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The good, the bad, and the ugly - discover what customers are saying about Fitness USA

Welcome to our customer reviews and complaints page for Fitness USA . We understand that making informed decisions about where to invest your time and money can be challenging, which is why we've created this platform for our community to share their honest feedback about their experiences with Fitness USA .

On this page, you'll find a comprehensive collection of reviews and complaints from real customers who have used Fitness USA 's products or services. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service.

Whether you're considering doing business with Fitness USA , or you've already had an experience with them, our community's reviews and complaints will give you a valuable perspective on what to expect. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about where to invest your time and money, and we hope that our platform will be a valuable resource for you.

Please feel free to browse our reviews and complaints and share your own experience with Fitness USA . Your feedback is an important part of our community and will help others make informed decisions.

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9:16 pm EDT

FitnessUSA fitnesd usa scam

My wife and I paid $4, 000.00 to Fitness USA and they closed all locations near us. $2000.00 for 2 lifetime memberships and $2000.00 so neither of us would ever have to pay lifetime maintenamce charges. A class action lawsuit needs to be filed. We would like them to reopen one near us or give us our money back.

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Angela Canning
, US
Jan 31, 2016 2:39 pm EST

Same with me. I bought 2 life time memberships at $600.00 a piece. They continued to take money until they locked their doors in February of 2015 at the Lansing, Mi. Frandor location. They filed bankruptcy then dropped one letter from their name to Fitness US. Michigan needs a class action lawsuit against them.

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Sonia Lipsey Warren
, US
Oct 04, 2015 7:46 pm EDT

I am in the same situation as you. I purchased a lifetime membership. I have seen other places accept fitness USA members for a discount but with proof of the old membership. Oh course I have nothing anymore. I would be interested in jumping into a class action law suit if there is one.

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5:26 pm EDT
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I bought a LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP to Fitness USA back in the 1990's. All of the locations have closed and no other gym is honoring the Lifetime Memberships! I was informed that some gyms (Powerhouse) have bought the month-to-month contracts from Fitness USA but not the lifetime. I spent almost $1000.00 for this membership that is now no good! And back then, in...

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1:29 pm EDT
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I bought a lifetime membership to this facility back in the 1990's. I just found out all the local facilities are closed and no other local gym will honor my purchased membership and will be required to just "eat the cost" from purchasing a lifetime membership. I refuse to sink anymore money in to yet another facility. There has to be a safety net for persons signing a contract and paying said contract IN FULL!!!

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7:37 am EST
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FitnessUSA cancellation of lifetime membership

My mother has been a member of Fitness USA since 1991 and I have been since 2001. Both were Lifetime Memberships. Recently, several local locations have closed. We went today to another location nearby, and it was boarded up. A notice on the door read that memberships had been transferred to Powerhouse Gym. We went to Powerhouse, and it turns out, Lifetime Memberships were not purchased. In essence, both Lifetime Memberships are gone! We received no written notice or warning of the cancellation. Month-to-month memberships were purchased, but not Lifetime Memberships. Absolutely ridiculous! Absolutely unprofessional and a waste of our money.

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wolverine70
Warren, US
Feb 11, 2015 2:29 pm EST

I suggest filing a complaint with the Michigan Attorney General. Fitness USA did not go through bankruptcy and should not be allowed to liquidate without some compensation to their Lifetime Members. I have done this and if enough persons do so, it may generate a settlement.

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Magy Endsley
Morrice, US
Feb 04, 2015 11:24 am EST

Agree with everyone on this issue - I'm filing a formal complaint with the Attorney General of Michigan! Actually doubt any of us will get any satisfaction from any of this - it's all about the money and screw the consumer!

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1:12 pm EDT
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Got brochure in mail from Fitness USA to call them and set up appointment to come in and talk to them about my lifetime membership made appointment on Monday Sept. 29, 2014 at 3;30 when i arrived i was told my membership was no longer any good and would have to purchase new membership if i wanted to continue coming there to work out . my husband and i...

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5:42 pm EDT
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FitnessUSA Lifetime member

Back in 1997 I purchased a "Lifetime Membership" at Fitness USA. The Gym closest to me closed in 2011. Now they are all closing! I spent close to $1000 on this membership! Now what do I / We do? A class action lawsuit? It would be nice if another gym would honor the memberships... it's been done before. How does members start a class action lawsuit?

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skoalie
, US
Dec 27, 2022 7:06 pm EST
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Another cheated Lifetime member. If there is any resolution, Please contact me at skoalie@comcast.net and include "Fitness USA Membership" in subject.

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TDW3115
, US
Sep 13, 2022 8:48 am EDT
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My mother and I joined in the late 80s at Flint Mich Dort Hwy location for $1000 each. I then bought my daughter one at 12 yrs old for $800. In 2003 I moved to NWI and they said I could use World Gym with permission but could never find one. We would Love a refund since they contracted Lifetime and broke it

Twebb3115@gmail.com

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Tarek Lamari
, US
Sep 02, 2022 12:40 pm EDT

I am on the same boat. Bought lifetime membership around 2006 for 1K. How to get me refund or a replaced service?

tarek.lamari1978@gmail.com

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Tarek Lamari
, US
Sep 02, 2022 12:39 pm EDT

I have bought a lifetime membership for about 1K. How can I get my refund or a replaced service?

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Juanita Mickens
Riverview, US
Aug 13, 2022 7:16 pm EDT

I got a LIFETIME membership back in 2000 or 2001. I believe I still have my card with my identification number on it. I could truly benefit now from the steam room they had to help my lungs that were damaged by blood clots and COVID. I would love to be included in any legal action. A few of us in my area tried to due a class action after our local location closed and came up with negative results.

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George McCarter
Lafargeville, US
Jul 23, 2022 10:23 pm EDT

Sign me up for the class action suit I've been a member for since January 16th 1998 signed up in Taylor Michigan

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George McCarter
Lafargeville, US
Jul 23, 2022 10:21 pm EDT

Please add me to your list of people for any class action suit. I have a lifetime membership since Jan 16, 1998, membership number [protected]. I can be reached @ georgemccarter65@gmail.com

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Brooke Senia
, US
Jun 09, 2022 9:28 pm EDT

Add me as well. I bought a lifetime membership back in the early 90's, I don't have my card anymore.

I could of sworn that I read that there was a gym that accepted Fitness USA membership after they closed.

But, I can't remember what gym that was. I'll have dig dipper and post my results.

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Daiday
Vancouver, US
May 17, 2022 5:40 pm EDT

Please ad me to this law suit. I paid $1000 in 1988 and when I moved in 1993 I visited one last time to find out where there was another FITNESS USA in Washington State. They said they had affiliates and that was a big lie. I want my $1000 back like everyone else. It's not right. Dyana

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Christian Hinderlie
Fremont, US
Jul 29, 2023 7:18 pm EDT
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Replying to comment of Daiday

Oh my goodness I am in the same boat. I am so glad I found so many people in the same situation. I want to be included in class action suit. Has there been any resolution on this? I am for real. My name is Christian Hinderlie. Could you please please send me an email if you have any info. Fitness USA had the audacity to close after they ruined my credit because I was late on one payment. Thank you so much, Chris H.

Email ecuaster77@yahoo.com

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rawheeler
Lexington, US
Apr 01, 2022 11:59 am EDT
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We have two lifetime memberships, and I still have the cards with our account numbers on them. We would like to be a part of any litigation.

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4:57 pm EDT
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FitnessUSA failed promises

DO NOT sign up here. Business is FAILING, closing locations. This company makes promises and changes them on a whim- I recently paid $120 to "upgrade" my "Lifetime Membership" (and renew my so-called life-time membership) to be able to attend the facility all days of the week. 2 months later, they have announced the facility will be converting to women only, even though the majority of the patronage is Men(at least in the evening). Apparently, they still live in the seventies, because to them it seems like a viable solution to drive all the way accross counties/ towns to use another building. What the hell did i just pay for then? I've now sunk over $1000 into a "lifetime" membership i can no longer use, and they excuse this decision by saying they are not making money. WHY DONT YOU TRY A PROMOTION THAT DOESN"T LIE? maybe then you company wouldn't have such a bad reputation!

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8:49 am EDT
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FitnessUSA closing fitness center

I don't understand why the Westland center was closed I have to go to the Taylor center to workout and it's much further to travel its alot smaller than Westland was and not as clean and old the Dearborn center is really dirty and rude people work there I've always liked the atmosphere at the Westland center and alot of the elderly people that went there loved it and it was in the area for them and me to go I'm alot of other people to. I don't know what happen to close the Westland center but is was convient for alot of us it's bigger and cleaner than the other ones I so disappointed in the closing of this center is there anyway we can get it back

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ckenne10
, US
Oct 04, 2014 2:23 am EDT

I have a lifetime membership are any other gyms honoring them or helping the people with lifetime contracts out?

JKWilliams
JKWilliams
, US
Sep 30, 2014 3:00 pm EDT

Yeah. They've closed essentially all of them. How much did you cough up for that "lifetime" membership? Lifetime all right. As long as you don't live more than a couple years.

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Ibtissam
Dearborn, US
Oct 20, 2013 1:07 pm EDT

I am mad because of closing the center I Westland and I heard the dearborn one will close too so the members me and my husband no worth we do have life time member ships I don't like this ..hopefully will find a solution

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9:10 am EDT
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My friend and I went to the gym today. Now this gym has a girls day and a guys day. me being a girl I tend to lean towards going on the girls day. When I walked in kyliegh signed up for a guest pass and was shown around the building. This building has a "dressing room" which is like a typical highschool gym dressing room with lockers, benches, and bathroom...

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8:04 pm EDT
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FitnessUSA membership

I signed up (I paid 1st, last & enrollment fee) after going with my best friend & mother-in-law on a guest pass then signed up my husband (I paid 1st, last & enrollment fee), but after 1 week my husband decided it wasn't the gym for him. So our 12 yr old daughter asked if she can start working out & was told I could transfer my husband membership to her even though she was under 18 by the district manager, so I had my daughter & husband come to do the transfer & they won't do it. They told me I had to cancel my husbands & pay for my daughters membership - 1st, last & enrollment fee. But I [censor]ed a fit about being told they would transfer the membership, so I told them I wouldn't pay the enrollment fee just the 1st & last months..we went back & fourth and I finally told them if they didn't give me want I want that myself, best friend, mother-in-law, step daughter & my husband would all cancel our memberships and go to another gym for their error and not honoring what I was told. They finally agreed to waive the enrollment fee. But now when we received our daughters card its for the cheaper membership not the diamond membership we all have or that I am paying for, so I go to the front desk & inform them of the membership issue & was told that it was an error & they would have the manager look into it to have the membership changed & a new card would be issued. So now three weeks later still no new card, so again I go to the front desk and the same guy is there & I ask him why my daughter hasn't received her new card yet and he asked another guy about it and he said oh I remember you (of course cause I'm loud & don't care who hears me or is around) he tells me our district mgr & asst mgr told you since you didn't pay the enrollment fee her membership would only be executive not diamond (even though they're charging me the diamond price) so i tell him...huh no they didn't & my mother-in-law & daughter were both standing next to me the whole time I got her membership. So I asked for their corp# & the district mgr name. My whole experience at Fitness USA has been horrible, one thing after another, getting the run around. I'm looking into other gyms...no more Fitness USA for me or my family.

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8:29 am EDT
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So here's the STORY. on June 22, 2010 I signed up for their NO CONTRACT Diamond membership. With the Start fee, and the $24.45 first month, and another $24.45 last month, the $24.45 is $19.95 for the gym, and $4.50 for the tanning. Anyways, ... after "3" months which would be September 22, I go from paying the $24.45 a month to paying $14.45 a month until I...

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2:36 pm EDT
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FitnessUSA worst gym to go to-staff unprofessional

The so called Manager at Southfield lied on the personal training sessions and how much it would costs every month. Now I am being hounded for the money every week. I have had it out with all of them and then they said they will work with me. DO NOT GO TO THIS GYM. THE EQUIPMENT IS OLD AND ALWAYS BROKE DOWN, the staff are all liars...I was even told by a few that work there that the people in the Corporate office are on them to get sales. They don't care how, just get them so the staff will lie to get you to sign and then the contract is never the way they said it would be. Their personal trainers are boring. They stick you in this little room and have you do push ups...you can do that at home. Everything they have you do, you can do on your own with the same results. Don't give this gym another cent. They deserve to go OUT OF BUSINESS because of the scam practices!

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KMan1999
Eastpointe, US
Oct 21, 2012 1:05 pm EDT
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Why isnt there a class action suit against these theives?!?!

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2:21 pm EST
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FitnessUSA scam - be very careful

I have multiple complaints. First, the advertised prices (even in huge numbers on the wall) are temporary. The actual membership price is double that amount. There are also quarterly additional fees to use the gym. But here is the clincher - you can't use the gym everyday, AND you can't even use the locker room or take a shower afterwards. Most of this information was left out by the guy who hurriedly signed me up for the program and not even giving me a chance to ASK questions (it never occurred to be that I couldn't use the locker room - how was I to know to ask that) Granted - I was told that fees would go up after the trial period - but nothing else!

But to make matters even worse - I saw OTHER PEOPLE'S credit information sitting at the front desk! I would never dream of doing it - but it would have been so easy to steal someone else's information. . . DO NOT go to this gym!

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RarelyComplain
Warren, US
Sep 20, 2012 5:26 pm EDT
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They will bill you til you die or until that credit card expires...and hopefully the bank notifies you that they request to re-institute billing on the new card - and not all banks do that. Otherwise whether you like it or not, your account is stuck in their billing system for good. It is so interesting that you saw all that billing stuff on the counter - it really is the core of that business - those credit cards! And yes that $19 thing is sucker bait, just as you say. It's why I say 20-somethings and their credit cards should never leave the house without a chaperone.

And incidentally, they do not enforce that "no cell phones in lockerroom" thing. I caught some squirrel lurking in one of those changing rooms taking pics of guys schmedricks through the crack in the door. Beware - lest your little puffball wind up the newest feature on extube.

A very useful, informative post. Thanks

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Phylura
, US
Feb 06, 2011 5:54 am EST

You are correct. I don't live close to the two locations in this general area, but had faithfully tried to go every day when I was still trying to lose weight. That was a lot of wear and tear on my car, including gas costs. I knew that when I signed up, but now there is a gym in the area ( a nation chain) where you can actually go every day, regardless of gender, 24/7. But I have too much invested in Fitness USA although both locations have really gone downhill in the past few years. And yes, although I have a 'life time' membership, every few months they still bill me with a fee; guess it is to keep up the maintainence but they do a poor job of that. I do not see this organization staying in business much longer unless they really clean up their act.

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12:36 am EDT
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FitnessUSA membership scam

Fitness USA is operating a SCAM ad. My 15 yr old daughter wanted to join for the summer to get in shape so I took her down to Fitness USA at Stonestown San Francisco in June 2009 and I agreed I would be charged $19 a month to month basis - no contracts needed - as stated in their advertisements. I only needed to pay first and last month fees $49.90). My daughter only needed to workout during the summer months because school was out. I made this very clear to the person who signed me up, Jennifer. She said it was not a problem and is very easy - if I really do decide to cancel the membership, I can do so given without paying any penalty fees as long as I give a formal notice 30 days in advance. I had told her I want the lowest and cheapest plan for a student during the summer then she told me she upgraded me to Executive Member for FREE anyways.

I sent my letter to the headquarters to cancel the membership (certified mail). I then received a letter from Fitness USA telling me they are sorry to hear about my cancellation but you now own a monthly fee of $28.95 plus the East Start Amount Due $231.60 (which was a addendum which I did not get a copy ).

I'm going to send a letter to the company explaining the problem.
If no results I guess I'll be in contact with the local TV station "7 on your side" or CBS 5 investigates. Maybe a camera crew and public broadcasting is what Fitness USA needs to shed some light to the consumers on what kind of SCAM they are running...
All my daughter wanted to do was work out and stay healthy.

How could this company be in business for this long? Those employees should be ashamed!

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xyzagal
San Jose, US
Apr 30, 2011 11:45 am EDT

I am having the same problems. They lie to you just to get you to sign up to their contract. I would never think that people can lie their way to selling like this. It's not just deceptive they literally tell you false promises and they really only care about your money. They have processes and hidden fees that they do not tell you about. They are so good at hiding their true color and you will only see it once you've signed that contract and started working out there and experience how poor and ridiculous the customer service is. This company really should be looked into. There is some type of anomaly how they can surivive for such a long time operating like this! Maybe some connection with the higher-ups? This gym is just a total RIP OFF!

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Don't Get Scamed
Royal Oak, US
May 19, 2010 4:06 pm EDT
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This company is awful. They need to go out of business. The gyms are old and dirty anyways and all of the staff lie.

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julienne
San Francisco, US
Sep 10, 2009 11:19 am EDT

The same thing happened to me and my daughter. Also At stownstown. I am so upset they get away with this.

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10:06 pm EDT
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FitnessUSA cancelling membership

Fitness USA is operating a SCAM ad. I joined Fitness USA at Stonestown San Francisco in July 2009 and I agreed I would be charged $19 a month to month basis - no contracts needed - as stated in their advertisements. I had made this clear and firm with the sales who handled me. I only needed to pay first and last month fees (about $50). This was something I needed because I'm only in San Francisco up until Sept 2009 because my graduate school starts after then; this was something I had also told the person who signed me up there, Jennifer. She said it was not a problem and is very easy - if I really do decide to cancel the membership, I can do so given without paying any penalty fees as long as I give a formal notice 30 days in advance. I had told her I want the lowest and cheapest plan as well, then she told me she upgraded me to Executive Member for FREE anyways. I just took it as a gesture.

Apparently everything was a lie. I went to the Stonestown branch a month later and talked with the General Manager, Jonathan Barcias, about cancelling my membership. Once he heard the word cancelling, he handed me a form and told me to mail it myself to the head office in Minnesota. I asked why was it not possible to cancel at the store itself, thus he said its all stated in the contract that in order to cancel the membership - the letter has to be mailed. When I started to ask more questions, he told me to call the head office's number and they could answer all the questions I have. When I had gone home and looked up my contract; it clearly says that I can cancel it either at the store I signed up at and complete the form there OR mail a formal letter to the head office branch. I called back and he said that he just doesn't have the authorization to cancel my membership, even though the contract stated it is indeed possible and he IS the manager and head of the branch- he just didn't want to do it. His excuse was simply because "he's just the manager - he can't do anything about it and he's not going to sign anything".

When I called in the head office, I was told I had been signed onto a 18 month contract (which I had NO idea up until that point) and placed in an Executive Club membership level ($28/month - NOT $19 I was told). This is quite ridiculous because no one, including the sales, had ever told me about a bounded contract, penalty fees, an upgraded plan (out of my own cost). I was told for me to cancel the membership officially, I would need to pay $246.07 of fees - to be exact. They claimed that they do not take any verbal agreement between the customer and the sales and therefore whatever they have said to me could not be legitimate. I tried calling the head supervisor in charge of California Fitness USA's stores, but he was not present to answer my call. What turned out to be $19 a month now has become a couple of hundred dollars down the drain.

I had contacted a lawyer about this and has posted a certified letter to the company regarding this issue; I had also faxed to the branches so they could ALL take a look at it. I'm just really shocked to see a company that survived for 20 years could scam customers the old-fashion way by training dishonest sales, irresponsible managers to disclosing misleading information about memberships and trying to make you fall onto their false advertisements of their so-called "no contract, month-to-month, pay-as you-go, $19/month".

I really wonder how these people can sleep at night, knowing they cheat good people like this for the sake of commission. How pitiful.

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Oilman5326
Mishawaka, US
Mar 21, 2011 4:54 pm EDT
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I was laid off and had to cancel my membership here in Mishawaka, Indiana. Instead of being able to do it over the phone I was told that I had to come into the office. I went into the office and filled out the paper work and the Manager said "Thank you for your business and said the it would be closed". Well this week I find that they have deducted another payment. I called them and the man said that it takes thirty days. Why wasn't I told about this at the time I closed my account. It is not a good way to do business and I will never say a kind word about Fitness USA.

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rkfud112
, US
Feb 07, 2011 7:37 am EST

I had similar experience like you especially with that manager! I signed up for gym membership online. And i had to go to gym to register. When i went there, they told me they can't process the registration because i didn't bring my credit card that i paid with online. They said they need it so that they can have my information on file. However, On website, none of these specific was stated that i need to bring my credit card. Also on website, they advertised as no contract and month by month. That means pay month by month. So i didn't understand why they need my credit card so that they set it up to automatic payment every month. I also asked them about paying cash every month. And they said i have to pay $35 for cash fee. So i felt such a manipulation that i wanted to cancel the membership and wanted a refund. So i called them and they said i need to come down to do refund. So i went there and manager told me i have to call corporate. He said it is open today which was Feb 5th 2011. However when i called corporate was closed. So i went back and talked to them. They keep saying they can't do nothing and talk to corporate. None of questions i asked was answered with assurance. They all have different answer for refund period. and i asked if i call corporate would i be able to get refund, the person i talked to said "I WANT TO say yes.." she wants to say yes but doesn't know anything. The manager was very rude and condescending. Giving me looks and attitude which made me feel very uncomfortable and feel like i am doing something wrong. The whole customer service was very unprofessional and their advertisement is very unethical, manipulative and untrue. I googled fitness usa refund and i found whole lot of complaints toward fitness usa throughout USA. I just want my money back but San francisco fitness usa totally made me feel unsure and not secure with business i am dealing with them. Also i asked how long does it take to get refund and one of them say 16 to 19 days which is very arbitrary number and another one says 30-90 days.

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FitnessUSA false advertising

I joined Fitness USA for the 2 months I was in San Francisco because their advertisements (in print, online, even on their walls) proclaim: "month-to-month only" "no conctacts" and "pay as you go", and because the employee I spoke with assured me that canceling my membership in 2 months would not be a problem.

After mailing a formal request for cancelation and numerous phone calls, Fitness USA informed me that I would continue to be charged a monthly fee for the next 18 months that is actually higher than the fee the employee told me I would be paying. I've been in phone trees, left messages, filed complaints etc. etc. Next week I will be unemployed and living 10 hours away from the location of this gym. When someone does answer the phone they are verbally insulting and claim ignorance to the advertising and customer service practices going on within the company.

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LorriLAW
Elkhart, US
Apr 14, 2011 5:50 am EDT
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Yes I have proof that they are illegal, one of the illegal employees married my Puerto Rican nephew. They just got married so she can TRY to become legal.

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Phylura
, US
Feb 06, 2011 5:44 am EST

I am not surprised. I joined Fitness USA as well as my husband, back in 2005. He figured it would be cheaper to buy a lifetime membership, which we did... he too did not like their technique in trying to make you get others to join up. We have both lost a lot of weight and are at where we need to be thank goodness. However, it isn't just because of the gym. In the summer, we always take daily 30 minute walks; it is in the winter when we need it. However, watching calories, portion control, (also faithfully using a pedometer) is how we lost our weight. The gym here has now taken out their whirlpool (cost too much to repair), and the individual TV's on the treadmills have been taken off for good. The hours are being reduced, and we are not happy campers. We are building a new house, and we will be putting in a treadmill and a few loose weights. We have found out that is all we need to control our weight, and studies have shown that most of the other fixed weight gadgets/machines they have do little good. Yes indeed, this gym is a scam.

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LorriLAW
Elkhart, US
Sep 02, 2010 8:25 am EDT
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So here's the STORY. on June 22, 2010 I signed up for their NO CONTRACT Diamond membership. With the Start fee, and the $24.45 first month, and another $24.45 last month, the $24.45 is $19.95 for the gym, and $4.50 for the tanning. Anyways, ... after "3" months which would be September 22, I go from paying the $24.45 a month to paying $14.45 a month until I decide if I want to do a lifetime membership. WELLLLLLLLLL, let me tell you where the FALSE ADVERTISEMENT & MISLEADING come into play, THEY SAY TO QUALIFY after "3" months for the $10, no contract pay as you go(painted on the outside of their building) you HAVE TO GO TO THE GYM 3 days a week, every week for "3" months... THEY NEVER EVER told me that. I mean THINGS happen that prevent you from going sometimes.. Anyways, since I have NOT been going the amount of time that they say is MANDATORY I have to keep paying the HIGHER PRICE for 10 more months.. UHMMMM I DON'T THINK SO, so I told them to cancel the $[censor]. So the $24.45 they JUST took out of my account 4 days ago I'm out, ok, whatever! BUT THEN, they tell me that I have to give a 30 day notice(remember I am not in a contract) to cancel my membership. So NOW they are saying that because it was like 31 or 32 days that I will owe ANOTHER $24.45 I SAID [censor]... I am letting any & everyone know DO NOT GO TO FITNESS USA, they are a bunch of LIARS... i AM ALSO GOING TO LET THE NEWS PEOPLE KNOW that this company is a SCAM... And they have ILLEGAL MEXICANS working there taking jobs away from the AMERICAN people.

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Greek Gypsy
Southfield, US
May 18, 2010 2:22 pm EDT

Fitness USA is a COMPLETE SCAM. Do NOT go to this gym. It is old and the people who work there are scam artists. Even the people in the Corporate office are stupid and scammers. THIS IS THE WORST GYM TO work out at to. It's tiny and the equipment is always broke down.

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dmstrait1963
Davison, US
Aug 22, 2009 1:13 am EDT

Fitness usa is a scam. I've been paying for 30 months and my contract was over. I was told that I didn't need to write a letter to cancel my membership that it would automatically cancel, not true they are still debiting my checking account . I have to get a hold of my bank to have it stopped. What scam artist. I will never ever deal with them again !

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derekspage
, US
Aug 18, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

This is exactly what is happening to me right now. The company is operating a SCAM advertisement. I joined Fitness USA at Stonestown San Francisco in July 2009 and I was told I would be charged $19 a month to month basis - no contracts needed. I only needed to pay first and last month fees (about $50). This was something I needed because I'm only in San Francisco up until Sept 2009 because my graduate school starts after then; this was something I had also told the person who signed me up there, Jennifer. She said it was not a problem. I was also told by her that I can cancel the membership at any time given without any penalty fees as long as I give a formal notice 30 days in advance. I had told her I want the lowest plan, then she told me she upgraded me to Executive Member for FREE anyways. I just took it as a gesture.

Apparently everything was a lie. I went to the Stonestown branch yesterday and even talked with the General Manager, Jonathan Barcias, about cancelling my membership. He handed me a form and told me to mail it myself to the head office in Minnesota. I asked why was it not possible to cancel at the store itself, thus he said its all stated in the contract that in order to cancel the membership - the letter has to be mailed. When I started to ask more questions, he told me to call the head office's number and they could answer all the questions I have. When I had looked up my contract; it clearly says that I can cancel it either at the store I signed up at and complete the form there OR mail a formal letter to the head office branch. I called back and he said that he just doesn't have the authorization to cancel my membership, even though the contract stated it is indeed possible - he just didn't want to do it. His excuse was simply because "he's just the manager - he can't do anything about it and he's not going to sign anything".

When I called in the head office, I was told I had been signed onto a 18 month contract (which I had no idea of up until that point) in an Executive Club membership level ($28/month - NOT $19). This is quite ridiculous because no one, including the sales, had ever told me about a bounded contract, penalty fees, an upgraded plan (out of my own cost). I was told for me to cancel the membership officially, I would need to pay $246.07 of fees - to be exact. They claimed that they do not take any verbal agreement between the customer and the sales and therefore whatever they have said to me could not be legitimate. What turned out to be $19 a month now has become a couple of hundred dollars down the drain.

I had contacted a lawyer about this and has posted a certified letter to the company regarding this issue; I had also faxed to the branches so they could ALL take a look at it. I'm just really shocked to see a company that survived for 20 years could scam customers the old-fashion way by training irresponsible sales and managers to disclosing misleading information about memberships and trying to make you fall onto their false advertisements of their so-called "no contract, month-to-month, pay-as you-go, $19/month".

I really wonder how these people can sleep at night, knowing they cheat people like this for the sake of commission.

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MkatieC
Falls Church, US
Aug 17, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

I was luckier than you. In Virginia it was only 12 months. I went through the same process you did. Called, left messages, called again left more messages. I showed to a lawyer friend and even though the advertising was false I had signed a 12 month contract. Stuck!

I wish for you better luck than I had.

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FitnessUSA refund

Their 3-day cancellation agreement isn't worth the paper it's written on. I tried canceling via phone - they wouldn't accept it; I needed to go back to that location. I went in person - they wouldn't allow anyone other than the person that signed me up to take care of me, and she wasn't working that day. I made a third trip to cancel - then it took them 1 1/2 months to refund the monies I paid up front. Be very sure this is what you're wanting before you sign up. Don't let them convince you to sign up before your 2-week trial membership is up.

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FitnessUSA membership agreement

Fitness USA is dishonest and manipulative. I joined for the tanning special that they have and not for the gym fitness center membership in spring of 2008. I told them that I would probably be leaving the area the next year and go back home to santa cruz, ca. I asked if i would still be able to cancel my contract and they insisted that it was very easy to do so. All I had to do was tell them and give them my reasoning and address. WELL I am STILL making monthly payments of 14 dollars and I have not used those awful tanning beds in over a year. The closest fitness USA to Santa Cruz is the one I signed up at at the stonestown mall in san francisco, and that is now an hour and 15 minutes away from me. This corporation is a complete scam. Some of my friends were also suckered into a membership that they could not get out of like they had promised. I am furious and these people need to be stopped. Please help.

Courtney Calabray

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KMan1999
Eastpointe, US
Oct 21, 2012 1:13 pm EDT
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What about us suckers that paid for a lifetime membership and now have to drive two hours to the nearest facility?! When I signed up and paid in full, there were 7 locations within a 15 mile radius of my home. Now there are 0. And my daughter who paid for a "lifetime" membership is getting billed $40/year for some sort of maintenance fees. Do they really think she's going to pay it?!?! (PS: If she doesn't, her membership gets cancelled and she loses the $800 she paid.) SCAM!

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midge87
Seattle, US
Aug 03, 2010 6:44 pm EDT
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Why would you continue to pay this? You should have disputed the charge and blocked them from removing fees showing your bank evidence of your move and lack of locations near by, also it would help to have a copy of your cancellation paperwork.

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FitnessUSA fraudulent charges

This Fitness USA advertises 'Never More Than $19.00 a Month'. Pay as you go, no contracts, blah blah blah. I went once, the 'Trainer' was negligent, overly physical, rude, and would not listen when I hit my physical limit. After attempting to cancel my 'Month to Month' contract, I was told to fill out a form asking why.

After filling out the form and sending it in, 3 weeks later, they took money from my bank account for a months membership. The other thing. The $19.00 program is 3 days a week for men, and 4 for days a week for women. To work out on your own schedule, you have to pay more, for a good trainer, pay a few bucks more. everything is more, more, more.

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Greek Gypsy
Southfield, US
May 18, 2010 2:26 pm EDT

Their personal trainers are a joke. Don't waste your money...They are so not worth the price. Everything they have you do, you can learn on-line and then do it yourself. The trainers are lazy.

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FitnessUSA cheating good customers

We signed a 36 month contract and are paying 48.00 a month. A new person can walk in and get the same thing for 19.99 a month. We called to simply try to get them to lower our monthly payment and work with us and they are unwilling to do anything to help us. They are also the least friendly people I know. You would think that they would be willing to help a long term customer (1 12) years. We also payed 600.00 toward a personal trainer but they do not take that into account either. I am extremely disappointed in the service ( lack of) that we received. If this is how they treat their customers then they will be facing more of the terrible economy problems then anyone else. I will be sure and tell everybody I know to steer clear of them and I will let them know that the YMCA is much cheaper with the same options.

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Update by Brownings
Feb 03, 2009 10:09 am EST

They are very difficult to work with.

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LorriLAW
Elkhart, US
Sep 02, 2010 8:30 am EDT
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So here's the STORY. on June 22, 2010 I signed up for their NO CONTRACT Diamond membership. With the Start fee, and the $24.45 first month, and another $24.45 last month, the $24.45 is $19.95 for the gym, and $4.50 for the tanning. Anyways, ... after "3" months which would be September 22, I go from paying the $24.45 a month to paying $14.45 a month until I decide if I want to do a lifetime membership. WELLLLLLLLLL, let me tell you where the FALSE ADVERTISEMENT & MISLEADING come into play, THEY SAY TO QUALIFY after "3" months for the $10, no contract pay as you go(painted on the outside of their building) you HAVE TO GO TO THE GYM 3 days a week, every week for "3" months... THEY NEVER EVER told me that. I mean THINGS happen that prevent you from going sometimes.. Anyways, since I have NOT been going the amount of time that they say is MANDATORY I have to keep paying the HIGHER PRICE for 10 more months.. UHMMMM I DON'T THINK SO, so I told them to cancel the $[censor]. So the $24.45 they JUST took out of my account 4 days ago I'm out, ok, whatever! BUT THEN, they tell me that I have to give a 30 day notice(remember I am not in a contract) to cancel my membership. So NOW they are saying that because it was like 31 or 32 days that I will owe ANOTHER $24.45 I SAID [censor]... I am letting any & everyone know DO NOT GO TO FITNESS USA, they are a bunch of LIARS... i AM ALSO GOING TO LET THE NEWS PEOPLE KNOW that this company is a SCAM... And they have ILLEGAL MEXICANS working there taking jobs away from the AMERICAN people.

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Kim
Flint, US
Mar 14, 2009 1:29 pm EDT

I am in the same boat. Also, the girl that signed me up told me I could bring my daughter for free. However, they give us the third degree everytime I bring her. And tell me that that is not allowed. The only time they check in with me is to try and sell me a more extensive membership. I think $50 per month is already too much for a filthy, broken down gym. The machines are in bad shape, the tv's don't work. The pins in the weight machines are the wrong ones, and the emergency stops on the treadmills are broken. And yes, it irritates me that they send me mail that tells me everyone else pays less than half of what I pay. I need to sue for breach of contract. The place is disgusting!

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