LA Fitness International
reviews and complaints

The gym off California Oaks Road is poorly managed. Half of the people using the gym use no towel at all, leaving a their sweat on the mats and equipment for the next patron to deal with. The personal trainers do not require their clients to have a towel. When I arrive in the morning, various weights from the weight room are scattered throughout the workout areas. Personal trainers leave weights on the floor and never teach their clients to re rack. The head maintenence guy washes the mirrors daily and squeegies the dirty soapy water onto the the newly laid carpet below. This place is understandably filthy. Management does not enforce any of the rules. After years of complaining, I will no longer renew my membership there.

LA Fitness is absolutely ridiculous! Their cancellation policy is set up as a ploy to keep the last month's service charge. I was sharing an account with my brother, and I wanted to cancel. They charge me every month on the 28th and my brother on the 24th.

I went in person to the gym and got the cancellation form. I sent in the form on the 14th, which is plenty of time before the 28th. When I saw that I still got charged on the 28th, I called them up to complain. They gave me the corporate number. When I phoned them, their excuse to having charged me was that they didn't receive the form on time. What liars!

So the second month, I sent it certified and paid almost $5, plus my time at the post office and additional frustration. I have proof that the cancellation form arrived on the 21st, still almost a week before my charge date, yet, not only did they still charge me, they had the audacity to charge me on the 24th with my brother's charge.

I was furious. My brother called up the gym and they told him that he needed to come in person and show proof of the certified mail. I told him that was ridiculously to have to make an extra trip. They do not have a fax number!

I called up a couple of hours later, and the next person told me that I needed to bring in a copy of my statement showing proof that I was charged. At this point I was so mad that I had to go through such a hard time to cancel my service and nobody could give us a straight answer. I asked for the corporate number again and I was told that they do not provide the number. He basically told me that he couldn’t help me and that I need to come in person to speak to the Operations Manager. In this day and age, I have never experienced the need to cancel anything in person-it is usually done via email or fax! These LA Fitness employees do not know what they are doing, nor do they care about the customer.

Then, they told me to come in on Monday to speak with the Operations Manager. I told them there is no way I am coming in. They need to figure this out and call me on Monday to tell me that it is resolved. They asked if I wanted to leave a message for the manager, is this guy kidding me? The manager on duty told me that the Operations Manager was very busy and that I should call back on Monday to follow up. What great customer service huh? This man named Lance in North Miami Beach didn't even care and was practically mocking me. I told him that he needs to make sure that the Operations Manager is aware of my situation and that HE needs to follow up with me! I have already put in enough effort! This business is so ridiculous, they are definitely a case for the Better Business Bureau to investigate. Next thing you know, on Monday when I call, they'll tell me that it is "TOO LATE" again. Who knows?!?!?!

Pasadena LA Fitness Manager, Bonaventure, is sorely lacking in professionalism, customer service skills and basic competence. I have observed him on several occasions making aggressive sexual remarks and unwelcome physical advances towards female members. Many members--male and female--have commented that he creates an "uncomfortable and hostile gym experience" and demonstrates an appalling lack of maturity and respect for patrons. In fact, I was told by an LA Fitness employee that he is surprised Bonaventure has not been fired.

In addition to making inappropriate sexual remarks towards female members, Bonaventure makes threatening remarks towards patrons. I was using a balance ball during my workout and he said "I better not use it in a certain location or else you see what will happen!" I told him that, as a paying customer, I will workout where I please. I also reminded him that he needs to work on engaging customers in a more professional and courteous manner. Bonaventure appears painfully unaware that his hostile behavior and threatening remarks can be grounds for public complaints with the city of Pasadena, the Better Business Bureau and legal charges against LA Fitness.

Mike Fite, the training manager at the Palm Harbor LA Fitness had me sign the wrong contract. He admitted to the mistake. I was even told that my money would be refunded but this did not happen. LA Fitness cares nothing for customer relations. I was told by corporate that they would not refund the $210.00 that was wrongly charged to my account because I used my sessions. Yes, I used them I was wrongly charged and Mike admitted to charging me wrong and still I was not refunded! NEVER NEVER give this awful comapny access to your credit card. They infuriated me so I just want to warn all other out there STAY AWAY FROM LA FITNESS.

my husband and I belong to LA fitness in Boca Raton FL on Glades and 441.

The place was never really clean but in the last month it is filty. Everyone is complaning.we have 8 people on our block alone who are very

discusted with the gym. The carpets need to be changed and the machinery

is old and falling apart and keep on breaking.The new soap cleaning dispensers are a joke. you do not get enough of the germ cleaner on the

paper towel to clean the equipment. The equipment itself if dirty, never

gets cleaned by the staff.the staff management doesn't look like they even

care about trying to fix up the place. Everyone pays good money to go to

the gym and we do not want to come home with germ infested hands and clothes. We along with our neighbors are really thinking about going

someplace else, with another gym.

Club does not monitor wether members take showers before entering Hot Tub and Pool Area.
As a result, the majority of members do not shower. There is a sign in small print that has to be read up close to decipher. The Club also states that the Tub is cleaned and drained on a weekly basis. The Cleaning people are unaware of any such process.

I have been a member of this club for 3+ years. Sometimes I wonder why I continue, but it is close to home for me and never crowded in the mornings when I go in to lift weights. However, I also take spinning/cycling classes and this has been where there total lack of maintenance and zero training for staff comes in. The equipment in the cycle rooms is OLD and needs replacing. It doesn't work as it is intended and they do nothing about it. I see the maintenance guy in that room every Monday morning and he is always on his phone and just walking around the room playing with the levers on each bike -- as if you could tell if they are in good working order by doing that. One day I asked him directly if he had ever been told of the member complaints about the lack of maintenance of the equipment -- he said he never had and told me he would look into it. That was a couple months ago and nothing has changed. The other issue here is that LA Fitness does not require any training for their fitness instructors. When a couple of the cycle instructors quit, they took a couple of two hundred pound ladies who had been in the classes and made them instructors -- please! They have had zero training and have no idea what they are doing. Plus - it is a little hard to get encouraged by a person who weighs over 200 lbs who is on the bike and barely making the wheels spin because they don't have the energy to push anyone to work hard. These people took a CPR class and were immediately put into the classroom - NO training. If any of the members complain about the room being very, very warm and could we please get a fan in there -- the response is that that would be a corporate decision and if they did it for this club, they would have to do it for every club, blah, blah, blah. No one on staff wants to take responsibility for making things better for members. You are lucky if you get a staff member to do anything more than grunt at you when you come past the front desk. Most often they don't even look up. I also belong to 24 Hr Fitness and they know me by name there and always know which class to sign me up for that day -- and look like they enjoy what they do. No so at LA Fitness -- everyone who works there looks pretty miserable. If they don't hire some more talented instructors and get more updated equipment, I won't be renewing my membership. I often wonder how this club stays in business with the lack of members -- I am in there in the mornings about 6:30 am and there are about 20 guys playing racquetball and only about 15 others in the rest of the gym. Weights, etc. from the night before are left all over the place - nothing is ever where it should be. Something is definitely wrong with the business model in this place and it won't be long before they will be out of the Portland area I would imagine.

Hot tub has been closed for past four weeks and management has no idea when it will open, pool has been cloudy for six months, they can't seem to get it clear. Locker room floors are filthy as well as pool area. They have one man and one woman to clean entire building. I would not recomend any one to join this club. Talked to management many times to no avail. Had to call Clifton Board of Health to get hot tub cleaned many times over summer. Pool temp. varies day to day. Staff uncoperative to complaints. No one seems to care.

During the first week of January 2011, my best friend and I decided to join a gym. Seeing that we passed by LA Fitness all the time and how classy it looked from the outside, we figured we'd go and check it out. We simply walked to ask a simple question and expected a quick simple answer; we just wanted to know the membership fees and if they offered a yoga class and if so, how much. That's it, very simple. They turned it into some big tour and made us sit down at a desk and had us listen to this guy that talked for about an hour about the club then randomly brought over a personal trainer to talk to us and then the personal trainer asked us if he could test our body mass. Are you serious? First off, I came in just to ask a simple question, why am I put through the torture of sitting down to have a long discussion, nevertheless, force a random guy on us to test our body mass? Did I request that? No, I did not. As my friend and I wanted to leave immediately after how annoying and long the process was, he wouldn't let us go. He kept reducing the membership fees just so we would sign a contract with them and even suggested that we put down some money first to "reserve the good deal." Oh.My.God. As we kept saying no and we'd rather talk it over, he then insists on bringing the assistant manager to convince us some more and there, we sat for another hour listening to him persuade us as he kept dropping the price. I wasn't even listening to him anymore at that point, I kept thinking, "okay, you keep dropping the price, does that mean the price you list elsewhere is a fake and is just to get customers in?" After spending approximately a thousand hours there, we finally was released. It felt SO nice to walk out there, I felt like I was leaving prison after 10 years. I was never more relieved. So here's the annoying part ... our visit was the first week of January. It is now the last day of January and they have been calling my friend and I EVERY SINGLE DAY, multiple times each day. Either they're extremely dumb and don't get that we're sick of them or they have some lucky guy that's being paid to annoy people with phone calls or they're just extremely annoying. I never want anything to do with LA Fitness, I don't want to talk to anyone that associates with LA Fitness and I never want to go near that place ever again.

I have often complained about the loud music that ruins the workouts of many members of the clubs and I am always told that the local management can do nothing about it. The problem is intermittent and so I've been able to live with it. But last week, I once again had to complain about the volume of the music that permeated LA Fitness in Blaine, Minnesota. When I walked into the club, the music was exceptionally loud and there were already four members lined up at the front desk asking for the volume to be turned down. I joined the group asking for some relief from the racket and, eventually, I talked to “Brad” who identified himself as the general manager. Brad told me that the volume was controlled at the corporate level and that he didn’t even have a volume control at his location! Brad was also quite rude. Then I called Brad’s supervisor, “Matt”, who told me that there was a corporate mandate regulating the level of music that is played at all LA Fitness clubs. Matt said that he would probably be fired if he turned the music down! So I sent an email to Jill Greuling, Vice-President of Operations ([protected]@lafitness.com). Jill immediately responded and was very cordial. She apologized for Brad's rudeness and promised to take care of the situation. She said that there really is a volume control at every club and that there is NO corporate mandate regarding the volume level of the music. Then I got a phone call from a very cordial, professional individual, Orlando Gonzalez ([protected]@lafitness), who assured me that he would personally contact Brad and Matt and would explain the policy to them. This is not the first time that I've had a problem with the loud racket coming from the music speakers and, despite the positive response from Ms. Greuling and Mr. Gonzalez, I have cancelled my membership. I'm just totally fed up with the confrontations that I've had during my many months as a member at LA Fitness. Mr. Gonzalez has assured me that there will be no problem with my cancellation.

We went into this location on Sunday 1/16/2011 and met with Shawn regarding pricing for two new memberships. He kept going back and forth about well our prices are constantly changing, etc. We had to finally say look, we just want to know how much the monthly dues are to join. We are out comparing clubs in the area and want to know what the monthly membership price is. He reluctantly quoted us a price. We told him thank you, we would be making a decision with 24 hours and would let him know. He was so annoyed we did not sign up then he didn't say good bye, thank you for coming in, here's my # if you have any questions, etc.

We returned on Tuesday 1/18, dressed in workout attire, planning to join and work out. Shawn was there and saw us come in. He immediately said "Hmpf! I didn't figure I'd be seeing you two in here again." We reminded him that we told him on Sunday we were comparing 3 different clubs and would be back if we chose LA Fitness. He went on to say "Yeah, I got ripped a new one because you didn't sign up that day. They wanted to know what I'd done to screw it up.". We said uh, ok, well we're here today to sign up. He said "Well I already told you those prices would be no good if you left that day and came back."

At that point we asked to speak to his manager. Who, as it turns out, was sitting in the next desk listening and when I leaned over to see if the manager was there I found him laughing at the fact that his employee was being beyond rude and we were upset over it.

When we started explaining how unprofessional and rude Shawn had been to us on both visits he tried to stop laughing and said uh, well, er... so we decided to leave.

On the way out we stopped at the front desk and asked if there was someone in charge. A gentleman said he was a manager and was there a problem. We start explaing the situation to him only to have him say "Oh, well I'm a manager of operations, not sales...so if that's what they said..."

We are now happy members of 24 Hour Fitness who was not only happy to take our money but have been completely pleasant and professional in every way.

LA Fitness should be embarrassed to have such employees, especially in a customer facing sales position like that. Oh and good luck trying to contact customer service with LA Fitness to address the issue...you can only get the phone # if you are a member and log into your member page on their site.

I had been with LA fitness for over 6 years. I have been on a pre-paid yearly plan for about 4 years. At the time I switched to the pre-paid plan, the representative informed me that I would get one extra month free. I was also informed that I could still cancel at any time like a monthly plan. Now, after 4 calls and going into the LA fitness over a 4 week period, I still have not been able to cancel. Unfortunately, LA fitness will not let you cancel on the internet. So, I make several calls (respectfully, separated by several days) to Michelle, the supervisor at the LA Fitness on Michelle in Irvine, CA. No callback. Excuse 1: vacation Excuse 2: very busy due to a holiday break Excuse 3: busy with other clients will call me later. Excuse 4: no excuse. I even went into the facility but she was not there, so left another message. Excuse 5: the receptionist literally said she was having a lot of issues to tend to. I told her as a veterinarian with a very high caseload, I wouldn't even wait 4 weeks before calling someone back. Finally, called corporate. They said that the contract will not allow me to terminate without a physical ailment and doctor note, or having moved out of the area. So be it. For 4 weeks, Michelle or no other rep would get on the phone and tell me that. Also, when I asked for my contract copy, they said it was purged. They would provide a current contract. Well, what good is that if the contract has changed over the past few years, which I am sure it has.
No respect. No courtesy call.
The best part. My wife is still a member because she needs a indoor pool. I asked if I changed her off her prepaid plan, what would be the price. After 7 years of membership, if she changes to month to month, her rate would be no different than someone new joining! Nothing for a 7 year member.

Several women personal trainers working at farmingdale la fitness have touched my * "accidently" while pretending to "train me".

I spoke to the head trainer, ron shaw, and he told me this was "nothing that I should be complaining about" and asked me if I was *. When I told him I was unsure of my sexual preference he laughed at me and told his co-workers I was just another "* pirate". I am so ashamed I no longer let dolphin man spot me when I do deep squats. I think a franchise that allows there employees to act in such a manner is refreshing.

I wanted to warn all the readers of the big scam that LA Fitness is. There are a lot of hassles with this gym. You cant cancel/transfer your memberships or training programs easily. They lure you into these program and get you to sign the contract. But at the time of cancellation, its a nightmare to go through all the ### that they put up. I moved out of country and they are not ready to cancel my training program even when I provided a letter from my bank saying that my address has changed. I asked the manager what proof is required, he didnt know the answer. When I contacted them again, they say that I need a utility bill from my new address as a proof. That would mean that they would keep charging on my credit card until I do not get the first bill from my new address (I am still waiting for it).
Besides that, you would think that in this digital age, they would have some sort of online procedure to settle it. But no, they still require mails instead of emails.
Not to mention their training program is pathetic (for me atleast) and the salesmen/managers change colors after you join the gym/program. Did I tell you that the trainers get changed every month. (What can you expect from that.) While I know that these are not actual complaints and I am sure they mentioned somewhere in the fine print of their contracts, their business practices are the worst I have ever encountered during my 3 years of stay in USA. And yeah... I am talking on behalf of me and at least half a dozen of my friends who have gone through similar situation. Please do consider what you get into before joining this gym.

I previously worked at La fitness so I know how the cancellation process worked. On the contract it states if your residence or place of employment changes, and if it’s further than or up to 25 miles away you can cancel with no issue. All you need to do is just bring proof. I'm a college student and my place of employment changed which was more than 25 miles from the gym, so when I tried canceling them first gave me the run around. So later on I called another gym to see if I can cancel it there, where they informed me the gym in Walpole cannot do that and all I need to do is bring in the proper form and they would have to give me the cancellation form. So later that day I spoke to some of my previous coworkers and they cancelled the personal training for me. All I needed to do was sign and mail in which I clearly did. I thought great it’s all over but that wasn't the case at all.
Later that week I kept getting calls, and when I finally spoke to my previous boss where she began to give me the run around, claiming they go by zip code and not the physical address which is full of crap. I asked where that is stated at but she couldn't make a story after begin confronted about her information. She didn't know what to do anymore because they know they are fault. So still to this day I'm still waiting for corporate to call me and cancel my personal training. Every time I call I keep hearing the same lady telling me I’ll call you back and give you response. I cancelled in October and I'm still waiting to get a response. I called again 12/28 and it’s the same thing.
Shame on La Fitness because I actually enjoyed going to that gym at one point until now. I plan on cancelling all together now and not support their poor customer service gym.

I guess this is the last time that I am trying to contact to right person or trying to raise my voice. Whoever gets this, I hope that person has gone through the frustration at least one time in her/his life time so the person would understand my frustration and pass this to her/his supervisor.
3 months ago I had my girlfriend canceled her membership from Planet fitness and signed up with LA fitness in Orange location. They gave her a training book so she could write down everyday workout routines. Since I was a member of LA for 6 years, I had so many of my best buddies signed up in the past . One of my best buddies also signed up about a month ago and we wanted to get the same training book for him. This person (personnel training manager) thought that I was training my best buddy and he threaded me to cancel my membership and walkout with me. He was screaming at me that we could not calm him down. I was so frustrated but me, my girl friend and my buddy decided not to make a big deal and walk away. I called the head office (one with 949 number) and reported the condition. Nothing happened. 2 weeks ago I was walking out after finished my work out and same person was yelling at this lady who I never seen before and threading her the same way. I stopped and told him that this is not the way he should be talking the customer. He called the cop to walk me out! I called the head office again. I was told he canceled my membership but the head office put me back into the system. I had received the confirmation and told that I could go to the same location because they were supposed to talk to this guy. I showed next day but the same guy told me that I can not go that location because he canceled my membership. I called head office again right there to confirm the situation. I was told on the phone to just go and work out but this guy in the location called the cop again to walked me out. I was told day after and after by head office that they were investigation and they were supposed to call me to give me an update. There has been a week but no respond. Therefore, whoever you are that reading my email, I hope you will escalade this and bring that to right person and you will get back to me.

I had been a member of La Fitness for just a little over a year, when i decided to add my 14 yo son on a " friends and family" membership. about a week into his membership, he began to be harrassed by one of the trainers, urging him to sign up for training sessions. I told them both "NO"; for 2 reasons : 1) I didnt have an extra $100 a month to fork out and 2) I still had 27 UNUSED/ PAID FOR sessions from when I had a training contract. I asked them it would be possible for my son top just used the sessions I had already paid for, for him to use and they said "yes".
So roughly a month later, I'm browsing over my bank statements and noticed 2 large withdrawals that were paid out to La Fitness. I call the company and ask them what they are for and they proceed to tell me my son was signed up for a 12 month contract for training! This was definitely an illegal and negligent action on the part of La Fitness. Its' been 2months and i'm still trying to retrieve a refund from the company.

Lafitness in stoneham ma is one week today with no hot water .The place is constantly filthy.More like a health hazard than health club.The local board of health agent was there today and warned the club he would shut the doors by 1:00 if problems not fixed.There is no visible manager to speak with, the only response for complaints is to call corporate.Corporate in California does not care about anything but money.Try to cancel your membership, it is easier to just cancel the card or checking account you use.LA FIT ***