO to the fitness mgr to try to sell her personal training... Ha, I'm thinking she won't be back. We even did a fat % test for free and a resting/ target heart rate test for free (where you breath into a device for 5 minutes). These are the things that make my day fun! Now, don't come after me guys about this...not a normal thing for me, but ya gotta have fun w/ the people from other clubs that 'shop' our clubs. Night.

Hey work@24 is your name Adam Loew? I just want to know why 24 hour makes people pay 1st and last months dues, knowing that the person will never get use of that last months, if they decide to quit, or if their membership is revoked

Let me start out by saying that I have never every worked out at a 24 hour fitness location. I have never ever worked for them or talked to someone who did.

I will say however that I have been in sales for many years and am quite good at it. I havce sold everything from web design services, vehicles (Toyota and Ford) to lawn tractors and treadmills. I have also run my own business for about a year.

The reason I looked into this Bog is I am considering working at 24 hour as a front line sales associate. What better place to check the company out that in the complaints?

With all that said, I can tell you that this is one of the most interesting discussions I have ever read, and that I will take the sales job if offered to me at the job fair I am going to on friday here in fort worth texas.

Let me break down for you exactly why the business is run the way it is, and why your complaints make me eager to work there.

To make all my arguments easy to understand I will use the same example in all my explinations.

#1 Overcrowded gyms.

Lets say that you start a company (you own this company) and the company is not a gym, but a food service center. There are four of five major food cervice centers around your local area. Your business model (the same as everyone else) is to sell a monthly pass to eat at your resturant, two star food.

You open your resturant and offer slightly better food for slightly more money than the others in your area. People start showing up, and buying your memberships. IN fact, more and more people are buying your memebrships than any of the other food service centers! Wow! Great for you! You say to yourself "Self, this is really working! People seem to be very interested in my products and services! I seem to have maxed out my current location, yet I wish to expand to make myself more money. I think I will open up another location!"

And another, and another... after a few months / years in business, ALL of your locations are packed and you are growing as fast as you can.

Now let me ask you this. Should your customers be unhappy about your business's success? (They themselves chose your company other the others for a reason you would assume?) Lots of people = quality product for a price that people are willing to pay? The only solution to this problem is expanding the business which it sounds like you (and 24 hour fitness) is already doing?

#2 Pushy sales staff

Remember, YOU own this food service center.

You take a look at good solid information. Information from data you have collected over years of being in business and hundreds of your sales associates results looked at (as well as other business's.)

This data shows that a customer will never pay more for something than he feels it is worth. Now remember, your company is more expensive than the others, what sets you apart is your products and services.

You find that when a customer first walks into your busienss, they are not aware of the differnce between you and the 'other' places they can spend their money.

You find that if the customer is given your price up front, without seeing first hand what he is getting for his money, he is not very likely to buy your membership as he can 'get the same thing for less somewhere else.'

You find that after showing the customer ALL the differences and services you offer, the VALUE they hold for your company is increased and they are FAR more likely to make an INFORMED purchase of your product.

Question. Do you force your sales staff to show EVERY customer that walks in (remember you only get xxx number of people a month) what sets you appart BEFORE giving them the price and having them make a less informed purchase choice?

Question. Knowing that less than one in nine people who leave without buying your product will get 'talked into' buying a product from another salesman somewhere else, do you, feeling that you have the best product for a reasonable price, tell your sales staff to make every effort to sell them while they are there?

How would you run your business knowing that business's with less sales training (Thats the training that teaches people to 'close' a sale THAT MINUTE) are FAR less likely to be profitable and far more likely to have low prospect to client conversions?

AKA, every car lot in the world (TRUST me, letting the customer go 'think about it' means they are going to buy some other product 90% of the time not because the product is better, but because they are there...)

AKA, Sears (Just close the sales, 90% won't be back if they leave to shop around. Same problem)

AKA, ANY company with a sales staff...

How would you do business?

Remember, you can't sell low price like the other companies, you are in the high end market... THATS why they don't need to be pushy, they are selling cost, not service like you are.

#3 Rude employees

Rude employees are bad for business and should / will be fired. Someone here said that one of the CEO's goals was to make 24 one of the best places to work in the US. Also, being rude is bad for business 100% of the time. However, when you have a staff of 1,000's apon 1,000's how realistic is it of you to make sure that no rude people exist?

On a complaint Bog how likely is it that people will be visiting talking about how nice the people are? This is a microcosm (hope I spelled that right, lol!)

#4 Upgrading clubs.

Lets say once again that you own your food business. You hire a consulting firm to see how you can grow your business. The firm finds that LOTS of people are willing to pay MORE for even MORE service! Well you are already in most of the major markets (You can't open an expensive 24 right next door to a less one as there are only so many clients possible in any given area.)

Would you take a select number of your locations in major areas you are already in and convert them to the new, more profitable business model offering services that people are willing to pay for?

What would you do? Really, your money...

I could go on and on.

work@24, I hope to be working there myself soon. If you have the time, I would love to get some tips to help increase my chances of landing this jobs. I am tired of car sales and am looking for a job that will reward success with promotion. Sounds like a great match!

To tell everyone the truth, I never even would have ended up on this blog, had 24 hour fitness handle my situation professionally. As far as joing a gym, you have to ask yourself, why am I going to the gym? If you are like me, you just want to get in and get out ASAP. But other people like to go because they can socialize, which is ok. The peoblem that I had with 24 Hour Fitness, was the fact that a lot of people looked dead in their workout. This meant for me, that I would have to wait, because John, jane and doe, where carrying on a big social session, used the machine once within the last five minutes, while a bunch of people are waiting to use it. I felt the staff of 24 hour fitness had an obligation to walk through the gym and try yo keep it flowing. But in most cases it was the staff slowing everyone down.

On a positive note, OC 24 hour fitness is like 7-eleven. I did like the conviency, after they finally manipulated me into joining the sports club. WHat really pissed me off is that, I renegiotiated my contract and got my monthly dues down to 22$. The next week they revoked it. That sounds kind of fishy to me. I used the gym a good 20 to 25 times a month, whether it was working out or just going to use the sauna and steam room.

Thank god I didn't get talked into a 3 year deal prepaid.

Mitchell, you lost me at resteraunts......why would I read that crap, your lame. Lhevan has better things to say than you. All I understand about you is that you looked up this rant before you decide to accept a job with 24Hour, AND AFTER READING THIS YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO WORK THERE!?!?!? I was right, the qualification to work there is for one to be a total MORON!!!!! Dude, did you read this right, this site is about how TERRIBLE 24Hour is. I guess you believe you will be making well over six figures too, like work@24hour pretends he does....yeah right.

Have fun with your failure of a career!

So if you ran the company, you would instruct your staff to tell people to "Move it along, you are holding up others." ?

Do you really think that is good for business?

I doubt that you really believe that. However I can see why you would be annoyed. The fact remains that the best thing for business (and this is a business) is to make your customers feel welcomed and unrushed.

Remember, most people are not training nearly as hard as I assume you are. The socialization gets them into the gym more (and in some cases keeps them there.)

What would you have them do in reality to fix this problem. What would you have them really say. How do you think your adverage person would take this? I think you would agree, not very well, and I bet they would be on this very Blog. ;)

24hr sucks, I think I will show my charictor by saying that I wish you well. Please keep working out friend, don't let a bad experience ruin what will most likely add years to your life.

Whatever Mitchell, don't schmooze me, it's a waste of your time. Dude I know an Irvine P.D. that will give you a job, but you sound too much like a pussy to work there, cause they are tough and beat up innocent people!

Mark Mastrov's mom gave me head!

No Schmoozing, I just know that somewhere, right now, there is a man reading this message, waiting to post some other vulger remark. But I bet you that if we ment in person, you're a good guy. Most angry web chaters are. Say what you will, and I know you will. ;) If it makes you feel better or entertained, well there you go.

Hey Mitchell

If you want to communicate with me you will have to learn to spell. I think you want a job at 24hour cause you can be illiterate and still work there. Hey work@24hour, dont bullshit me about the steamroom, I put water on the thermostat, BECAUSE IT NEVER TURNS ON AUTOMATICALLY AND I DONT WANT TO SIT IN A STEAMROOM WITH NO STEAM FOR AND HOUR TO WAIT FOR IT TO TURN ON, Ok!!!!! Let me clarify, if I walk into a steamroom that IS fully steamed up, or already running, I do not continue to poor water on the thermostat. It's just that way more often than not, there is absolutley no steam, then it's water on the thermostat baby!!!!!!!! Aww is Mitchell gonna cry cause he cant read or write?

All I can say is that one of the bigger 24 hour gyms in Houston is really awful. They are still trying to fix my account after 3 months. I was supposed to get canx off of one account, get my own, and add a new member. Instead the new member got her own membership and I was stuck as a secondary on someones account. As far as the staff, the guys who work there only pay attention to the good-looking women who come dressed half naked. I thought there was a dress code? 9 times out of 10 the 'trainers' are too busy flirting with those women and can't help other 'dressed' members with questions regarding equipment. I saw someone mention 'Ultra'? What's the difference?

Mitchell, you have a point. But you only look at it from one perspective. Of course what 24 hour fitness is doing is designed to make money. But it is risky, because the high-pressure sales tactics piss people off. Then, money-making tactics such as upgrading the gyms further piss off their clients. Hiring super-salesman without giving thought to anything else leads to being staffed with people like THE CLOSER, leading to harassment lawsuits, as well as lawsuits about cancellations and misrepresentations.

I think this will hurt them in the long run. Indeed, if what has been posted here is true, it already has brought their valuation down considerably.

And please don't tell me that the tour is just so people understand what the club is. You can tell people in a few seconds what the club offers, and offer the tour (but don't require). The tour is just a classic sales technique to get people to invest time in the sale situation, leading to fewer walk-outs.

"ULTRA" SPORT gym's are the new scam buddy.....check it out. If you have a membership that allows you into ALL clubs, soon you will find out thats no so........soon a sign will be up at your gym newly naming it a ULTRA SPORT 24Hr. FITNESS Club. And guess what.......thats right buddy, you membership will not include ULTRA gyms, oh no!!!!!! you will be powerplayed into upgrading your membership AGAIN to be allowed into that same gym you used to go to as a SPORT gym. But hey I'm sure retarded Mitchell who cant spell will have you believe otherwise. Mitchell, did you remember to whipe after you did a doodey?

Lol 24hrsucks! I always enjoy talking to the spelling police. ;-) Officer I am guilty as charged and can't spell worth a sheit.

Andrew I agree that over selling can sometimes lead to a decline in business and overall sells. However your last statement is exactly what I mean.

"The tour is just a classic sales technique to get people to invest time in the sale situation, leading to fewer walk-outs."

Exactly. You can 'tell' someone that a Toyota Camry drives better than a Ford taurus and that's why it is more expensive, but until they see and feel and experience the difference, it will not make them want to part with more money for the Camry than for the lesser Taurus. (IE it does not bring the value of the product up.)

Fewer walkouts mean that more people are seeing the value of the club and it's membership dispite it's increased price than if the tour was not required.

And how many people do you think would take the one hour 'sales tour' if it was optional? Right, not many.

Again, how would you run your business? YOu would most likely maximize sales.

Now, taking care of clients AFTER the sale should be just as important as the sale, or you will loose money and eventualy run out of people to sell. However word of mouth must be good for this business or it would not be 'packed to the brim' with people?

People always rip on sales, however nothing in the world gets done until a salesman sells something. Whether it be a product, service, idea or a mix of them.

You can force a small amount of people to buy something they don't need / don't want, but you will always make more money showing people WHY they DO need and want your service. In this case, a more expensive gym membership than they can get elsewhere.

24hrsucks, please post again, it always brings a smile to my face thinking of you out there somewhere trying to think up a way to 'get at' me. Lol, after having people belittle me to my face for years (auto sales) Internet insults are like water off a ducks back. Have all the fun you like at my expense. ;)

To answer B-'s question one only needs goto their website. I will place a * by the difference between the upgraded club and the one under it.

Express
---------------------
Generally from 6,000-10,000 square feet and may include:

Limited free weight equipment
Cardio equipment
Group Exercise
Personal Training

Active
---------------------
Generally up to 25,000 square feet and may include:

*Free weights
Cardio equipment
Group Exercise
Personal Training
*Locker rooms
*Sauna
*Steam room
*Kids' Club

Sport
---------------------
Generally range from 35,000 to 50,000 square feet and may include:

*B-ball
*Pool
Free weights
Cardio equipment
Group Exercise
Personal Training
Locker rooms
Sauna
Steam room
Kids' Club

Super-Sport
---------------------
Generally over 50,000 square feet and may include:

*Tanning
B-ball
Pool
Free weights
Cardio equipment
Group Exercise
Personal Training
Locker rooms
Sauna
Steam room
Kids' Club

Ultra-Sport
---------------------
Generally over 100,000 square feet and may include:

*Volleyball
*Racquetball
*Rock Climbing
*Indoor running track
*Executive Locker Rooms
*Massage and Squash
Tanning
B-ball
Pool
Free weights
Cardio equipment
Group Exercise
Personal Training
Locker rooms
Sauna
Steam room
Kids' Club

Also each club is a lot more square feet than the lesser model. There are also some extras like juice bar etc that I did not list.

Hope that helps. :)

Mitchell you obviously already work 24 hour fitness.

Nope, unfortunatly I am currently trying to run my own business right now with very little success. :-p I am a far better salesman than a collections agent I fear.

I have sold vehicles at Toyota and Ford, as well as sold websites for an advertising agency for awhile.

All the information I posted is available at 24hourfitness.com and everything else is just simple reasoning coming from my sales background.

I just saw everyone ripping on a company for things I would do in their place (the company's that is.)

I am hoping that maybe I can get a good word from works@24 and that is the motive for my posts. ;) Gasp! An honest salesman!?! Yes, they do exist and tend to make far more than the dishonest ones.

I also work for the Animal Rescue Leauge as their webmaster free of charge. See, some of us sales guys are ok people after all. :)

Hey Toni Chapman/24 Hr Fitness sucks/ whatever else you wanna call yourself.

You sure like to stir the shit don't ya. From now on we'll call you the STICK. Keep stirring the shit,STICK, that helps is go down the bowl. Nice part about it though is that after it does go down, the bowl is nice and clean. And you still have shit on you STICK. You and your friend Mikey are nothin but whiners.

So STICK, aren't educated enough to have an intelligent discussion without calling people names and resorting to personal attacks? Try elementary school, might be a nice place for you to rejoin your sorely needed education.

STICK, Your age shows through in your whines/rants/drivel. Take another hit dude and call it a day. Otherwise post something of relevance you DICK!! (rhymes with STICK). . . .get it DICK!!!

Mitchell, Good luck on joining the company. They can use more above board salesman like you. You might even learn a few things while there. And from what I read, if you can sell, the sky is the limit!! Go for it!

Hey Terminator, how come your other identity here is Irvine PD? What gives? Why do you act like someone who works at 24hr, if your with the law. I may joke around, but I NEVER made accusations toward anyone about DRUG USE!!!! Doody humor is one thing, but making statements telling me to "take another h-t" is discraceful, especially if children read this. I can be childish, but I DO have issues with 24hr, and this site is a great venue to get the word out. I don't know why you show personal issues with Lhevan, or why you refrence him as my "friend". The guy seems to have had a bad experiance. I want to hear what he, and everyone else has to say. U.S.A. is #1
Shot out to our boyz over seas who bleed Red White and Blue. We love you! Godbless!!!

Seeing as how I WORK during the day and have a g/f I can only post after work and after g/f time... Ha, its good though because I can really take in the battle that goes on while I'm off having a life!

24Sucks: I'll agree w/ Mitchell that you're attacks ride right off our backs. Being in sales you have to be absolutely OK w/ someone saying NO..alot of defeat. If I can put up w/ someone w/ legitimate complaints all day I can surely put up w/ someone that makes... well...I'm not sure what point you make, but it is completely useless to people...EVEN THE PEOPLE THAT DISAGREE W/ US 24HOUR GUYS!! I would appreciate a post from someone that disagrees w/ me backing me up on this one!

To the rest of the posts, I think that Mitchell handled them very well. Yes, we TRY to make the tour mandatory to build value. We also sit down w/ them and discuss their fitness goals. Most gyms don't do this. It is SERIOUSLY our biggest asset. Why does someone come into a gym usually? The guys that already know they are gonna work out come in and sign up..not much sales needed. For everyone else you need to get them to a point to make a DECISION! Our process allows them to see that they need specific things in a gym to get desired results and/or specific things in a gym that make that process enjoyable (ie. classes, b-ball, swimming, etc.) If someone comes and and doesn't 'have time' for everything I usually make an appt w/ them to show them everything...so that we can build value.

Lhevan: In our contract that YOU sign it asks to give us 30 days notice on a cancellation. From the day you decide to cancel, you have 30 days to still use the gym. This is where you get the use of the last months dues paid up front. I'm pretty sure the Golds Gym around here does the same thing. So, if you're moving in 30 days its best to cancel then so that your prepaid dues take over at that point. Fair enough?? I explain this to everyone that asks that same question during the sales process...haven't had an objection yet. (and if it's not explained it's still in the contract that you sign)Oh, ha, my name is not Adam.

Let me tell you guys...I've been doing sales for a long time...even since college. In college I sold knives...thats right! Knives! When I would call people to set appts at their homes, they would usually tell me they weren't interested. I told them "you don't have to be interested, I get paid just for showing it to you" (which was true). I did this fully knowing that once they saw the value they would most likely buy. And the most objectionable people would usually end up buying...THEIR CHOICE!

Mitchell: To be honest, it sounds like you have a pretty good grip on sales and you probly won't need my help. Your experience alone should get you the job. However, if you get me some info I'd be more than happy to help you out (but you won't need it). Most applicants know fitness, but don't know sales...we usually jump at those who do. A few tips when you get the job. Get 20 leads a day, make 100 phone calls a day, set 10 appts a day, confirm those appts the day of the appt. Seriously, during your training get leads, get leads, get leads! It will get you off to a much better start than most you will probably work w/. Once you have all those leads you can work w/ walk-ins and appts...and your sales will show not by your closing % but by the amount of biz you bring to the club. As you know, its a numbers game. 5 nos usually equals 2 yes'. And nos are OK as long as you get them the free trial..they usually come back to sign up.

I want to echo one thing that Mitchell said. "nothing happens in our world until someone sells something" You know that Frito-Lay rack that is at the front of every convenience store?? Well, someone got the mgr to get that location...and not only that, but to get MORE space. Next time you guys walk into a grocery store look around and notice what companies are the most seen. You will find that it is some of the biggest corporatations in the USA. Again, some guy SOLD the mgr to get that location. Why aren't 'mission' chips on the front end of every store?? Because the frito guys asked for the business and showed the value to the mgr! "If we get this much space you will makes this much money"

Hyatt: When did the value of 24 start going down?? Like I said, the euro market didn't go well, but the American and Asian markets are expanding like mad.

I can also attest to the fact that Mitchell doesn't need to work at 24 to give you guys the info that he gave you. I could have done the same w/out ever stepping foot into a 24 club. It really is just a good, common sense sales approach. Everything I've seen at 24 isn't a variation from previous sales jobs, just a greater understanding of what approaches work best for fitness.

Mitchell: What area do you want to work in? If you're familar w/ the 'assumptive close' USE IT while getting your job. Its not a question of IF they hire you, its a question of what you will be able to do for them WHEN they hire you! They will appreciate this approach...ha, if they're succesful. Again, give me some info and I'll help. Later guys...

24sucks: Are you seriosly going after terminator for calling you names?

retarded Mitchell
you can be illiterate
your lame
...just a FEW examples.
And if you're really concerned 'about the children' you wouldn't use such foul language. I try REALLY hard not to call names on this site, but you're last blog is EXTREMELY hypocritical.

Forgot to mention about advancement. YES, you can advance VERY quickly w/ this company. Assistant mgr w/in 3 months and mgr w/in a year or 2...depending on how valuable you are.

Over and over work@24 and Mitchell claim that the hard sell is necessary. But I've never heard a refutation of my claim that other gyms that don't do that are doing quite well. My favorite example of Gold's Gym is instructional. Compare the way both companies handle the guest of the member:

24 fitness:
- You have to list your guests ahead of time, on sign up. They have to live near you (obviously so they could be recruitable).
- Guests are only allowed during certain times, again so they could be given the sales pitch
- Even guests who pay $15 have to have a tour before they work out. Presumably they have to be given the hard sell afterwards. Ridiculous.

Gold's Gym (at least the one I work out in, they are different):
- Any member can bring any guest for free on certain days
- No sales, no tour, just bring them in, tell the front desk, and work out
- Yes, it really is that simple

Which gym do you think respects it's customers? And which one sees it's customers only as opportunities to get more customers?

Also, compare the much-praised method of the tour before the sale. Both work@24 and Mitchell seem so enamored of it. But at every other gym I've checked out, they let me work out at the gym for free once (never an official policy, you just have to ask though). Surely that is way better than any tour. The tour benefits 24 Hour Fitness. Letting people just try your gym for free benefits the customer. If people are signing up for 24 Hour Fitness, it probably is because they haven't experienced other gyms, or they really have no choice. In San Mateo, I had no choice. Now I do, and I'm so happy to be back at a respectable gym.

So don't tell me how the tour is necessary. It is not. And don't tell me how the hard sell is necessary unless you have some proof of it. Everything has to be sold, the difference is how aggressive you are. More aggressive is not always better (as many commenters have already shown).

OK, I finally agree with Hyatt. I would say as a consumer that I really want to use a club because it's close and everyone goes there. Having to take a tour before I can buy is heavy handed. If I was offered a tour at the sales desk, after being engaged in a buying conversation. . . . at the right time, I might be inclined to take it. But the choice should be mine.

Work@24 can't you tell when you've hooked the customer? Hardselling assumes that the customer hasn't demonstrated a need yet. Let them tell you what they want and then fill the need. The feelings of suspiscion and pressure comes when the sales rep hasn't done a good job at growing the need.
HMMMM, maybe there is room for the sales staff to re think the way they sell. In today's day and age, people have the power and if you look at the problems of Bally's, 24 hour has a huge problem to deal with. Change the perception and you'll have no need for this blog. . . IMHO.

Toni Chapman. . . nice try STICK, but your last post still doesn't cut it. Raise your game and contribute a little. We might let you in for a few minutes.

Hey terminator, If you want to keep your badge, you better get back to work, and stop spending the taxpayers dollars being on-line. I am a captain, and word is out that you have a personal vendetta against some of the users here. I swear I'll have you turn in your badge if your presence here ever winds up in court, GOOD OR BAD!!!! I am a good law enforcer, and I'm sorry to the people here that have to be subject to one of our bad seeds.

Me and Andrew are the only ones who have shown true identity on this site. I highly doubt, someone looking for a job at 24 hour fitness would post to this site looking for help. Mitchell if you want a job there why don't you just go to a local 24 hour fitness in fill out an application they are always hiring. Terminator, and IrvinePD2, if you are not the police it is a federal offense to say you are. BTW every comment can be traced through what is called an IP Address, so be careful.

Now back to reality, I think I have made my point. Yet still I have not gotten the answer to my questions, without someone going off on a fruitless tangent. If this is the Irvine PD, email your badge number. At lhevan@hotmail.com, so I turn it over to my attorney.

I am a gay man is So. Cal. I love 24hr. because in the gay community Friday nights are considered gay nights. I have had casual intercourse, and fabulous oral with several men in the steam room late on Friday nights.....IT'S AWESOME!!!!! Well by male friends, I just let the secret out of the bag....I only hope now that it's out, that I run into George Michaels in the steam room this Friday!!!! If your reading George, I work out at the Irvine club....see ya then!!!! Other than that, I don't mind the filthy locker rooms, probably cause I'm a dirty cocksucker that loves the smell of sswweeaaattyyy balls. MMMMmmmmmm I can almost taste them!!!!

work@24, I am sure that they will hire me as you said, however the information you asked for is I am applying at club number 215, however would be more than happy to work at #214, 309, 335 or 218 as they are all looking for sales councilors and are in my area. I have filled out the online app and am supposed to call Rodney the GM at #215 to make sure it went through today. Any help you can give would be most appreciated. After all, a little 'more' is never less. :-)

As for the soft sale that Golds and XYZ competitors use, as I have stated, they sell their gyms by low prices, not high end ammenities. It's a lot harder to tell someone "I know we are more expensive, but we are worth it!" if they have not seen first hand what MAKES you worth it. Am I making sense? If not I can go into more detail.

Hey Mitchell, when you get hired on, mabey you can do something about 24hr's descrimination. I tried to get a job there once , part time, for Friday nights. I feel I was turned down because of my queerness!?!?!? I felt like the counselors were making fun of me too, like NONE of them are gay.

Have a delectably delightfull Day :)

Mitchell, you claim 24 Hour Fitness is a more high end club. Perhaps some are. The one I went to had a small pool, a small hot tub (seemingly perpetually populated by several fat guys, women tell me they stay the hell away from that), and that's it. Oh, they also had a kid's room, and that is a nice thing to have, only useful to some. But those are the only things they had that any other gym wouldn't have. The 24 Hour weight room was OK, but Golds was better. I just don't see 24 Hour Fitness, at least the one I went to, as having any real compelling advantages. If it did, you wouldn't need the hard sell, it would sell itself.

For the real high-end Ultra-Sports clubs, there certainly are a lot that those offer. For most people, though, it doesn't matter, they want to get in shape, and don't need rock-climbing or racquetball. So you have to do the hard-sell to convince them why it is worth it, but the fact is it is not. The basics like weight machines, tread mills, etc. are enough for most people, and I think most people know it. That's why the hard-sell is necessary, to convince them to pay a lot more for things they don't necessarily need.

By the way, "Gay at 24Hour", like "THE CLOSER", your obvious bullshit trollery is not welcome here. I will delete any further comments by you.

I hate 24hour too, they suck. Because of their endorsment deal with Magic, we have to deal with their corporation now, and they are terrible. We negotiate contracts, and THEY manipulate them!!!!

Thanks Steve, what is 24 Hour Fitness going to say the make more money then the Laker's? I am glad someone from a reputable company wrote on this blog. If enough people complain to Bill Lockyner, the Attorney General of California, then something will be done. They remind of North Korea, the way they always change their story. If an employee speaks up, they will give them the axe and cut-off the employee from employment with them.

'24hoursucks': stop changing your name. We're not fooled (at least I hope you guys aren't) by you changing your name to 'gay@24'.

Hyatt: About the ultra clubs. If you're not into the ultra clubs then they arent for you. Notice that Wal-mart has sams clubs and now have 'neighborhood markets' that are JUST grocery stores. They are trying to fill every nitch of customer needs. The ultra gym is for the high end customer that WANTS those things. It's not for people like you and me...its for the yuppies, but if you want those things then you have the option. Again, I try to address everything you guys say. sooo...

About how close you live: all you need is a local ID...you don't have to live w/in a certain proximity, just in the same state.

About times to come in: Counselors are usually there from 9am to 10pm. I think thats pretty realistic...sorry if its not.

About paying the 15: Its actually 20 now. And if someone says at the front desk that they only want to work out for the day then the front desk is supposed to say "OK, that will be 20 bucks. If you are looking for a membership a counselor can explain all the options." If they pay the 20 they DO NOT get the tour unless theyre curious about the membership.

AND about the 'hard sell': Last night I dealt w/ someone for about a full hour trying to get an option for him that would work. The guy couldn't afford what we had to offer so I asked him what he could afford. After giving him MANY options we finally settled on a PTP (promise to pay). It worked like this: 20 down, 30 in 2 weeks, 35 in 4 weeks, and 35 in 7 weeks. It took a while to find something that fit for him. He loved the gym and was EXTREMELY greatful that we could accomidate he NEEDS...a happy customer, and the gym still got the membership... So it is more about getting them what they want...not as much a hard sell. I mean, if they don't want a membership, they don't want one...nothing we can do about that, but for those who do we will do what we can to get them in. The hardest point of my sale is asking "do you really want to find a gym today?" If they say no, then a free 2 week pass. If they say yes then its all about what we can do to help them out.

You've also stated a few times about how other gyms are doing just fine doing what theyre doing...this is a true statement. They are doing just fine. Heres the options, take it or leave it. BUT 24 goes beyond that because we KNOW that by contacting them later or by going more in depth they will most likely come back for a membership. This is why we are the most succesful club in the world right now.

Terminator: during the tour we fill NEEDS, as you said. This is my process: greet them at the door and take them to my desk. I say "I'm going to ask some questions, go for a tour, then show you some options"...never had a problem w/ this. During the questions we find what they want in a gym and what their personal fitness goals are. After that while I tour them I point out the aspects of our gym that FILLS THOSE NEEDS AND WANTS. If someone says they like classes then I spend more time on classes. If someone likes to swim then I point out the benefits in that and so on. THE TOUR IS ALL ABOUT THE NEED...thats the whole point of the tour!!! Hope that answers the question...if not, hit me up w/ further questions. In sales you got nothing if you don't present the need first!

Mitchell: I'll check it out for ya. One tip: get into the busiest club you can find! Later.

work@24 you always duck the real issues here.

I think I've handled EVERYTHING that's been asked. Thats why I address every issue you guys make...BY NAME! What other issues you want me to discuss?

Irvine PD 2/Scott- RIIIIIIGGGGHHHHTTTTT! Start firing up the black helicopters, rub that blue steel shiny clean and get set for a long. . .long night. And make some sense when you post. Oh and lay off the donuts pal

Lhevan- Huh??? re read every post I have made and re-evaluate your thinking

Work @24- If you could change one thing about the way you sell, what would it be? And why does the majority of folks feel like 24 is a hard sell?? In your opinion??

Hyatt- Thanks for being good at controlling the Dickheads that pollute good discussion. We all appreciate it.

Terminator: Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing. I've been selling since college and have sold knives, tanning (still in college at that point), worked for a fortune 100 company in sales (hence my knowledge of sales in the grocery biz), sold consulting, and now 24hf. The only variation in typical sales that I have seen is in the consulting biz. This is because I dealt w/ company owners that are too stubborn to change their business...so it was a different, difficult sale. I think I'm good at it (but anyone that can talk and doesn't get their feelings hurt easily can be).

On it being hard to sell?? Well, I don't think its hard to sell at all. The only difficult part is finding something that matches the customer. People that find it hard to sell generally won't find success in any sales position. This is why sales in general has high turnover. With all my jobs this is probly the easiest to sell. The harder things to sell is something like consulting because it doesn't sell itself. I remember people in my past companies that have had problems w/ the company simply cuz they weren't any good at what they did! I wasn't very good at selling consulting and I quit that position saying "the company didn't support me". Ha, but really I wasn't good at it...mostly cuz I was probly too young to be telling biz owners how to run their biz. That answer your question?

By the way...thanks for being reasonable and fair in your blogs.

Terminator & Work @ 24hour. The reason that most people feel that the sales process @ 24 is such a hard sale starts with the sales preso binder and the counselors inabality to use it right. The comapny places a strong emphasis on selling personal training. However, most people when thinking of joining are simply looking for a membership. You go in wanting to know about the membership price and get a long presentation about the "results" program. IE... personal training. The counselor then begins with the first of many membership choices. The most exspensive one of course. Granted it is the best long term value, but most people are thinking of membership still, not training. After they fail at talking them into a " Fit Plus" membership at close to $700 or higher based on your "market", they then begin a very typical car sales aproach of showing the next lower option and so on. Most people feel as though if they keep saying no, the price will keep getting lower. Well, it does. Yes it is a different membership type with different restrictions, but at that point them guest feels as though they have been held out on. 24 Hour at one time spent quite a bit of money on training their sales team on the "sales" process but have since done away with it.

Work@24, I would love to see the competition reports your looking at. I know for a fact, as of just a few months ago, 24 still ranked lower then most of the other major clubs in more then a few areas of concern. Being clean was the big. I think they were close to the bottom on that if I am not mistaken? They were also rather low on the general feeling of the sales process. Hence my example above of the typical sales presentation above. Don't get me wrong Wrok@24. Your comany pays people well and they take good care of those that are in their "good ol boy" netwrok. But they have major problems with basic operations that really have not improved for years. By the way, are you in CCD or SCD. Working for the "Little Guedo" or "Double D"?

Thanks work@24, I am going to the job meeting tomorrow. :)

One thing concerned me however, I called today and asked the Gm at 215 if he had my online file yet, he said he still hasn't. However when I try to apply again to make sure he gets it all I get is "we already have this applicant on file, would you like to re-apply?" and you can click on the re-apply button. Lol, however if that worked they would have my ap? ;) Should I worry or just relax? I am the kind of guy to dot ALL my I's and cross all my T's and then go back and check again.

Thanks for your help!

Little Guido??? Double D??? Sounds like mob bosses. Are these guys the the best sellers? The best at getting the gross?? Man this company never stops. What is the good ol boy network??

WHen I was in sales, we used to let the customer choose based on our questions. If we asked the right questions, the customer would tell us everything we needed to then let us design the right solution (sale) for them. Never a hard sell and always a hit. Price was never a problem. $700.00 up front was easy. They were dying to spend their money. Becuase THEY wanted what I had.

Work@24,
I ment to mention in my last entry that as a "higher" level manager, which it does appear you are. you should know that it never matters what you or your employee say, but what is percieved by the guest member, or even "lower" level employee that counts. I allways made sure my managers knew that perseption is everything. Afterall, reputation is the offspring of perseption. It dose not matter what you say or do, but what people think you say or do that counts. That is and has been the worst thing about 24 Hour Fitness manament. They want to hide their heads in the sand and act as though they have no problem with member service or even worse, employee moral. If you have been with 24 for as long as you have. you have to ask yourself why over the past few years have so many "veteran" employees left. The sadest thing about 24 as with many large companies is their own ignorance will be their downfall.

Robbie AKA Terminator. I think you are an employee of that club. Pscyo Ramble? huh, you are as phoney as the people at 24 hour fitness. I guess since 24 Hour Fitness employees have little to do, they get on this site and try to change peoples thinking. For your information jackass, I don't workout at 24 hour fitness anymore. GO reread all my post and reevalute your pathetic life.

Andrew as far as controling the dickheads. If that was the case why would anyone in their right mind believe that someone looking for a fantasy job selling gym memberships at 24 hour fitness come on a blog and talk about the science of selling.

Here is why I am an ex employee. I was trainer at a sport club for 4 years, recently we received a new fitness mangaer. We heard stories that she had psychological problems, basically she would by training from one of her trainers and become seriosly attached. To the point where she was stalking them. Literally trainers would have to switch clubs or quit the company completly. When she was transfered to our club I gave her the benefit of the doubt, but not less than 2 months later she started training with one of her trainers four times a week. Then we knew they were riding to work together, she was always sitting in his lap at WORK, and feeding him all POS clients and even members caught them doing things in the parking lot. It got so bad that their spouses (yeah they were both married) came to the gym and confronted them, there was a big ordeal and the affair was found. We as trainers contacted human resources our district manager, our district fitness mangager, and nothing was done, the fitness manager denied it all. Today they live together , she is still a fitness manager and he is her trainer/lover. I quit because this was an unprofessional atmosphere to be in and it just went to prove how bad 24 hour fitness managment is.

Llevan- I guess you don't get it. This blog was a great place for you to air your complaint.

Now that you've done that, you sound like a broken record. Move on bud, it will set you free. There really is no reason why a logical person would continue to stir up old stuff. Why not make a difference like others here are trying to do. I for one do not work for this company, and came here on a search of 24 hr. I wanted to join this club, and found this blog to be very interesting.

Some on this site like Hyatt, make sense when they post, you on the other hand seem to have a vendetta. Want people to listen??? provide something worthwhile. Otherwise skee dattle ;-D

Hey extrainer, which gym was this, and what was the managers' name

Lhevan- more fodder for your "Lawsuit"??

Hey guys. Lhevan: Ha, it really does sound like you're just trying to get more info and names to pad your litigation?!

Extrainer: Not too sure about how to respond? I guess I'll take your word for it...

Servedmytime: You are absolutely right that personal training is what matters. However, while this boosts numbers quite well, I think that just about everyone should have a trainer to get better results. Shaq has personal trainers..along w/ every other elite athlete in this world. Not only that but the common person that wants to lose some weight generally doesn't know how to on their own accord. I don't find anything wrong w/ pushing personal traning ALONG w/ a membership. True, most dont expect it, but that doesn't mean they dont need it. I need it and have used the trainers to design my own workout schedule. Umm...about the binder and the sales training. I honestly don't think you need to be a great salesmen to sell the product we offer. As you know, most people have a general idea of what they want, we just provide pricing. Today I told someone it was my job to motivate to buy TODAY and stop putting it off (obviosly htis is code for I want you to BUY TODAY and not walk out to shop other clubs). The competition reports pertained to my area only...and I read them off exactly as seen in my report. Last, I'm in CCD.

To the no name person: All of you guys need to understand that I talk to many many people everyday in the gym that are thrilled w/ 24... So maybe I can see both sides a bit more? What you're saying is def. true...which is why I strive to meet that standard in all the clubs.

Mitchell: It doesn't hurt to apply again, but if you're already talking to the Mgr, then you'll be fine. Most of the time they don't really give you the time of day unless they're interested...So ya, relax. Night guys.

Work@24,
I think yous missed my point about the sales process and personal training. I agree that all need training. There is however a huge difference between strongly convincing someone of the need for your product and being pushy. There is also a way to show membership options with out seeming to "hold out" for the most cash. Anyway, it makes no never mind to me. I simply gain enjoyment now by being on the other side an seeing how bad a reputation 24 really has. By the way, if what you say about your time with the company is true and you are in fact a DM, by process of ellimination, I think I know you. So how are things in the old CCD? Overall morall in all the ranks below GM's still as bad as allways? Double D still looking out for his own? Still brainwashing everyone to think you are still making "doctor and lawyer" wages? Obviously by your commnets further above about the great exspantion of clubs in the US you are all still getting the same line of bs from Mark or Brian. It will be real interesting to see what everyone will think after the sale goes through and a few positions are elliminated. I wonder if you will still bleed purple. SO if you know the competition reports for your area and they include Rudy Smiths LVA then you are in Vegas? How is Dan doing? Still getting in trouble with the wowmen? You know how much he has cost the company alone with his behavior! Afterall, thats why he is there now to begin with. Anyway, I wish yo the best of luck, just remember it is a job. Make what you can now and put it away. Remember regardless of what they may tell you, there is life outside 24!

I think all of you have this confused. I am not at this point filing a lawsuit, nor have I. I have had criminal charges filed against me, by either 24 Hour FItness, or 3 indivuals that work there. I don't need any info for litigation off of this site. It would never hold up in court. I have plentity of information, in which it was handed over to my lawyer. I tried to clear this up before I ended up having to shell out $3,500 for a lawyer. I went to 2 hearings by myself, and met with an ADA (assistant district attorney) of habor court house. She basically used scare tactics, which made me furious, because I had a paper trial of everything, and had she read it, the case would have been settled then.

When I got the police report that was filed against me, by 24 hour fitness with the Irvine police, 24 hour fitness foolishly put in there the employees using the email system of 24 hour fitness to slander me. Fredrick Tennet stated that an FBI informant of OC task unit, came up to him and said I had a history of violence in the city of Irvine. First off, I hardly ever go to Irvine, let alone go get into fights there. I don't have a history of violence. I took martial arts for 8 years to learn how to defend myself. Before that I suffered beatings and humilation being that I was a skinny underweight kid.

Now that I packed on 60 pounds of muscle, no one looks at me as someone to pick on.

Yes when this is over I am more then likely going to file some kind of action to try and retain some losses.

WOULD YOU BE HAPPY IF YOU HAD TO DIP INTO YOUR HARD EARNED SAVING, BECAUSE 24 HOUR FITNESSS ABUSED THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

By process of elimination you probly don't know who I am...simply because about 4 DM's have been switched around in the past 2 months plus 2 promotions in the past few weeks. I wouldn't say I bleed purple. To be honest, I think that 24 is a big corporation, and I get sick of people ragging on the big corps...even the x employees. It's treated me very well, and I, in turn, treat it well...ha, you're right about the 'good ol boys' club though! As you well know I spend alot of time on the job, but truly don't mind it. It fits w/ my g/f's schedule so there aren't any 'lifestyle' problems as of yet. And about being in Vegas. I have been in the Vegas market before but I won't say at what position. Simply because its important to me to stay anonymous. You seem alright...sorry you're time wasn't too good. What are you doing now??

Forgot to respond to the CPT. Yes, we do try very hard to sell it. But I'm not going to lose a customer because they are so turned off by us pushing the PT. However, I can say first hand that my mom didn't want it AT ALL at first, but I pushed it on her. Now she renews her sessions frequently, is in shape, and has lost LOTS of weight...overall, her and my father are so much happier...and they give that credit to PT. Simply because it is what has made them commit and has made it more enjoyable.

completing my thought...so i feel the need to HELP people like my parents. I usually mention them during my presentation so the customer knows I'm being real w/ them...thats all for now...

Work@24,
I am aware of the recent moves and aware of the recent promotions. Think I can narrow you down to one of three. I am still aware of most of the daty to day doings. Anyway, I never said that my time there was bad. Regardless of how I may feel and how I may have even been treated in the end, I never said my time was bad. Remember, I was around when people like you in your current level got paid a whole lot better. The 401K you have now at one point got a whole lot better return and a lot more matching contribution for your dollar. I was in a senior position when we get stock options on a regular basis. Not to mention what I got in the merge with Family Fit. Why do you think I want to see Mark sell. You know as well as I do that they will never go public. A sale of the company is the only way all this paper I own will ever be worth something. No,I would say my time was rather good. That's why if I am bitter, it is more because people like me invested a lot of time and energy trying to build an increadible company but to no prevail. See your perception of the company is based on how well you have done. Maybe even on how well the few people around you have done. Your knowledge of the general morall of the overall employee base outside your area and how well you think the company is really doing is based on what your told by the people above you. That is where the pictue gets distorted. And trust me, Danny De Lahaha can distort things better then most. He is a master at that. You know what the worst thing of all is? It is like that one member that goes up to your front desk and takes the time to log thier complaint about something bad in the club of about how they may have been treated. He tells his story or problem, walks away, and then for the most part is looked at like he is nuts or that he most be wound up to tight. The sad thing is that he should be praised and thanked for taking the time to voice his complaint because the truth is there are 20 others that feel the same at that exact moment. It is just that the other 19 just quietly went away. Only never to return.

Wow! Sorry to all. It must be late and I must be tired. I just read my own log above and realize my spelling is rather elementary. Oh well. We all know you don't have to be smart to have wroked for 24 Hour.

By the way Work@24, As to what I do. Taking members from 24 Hour 1 by 1. lol... No realy, opening and running clubs the way I feel they should be ran and making a fortune!!!

Honestly, only part of my feelings toward the company are based on how well I've done and how much money I've made...I mean, in what company can you be young like me, making this money (again, not braggin), and get promoted according to my performance only. As you know, if your the best, you get promoted...period. As for the other part, I've always been weary of upper mgt even though I am upper mgt now. It goes back to the days of my my first month w/ the company where someone told me (he is still w/ the company and one of the big dogs and a personal friend of mine for a long time) that I will see the unethical and the ethical. Well, my first week I saw the unethical where my mgr was telling me that we didn't have certain promotions that we DID have (like I couldn't look at the promotions page). She basically didn't trust that I would try to sell the most profitable package...but I didn't make waves cuz I knew it would effect my promotions. I've seen this withholding of info throughout my years...I'm sure you can attest that they don't trust their sales people to sell correctly...which offended me, but it has made an impact on how I run my people...in a good way. So I take those big promises w/ a grain of salt...as most people should in sales. Its just like someone telling you they'll be back later that day to buy... Once they walk out, I assume the deal is over until I see them come back. Likewise, the people above me can say what they want, but I don't pay much mind until I see it.

Also, I know they won't go public. They will only go public if the company gets too big to handle...which is a possibility I guess w/ all the clubs that are being built in the US and abroad in the asian market. Did you know they just signed Jackie Chan for Chan Sports in Asia?? Anyways, good luck w/ the biz. Would you mind telling me what its called??

I think everyone is enjoying reading our blogs, ha, cuz no one is posting!

Work@24,
I am aware of the Jackie Chan deal. I spent some time in Asia with Erik Levine and Ray Wilson @ the CA Fitness clubs. Sounds like you have a pretty good head on your shoulders. Just don't buy into how well the company is really doing. It will make it a bigger shock when things come falling down. Don't get me wrong. They are not going to close and you or most othjers will not be out a job or anything anytime soon. But the days of making the type of dollars even yo are making now and certainly the type of money I made are long gone and will only get worse. It seems to me that you do reallize though that there is a lot of bs and even flat out discrimination in the ranks you are in and higher. There is a lot of politics in 24. More then in many "top 500" companies. Most orginizations realize by the time they get that big that they have to much to lose to run things the way 24 dose. 24 however can not seem to get thier head out of the sand. To promote so strongly the fact that they care for thier members and each other while allowing the type of things that go on in the clubs is realy insulting to the lowest level employees inteligance. What ever you do, do not think for one moment you, and I say you as the company as a whole, are doing even a fair job at basic customer service or taking care of your team members

work @24 i AM NOT ENTERTAINED BY 24 HOUR FITNESS BS. Did you know if you went to college you can always find good opportunities for money

Good posts served@24. I don't disagree w/ SOME of what you say, but don't think it is as extreme as you might say. Again, I think it is up to each indiv. mgr to treat customers and employees well. No one from the top says, "treat your employees bad." I think it's more of a case of feeling like your king when you become a mgr...cuz at this point you've been told how wonderful you are a few hundred times.

Lhevan: Seriously, that post is just annoying. My first job out of college was getting 60k a year...not bad for a college grad, eh? I didn't like that so I went somewhere else where I was getting 70k. I didn't like that either so I went on a search for a job that I thought I would LIKE, not one that paid me alot! Trust me, I took a HUGE pay cut by starting as a counselor. The only difference was that I was promoted based on how good I was, not on how long I had been w/ the company. It is only after 5 years that I get paid what I get paid. So don't give me all that... I've been there, done that, and have seen the value of happiness over money. When you read my posts do you just skim over them or do you see what I am really saying??

Michael Lhevan. . . alter ego. . . Toni Chapman. You see, when the blog becomes not about him, he needs to bring it on back. That way he can have something to whine about.

Work and Served. Both great posts. OK where did all the complaints go???

Hey Terminator, go screw off already, you are the idiot who reads a blog because your too lazy to go check the gym out for yourself. But to be honest with you, you sound like an unemployeed idiot, who lives off of SSI, because again you are too lazy too work. People like serve no purpose in life but to take shots at other people. I can't stand people with complexity problems. BTW jerkoff, I am not Toni Chapman, if you re-read the posts you can see there is a differnce in writing style. And your damn right I am on this blog for myself. You think I want to read boring crap that some liar from 24 hour fitness posts?

Work@24 hour, I don't care if I annoyed you, I don't care how much money you make, and I certainly don't care about your hard selling tactics. If I was a salesman for 24 hour, I can guarantee you that I would sell more then anyone based on the fact that I am all about working out.

Sigh...
This site sheds light on some (IMO) serious problems with 24 hour fitness. That said, I think the fact that work@24 is even taking the time to listen to and respond to any of our concerns (albeit anonymously) speaks to his credit.

Come on guys, let's start thinking before we type. Name-calling and generally immature behavior has the opposite effect on potential new 24-HR customers. It only convinces them that the folks with gripes are just wacked-out loonies (and some of you, I'm sorry to say, are.) But, more importantly, it drowns out the folks with *legitimate* and *reasoned* complaints against the company and its practices, which is the entire point of this blog.

Rabbit, I have been complaining legimately, but everytime I ask that 24@hour a question, he just switches the story around. FIrst off, if they had customer service, do you think I would have resorted to this site? I want to know 24 hour fitness kept my last months deposit, after they revoked my membership without proper reason. They were suppose to inform of the Arbitration Clause in my contract but never did. Then you got this moron terminator coming on here and attacking me everytime I post. He claims he is not even a member, so what is his problem with me. Work@24, I will do my best to make sure that what 24 Hour Fitness did to me, will not be done to anyone else. I have written tons of letters, and will write tons more, until I get this issue resolved.

Did you ever hear how some of the trainers talk to people at 24 hour fitness. Very unprofessional, you would think they hired someone out of police training. Cocky assholes, that don't even know how to train properly.

I think the 24 hour fitness people have done a good job explaining everything.

I actually have had good experiences at 24 hour.

work@24, I had an interview with the Dis-manager of the Sport Fort Worth clubs Friday and it seemed to go quite well (as I knew it would) and he said he would call me today with the 'news'

Thanks!

I am quite excited about what I have read. If you really get promoted on being the best, I will see you soon. ;)

PS, feel free to e-mail me with any ideas on the best ways to get leads for a pre-sale site. I have a few ideas but would not mind getting an edge on the rest. (lol, of course!)

I won't give a soul your name of e-mail addy. Or, of course, there is always hotmail. :)

Have a good one!

I am not able to make postings from work anymore, I have to do it at home. Why?

Lhevan,
Even I, someone who as in the high ranks of managment with 24 and left with anextrem distain for them, can tell you that it is time to move on. I post here for the fun of it. Will I actualy change someones mind about 24? Probably not. I am not out to save the world though. The are a big corp and the truth of the matter is you got screwed. Not fair! Not right! Maye even not legal. But oh well. It is not nor will it ever be thier resopnsibility to disclose anything on thier contract. It is the consumer choice to take the time and read the thing from front to back before you sign. And as for them kicking you out without cause. They have the right to do that to. Sure you can protest them. You can voice your opinion about them to the world. You can even stand in front of thier club and picket them. It is your right. But for your own peace of mind, you need to move on. The more angry you get just makes the guys @ 24 tht much happier. Really, move on.

Once again, wish I had spell check!!! Sorry to all for the above!!!!

Serve my time,

How can I move on when I get to go to court over this crap for the last few months. I can careless about how happy 24 hour fitness people get over my posts. I am a patient man, and over the long run time will always tell the turth. If you had some 5 foot 3 inch cop from the worst police station in the world (Irvine PD) make up all kinds shit about you, then have people from 24 hour fitness make up crap about you, in which it can cause you mental harm, and also cost you your job.

24 Hour Fitness, I will not fall over, I am a strong minded man, who stood up to the 24 Hour fitness and the police. Knowing this I can sleep just fine at night. Hey corporate 24 Hour Fitness guess what, I am not going to let your corporation get away with this. Irvine PD, guess what, you can try to scare me all you want with your BS, but I will stand tall in my beliefs.

I grew up in New York, where they taught us about our founding father's and the constitution, do you think our found father's would be happy knowing they risked their lives so that little piss ants can abuse a system they designed. The problem with the West Coast is that they really were a part of the Revolutionary war, so what they do is have no sense of what the Pledge of Allegance stands for.

BTW I can't picket out side, because the bastards files a court against me from going within 600 feet of any 24 hour fitness. That means I can no longer go to the Home Depot right up the street from my house.

Everyone gets on here and posts for fun. Fitness and owning a gym is a great part of my dream. I want to own a gym, and run it the real way fitness should be run. Not this 7-eleven, 24 hourfitness, on every fucken corner shit, driving out competetion. And too all the people who signed prepaid memberships, did you know 24 Hour Fitness could and would default on it, and you would be out of your money. Take that one to heart

(Theme from Twilight Zone)

Perception taints reality and life doesn't happen in a vacuum. Perhaps there were some things you did that exacerbated the situation? Or, is it all everybody else's fault but yours? (Take a moment and reflect on this, brother, for your own good.)

We can only judge you by your behaviour on this blog, and thus far, it's been wholly confrontational... bordering on belligerent.

* You don't represent yourself well, and the more you talk, the more you weaken your argument.
* You provoke others by your manner of speaking and choice of words.
* You are easily provoked.
* You have trouble focusing your thoughts and constantly ramble on and on, ad absurdum. Focus.

Sorry. I'm sure you're a nice guy and all, and no disrespect is intended, but come on... this is getting silly.

Ms Rabbit

You have me mis read. I think of the big picture. I think of myself as being a generation of what America use to be. All the terrorist and corporations have taken over the middle class. ANd what I mean is, on one side we got a bunch of morons doing the wrong thing, which in essence is giving so called higher-ups, and law enforcement more power to take away innocent peopls' s rights.

Homework assignment look up, Ex de Facto Law. If you know what that means you are a lucky human being. If not it is your responsiblity to know it, or law enforcement has the right to charge you with a crime you didn't do. Your only right is to pay an attorney and pray he or she is honest. The day I lose my first amendment right is the day I will l move out of this country for good.

(Theme from Benny Hill)

No schumk if anything it would be something out of the WOrld Wrestling Federation. But in reality it is me speaking from the bottom of my heart

Man, Lhevan. You are rally out there. It is time to look out your window. I think that Mark Mastrov is watching you from a big black helicopter. Maybe they have your phone taped. Oh no! They may have even planted a spy to pretend to be one of your friends. Look. All kidding aside. And I was kidding. With over 22 years of managment experience, I have never found a sittuation to be exactly as it seems. There is allways 2 sides to everything. Somewhere in the middle lies the truth. (Except for when I say something bad about 24)If I was a manager @ 24 still and you approached me and sounded anthing close to how you do on this blog, our conversation would be very short. You know the worse part is that you may have a ligit gripe against 24, but you way of dealinf with turns everyone off from listening to it. Look, take a deep breath. Do wha tyou need to do to end your legal problems with the PD and 24 and move on with your life. Say oh well. They win this one. Shit happens. By the way, if you are going to own a gym someday, you need to settle this thing quick, take it from someone that knows. You will need to spend a lot of time at Home Depot.

There I go again with my spelling and keyboard pecking! Just goes to show you. Even stupid people can make a great deal of money running fitness centers. Hey Lhevan, maybe you will get that gym someday:)

Michael:
"Ms Rabbit You have me mis read."

At least I was nice enough NOT to call you Miss; how about extending me the same courtesy?

You're all over the place. Here are some of the highlights from your recent posts:

* terrorists having taken over the middle class of America

* people on the West Coast having "no sense of what the Pledge of Allegance stands for"

* police conspiracy

* 1st Amendment rights

* "ex de Facto" laws
(The term, by the way, is ex POST facto. But, I'm not here to teach you Latin.)

And that's just the last 2 days!

I haven't misread you, Michael. You've misread you. And that's my point. Alas, if you'd only stop talking long enough to listen.

When everyone here (from both sides!) is telling you to take a break and collect your thoughts... what does that tell you? Well I can guess: everyone on Earth is wrong EXCEPT you.

Rabbit

(Sorry folks, I gave it a sincere shot, but he's not listening. He'll just go on ranting, ad nauseam. To continue this would be a lesson in futility and I've better things to do.)

Ha! This blog got entertaining today! I would say stuff about Lhevan, but I think you guys did well. I too am on here for two reasons: To try to defend something that I really don't think is AS BAD as everyone here makes it out to be...and the other...it is entertaining. I like the fact that I can come on here and go head to head w/ served@24 but we still have respect for eachother...just different life experiences and points of view. (I think you handled the black helicopters very nicely my friend!) Lhevan, every time you say that I'm missing the point, you don't really define what the point is?? I also agree w/ served@24 that if you were to come into a gym like you talk on this blog, our conversation would be short and you would be escorted out....even if you had a legitimate complaint. If you want to take things personally when it comes to 24HF then let that be so... and if I represent them in your mind then take it out on me if it makes you feel better. But people that say some pretty honest things about you... you go after them?? They might not even disagree w/ you on 24HF, but you go after em like they do! And here I said I wouldn't say much about Lhevan...

Mitchell: Good luck w/ the future! Theres two big ways to get ahead in the lead game... One is to find a HIGH traffic area and get a lead box/promotional box in there. These might include movie theatres, grocery stores, etc. Ask your mgr about this and they will help you get it going. The other is "employee appreciation". Go biz to biz IN YOUR AREA and tell employees you'll give them 2 weeks free just for checking out the club. Your value is based on traffic you bring into the club. 24HF is succesful because of the traffic they bring to the club...not the people already looking for fitness, but the people who always consider it but do nothing about it...which is almost everyone! Get those people to sign up and their friends and their friends, etc. and you will do well.

Just when the blogs were getting dull you guys don't dissapoint! Ha, keep it goin...

Rabbit... good job. I especially like the line:
"I haven't misread you, Michael. You've misread you. And that's my point. Alas, if you'd only stop talking long enough to listen." Night guys.

Work@24,
Has 24 gone back to the laed boxes? Or is that something that is determined division by division. I know that Danny insisted tht they stop in the CCD. See, that too is one of my pet peeves from my time served. 24 would allways strive for "1 company, 1 way", but there was allways great variations on how things were done division by division. Sometimes even district by district. So I asked a few post's back how a few people are doing and you never mentioned them. Is DW still in Vegas? When you were in Vegas were yo working for Sharon. She was a great lady. Allways liked her. Her ex is another story. So how is Dean Pompous doing? Where is Geoff H these days. So tell me, how well are yo doing so far this year? What is your ranking for the year? By the way, who took top honors for the year last year? Who was DM of the year. Did CCD win another one? Did Danny ever make good on his trip to Cabo? You did say you were in the CCD if I remember right.

work@24:
"Ha! This blog got entertaining today!...Just when the blogs were getting dull you guys don't dissapoint! Ha, keep it goin..."

We're not your clowns, man. We're not here to amuse you. We're here to voice concerns that otherwise go ignored by 24 Hours. Please don't lose that calm demeanor of yours; it's your meal ticket.

Just be be mindful of your words, ok? Cool.

I should also point out that I've now asked you three times to explain this practice:
2 different people...
same day...
same gym...
same package...
same salesperson...
no special coupons...
2 different prices.

You've either evaded it (the first time I asked) or danced around it and never actually answered it the second time (a la Condoleeza Rice, like in her recent confirmation hearing!)

Are you going to not answer me, again, for the third time?

How 'bout it, brother?
Rabbit

To all:

In order for you to understand my point you would have to know me. I am all over because if it wasn't for people like me, people on this blog wouldn't even have the right to post. Does anyone really think that this blog is going to stop someone from joining a gym? Most people don't go online and say gee, I will go read a blog and then make up my mind.

I am neither helping nor hurting 24 Hour Fitness, more or less stating my opinion. I could careless if this did help promote 24 Hour Fitness (which I highly doubt). While people like work@24 or terminator, boast about money. I am on here for the love of fitness. As far an earlier criticism, about being rude by telling people to be curtious of the equipment. I don't think it is rude. Why would it be, the last time I checked the gym was for helping people loss weight, stay fit. It is not a fashion. Why does 24 hour fitness allow some of the woman to walk around half naked? I mean sure I appreciate a beautiful woman, but to go show case yourself like that is pathetic. I work out in my PJ's because it is comfortable. I am not their to impress people with my appearance.

Let's face it folks, what it comes down to is this:

24 HOUR FITNESS SUCKS.

BTW Rabbit I didn't call you Miss, I called you MS. Are you not a woman? WHo knows in this day.

One more thing, I think I will go sue my 7 th grade history teacher for giving me false information about my constitutional rights. Or maybe the East Coast has a much more superior educational system.

Rabbit,
I no longer work for 24, but I could assure yo that as for their membership price. They have set policies. I would be more thne willing to bet that if you looked at the actual agreement copies of both of the two membeships yo are questioning, they wold be the same and if there is a price variation there would be some differance in the membership type or restrictions. Now with that said, there is allways the chance that the salesperson who sold the membership did in fact enter something else in the computer. If they did, I can atest to the fact that if it does not fall into the correct price structure he would not be paid on it. If you can prove that both contract copies are the same type and are in fact lower or higher prices then each other and they were done on the same day, yo can fight like hell and if your lucky yo can get them to give yo some dues credit to make up the differance. It takes a lot of bitching to the right people though. Just be carefull. Yo may have the right price and the other person may have the wrong lower price. Don't go costing your friend more money. Speak to the GM or OM and try to get the DOM's name and number. For the most part, they will be able to assist yo the best. Sad truth is that the Club level GM or OM has the ability to credit or waive free dues to a certan level if they want. You just have to make thier life hell to get it done. Bitching on an internet blog site unfortunatly is not going to get it done.

Thanks for your advice work@24, I will do just that. :)

I didn't get the call yesterday as they said they would, but I know that things happen. I have a message with Clint at #214 and hope he will give me a ring to let me know when to start!

Lhevan,
I have been in the fitness industry for over 24 years. If I hade a dollar for every person that thinks running a gym is all about having a passion for fitness. I would be rich. It is the person that thinks the passion for fitness is the key that sadly is the first to go belly up. Sure you may know fitness. You may look the part. You may love helping others reach the same point. Sadly though you don't get paid and yo can't run a bussiness on strictly passion. That is why most personal trainers never make a living from doing personal training. They fitness. They love helping others. They know how to get people in shape. What they don't know is how to sell it to others. In todays real world of bussiness, it is about the allmighty dollar. I don't like it sometimes either, but it is the truth.

Yes! Just got the call, will be starting in the South Lake location for the Pre-sale. Business's here I come, lol!

By the way, I have talked to a LOT of people who work for 24 this last week, and all but one have been pleasant and happy. The only one, was on his way out according to the manager I talked to.

Just like anywhere I guess, 30% great, 30% good, 20% ok and 20% bad.

I am going to start my own chain of gyms called the 23 1/2 hours, because we all need to sleep.

BTW 24 Hour Fitness and Monroe (I know you like reading this blog) I am probably going to hit Irvine PD, and 24 Hour Fitness with a huge law suit for violating my first amendment right.

servedmytime@24,
You mean to tell me that all the prices are fixed and beyond even the approval of the manager?

If they offer someone a 3-year deal for, whatever, say $700, and that someone makes a counter-offer of $699, are you saying the manager doesn't have the authority to approve it?

Of course he does. The manager, ipso facto, has the authority.

Rabbit

Sorry for all the Latin terms, everyone. Don't worry; they won't be on the final exam.

Believe what you will Rabbit. The GM has to stick to the same rules as well. Like I said, anyone can do anything they want in the computer, but they would get no commission on it. Oh my GD! This can not be happening. I am actualy defending 24 Hour. What has this Blog come to. Look, I have as big of a dislike for 24 as most people do.

Did they sell the company ? that is what I heard, and all the big wigs will be on the conf. call this friday with the details.

I'm not trying to be difficult about this, but what you're saying contradicts itself.

On the one hand you're saying it's the manager is not allowed to approve that $699 scenario I described, yet at the same time you acknowledge that "anyone can do anything they want in the computer".

So which one is it? Either they're allowed to or they're not. Forget about commissions. Can they or can't they?

I'm not trying to be a jerk about it, and I know you're not trying to defend 24 Hours, but come on dude.

Dimitri

Hey you know what I really don't miss, is your working at 24 Hour Fitness, they usually play glammor crap music, but once in a blue moon they play a good song, then this happens "ATTENTION ALL 24 HOUR FITNESS MEMBERS, DO YOU KNOW THAT WITHIN THE NEXT 3 DAYS WE WILL BE HAVING FAMILY AD-ON SPECIAL, DON'T MISS OUT FOLKS, THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY"

Every fucken 10 minutes is a little annoying. It is so nice to go to a gym, where the music is half way decent, have the crowd isn't there for a fashion show looking to g*t l*id. (Not a bad thing, but some of the woman dress like they are walking the strip for a date.)

Don't you fucken think people know about your stupid fucken sales, that seem to happen every other week. OH WE DECIDED TO EXTEND THE OFF FOR A FEW MORE DAYS.

You know what I am not rich, just make a living, but at least I don't have to brown nose to keep my job. One time I went to the foothill ranch club, and saw a manager s*xually harassing one young lady employee. I will say this there was one very bright guy who ran foothill (asian guy, I don't remember his name, but he was a former IT guy). Outside of that, the people who work for 24 Hour Fitness all drive Lexus, and live in a shack. Why do sales people feel important by what kind of car you drive.

any info on the sell of the company?

Rabbit

What I mean is that anyone can enter anything into thier computer. It may not be the correct price but thier sytem will print out a copy and generate memership based on what was entered. So yes they can do the senerio you described. What should happen if it is that large a discrepency is the GM should have called you or who ever got the wrong price and told them they need to come back in and rewrite the membership. This being said, they may not do what is right. Obviously a sales counselor could generate a membership in thier system for 3 years at no cost at all. You can sign it and be on your way. It obviously is not a correct price. It is not the companies policy and they do not aprove of it. Don,t know if I can give you any better explination then that. As I said before, if you feel that you were ripped off that bad, get the proof of the 2 contract copies that show the same date and same membership etc.. and bitch like hell to the GM, OM, DM, DOM etc.. you may get some credit. Also, if you paid by credit card, dispute the charge with the credit card company.

To the unsigned post above,
How did you hear about the sale of the company and the conferance call?

Hey I heard 24 Hour Fitness was going to have a once in a lifetime deal, for the fucken millionth time. Do you know how annoying that is too have to listen to it throughout your workout. Not once have I had to hear LA Fitness promote themselves while I workout

Mikey,

Now that the company is sold, who ya gonna complain to??

The new owners??

just a fly on the wall :-D

How big of fly? A creadible fly or just a nat?

What is your connection to 24?

I hope the rumor of a sale is true. I need the cash!!!!

Lhevan,
There you go again. Takig any creadibility away from yourself by sounding like an idiot. I think the real truth of the matter is that you wish you could work there but they wouldn't hire you. I mean really. Isn't it kind of strong to lump all 24 hour employees into on group. I worked there. Had $850k home. Never drove a lexus though. As for the music an anouncments that play periodicly, they are programed every half an hour or at least were. Oh what the hell am I saying. You know what Lhevan, you really make it hard for anyone to want to talk to you. Your a rel buzz kill. Here I am having a great time bashing 24 Hour. Not giving to shits about them as a company, and you have to come along and be such an ass that I am forced to have to take sides with them. That sucks! You made your point here about how you did no wrong. You never deserved to be kicked out of the clubs. They made up false charges against you. The Irvine PD and 24 are conspiring against you. OK!!!!!! We heard it! Now beat and let the rest of that can't stand 24 Hour post all our negitave crap about them in peace!!!

You know what else Lhevan. I think it is time for you to make a huge statemen. I mean really. This internet blog stuff is small time. I mean if you really want the world to know how much 24 Hour has screwed you over and how much they f*** up your life, then really make it known. Get your self a 24 Hour Fitness t-shirt, a ball cap, maybe even some 24 Hour shorts, get a huge banner that says "24 Hour Fitness Drove Me To My Limits." Then climb to the highest buiding in whatever town you live in, hang the banner on the side of the building. Then hurl your self off and rest in peace!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me know when you are ready to do it. I can give you a lift if you need it.

No I am no fly, but a huge lion. Why the hell would I ever want to work for them? They suck, and I would never want to work for a company that sucks as bad as 24 Hour Fitness. I owe property too, so what. DO you really think the members want to listen to your annoucements every half hour. Seriously? They did conspire against me as far as I am concerned. The police in OC are known for doing that. Read about Arthur Carmona. You ever heard of how hard it is to get an innocent convict out of jail, once they are convicted?

serve@24 your the idiot who already admitted you didn't make shit for cash, now you own a big home. Did anyone know Walker from Costa Mesa gym? That guy was such an ass to be around, he doesn't even look natural (in my opinion he looked like he took too many steriods) Then you got guys running gyms that look like they have never worked out in their life. You guys tried to selling me your personally training package, by over estimating my body fat. They love to do that. The problem was all it did was wake a sleeping fitness giant. My creditability is fine, I am not the one hiding behind a screen name. For all I know this can be a joe, or a monroe, or a fred, or a guy whoes last name low as in lowlife. Or it can be a romeo, or teri lowlife, or some skinhead who works at the Irvine Spectrum gym. Remember folks the purpose of a blog is to get to voice your opinion. I think I might not even post the decision on this blog, due to not showing me the proper respect, you all should. Oh its true. Oh its true

servedmytime@24,
Thanks for explaining it. It's still a little fuzzy to me (seems like a lot of gray areas and room for abuse) but what I think what you're saying is:
If an employee or manager does a minor infraction of giving a reduced price (or accidentally entering the wrong price) the company may let it go.

But if it's a major infraction (say, 3 years for $1) they would probably revoke the customer's membership (since they always reserve the right to do so, for any reason.)

That about right?

Also, just a clarification: I don't feel ripped off. To the contrary, I got a super-sweet deal ($28, month to month, $0 enroll, $0 process, All Sport clubs.) I was only talking hypothetically.

If I'm wrong in thinking that haggling takes place, then I need to stop propagating this false info. Though, I'm not entirely convinced that this haggling doesn't happen.

Cheers.

I would rather pick cans and bottles out of the trash then work at 24 hour fitness

Lots of stuff to address!!

Rabbitt: Honestly, this blog is interesting to all of us...otherwise we wouldn't be here. I promise you that me keeping level headed will continue...never mean to be hot headed! About me avoiding the question. Way up there somewhere I gave an exact description of the pricing scale in direct response to your concern. I think served@24 handled it as well. Nowadays, if incorrect pricing is entered the membership is revoked. I will give you ONE example of 'haggling' as you call it. (cuz I'm so honest n all!) We have a prepaid membership at 799. However, we can drop that to 699. That is the ONLY time where the price can be altered. Any other circumstance is either a mistake or a dishonest salesman. I also mentioned that I recently fired a guy for selling that same membership at 899 (cuz thats what it says in the old books). Monthly pricing is SET. If there is a no-enrollment deal, then we don't present the enrollment and then drop down (unless, again, someone is being dishonest and they won't get commission on it, so it's not worth being dishonest). The other day I actually made a mistake and charged a processing fee for a corporate member. A week later the membership was revoked. So I called him (he didn't know at this point), apologized and gave him 6 months for free. I hope that helps...hit me up if you wanna know more???

The conference call: We have a conference call on friday (every friday by the way) about 'the direction of the company'. But I can assure you it has nothing to do w/ selling the company...especially not going public. I asked specifically about this.

Lhevan: Bashing us because of the bad music??? Bring a walkman.

Served@24: The reason why you end up standing up for 24HF is the same reason I post on this site. I won't stand up for legitimate concerns and tell people to voice those concerns and have actually tried to find some of the circumstances to help people (mostly to no avail). It's not about how people can be idiots at times who work for 24 but more about the bashing of a succesful company... Also, the reason why I don't really respond to peoples names is because I don't like to bring up other peoples names...some are my friends and some are my bosses and some are both. And yes, of course CCD is still in first. I would tell you who got district of the year but I don't want to tell anyone on here who I am! (HA!) Oh! And the lead boxes... Yes, we try not to do those little cardboard things anymore...I actually don't approve any requests for them. We TRY only to do the big plexi-glass cases in areas that have at least 2000 in foot traffice per week (ie. grocery stores and movie theatres).

Lhevan: I drive a crappy car dude! I live in an apartment. Anything else?? We've never BOASTED about the money we make, just respond to people who don't know any better (hmmm...who might that person be??)

Mitchell: Great job on landing the pre-sale! Pre-sales are a GREAT way to shine early and will give you great experience immediately!

To all: Sometimes I don't read word for word ALL of the posts...especially if it's just rambling. I usually read all of mitchells, served@24, and rabbit. And of course hyatt. All you guys seem to be legit w/ honest conerns. So be sure to hit me up if I don't answer the question completely. I never purposely avoid a question or concern. But at times I think I answer it fully, but thats not the case...so just let me know!!

Lhevan: I see a good career in your future!! 5 cents per can... imagine the money you could make!!

Rabbit: I just reread your post. Ha, and decided it just wasn't very nice!! YOU may not be here for my amusement, but this blog is. That doesn't change the way I try to be straight up though! Sometimes I'm more serious on here then other times. I've noticed that I'm the only one who hasn't made a personal attack on ANYONE on here. So please take that to mind. I think its OK for me to try to have a sense of humor about all of this at times just like everyone else does...don't you?? Again, just bein straight up! Have a good one man.

Hey Lhevan,
Do me a favor. show me where in any of my post's it says tht I did not make shit for money. Quite to the contrary. The only good thing about 24 was how they did pay. I never made less then 150 year as manager with 24. after moving up the ranks the pay got even sweeter. As for now, as I said in one of my previous post's, I am oppening and running clubs again and making even more. You know that now I am just having plain fun with you. You are the kind of guy that the staff at a 24 hour loves to piss off. The madder you get the dumber you sound.
BTW- why do you say "you guys" when talking about 24. Not my company any more!!!!!

So what you basically admitted is your company intentionally will piss off a member. ACtually out here it is only 4 cents per item. I use to go to the foothill ranch club and collect for beer money on the weekend. So you are saying the operations manager of a local club make $150,000 a year? I always heard they made in the $40,000's to $50,000. Do you think a Judge, or Attorney who put in 8 long years of hard d*bt and studies, is going to have too much sympathy for a corrupt corporation.

work@24 you have your corporate attornies contact my attorney, and I will change my imagine of your corp. I can tell you having compiled the evidence that I have, your corporation is going to have to do some explaining. When Dana Parson gets a hold of this, do you think your company is going to like the bad publicy. The LA Times, OC Reporter would love to eat this shit up all over the newspapers. Let's just say he doesn't like Irvine PD or the OC DA. He loves good stories, and I am one to give him one.

BTW the judges at Newport Harbor are very nice and fair. ANd if you go in front of them by yourself a few times, and present yourself well they respect that. What they hate are liars, and people trying to abuse the system, and of course violent people. I can relate to their thinking. They do not like BS, and they want you to cut to the chase. I am willing to settle this but your company has given me the cold shoulder. That is not going to look good. Anyways, I want this crap over more then anyone, but I will not sacrafies my integrity for it.

I am so glad 24 Hour Fitness owns the domain 24hourfitnesssucks.com

only presidential canditants do that

To answer an above question, Dean has not hit goal since his transfer to the CCD, they should have gave Robert S. that position, he's got it now SCD. And as for the conf. call on Fri. it will be hosted by Mike Shehan and Brian B.

To answer an above question, Dean has not hit goal since his transfer to the CCD, they should have gave Robert S. that position, he's got it now SCD. And as for the conf. call on Fri. it will be hosted by Mike Shehan and Brian B.

So if a sale were to go through, how do you think it will effect the company? Different leadership? Different sales process? different direction? Will Brian B Stay? Danny D? The Mob boys?? What do you think?

Terminator you are an employee of 24 hour fitness, because you know who all those people are. I know because I did a full investigation on 24 Hour fitness. This is interesting, keep on feeding me info

To the unknown man: Those guys host alot of conference calls??? I have some kind of conference call almost daily?? I don't see the significance of this?? Ya know what?? I even host conference calls w/ my mgrs... Does this mean anything?? No.

Lhevan: Obviously terminator is just repeating the names he heard above. The Ops Mgrs make less then the sales mgr. So about 40-60k would be a correct assesment in most clubs.

Terminator: Bad sales don't go through. Its like trying to type the word "cheep" (spelled correctly of course) on this sight. If something incorrect hits the system standards then it throws up a red flag...this is a new process to stop pricing fluctuations that are not permitted.

We can also talk about the lawsuit that both sides just settled on, GM's $20,000 per year for overtime (going back to 98) and comp. for RTC's to GM, AGM & SC. You will rec. info from corp. if they have your current address.

Do you think Double D (Nacho) ever looks at this site?

Work@24,
Your right. Robert is a good guy. He is desrving of his promotion. As for Dean. An aragant ass that will never get his poeple to follow because he cant get people to want to do the hard work that needs to be done becuse he is an ass. Nobody wants to kill themself for him. His method of motivation is fear! Never good for the long haul

Double D has his own problems to worry about. like trying to keep his followers from straying. But then again, why would they. After all, they are getting paid "Doctor and Lawyer" wages. Come on Danny boy. In your own words, "the truth is enough"!!!!!!

I always get a laugh with that "Doctors & Lawyers" bullshit, that Double D is one smooth operator lol, "DD" looks like George Lopez.

Who gives a rats ass about DOuble, I want my shit resolved already. I am willing to bet I am in better shape then any 24 Hour Fitness trainer, oh its true, yes its true

24 Hour Fitness sucks, and thats the bottom line because Stone Cold said so.

If you think 24 Hour Fitness sucks give me a hell yeah

WHAT???

I SAID IF YOU THINK 24 HOUR FITNESS SUCKS GIVE ME A HELL YEAH?

WHAT????????

I MEANT TO SAY 24 HOUR FITNESS JUST SUCKS!!!

WHAT???????????????????????

i SAID THEY FUCKEN SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT???? WHAT??? WHAT??? WHAT??

i MEANT TO SAY IF YOU LOOK UP THE NAME 24 HOUR FITNESS YOU SEE THE WORD SUCK

THEY SUCK

AMEN !

LET THE CORRUPT BUSINESS PRACTICES AND THE CORRUPTION SELLING TACTICS REST IN PEACE!

I AM THE GAME YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY ME, I WOULD NEVER WORKOUT AT SUCKY PLACE LIKE 24 HOUR FITNESS

I wonder if the Bally's debacle is having an effect on 24HR?

Hey To the unsigned ost above obot Danny D looking like George Lopez. You obviously know Danny. So what is your connection to 24? Are you or were you one of the many of his discruntal, unhappy, sick of his constant bs, not having a "fun day on the farm" employees?

Terminator,
From what I hear now. The upper brass @ 24 is telling thier GM's that all the talk about the sale of the company is because Mark Mastrov is ready to take the compay public and he just wanted to shop the company around to see what they could get for it to get a true value. SURE!!!!! Let me tell you, Mark is no dummy. I know him well enough to know that he as well as the investors onboard as of now all know that this is a bad time to go public. One, the market is not at its best. The Ballys problems with the SEC and others is bringing way to much bad attention to the industry. Even if 24 had a strong reputation right now it would be to much of a gamble to take public right now. They may look good on paper, but they have way to many other problems right now to insure a strong IPO. Mark may have an ego. He may like to do what people say can't be done. But he is not going to risk that kind of loss of $. I really do not think that the investors would risk that either. Not ased on how much presure they have been putting on Mark over the last year or so. No, The sale of the company is a pretty good bet right now. I would love to hear the spin that Danny or John Romeo or any of the other spinn misesters are putting on this.

Any DM out there want to let me listen in on this weeks Friday conferance call? I would die to be a fly on that wall!

To the unsigned post above that referances the GM lawsuit about RTC's.

Are yo on board with it? I heard some intersesting stuff about it. Are you sure of the $ amount? I think the are still trying to reach a specific amount and there is another suit trying to pigy back and block them from taking what they feel maybe to low of a dollar amount. any word?

To the unsigned post above that talked about Dean not hitting goal since his transfer and the call Friday with Mike and Brian.

I am begging you man. You have to get me the code for that call. Anyway you would give it up? Nobody else on here could use the code with out knowing the dial up number. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease. Yor identity is unknown. What can it hurt!

Looks like a few wrestlers decided to join the 24 hour fitness sux site. All you employees think you are more important then you really are. 24 Hour fitness might own the name, but without a doubt I am mr. 24 hour fitness

If I was to buy out 24 Hour Fitness, I would say to all the 24 Hour Fitness UPPER MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES, 2 words "YOUR FIRED"

Hey guys, how bout this... I'll just let ya know what is said on the conference call on Friday. There will be talk of a sale as there is on a monthly basis anyways and so on. I really think you're making this a bigger deal then it really is!

Come on work@24!! Just pass the code on. None of the other yahoos on this blog have the dail up number anyway.

WOrk@24 is the page you guys use to book your meetings. Why not just get outlook, wouldn't that be easier

Ha. No way! I'm not sure how long ago you left the company but the connection from the person hosting is via the internet. So even if I'm using a phone it still dials into his internet connection...therefore, he can see each person's name as they dial in. You wouldn't even be able to connect unless you're already on his system.

Lhevan: Sorry, I didn't understand the first part of what you said???

I will let you know what is said, and this is not "work@24". how do we know "work@24" is legit?

to the unsigned above, How do I know you are legit?. Give me just a little info as to you connection to 24. I am sure we probably know one another well. Yo can be vage. I should be able to tell. So why won't you give up the code?

Why don't you guys at least make up a name?? This way we know who is who?? Seems like theres 3 people talking w/out names and we don't know who it is??

By the way...not legit how?? If you can find some info I've put here that is innacurate (and I've been pretty specific) then feel free to post the false statements.

I am curious about one thing... To the unkown man: Did you just start blogging w/ info about this conference call?? I'm not sure I understand that... Where do you stand on all this?? Later.

Hey work@24,
I think a lot of people have picked peices of our post's and are trying to seem as though they know the inside info @ 24.
I can say for sure to anyone that cares, based on the things we have spoken about, I am sure work@24 is an employee. Obviously no way of kowing his poisition though.

There also seems to be a few unsigned posts that talk about a few items that I would think only someone in the company or previously in the company would know about. ie.. Robert's promotion, Deans not hitting goal, which I don't think in 100% true, Danny (nacho), ect... To that unsigned person. If you don't want to put your name on it, which I can understand, make one up so we can tell who is saying what. I for one would love to post back ad forth about a few items.

Hey this is 24 Hour Fitness sucks page, not a place for them to have a social feast

Lhevan,
That's what happens when you keep going on about stuff with out making any sence. Poeple grow tired of hearing you. BTW, So one will I be able to turn on my tv and hear about your "big jump" to tell the world about the evils of 24

Too bad Michael, no bady cares about your problem anymore. We have taken over the blog and that's that. Skee dattle!!

You are not taking over this blog. You will hear my mouth on TV oneday. This is not a 24 Hour fitness is cool blog, no it is a 24 Hour Fitness sux blog.

I am the one who talked about Danny, Robert and Dean and will sign under "Cabo" from now on. There will be 3 seperate conf. calls on Fri (sales, op's & fitness) and let the record show that the above 3 men have always been fair with myself and my career @ 24 hour, with that said the BS still crack me up.

So Cabo,
Are you still with 24? Cool name Cabo. Did Danny ever take you boys to Cabo like he said he would? Cabo, are you in a single club level position? If so, what you will here on that conferance call will be the "spin" that they want you to hear. I am not sure the even the DM's will get the straight story as of right now. It will all come out in the wash after a while anyway. Sohow has your "days on the 24 Hour farm" been latley?

"You are not taking over this blog. You will hear my mouth on TV oneday."

On Oneday? Oneday evening, maybe? LOL. Will it be on March 32? Maybe at 25:00 AM?

LOL.

The trip to Cabo is planed for July, and now only 200 people can go and if you were not in the position as of 2/04 you can not attend. I have worked at every position (Fitness,Op's and Sales)and at all levels.

Cabo,
So who gets to go to Cabo? Is he taking all the GM's OM's and FM's as he had promised? So you did not say what level are you at now.

Who is asking?

I'll figure away out, I am a talented guy

Cabo,
I asked
BTW- what is your position now?

give it up first, I will follow.

Cabo,
Not with the company any more. Got no problem telling what I did. Worked for John Romeo in SCD. Was a DM back in the day. Spent some time all over the place. Worked with Sharon in Vegas for a while. Worked with Dennis down south. Spent some time with Marty when he had Texas before Joe as well. OK! now you?

With Danny since I started, have won Vegas 100 and Hawaii as a GM. and now leaving for greener pastures, real Doctor and Laywer $, but I thank 24 for all the training on closing.

Cabo,
When did you win the Vegas and Hawaii contest? Did you work for Robert? First name start with R or J?

You can't see me, the blind stares of 24 hour fitness upper management pairs of million eyes, but what you don't realize is you don't see, hey I did my deeds, but you still can't see, lets see the evil of 24 hour fitness management defeated. Ask me why I am a bossman gettin high but you still can't see me, my own mama said I was thugged out, but hey I did the news. My enemy deceased but you still can't see me. You dumbies made a mistake when you thought I didn 't see what ya doin, but now you must realize one thing, you still can't see me. You see can't see me. The day is still young but you can't see me. Right before your very eyes, and you still can't see me. Right before your very eyes, and I qoute hear nothing

The blind stares of a million pair, but what it comes down too is one thing you can't see me.

RIP Tu Pak Shakur

A mind of a talent song writer, who died too young

A great hip hop before hip was ever cool

Doh!!!

Danny De is a fat f**k! He has no knowledge of how is own team feels about him. He feeds them lines of BS and they eat it up. He looks out for his own boys and lets those that are in his inner circle get away with anything. But then again, if you go to strip bars with him and and know some of the dirt on him that woud sure put him in hte hot seat, I guess you can get away with alot!! Then there is that snot nose punk Dean Pighead Pappay. another one that cheats on his wife and thinks he knows much more then he does!!! The CCD is full of punks that have no people skills. Thers not one person on the opperations side of thier clubs that can stand them!!!!!!!!!

tell us how you really feel

Exhausting day today!! CLOSEOUT for the month! The good 'ol 14 hour closout days...remember those served@24?? About him not hitting goal for 3 years?? Not true. Simple as that...

I will say this to you guys though: I talked w/ a few of the bosses and he mentioned that there WILL be some changes in the company starting this weekend... so I'll keep ya posted on that! I've heard that before and nothing has happened...all hype, so I'll let ya know.

Cabo: What position did you leave the company at? If you read my posts I'm sure you can figure my position out. About closing...don't you wish that ALL companies let you take ANY down pmt for a sale?? Ha, that helps the closing percentage, eh?

To the unknown man: We still have an unknown man? Let us know some history...

Lhevan: It's official, I don't even read your blogs anymore. I read a sentence, realize theres no good info, and move on. You have taken a bit of a different tone lately...whys that?? Too much REAL info on this blog now?

have a good night guys...

Work24,
Sorry. I can honestly say no. I do not miss closeout at all. Sure, for a closer like me I miss the fun of sales. I do not miss the 16 hour day going from bell to bell. No time for food. Getting home and having your kids in bed allready and still a sleep when you leave the next morning. No! Been there done that!!
So how did you do? Hit goal? Who was at the top of the close out score card? Not still sending out that 10 times a day are they? Hey, as to your comment about Dean. Are you saying it is true that he missed goal every month since he has been in the CCD or are you saying that it is not true. 280 having a hard time still huh. Wonder why?

Seems like someone above has some strong feelings about Danny and Dean. Can't say they aren't accurate though.

Hey Lhevan,
Still here huh! Waiting for you to take that big jump!

Work@24,
So today is the "big' call huh? Can't wait to see what your take is. As long as you can see through the forest:) They not giving the "some changes" speach again! Oh boy. Here they go.

I just started posting crap because that is what 24 hour fit is

Lhevan
You are full of crap. Bitch, bitch, bitch. It is all you do. everyone on here wishes you would slit your wrists allready!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yuur a punk little crybaby. WA,wa,wa!! Nobody cares what you have to say about anything any more. You ramble on about stupid crap. TAKE A HIKE ALLREADY!! BEAT IT CREEP!!

hey to the no name above, why don't you ask your mother if she wants me to slit my wrists. Of course you all do, because I promised and delivered on my promise to straighten this out. Did you like the DOJ complaint

To the no-name, you think I give a monkey's ass what you have to say. Here is what you do, go outside and find the biggest stick you can, turn that son of a bitch sideways, and shove it straight up your candy ass, jabroni.

Now on to the next subject, I own a 10 page police report. The Orange County DA screwed up, and did not make it a court controled document. What did do was when Little Monroe, claimed I made a phone to him (Completely wrong), and to save the Irvine PD, and DA's office further embarassment they knew to keep every statment this jackass had to say Court Controlled, meaning on my lawyer is allowed to have it. It pisses me off because I am the one who paying all the cost, and I want to sell this story to the newspapers when it is done, just to make sure Irvine PD knows that they did a bad thing. I might have to sue for the right to my own voice recordings, and another unidentified voice that little monroe claims to be me.

I will keep you posted, but ulitmately, what I want to do is post all the recordings online, so that the public can see how the police violate innocent people's rights.

24hr Fitness is a class action lawsuit waiting to happen!!! My girlfriend signed on to a 3 year contract with an initial payment of $657.88 which was billed to her credit card immediately. She stopped going after a couple of months and when she did go back she was told that her membership had been terminated. Terminated? Why, she asked. After spending 30 min with the manager he said there was an $0.80 balance left on her account so the corporate office terminated her account. She showed them her contract with amount paid and balance due was $0.00. The manager said he was powerless and that my girlfriend had to contact the corporate office herself to get it fixed. He even said he had seen other peoples membership being terminated for even less! STAY AWAW FROM 24HR FITNESS.

The conf. call was canceled last night, I will give an update as soon as I hear something new. The convention is coming up 4/5-7 in Hollywood. The person who talked about Dean cheating must have been in Hawaii, that has been on a real down low.

Jeff do you want to talk to my attorney?

The first thing 24 Hour Fitness should do is terminate its employment relationship with Frank Lucatuorto.

Because this man has in my opinion, very little life, and very little education, he is going to cost 24 Hour Fitness millions of dollars. Hey Franky, you should have never black mailed me. All of your emails are now being forwarded to the Department of Justice. In my opinion you are a horrible loss prevention director.

Jeff if you want to take action contact ne

Hey Mike, saw you today. . . . . . .I didn't know you lived there???

Beetch you still don't see me

In police report dr. #04.12009

Frank Lucatuorto (director of loss prevention, 24 Hour Fitness) states in an email that he would like to have Police Officer Monroe talk to Jack Nick at ***-***-3946, stating that he has helped them with other member issues. MEMBER ISSUE NOT CRIMINAL ISSUE.

The only attorney Joe Monroe should have ever talk to was the DA's office. I ask the DOJ to investigate conspricacy to falsely incriminate or abuse legal power.

I am kind of fasinated with the fact that Irvine PD has put so much time into trying get me convicted

I really hope someone from Irvine PD and the 24 Hour fitness is reading this. I am hoping you won't think this is some kind of joke anymore. I noticed that since I took over the site alot of the arrogant 24 hour fitness employees have not posted.

Lhevan,
What in the heck are you rambling about. You make no sence at all. Your all over the place. You really need to get it together man. Look, this site is for those that want to slam 24 hour. Not for someone that probably deserved what they had coming to them. I can tell by you bable on this site that you are a difficult person to deal with. Please do us all a favor and move on. Go start your own blog.

he can't he's a dickwad with a little itty bitty dick

One thing you can ask any girl who has gotten the privilage of seeing my white shlong, has always told me how big it truly was. You asked

Now on to the next subject, who are you in god's right to judge me. You come on here unnamed, and make stupid comments. This site is for a bunch of 24 hour fitness employees to duck all the complaints, and still not answer for their actions. In the next few weeks I will be posting more information about the corporate. The information they don't want you to know. If I was Fredrick, I would sue my company for fraudlent using his name. But that is not my issue.

Why wait? Bring it now schlong!

Because I want to carefully review everything, but so for my theory and hunch holds true, frank and joe monroe abused their positions. It quite obviously they do not even understand the first things about the constitution. That would mean one thing to me, Irvine PD are un-american

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

What is this a site for horrible over paid sales man at 24 hour fitness to bitch too? Do they give you benefits, if so call HIPPA and get psyichatric care.

Cabo: Conference call canceled?? I was on a call this morning w/ all the bigs?? Not sure where you're gettin your info...You're not w/ the company anymore right?? We started it when scheduled and everything.

Everyone: NO talk of selling the company came up. Although, we are making some changes. They want 'good salesman w/ good ethics'. Ha, I know you've heard it before but it's actually backed up w/ some action this time. Many many assist. mgrs were (or are going to be) "demoted" back to sales counselors. These are the guys (I'm sure you know served) that are ASM's because of their time w/ the company and don't do anything but take walk-ins...and furthermore don't set good examples for the new guys (the 'mgt material'). Theres talk about making some changes w/ the managers too, but only talk at this point...its a start.

About closeout: We, believe it or not, did more grosse today then yesterday (in my best club). We told all the KFP members they could add on a member at a ridiculous rate for a Paid in Full. Ha, most of those people came in today to do the deal.

About Dean: I don't know exactly what his numbers are, but I know for a fact that he hits his numbers quite frequently...especially as of late. So I know hes been up there for the past 3 years.

Jeff: It's true, the mgrs can't do anything about that. But you should get it resolved by calling corporate. Just provide the banking info and it should be cleared up. How long ago was this? Have you called corp. yet? Let me know...

Hey work@24,
Good to here you had a solid closeout. So where did yo finish on the DPR for the month? What DM took first and how was top in the CCD?

So it sounds like they are flexing thier muucle about bad ethics and sales staff huh? So what are they going to do? You know if you look at all the class action employee suits and individual suits that are currently open, they are aggressivly trying to get them settled now. That along with a big push to clean up the sales process reputation is a good indicator that they need to get things in order so they can get the biggest bang for thier buck. I cetainly don't think Mark or the investors would think about going public right now. It is a bad time for the market overall and all of Ballys problems with the SEC and Attorney General's office are bringing alot of bad light on the industry right now. Not sure, but it sounds like a sale to me!!

Yeah I hope so, I wrote a ton of letters to them. I warned you guys this would happen

Oh, that is the reason for sure! Because Lhevan wrote a bunch of letters!!!

Still not sure about a sale any time soon. I think they see the value in having good salespeople. I'm sure you saw before you left how the company was def. shifting to younger mgt.

I was rereading alot of the posts last night and wish some of the old posters were back. So if you're still out there guys... Read Rabbitts and Lhevans first blog. Lhevan, how old are you? Kinda funny how Rabbit's deal went down... It's true, you can always work the system somehow. Lhevan, you have def. made a shift in your attitude lately. Like two different people, two different people w/ weird complaints, but two different people none-the-less. Your first blog makes it seem like you're a kid that went to work out w/ your dad.

WOrk @24 I anm going to be 34 years old. Well when you think about it has been me against a huge corporation, the Irvine PD, and the DA. I am forced to play many roles to get the truth. It is no different then what the police do in their investigations that get people sent away for life. I have been forced to write to the DOJ about 10 times, and the DA's office. That is where I thought of the saying the blind stares of a million pairs of eyes but they still do not see me.

I started off nicely asking for a refund, to the point that everytime I file a complaint I up the value, due to the stress and amount of work that I have been faced with. Police in OC have about as enough intelligence as a dog. They don't even know the law so how can they enforce it. For name I will leave that young DA girl who had the nerve to talk to me with an attitude. SHe looked really stupid going in front of the judge. On monday, I am reporting a couple of lawyers to the bar who work for 24 hour fitness for given out unethnical advise. And last I can not believe what your employee use your email system for, and how they are not intelligent enough to know what slander is.

Hey Work@24,
You are right abouthte shift in yonger managment. But that is one of the reasons I left the company. It is the younger managers that I feel are the biggest problem. They lack any form of managment skills. They are not people people. They simply know how to gross. They are putting these young AGM's into possitions of GM becuase they can write. But they are way to young and most are not ready for the reponsibilty of runnig a 2.5 million dollar club. They do not know haow to deal with customers. They do not have the true ability to teach, motivate, and lead a staff of manny. Anything outside thier world of sales is an overload. They make poor judgments that reflect on the company and then the company is left with a reputation like it has. There is a huge differance between leading and managing. You know as well as I that people will fight to the end for you when they respect and admire and desire to be like you. Not becuse they fear what happens if the job is not done. That is a problem that even a few of your leaders have. Look at Dean Pappous. His team for the most part, regardless of what he may feel, laugh behind his back at his method of managment. Same with Danny and a few others in the CCD. Danny needs to reallize that he dose not have to constantly remind people that they are so lucky to be where they are. The guy he took over for years ago was a master at getting people to follow him because people felt like they trusted him and he cared. Not the same for Danny. Trust me, and I know the true feelings of many of his "key players", Danny's team for the most part are there because they are making good money and they like what they do. Sure, it gets the job done anyway right? Yea, but theres no loyalty. When something better comes along, there gone. You can't build longterm on that. Look at what got Family Fitness to where it was. Trust, respect and a desire to please Ray. Loyalty!!! And Yes there are manny more outside of the CCD. Lord knows John Romeo and Joe Bartels have a few too. I just thought I would bash the CCD because I think thats where you are. Look at Dan Wher. Another example of a team that really had know respect for him. Ther are a few DM's that are that way to. I will refrain from giving names of them though on the chance I say yours. LOL.....

Iam glad to see that they may be trying to clean things up. But I really think that they need to start at the top.

Sorry to all for my terrible spelling and typing above. I think it has been a long day

Served@24. So how would you fix it given the chance??

Ha, well I'm one of those young guys! Started w/ the company at 23 and am now doing rather well. I'm sure you can see from the way I talk on here that (hopefully) I'm not one of those guys. You can name names, I'm actually interested to know what you think??

Lhevan: No, what I'm saying...oh, nevermind...

WOrk@24 hour

So why don't you tell me what are these people like: John Romeo

for all I know in their personnal lives they could be good people, but with experience I have had with them, to me they are just horrible people. ANyways, I think Andrew is removing this post

Hey work@24,
First thing first. What are you doing up at 4:00 AM on a Sunday anyway? I sure hope yo have better things to be doing? Then again that may be why you are doing so well. We all know that 24 is not a "family" friendly place. Most of those that have wives and kids, have them convinced by the big paychecks they bring home of the old saying of quality of time vs quantity. Sorry. It aint so!!

As for names. Lets just say that there are certainly people in their roles that had they not known who they know, they would not be there. There are those that have a seriously warped sence of what thier team feels about them.

So you started @23 and you say that you have been with the company now for 5 years, and started with Danny. How long have you been a DM?
BTW- didn't you have your share of a few problems? Did Danny not save you but?

Served: Ya, was helpin the girlfriend paint her house last night...got home late. Other than that I don't usually get off work until around 8-10. I haven't been in my position very long. I've moved around alot at counselor, ASM, and MGR. I honestly haven't run into any major problems...are you talking about prob's I might have w/ the company or personal career problems? And did Danny save my butt? Not sure what you're talkin about there. I can honestly say that while my name is on the 'good ol boys list' I'm not really one of em. You know how pretty much everyone likes to talk about how wonderful they are once they get to MGR... that stuff just gets on my nerves. I honestly don't care when everyone is sharing their 'selling stories'. How they got someone to buy or about the guy who got pissed...well...the stories about pissed off customers can be funny at times..I got one for ya! Last week on closeout a tenured counselor was pitching a KFP. He told the guy, "maybe you just can't afford it." The guy got PISSED! He threw the chair on the ground and stomped out. I chased after him cuz I didn't know what happened and he got in my face...so I let him be and made a note that he wasn't allowed in the club(not that he would want to be in it). Thats my story for the night! Later.

By the way...haven't you noticed I always post late at night?

How can you bar the guy from the club, if your staff offended them. Maybe it was true the guy was probably broke, or maybe the guy was very rich and didn't like to show it. That is my point your staff does not know how to treat its customers'. Sales people are suppose to be friendly not dick headish like 24 hour fitness staff.

I use to really look down on the people who worked for a gym, because of how vain they are. But then I realized I was just an educated better looking version of most them. That is called opinion, everyone is entitled to one. Hey does your sales people even workout

Lhevan,
What doese working out have to do with selling fitness. I know alot of people that have the most increadible looking body, have a degrees up the wazu, but have no ability to teach or convay it to anyone. They have a personality like yours!

It has every thing to do with selling memberships. How can you sell something if you don't even know what it is. I can teach, which is why I have a comfortable job.

Being fit, or better yet, looking fit, has nothing to do with the amount of knowledge you may or may not have. If yo can speak and are capable of conveying yor knowledge to someone, that is how you teach. For the record. I have seen rather over wieght and out of shape sales people do much better then then those in shape when it come to selling memberships. Sales skill also has nothig to do with yor knowledge of fitness. Sales is a physcological process. It is based on emotion and not fact or therefore knowledge. I can assure you tht no matter how much you know or don't know has little to do with selling a membership. It dose however have everything to do with creatting and emotional conection and need. Stick to your internet babble. Sales is for the strong communicators.

Looking natural, a little bucky but lean is what people want to look like. If they see you are dedicate to what you sell, I think the selling aspects sells yourself.

In all seriousness, the reason that 24 hour fitness didn't want to refund me my money was, because they would have to pay out millions to other former members.

You sound like one of those dickheads that sits on the machine, and never really uses it.

I bought an all gym membership back in 1991. At the time it was called Family Fitness. Then around 1996 24 hour fitness took over. They did not allow me access to certain gyms, even though I had an all gym membership. 5 years later they justified by calling the newer gyms sport clubs. No other gym ever did this to members. I complained and complained, finally I paid them the 15 dollars extra month to use a gym that was overly crowded, the staff moral was also very low. You can tell the employees do not like their job.

Needless to say, I complained numerous times about air quality, fire hazards, and equipment that would be out of commission for weeks at a time. As a result the terminated my contract, and refused to refund me my last months dues. After calling and leaving messages, never to be called back, a representative from 24 hour fitness named Adam Loew decided that he was going to call one of his friends from the Irvine police dept (he had his friend Frank from loss prevention call me to tell me that if I did not stop asking for a refund, he would get his friends from Irvine police to come and harass me), to harass me at work, and while on vacation with my 71 year old mom visiting from NY. (Who suffers from Parkinson disease)? Adam Loew was not happy because I revealed to him that I knew he had been in trouble with the law. (He is the VP of Sales for 24-hour fitness, a nice paying job)

Dear Mr. Freschi:

I was a member of 24 hour fitness for about 13 years. I had a problem at the Irvine Spectrum gym with 2 guys who I believed to be racist skin heads. (There is a big population in South OC) I had a trainer ask me about the issue, and I told him the 2 guys were hassling me. I was afraid for my safety, being that I am Jewish. Nevertheless, these 2 young men continued to harass me, and I got upset. I was very much afraid for my life, and all the personnel trainer did, was try to talk down to me and ignite the situation. He sided with his 2 friends, and all 3 had shaved heads. Skinheads big crime in OC is Identity Theft, which I was a victim at your Brea Facility, on 9/2/04 and 9/06/04. I tried to call Adam Loew numerous times only to be shunned. It is also quite coincidental, that this happened right after I lowered my monthly dues from 30 dollars a month to 22 dollars. I tried for about 2 weeks to correct the problem, only to deal with very immature, uneducated, and unprofessional people that work for 24 hour fitness. Finally I joined LA Fitness, being that my doctor told me I could die, if I don't continue to workout.

At this point I realized I was owed first and last months dues, for several contracts, denied access to gyms, even though I had an all club membership, insulted, and had my safety put on the line. Adam Loew told me that I am not getting my money back, and I let him know that he had numerous criminal incidents. At this point I was slandered by your staff. Frank from the Loss prevention department called my work, and made a blackmail, that he was friends with the higher up police in Irvine and Costa Mesa. The next day I went on vacation, only to find out the police were looking for me at my work, and by my home. I talked to Officer Joe Monroe, and had an attorney contact him. After talking to me, he became unbiased about the situation, being that I had phone calls left on machine from your staff. The first one was a threat, the second one was Nicole from 24 hour fitness in Brea, stating that I was there on 9/2/04 and 9/06/04. Two days after I almost lost my job, due to your staff obstructing justice, slander, and much more misconducts. I wrote to the Better Business Bureau, and they wrote to higher management in which your team replied that an investigation was being launched. I have yet to hear back. On December 15 th, 2004 I wrote to the Department of Justice to complain about the identity theft Adam Loew, and your staff. I wrote my concerns about the Irvine PD as well. After talking to Officer Joe Monroe, he informed me that 3 Individuals Adam Loew and his wife Teri Loew, and a man named Fredrick M, filed a complaint with the DA. I have filed a motion to dismiss just based on my paper trail that I have from 24 hour fitness. The tapes were turned over to the DA as well as all my documentation. 24 hour fitness has nothing to gain by this action. I am fully prepared for exoneration. I have written, many politicians, and other prominent people, who have had problems with 24 hour fitness throughout the years.

Right now as it stands, I am willing settle my difference with 24 hour fitness, regarded a professional person call me up, and is willing to come to some kind of resolution. Otherwise, I am willing to go in front of the justice system and let them decided who was the victim. In the past I have dealt with very immature people who work for your corporate office, I respect a man of your statute will be professional. I enjoyed working out at many 24 hour fitness facilities through out my years, and willing to come back as a member provided that I am treated with honor. I do believe you will use better judgment and do the right move.

Sincerely

Michael Lhevan

"Color of law" is a legal term used in official misconduct cases. It means that the law enforcement officer acted while abusing the authority given to him or her by reason of his or her employment as a public official.

To Whom It May Concern

Officer Joe Monroe in Irvine California is violating my civil rights. He is an identity theft cop who took a personal hate to me. I think it is because I am Jewish. He initially chased me all throughout Orange County to try to arrest me. He tried to deliberately get me fired from work. When none of his tactics were effective, he filed charges against me, 2 days after I filed a complaint with the DOJ. After months of not having a police report, tactic used by the OC DA, so that the defendant has no way to defend himself. Finally I got a list of witness, and I called them to inform that I was representing myself, and that I had a few questions on behalf of the defense. Fred told me he had no knowledge of this case and that his work was filing the case. 24 hour Fitness already signed a release stating they were not filing criminal action, it was not in their best interest.

The day after Joe Monroe harassed me; I called his work to report him. I got no help what so ever, except for a Stg Hammel, who got on the phone and completely lied to me. As punishment for making a complaint against Joe Monroe, he called my work again and lied to them, with the intent to annoy and harass me and to try to get me terminated from work.

Joe Monroe and the DA's office are abusing power. Joe Monroe should be reprimanded if not terminated for his actions. The Irvine police have a history of blundering cases, and mishandling and misusing evidence. I think Bill Lockyner should look into investigating the DA's office for constantly harassing and filing false charges against people. I personally do not want to live in state where I have to fear police abuses of power. I am very scared of what this man is capable of. Joe Monroe tried to arrest me for expressing my first amendment right.

Sincerely,

Michael Lhevan

24-Hour Fitness has a history of s*xual harassment; they are abusing the legal system so that I can not file a civil suit. I suspect of them of illegally making contribution to Irvine PD, and of making illegal pay offs.

Dude! You are way out there.
Your a freakin mad man.
A real buz kill at that.
Do you really think for one moment that the DOJ, th eDA or anyone for that matter gives 2 shits about you. How does it feel to know that everyone on this site and anyone that happens to take the time to read all your mentally deranged bs, is rolling on the floor and laughing histericly at you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Work@24- Wrong move and not the way to gain repeat sales and good word of mouth. Might be funny, but clearly a short timers attitude to piss a potential buyer off like that. Tenured closer would never let a potential sale walk out the door. Just shows that the seller is not multifaceted in his closing techniques. And BANNING him from the club?? The guy had every right to be peaved. Problem is all the folks at his work who were also looking to join based on his feedback just said F you to 24 HR. There are only so many fish in your sea, All the good work you were doing on this board for the company just got shot right to hell. Sounds like the oldtimer needs some retraining. Thats your job right??

Terminator, if you would have hadle my situation, I would not be posting as we speak. Yes they care you dumb bastard

Maybe I wasn't clear guys. The sales guy accurately told him that he possibly couldn't afford the prepaid membership ($800), because the guy said that it was too much money. It went something like this: "If its too much money it might just be out of your price range. Let me show you the monthly memberships." Is that bad?? In this club there is audio and video at the front desk and in the counselors area because of legal matters. Anyways, the guy was so offended and PO'ed that he threw a chair...Threw a chair?? I'm sorry, but that is a potential customer I don't want. HOWEVER, because I didn't know what just happened I went out to talk to him in the parking lot. When I asked him what happened the guy got in my face like he wanted to fight. Should I try to deal w/ a person like this?? No, at that point I turned around and went back into the club. Do you really think this guy was a 'potential buyer' after he threw a chair?? Or do you think by my action of going to the parking lot to figure out what happened was the wrong way of handling it?? If you owned a McDonalds and a guy got pissed for whatever reason and threw a chair, would you allow him back into your establishment?? I think not. It was only funny afterwards. If a guy like this is going to make bad word of mouth to his friends then thats just the case. Theres nothing I can do about that.

I got an idea... In that exact situation, how would you guys have handled it?? Honestly, tell me. And please be realistic. Maybe the Irvine PD could make a trip out here...its sounds like they handle those type of people well. Ha, all kidding aside, I think you can see that I handled the situation as well as I could have. You've been pretty fair up to this point Terminator, so I anticipate that you will be on this one as well. Thanks guys. Later.

Hey Work@24,
Sounds as though there are a lot of arm chair quarterbacks out there today. Wow! Well, I would say that after being i the industry for over 20 years as I have, and having sold memberships for as long as I did, I think you handled it well. Iwold however be curious to see the vidoe and audio of the situation. I find it hard to beleive that the final words before he threw a chair were exactly as you say. BTW, I have had and even heard of many of the clubs having security cameras covering the front desk, possibly even the sales area. Never heard of audio recordings as well. Would love to know what kind of problems happen often enough, or happened at this club to warrent that. What area is it in? Anyway I would say you did well. As for me, I would have had the arrested for destruction of property and probably tried to prevoke him to take a swing at me so I could flatten him. Just kidding!!

As for the problems I thought you had, maybe I have you confused with someone else. As to what I mean about Danny saving your but, I mean that you got back to your spot as GM and then to DM rather quick based on having a few problems. If not you, then it just narrowed my process of elimination as to who you are.

So Cabo says that the convention this year is getting ready to happen in Hollywood. Is that true? Are they taking the GM's this year or just above? Sure hope the food is better. Hope yo get some better freebies. I don't know though. Hollywood has some real night spots for some of those boys to get in trouble at night. Make sure you keep Danny and his cronies out of the strip bars. We wouldn't want Dean to be unfaithfull:)

SO what your saying is that he assaulted someone? I also know people from 24 Hour Fitness like to try to build things up, and say things that really never happened.

Lhevan,
YOU SUCK!! GO AWAY!!!!!!!! GO GET A JOB AND QUIT THINKING YOUR GOING TO GET RICH OF SOME "NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN" LAWSUIT!!!!

I have a job unlike you who collects SSI

Thanks for the clarification on the situation. I to think that an unruly prospect should be escorted out of the building. BUT, if it was Fitness counselor provoked, not a good thing. There might have been a better way to phrase the response to "too much money" It's only too much if you don't break it down to a more friendly number. . . per week or per day for example. Still think the counselor could use a touch-up on ways to overcome the objection. As for throwing the chair???? The dude deserved to be banned. Thanks for the clarification

Terminator, who died left you king

Lhevan,
I know where you live. Go away or I will put your info on this blog for all to see. I will give out your phone number as well. You stupid moron. All us 24 hour employees are out to get you. I looked up your info in our system and I will give it to everyone.

Go ahead and post it then, I don't like being blackmailed and open to not backing down policy

Is this one of my asshole relatives?

It says a lot about you when even you relatives can't stand you!!!!

Hey guys. Ya know, I never even thought to look up Lhevan's info in M2. Ha, I think I'll have a look tomorrow.

Served: I know of alot of clubs w/ cameras but very few w/ audio. The security isn't really there to catch people at anything, it is for lawsuits and things like that...therefore, if some chicks sues unlawfully, we have proof...but if its lawful, she has proof. It's the difference between having to go to court or not. Audio was actually put into this club specifically to catch a counselor that was flat out lying to customers...it worked (its more like a mic in the pit area...not very sophisticated). And to be honest, the guy really did get that PO'ed by the counselor sayin it was too much..some people just have bad tempers.

Terminator: Actually, when MEN say that something might be too much its a pretty decent closing technique to say "oh, maybe thats too much." Most men are very prideful and will try to prove otherwise to the point where they pay for a membership. If the guy agrees it is too much then the next step is to show the monthly plan.

Oh, can't say that I've had too many problems served...

Worked@24,
Help me clearify where you are again. You are a DM in the CCD? Working for Curtis or Dean, or Dan? I can't imagine if you had any problems, you would admit it here. I know you don't want people to figure out who you are.
BTW, do you have any GM's that jumped on the class action suit that agreeded to settle? Any FM's or trainers in the one about off the clock hours? I hear there is another one moving forward for the DM's based more off just RTC's revenue. There is even talk about a possible one deling with those that have or had been given stock options. What's the word within?

So, what is the word on the company's "new honesty in sales" and "there are going to be changes" call last week. We ae halfway through the next week and I hope as with most talk it is not just that. What kind of law is Danny trying to lay down. BTW, is Jennifer Bolding still around. Now there is someone that can give Danny an honest opinion of how most of his team feels. NOT!!! Like anyone tells her anything in privacy!! A real waste of an HR department.

So what is this months talking points! Or are you guys still trying to master the 3 steps to the show process!

BTW, if you are not in the CCD, please let me know so I can focus on ripping on people you work with. I have alot more dirt on people outside of CCD. Just thought that is where you are.

BTW Work@24,
You have to post some info on Lhevan. See if his info in the MVE is up to date!!! He is a real pain in the ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Interesting about the "new honesty in sales". In other words, an admission of the sort of dishonest, deceptive practices that have pissed off so many of the posters here. Glad to hear about changes, though, although that may be hard to do when the whole corporate culture there is rotten to the core.

Andrew,
You don't even know how true you are!!

DO what the hell you want, but

In the courier bags that go to all the clubs is an issue of Club International, there is an article on 24hour fitness and Mark wanting
1 billion, and this goes to all the GM's , have any of you seen this?

Cabo,
The "word" to all the GM's from the "upper" brass is that Mark was just shopping the company around to see what he would get. They say that he wants toake the company public and wanted to see what type of value he could get. Well, anyone that knows about the market right now, and knows about all the problems that Ballys is having with the SEC and AG right now, can tell you that this is not the time to go public. I do not think that Mark nor the investors board would take that rissk right now. However if yo look at the class actions suits that have been settled as of recent and the aggresive manner they are trying toclear up a few others, they are signs of a for sure sale.

Cool, now I can also report 24 hour fitness to the SEC

For what? Like they would listen to you.

Honesty in Sales?? Oh do pontificate! What is that really suppose to mean??

When Lhevan writes people listen. No name just say your name, it is not that hard. It will be ok

Served,
Mark is not testing the waters, and will never go public under his ownership, as Danny would say "period, end of story".

Hey Cabo, Your preaching to the choir. I know that all to well... Mark is as involved with the day to day runnig of 24 right now as an NBA ball player and his twenty bastard kids!!

Hey Work@24,
What's going on this month. Checked out a DPR today. You better get yourself off the bottom of that thing. 79% is not going to get you paid. What's up wiht Dean at 72%. Haing some problems getting the month going? If I am wrong about your numbers, then it is 69%. Still not sure which of the 2 people I think you are.

I dont know how Dean will ever beat Curtis, and how does Curtis win year after year with an I.Q. around room temp. And Curtis, practice what you preach - do some cardio before you pop!

Who cares, 24 hour fitness sucks, btw I want to prosecute them for sending me spam, after I requested that I didn't

servedmytime@24 since you know so much about 24 hour....tell me whats going on in Denver?

Good posts today guys.

Served: as much as I'd love to tell ya everything, my desire to stay unknown still stays. So I just won't... sorry.

Ha, I will say this though. I looked up Lhevan today on M2. I guess I kinda doubted all of what he was sayin, but I had to laugh out loud when I saw his member notes. There were tons of them like "if this member enters the facility, call the police." "...has a criminal record, do not allow" "...violent and access not permitted". That was along w/ the EFT drafts that haven't been kept up. Ha, so there ya go guys...He's def. for real!

Hyatt: Ya, of course theres dishonesty in some sales people. We're workin at it. And there continue to be ASM's fired or 'demoted'. Night guys.

Denver has a lot of young players. I honestly don't know to many of then very well. I was much more up to speed out there when Tony Daimen and Bill Stef was there, but thats been a while. So you are from there , tell me what's going on. Who is runing that area. Is that under the LSD right now. Is Marty out there. Who do you work with. Prehaps I know some of the players well. I may be wrong, but I thought I heard Harry Reo transfered out there from TX not to long ago. Not sure though.

BTW Cabo,
You know, all things said, Curtis Harmen is really not that bad a guy. I mean at least he is real. Which is much more then I can say for Dean or even the split personality Mike Apple that Curtis took over for a few years ago. Curtis is just a big loaf. Lazy at times but still yurns for the "good old days" of past when this was a real grossing game. He has a few lame DM's though.

Yeah Harry Reo has been here since September....Really good guy. Jason Lee and David Summitt are you 2 DSM's here.... We are all having a confrence with Mark Mastro this morning so that should be pretty cool.

Hey Work@24,
You know, as I sat here and reread some of our earlier post's, I now realize I may not have paid attention to something you said. I thought all this time you were in the CCD working under Dean. I know you won't reveal yourself, but just for shits and giggles, if I can guess something about you that would indicate I know you, would you confirm it. I think it would be funny to know for sure that you and I know each other. Let's start with some simple and obscure things. Did you ever work under Geoff Harmen, Jeff Katz, or Cliff Allen, or Mike Apple? I think you said that Robert was fair to you, so I may assume you worked for him for a time. What about the others I just mentioned? Come on now. You have to admit, you have some couriousity as to who some of the people are out in this vas internet highway.

So Denver,
What is your rank out there? Why would a conferance with Mark be pretty cool?

WOrk at 24 hour, I don't have a criminal record you idiot. This is exactly what I am talking about. My EFT was suspended by your corporation for no reason. This again is example of your corporation slandering me. I am going to sue 24 hour fitness for all this crap once I get thids charge thrown out of court. Anyone can say anything about people, it doesn't make it true. And as far as criminal records go, why don't you go look up half your staff. You have a bunch of fucken liars working there.

Hey,Closer.. Go and fcuk yourself. I was harassed at the 24 Hr Fitness by a so called "closer" and they "terminated" my membo. All because I took my business to another 24 location in Orange County where the staff were nicer. I am filing a class action lawsuit against 24 Hr Fitness TODAY. I will keep this board updated.

COUNTDOWN TO LHEVAN DAY!!!!!!!
STAY TUNED FOR LHEVAN"S PERSONAL INFO!!!
HOW ABOUT HIS PHONE NUMBER! SO THE NEXT TIME HE RAMBLES ON ABOUT NOTHING WE CAN ALL CALL HIM AT
3 AM IN THE MORNING AND TELL HIM TO SHUT THE F UP!!
HOW ABOUT HIS ADDRESS! WE CAN ALL WRITE HIM PERSONAL LOVE LETTERS AND SHOW OUR TRUE FEELINGS. OR MAYBE SOMEONE CAN PAY HIM A VISIT AND SHOW OUR LOVE IN PERSON!
HOW ABOUT HIS BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION THAT HE HAD HIS DUES COMING FROM. MAYBE SOMEONE CAN MAKE A DEPOSIT FOR HIM SO HE CAN FIGHT THE LONG HARD FIGHT WITH THE EVIL EMPIRE OF 24 AND IRVINE PD!

CHECK BACK IN 1 DAY FOR ALL THIS GREAT INFORMATION AND MORE !

Dude if you post my personnal info, you do realize 24 Hour Fitness is in for a huge law suit. But go ahead I pre-warned you. You can call my house at 3 am, but it won't wake me because I don't take the phone into my room, I leave out by the kitchen. ANd anyone dare come to my house and wish to show me love, try me. ANd if you want to deposit money into my account please do, it will save me the hassle of having to sue your corp for it

Lhevan,
You will never be able to prove where this information came from. That's the great thing about the information highway. Information like that can be gathered from anywhere. It will piss you off, make your life hell, and you can bitch all you want but won't be able to stop it. Man I love it!!!!

COUNT DOWN TO LHEVAN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You want to make a bet, you ever heard of an IP Address? What about when that kid made a threat through the internet, and the next day the feds showed up at his house, to take him from FLorida to Denver because he IMed someone there and made a threat. You think it will get me upset? I don't allow stupid things to get me upset, I put my faith in god. Go ahead though, see if I don't end up supoening this info from Andrew. I am an IT guy and can explain to the FBI how to locate you. I guess if you are going to post it, and then destroy your pc, then you might get away with it

Lhevan,
First thing first you moron. It is not illeagal to put information that is available through public records on the internet. Any information that is found in the 24 Hour Fitness data base is also available in 100 other places if you know where to look. And I may add is available to the public if you also know where to and how to ask.

Second, if I was going to post something that I was concerned about being traced back to me, I would never be dumb enough to use a computer with an IP that can be traced to me. Again, the wonders of the information highway. There are 1000's of places to access a computer for free.

No, trust me Lhevan. My goal is to stay within the letter of the law, while making you life suck!!!!!!

I know that Mike Apple is in Asia, but what happened to Cliff Allen, A good guy but a good guy who could not hit goal, any info? and I heard Dean went in to demote Jeff Katz even further down the food chain and he had a heart attack right there in the Club, any news on that?

BTW Lhevan,
You do not really think that the FBI would need you to explain how anything to them, do you? Maybe just how you became such a pathetic pain in everyones ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No Name fuck, learn how to speak english. Trust since I was a kid, I have had to deal with people trying to bring me down through their jealousness. I have one relative female (and I wish I wasn't related to this pig, but she doesn't seem to understand that) who is just a sick fuck. And when I say sick fuck I mean exactly that. She claims mental illness, but people who are mentally ill can be treated and are functional. WHat she means is she causes mental illness, because she is a sick vulgar fuck. Our taxes pay for this pig to abuse other people.

With that said, go do what you want. Post whatever you want but when you get caught and you will don't beg me not to press charges.

Where in the heck in any previous post do I or anyone ask you about some sick f relative with mental illness? You are the one that is seriously sick dude!!

COUNTDOWN TO LHEVAN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I posted for a good reason, come on why wait post what you are going to post. BTW my address is unlisted, so there would only be a few places to get it. I am mentally well, I take care of myself. I don't think the no-name fuck works for 24 Hour Fitness, I think it is the sick fuck I was referring to in another post. Hey no-name fuck, do you use no name because you have no fucken life

Lhevan,
Unlisted address mens nothing. There are multipul ways a getting an unpublished address and phone number. Evens ways to get it publicly. As for you being mentaly well. I think that is open for discussion. As for being a no name fuck. From now I will don the name " Ihatelhevanandiwanttomakehislifehell"

Yeah of course you know that, you have been getting numbers for years from people who do want to hear from you

To the player hater, you have my information. WHy not be a man and show your real name. Cowards hid on the computer. People like Irvine PD, who call people into entrapping them into a crime. They are known for doing that, then they think they are really doing any justice.

Did you know that Irvine PD alledgely would call people begging them for drugs so that they can make a bust. Sure they pick lower class people to do it to, because of their ignorance. I bet 24 Hour Fitness wishes they would have not gone that route with me. I bet Irvine PD officer Little Monroe wishes he would have not gotten involved with me. He is so stupid the day he came to take me into custody, he was so busy talking to the sherrif with him, he didn't bother to notice that I was watching him. The funny thing is I didn't even know he was there for me. He had the Irvine PD buggy, a nice waste of the tax payers money.

They should not allow little man to be police officers with all the complexities that they have, and power trips. If you go into the Irvine PD station they have a big sign about integrity but I know that they have none. How can police enforce law if they don't even have a sense of what the law is? It is not meant to sabtoge people's life, like the losers around here like to do.

I wonder if the No Name fuck, is this that has been girl from HS, named Lori, that screwed her best friends Nicole's husband. Got with the huge fan list I have it could be anyone. But my fans are the best

Hey guys, I don't think anyone should post any info on Lhevan when it comes to personal matters. No matter how much you don't like him, it is illegal, so just don't do it. I checked out his phone and address n all that stuff but would never post it on here. Hyatt, please be on the lookout for any post like that and don't let it go through!

Served: I'm in CCD. Ha, you're rereading my posts to figure out who I am?? I've worked w/ some of those guys...I'll tell ya that!! But when you're w/ the company for more than a year, you're bound to work for some of them. By the way, isn't Cleinfelter runnning Asia? (my first name drop).

Denver: I'm curious your position to the point where youre excited about meeting w/ the big guy. The first meeting is always a good one. It's not until you're actually working FOR someone that you see the real BOSS in them come out.

Served: I'll tell ya this about how they're changing things. Ya know how DM's hardly take walk-ins when they're working the club...or how MGRs pass to counselors alot... Well, they're trying to slow that down. They want the mgrs and dm's to take those people cuz they think we are missing sells w/ less 'talented' sales people. God in trouble for that...so it looks like I'll be doing alot more selling in the future. I guess it makes sense, because we got to these positions really for one reason...we can gross.

Thank you work@24, I can see you are intelligent. Say what you want about me, but do not put me in an unsafe position. That is what this blog is about, first amendment speech. Trust me, I have a dog the size of a Bear who wouldn't like any intruders.

Now work@24, what type of notes do you have, that stuff might be interesting to post. I don't think the tru lhevan hater is a 24 hour employee. WHy would your company go through all this legal hassle? This could have been settled without any lawyers, or police. But now it is too late, was it really worth it?

Instead of posting lhevan hating comments, No Name fuck, post something intelligent

Work, Steve C. is running Asia, Mike Apple is Starting/running all the Brikram yoga Clubs That Mark opened their.

Work@24,
I think you may be right about Steve. I know that he was going to go somewhere over seas after he spent all that time trying to perfect the customer servic side of things. You know, now that I think about it, it kind of funny. Steve Cleinfelter spent all that time with the "one and done" crap and look at where the reputation of 24 is right with customer service.
So which one did you work for. Give me a hint or two and let's see if I can guess. If I guess, I will give yo a hint as to who I think you are without using your name. Let's have some fun.

Cabo,
Not sure if Mike is in Asia or not. Not sure what Cliff Allen is doing at this time either. Based on how much he did when he was with 24, I would say not much. I heard about Jeff Katz and what happened with him and Dean. I think that whole heartattack stuff was a smart ploy for Jeff to build a lawsuit. From what I had heard though, they settled with him rather quick. I think he and Dean really had it out for eachother. I heard he is oppening clubs of his own now and slamming it to 24. So it sounds like you don't like Dean or Curtis very much. What gives?

You know what is funny, 24 Hour Fitness knows how to piss people off, but I know how to piss off 24

Some guy is so fucken pissed right now at your company. This is horrible management. Your staff needs to learn how to be passive versus the agressiveness. The one thing I do miss about the 24 Hour Fitness is all the TNA (tits n ass) that worked there, and the members. Hey wrote a song it goes:

Adam low, how low can you go how loew can you go. It sounds like 24 hour fitness goes pretty low, oh Adam low

Served,
Both Dean and Curtis have always been great with me, funny how completly opposite they are - Boy wonder and the good ol'boy.

Wait which no name fuck is that, is that the same no name fuck that was black mailing me. Ask your boy Franky how I react to blackmail

Lhevan: What I posted yesterday isn't an exact quote but pretty close to what it said. Oh, and I don't think we're going through a bunch of legal hassle w/ you. I think YOU might be going through the hassle, but not us.

Served: I'll say this. Cleinfelter is one of the greatest guys I've met at 24, or outside of 24HF, so I would never say a bad thing about him. Yes, he is running things in Asia and I talk to him frequently about it. He used to run Vegas. He was supposed to go there to get things started about 5 years ago, but hasnt returned to the states yet. From what I know, things are going very well over there.

Served: I'm interested to know what you think of Jamie Zubia. Heard of him? Let me know.

Hey work@24 you will be facing a legal possiblity.

But post some stories, you can change things let's let the people here the stories. I really think 24 Hour Fitness and the Irvine Police underestimated me. I was kicking the states ass in court, by myself, I hired a lawyer for insurance reasons. On paper to your gym it looks like I am the one having a problem, but in court it looks totally different. You give a judge facts and they don't like it when the big bullies are picking on the little man. When you think about it I took on the state of california and the 24 Hour Fitness by myself. SOme might call it heroes. I stood up to the big boys. Yeah your stupid company put some fabricated lies about me in your computer system, but it is what you really have evidence of. Not some stupid bitches wife saying she received a call about shitting her pants.

work@24 do you realize how much the state of california is going to come down on 24 hour fitness because of how much I blew this case up, it is a good old first amendment violation. Officer Joe Monroe was concerned that I am pursuing civil action, well not yet, but I will. I don't mind sitting in court, it is those who do, who should be nervous

I have been infront of a lot of judges whether it was civil, traffic, and not so proudly criminal, but one thing I know is a Judge will get fucken pissed at a huge corporation and the police for trying to abuse power. A few years ago, I single handling made a major impact on HMO's. Still today this day people don't know how to use a HMO, but if you do, you get the best medical provider. I spoke up, those who speak up and fight for their rights win. BTW 24 Hour I am undefeated as representing my self in civil court.

BTW The stupiest thing your corporation did was get legal advise from a mormon police officer who works for one of the most ignorant police forces (Irvine PD, go read the Aurther Carmona Story) Work@24 you making the comment to me that I am one with the legal hassle, your right because of poor management and a bunch of liars.;

The story of Saddam is he is locked up, and the man he tried to kill for years Jalal Talabani is now elected president of Iraq. He is a kurdish leader, Saddam chemically killed over 5,000 kurds. You talk about power change but Jalal Talabani offered amenesty to all the insurgents. WHy? Because this is a man of peace. Who would have thought that among the Kurds that they would oneday have a ruler in a Iraq, a dictatorship for the last 50 years. Miracles do happen

Saddam is now locked up, and the man he tried to kill for years Jalal Talabani is now elected president of Iraq. He is a kurdish leader, Saddam chemically killed over 5,000 kurds. You talk about power change but Jalal Talabani offered amenesty to all the insurgents. WHy? Because this is a man of peace. Who would have thought that among the Kurds that they would oneday have a ruler in a Iraq, after a dictatorship supressed them for the last 50 years. Miracles do happen

The Kurdish experiment was when the United States wasn't sure if the Kurds were capable of running a state. SO what the US did was make them automaous from Iraq but not independent. WHich meant hands off for Saddam to do his tortorous tactics. I meant this because Iraq is listed in the Bible more times, behind Isreal. There use to be a huge jewish population of Iraq before bathist took control. Today lives about 50 jewish Iraqis only because they were protected by the UN. People say why would they want to live there. Well if you grew up in a certain place, and you felt comfortable why would you want to leave. They had a right to live in baghdad.

What?

Holly crap! Looks like Lhevan is at it again. Spewing shit from his mouth. What in the hell are you talking about? I do know one thing that any judge can't stand. Someone that can't stop babbling about nothing and just get to thier point.

Hey Work@24, what do you want to know about Jamie Jamie? To bad I can't hear your voice over this blog. It would make it easier to guess who you are. That is unless you were "impersinattnig" someone else's voice:)

You people should get some educational info, the Kurdish experiment is what you children will be learning about in a few years. Read the bible and nostidamous, they predicted WW3, and it was suppose to happen. The Kurdish experiment might be what saves us from prediction. I hopr to travel safely to baghdad one day. There is a Subway there, wouldn't 24 hour fitness like to market a possible economic giant