LA Fitness International
reviews and complaints

I became member of LA fitness in Lake Grove. Personal trainers immediatly contact me to enrol for their traing sessions.

their offer actually was not fair as they were asking extra amount of money for enrollment for personal training. However, I just wanted to try for a month and see if it would fit to my busy schedule. I expressed that I would like to try it for a month. The mananger asked me to sign a contract. I signed it without reading, paying attention. However, I asked him if this is only for a month and his reply was positive. I stated that I do not want to continue more than a month. He said that would be fine.

6 days later I recieved a call informing me that certain amount of money would be charged from my credit card monthly for a year for personal training sessions. I called them immediatly and of course there was answering mcahine and left a massage stating that that was not the deal I accepted and I was told.

I called the personal trainer manager and explained him my concern, he stated that it will be fine, dont worry.
Meanwhile I got that severe cold so I could not go to gym for a while . Next month I went to gym when I saw another charge to my credit card. I went to gym to talk in person. The manager stated that I would be able to cancel my personal training contract in 3 days, but I called them in 6 days. Since I signed the contract, there is no way to cancel it. I asked them that I was misinformed, that was not what I was told. He stated that he did not remember.

TO make the story short, I lost all my trust to this company, they lie and make you pay money that you do not want based on misleading information. DO not sign anything with them without discussing it with your lawyer.
They are rude, their personal training sessions sucks.

I donot recommend anyone to join this fittness anywhere on the world.

The heater at the Johns Creek location was on "overdrive"- people were getting overheated after ten minutes on the treadmill as it is like a sauna...The manager was informed and stated that she was "aware" of the problem but that she could do nothing about it. Wow. Not only was she not empathetic with members who were unable to fully use their membership due to the heat...She was rude and had such a bad attitude; she should definitely not be doing front desk duty or possibly even be a manager as she has no people skills and evidently is unable to address member concerns. Managers, one would think, would be concerned about making members happy and would speak respectfully and politely when addressing member concerns rather than have a bad attitude...The heater has been on overdrive for over ten days; not being able to use my membership for that long a period warrants a refund of this months dues.

Summary: Phone call hell, rude staff.

I have never belonged to a gym so I do not know if this is common practice or not. I have my account with LA Fitness and 2 other friends on my account. I pay for all of them. I have no other connection besides they are my friends and I pay for their memberships to work out with me.

Well after several times I've asked then demanded to be put on their "do not call" list, sure enough I received calls after. I have been added to their do not call list a total of 4 times now. 1 was the guy who signed me up who eventually quit, 1 was this random girl trying to solicit me to give them give them more of my friends numbers so they could sign up, the last 2 were done by the manager/supervisor himself (Mike).

They call you at all hours, I receive a majority of the calls while I'm at work. After receiving a call the DAY AFTER I was put on their "do not call" list I called and ask to speak to their supervisor, they transferred me to Mike. I told him I was tired of these calls, I've been on the list twice and still receive them. I told him I want my number removed from their system, in which he replied with "we cant do that" so I said "what if I close my accounts there that will get me off the system right?" obviously I was very mad, he quickly replied with yes. I was given no option, I either receive calls at all periods about making appointments for my friends even though they signed up and listed their own phone numbers or I close my account. Well this was a really easy decision.

I went in there the next morning to close my accounts and Mike the guy I spoke with over the phone that told me I had to close my account in order for my to be free from the calls was there. I spoke with him and then his excuse for what he told me was "because I wanted to meet with you face to face". I went over there on my day off just because he wanted to speak with me face to face?

He changed the numbers and showed me the screen with my friends having their numbers listed. I thought it was done, I was wrong. I kept my membership open.

That was Saturday, today is Monday. at 3:29 PM I received a missed call (see photo). I call it back and I hear "Thank you for calling LA Fitness this is " . So I go in today in with my friend Mike is there, he see's me and obviously doesn't want to deal with me. I sit on the chair, he signs up 2 members with his sales pitch the "this is our last day for this promotion" and talks to an employee and completely ignores me, so I ask the guy at the counter if I have to schedule an appointment to speak with him. The coworker says I would like to speak with him. He then ignores me and goes and talks to the guy at the counter and while they talk and laugh.

He finally speaks with me, I told him I thought this issue has been addressed and he made his joke about "you must be famous, LA Fitness loves you". He told me to have my friend come speak with him about getting my number off his account, which seemed strange because that's what he said he did on Saturday.

Anyway he then started saying "Just as a tip for future reference don't let your friends put your number down" so not only does he lie to me he starts blaming my friends which was a lie because I was there with both of them when they filled out their membership stuff since its being charged to my account. Then tries to buy me off with their LA Fitness promotional bag.

After we were done working out I told my friend to go have my number removed as instructed by Mike. He ignored me and my friend while he was having casual conversation with some other guy. He finally decides to help us.

He then asks for my cell phone and asks me does this have a sim card in it because "I might have to buy a brand new sim card and have my cell phone number changed" and I replied with "or I can just close my account instead".

He then asks my friend how long hes been a member and he can upgrade his account which will get my phone number off his account. I then ask how much longer is this going to take and he tells me I dont have to be here and can go work out. I assume its so he can sell my friend who obviously wouldn't survive walking down the Vegas strip a more expensive package.

This is about 10 minutes of me standing there waiting for him to change the phone number. Then one of the employees is mad because someone closed their account and both him and Mike (again hes the manager/supervisor) are saying mean things about this former member. My coworkers daughter closed her membership when she moved and my coworker said they were very rude to her as well.

He changed the number and showed me both of my friends accounts and how my cell phone isnt on their accounts anymore AGAIN.

I am still a member of LA Fitness (My name is Jason and I wear a headband, wrist bands, and a gray Nike tshirt. Should you not believe me), but for how much longer? Until the next phone call is a definite cancellation, which from what I've read is a headache in itself.

Save yourself if you are thinking about becoming a member to LA Fitness at least the one by Walmart.

The salesperson lied point blank to me as he went through each section of the contract with me as I read. Anything I did not understand in the contract, he "explained" in a way that would work for his sales record. I asked for a 3 month membership for personal training. He handed me a "regular" contract and said that I could cancel anytime I wanted with no fees. Not only is there a fee, but it is only a "freeze" which means that it is temporary and I can't even use the sessions I have already payed for! in addition to this, He promised me free session and did NOT follow through. Now I am locked into a year contract!

I am so disgusted with LA Fitness. They gave me the run around about cancellation and I think their actions are borderline illegal. When I joined I was told I could manage everything about my account online, including cancellation, but when I went to do that after letting them charge me for 1.5 years for a membership I wasn't using, I found I could not. I called them and was told they can't cancel online OR on the phone, but I should write a letter. I don't know why I assumed that it would be taken care of within a month or why I didn't assume they were scammers and get it certified, but I wrote the letter and mailed it on October 27, yet on November 27, they charged me again and on 11/30 claimed they never received it. What a bunch of liars! I believe it must be standard practice to say they did not receive it if it is not certified. I had the same problem when I cancelled my personal training services they also lied to me about. So I called them today and complained and lo and behold, they were able to cancel on the phone. Why exactly couldn't the person I talked to on the phone six weeks before done that? The reason is they PURPOSEFULLY make it impossible to cancel so that they can keep gauging you for money.

I simply walked in to find out the cost of membership. Was told by female at front desk that she needed my name and number before I could talk with someone. Whats up with that? They dont need personal information for a potential client to find out the cost. No flyers or information posted. I got into argument with the female and asked for manager. She finally went got someone and then whispered to him what was going on right in front of me. he was as rude as she was. Very poor customer service. Needless to say I will not joining.

I was actually fortunate to successfully cancel my membership without a problem. However, this company is full of people without common sense. Just to give you a little background of myself. I am a single mother with a 4 year old son, currently attending college. One day I walked into the La Fitness that I usually go to and told one of the staff that I need to cancel my membership because I can no longer afford paying for it. I specifically said " What do I need to do to cancel everything?". Then he printed out the membership cancellation letter and told me to mail it in and I am all set he said. I did as he said and I was happy that they didn't charge me for the following month. To my surprise, I was charged for daycare. So I called the operation manager and asked him if this was a mistake because my son can't be there if i no longer have a membership. He said I didn't cancel it so they charge me. It wasn't a lot of money but he said he can't do anything about the charges but AS A COURTESY, he said he would cancel the day care membership over the phone for me. I even asked him, " does it make sense to you to charge me for daycare when I no longer go to your gym? I asked your staff specifically what steps I need to take in order to cancel everything and he never mentioned the day care". Oh he was soooo stubborn. He even put me on speaker phone because he was probably tired of talking to me about this. Anyway, these people are snakes and all they want is to keep whatever money they can get out of you. Cold-blooded thieves.

A new LA Fitness opened November 9, 2009 at Settlers Ridge shopping complex in Pittsburgh. In July, there was a promotion to sign up members. The rate was good. I swim exclusively in a 25 yard pool. The representative signing me up said the new location would have a 25 yard pool also, have a 83 degree temperature. After I signed, the representative said I could check out the Bridgeville, Pa. location (also in Pittsburgh, where the shooting murders took place). The pool there was long. But, I don't think it was 25 yards. I swim backstroke exclusively because of a disability. I noted there were no warning flags for backstroke swimmers to warn of the lane ending. Since then, July 2009, I have been asking whether there would be flags at Settlers Ridge. I called the Los Angeles corporate office in August. The customer manager there said it was up to the local club as to whether to have flags. Since then, Ihave talked to Settlers Ridge representatives about the flags. They took my questions. Said they would get back. Never did. At least 6 times.
Yesterday (November 9, 2009), I talked to the general manager of the Settlers Ridge location. He said that warning flags would not be added because LA Fitness wanted a uniform appearance in all locations. When I mentioned I talked to thecorporate office, he took my name etc, said he would talk to someone higher up, but would not make it his priority. And if they installed them, it would take a month or two to install. At the same time, if I wanted to cancel my membership, I have until tommorrow, November 11, 2009 to do it.

I swim exclusively 2 mile a day because of my disability. I can't use the equipment etc. I also noted the Settlers Ridge pool is a lot smaller in length than the Bridgeville LA Fitness location, and the picture of the Irvine location that is on the LA Fitness website. I have been swimming in a 25 yard pool for over 20 years, and know how long that is. I think the Settlers Ridge pool is 18 to 20 yards at the most. But, the general manager insists it is A Junior Olympic Size pool, and that it is 25 yards. I need to know the accurate length for lap count.

The lack of warning flags is the main problem. The safety of swimmers should take priority over the decor of the pool. And LA Fitness should have them in every location. If they are concerned about decor, they could incorporate tasteful prints or something into the ceiling near both ends of the pool so backstroke swimmers don't ram their necks.

I am very satisfied with the Y where I am now swimming. The reason I was changing to LA Fitness was it is 6 miles from where I live, whereas the Y is 24 miles. But, given the back and forth from corporate to local (I feel like a ping-pong ball, not getting back to me as promised (3 months plus since started asking about the flags, the lack of interest of the general manager (not a top priority), I have decided to re-up with the Y, even though LA Fitness is less costly, and it would save me a great deal of gas and travelling.

LA Fitness has been a very disappointing experience, and I have not worked out once at the location I signed for.

I was sold a membership at the Eldridge Road & West Little York Gym and specifically requested a multi state all gym access. I tried to use the membership at what they call a signature club only to find out I had been sold a bill of goods & could not work out there unless I paid another $100 plus $20 per month.

Look on the internet before you buy. This organization has more bad, disreputable stuff written about it than any health club I have belonged to in the past 20 years.

I spoke with SHannon on the phone at coprpoate and she was the typical recording and refused to let me speak to a manager.

I will be cancelling my membership & if you are smart you will not join this lying bunch of theives!

My friend and I were members at the LA fitness center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. On one occasion the person swiping ID cards at the front desk began antagonizing my friend and called him a "###." We reported this to one of the managers (Mike) but he said that since he did not hear the derogatory remark, he was not inclined to do anything about it. My friend and I immediately terminated our memberships at the Fort Lauderdale LA Fitness center. I called the main customer service office in California to voice a formal complaint. I was later told that the employee that engaged in the verbal confrontation with my friend had been fired. My friend is in the process of speaking to an attorney about a sexual discrimination lawsuit regarding the matter.

When I first joined they wanted a canceled check so they could take their money out of my account. I gave this to them.

They withheld 2 months out of my account. Then they took the next 2 months out of my friends account. When I called them they said they never had any information on me. So I gave them a charge number. I asked them if they would reimburse my friend and charge my account. They said that would be a lot of work couldn't I just pay my friends. So I did.

They then started calling me non stop saying they had lost my charge number and wanted me to give it to them again over the phone. I informed them that I would go to my gym and fix it that I don't give this out over the phone.

I then contacted my gym Beavercreek, OH and spoke to BOB who said that when I came in he would take care of it, I told him it would be approx. a month because I was remodeling he said no problem.

A month later to my amazement 2 charges were on my charge card but one of them was more so I called them only to find out that these were the rudest and nastiest people on the planet earth. They could not tell me why the charge was more but then all of a sudden she said that my charge had been denied by the charge company so there was an extra fee.

I called my bank and they never ran a charge through in August, (the month they lost my info.) so they ran two charges through in September. I can't help that they ran 2 charges in 1 month since they lost my info.

I then told her that I would be canceling my membership and she told me they were going to charge me for another month I told her to take it as my last month which I have already paid. She said no I asked why not she said "Because that's just the way we do things".

I then called the California office and after telling the girl everything I have been through she informed me that nothing was noted on my account. She then said, "And what do you want me to do about it". What a *&@@%!

I have since tried to call California and when I ask for a manager I just get put back to main menu.

Customer beware. When you are done with them it will be expensive to get out of your contract!

BUYER BEWARE

They will put charges on you and there is nothing you can do about it and they don't care.

Its nice to know that with economy so bad they have so much business they can afford to loose more.

Whats really bad is I enjoyed working out there I even drove 30 minutes to get there.

I have tried to find a good e-mail or corporate number to call LA Fitness to report their employees gross negligence in their "Kids Club" day care facility. I am currently seeking legal action as I am extremely upset with the handling of an incident involving my niece who is in my legal custody. My niece was in the Kids club and my wife went to pick her up after working out. To her horror she sees our 4 year old niece with her pants at her ankles and her shirt over her head baring her chest. There is no one providing supervision and have allowed a little boy to begin removing her clothes and pulling her underwear up in a wedgie fashion. The ONE lone person in the day care comes out the bathroom area with no idea what is going on with the kids. This is unacceptable on all levels. When my wife questioned and asked for a manager she was told there was not one there. She called me and I, knowing there is a manager on station at all times of operation, went up and spoke to the night manager. He was not even told of the incident and was thrown back when I explained what had happened. He apologized however, in my mind that is not good enough as my child was basically naked in the middle of a public day care and no one was there to watch over the children and their actions. That is the point of having adult supervision to prevent acts like this and worse. Since I cannot find a good e-mail or number I will let a lawyer research the issue and possibly sue if there is a basis. This is unacceptable on all levels and someone has to be accountable for the children. God forbid my wife had taken longer and the little boy had gotten her completely naked because there was no adult supervision in a day care that LA Fitness charges for. Shame on them.!

I have been a club member for several years and have been generally satisfied. During the course of my membership I've been approached by a number of club fitness trainers, each offering me a free session.

I've had gym memberships for years so I did not need a trainer, but since it was free I accepted the first offer. We made an appointment to meet at the gym several days later. After showing up at the time we agreed upon, I waited for over an hour before giving up and leaving. I never saw that trainer again.

A few weeks afterward another trainer approached me and made the same offer. I declined, telling him of my experience with the previous trainer. Each time I saw him at the gym he would ask me again. Finally his pestering wore me down and I accepted, thinking that he would be punctual since he knew about my last experience. Again I was there at the agreed upon time, and again the trainer never showed up! Unbelievable!

The "trainers" at LA Fitness are a bunch of unprofessional clowns. It would be laughable if it wasn't so hazardous. I have seen trainers teaching their clients poor and even dangerous weight lifting form.

Avoid these idiots. If you need a trainer, hire a professional.

This is yet another complaint against LA Fitness and their ridiculous strategy to milk customer till their last penny.

I became a member of this club from Sept 1, 2009. They also lured me into enrolling Personal Training Program(PTP).
While signing the PTP, the trainer officer (Joe W) assured me that I can cancel the same at any point of time and I dont have to pay a peeny if I contact him instead of corporate...

And I got tricked into this which I regret now.

Now, I am not able to continue the membership so trying to cancel the same and the response is too obvious.. ignorance..

This guy who sat with me after his work hours while enrolling, now doesnt even take my call or talk to me saying he has other appointments on his schedule and cant talk to me for a minute also...

The GM of the local club (another Joe) is acting unaware and not willing to take any responsibility of this...

I really pissed as they are asking me pay over $600 to cancel the membership...

I am going to stay here as I am from INDIA and have to go back...
They just refuse to listen to this and almost humiliated me out of the club today...

Can someone take a note of these complaints and take some action on this company?

they are looting people every day, every second... and still nothing has been done...

Please take some action...

The Gym itself is an impressive facility and the hours are better than most gyms that I have experienced in my 13+ years of weight training. They have 2 trainers, Demetrius and James, that really know what they are doing. Most of the other trainers can be seen text messaging
and relaxing WHILE training clients. There is even a European female trainer that hordes weights for herself while she is training and she will confront you if you tell her that she doesn't need to take 7 dumbbells off the weight rack for her client.

Matts are left on the stairwell which is a fire-code violation, 6-12 plates can be found on abandoned leg press machines from 7:00am-1030am every week day, dumbbells are left in all areas of the gym for days on end, 20-36 dumbbells are consistently absent from the racks...

I have begged the staff for over 10 months to require that the members and trainers to rack their weights. All to no avail. There is not 1 sign in the facility asking clients to return/rack weights. 2 weeks ago, I posted 4-5 signs throughout the gym asking members to rack the weights. I was confronted by an employee because of this. Instead of him being upset with the staff for it being necessary for a customer to post signs and repeatedly beg for them to follow proper gym etiquette, he decided to give me attitude.

Yesterday I asked Lauren (front desk girl) for his name because I am considering writing an article regarding the lack of gym etiquette. She responded with "I am going to revoke your membership".

I told her that was fine as long as she refunded my $200+ initiation fee. She said she wouldn't because I have been a very uncooperative member...

Subject: Theft from your corporation

Dear Sirs,

I am a member at your location in Phoenix; I use the facility at zip code 85016. I came into your facility on the 7th for my complementary session with a personal trainer. Daniel C. I was very impressed with the session and talked to him about getting into the trainer program with him as my trainer. We talked for a bit and he gave me a price, a Labor Day special. I told him that I could not do it till the following Friday, he told me that I would not be able to get it at the special rate. I filled out the paperwork under duress as he told me that he would try and get me the special rate on Friday. I was told that he would call me on Friday and let me know what they would be able to offer me. That nothing would be taken out of my account until he got my authorization. That Friday he withdrew the entire amount at full price from my bank account without my authorization and caused my account to be overdrawn. I called and was assured that they would fix the problem. I was told by my bank that the charges went through this morning along with the overdraft charges that it caused me a total of 55 dollars plus the 309 that they took out) I went into the facility this morning and asked to speak to the manger. The young man behind the desk told me that he was the manager (I have since found out that he was not the manger and he lied to me) he told me that it would take several days to return my money. I asked about the overdraft charges and was told that you would not do anything about it.

Your trainer took money out of my account with my authorization! They refused to do anything about the money that your establishment cost me and your employee lied to me about his position there

Your employees there have shown me no empathy or willingness to do anything to resolve this manner at all. I am amazed at the lack of customer service. I did not ask for anything more than what your company cost me and don’t want to cancel my membership but I am considering taking legal action against you at this point.

Darrin Brown
Darrin Brown
UPA, Executive Director

I joined the gym back in 2005 from out of town, well first of all the gut who signed me up gave me a discount thru a home depot employee? but the problem was I wasn't a home depot employee. So I got my discount and then they signed me up for a fitness training which they said I could cancel within 30 days? I found out later after 10/days that that wasn't so.

I had met someone who use to work for L.A. Fintess and was told to call and ask for the president of the company which works ou tof the Perimeter mall gym and complain to the state attorney general of georgia when yo cal the gym . here is the page below. I called and got all my money back. they havent bugged me since... don't get mad get even find out your rights!