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Life Time Fitness review: stay away from lifetime fitness! 63

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Author of the review
12:00 am EDT
Review updated:
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This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I'm assuming this is the normal way of submitting a complaint about a "Scam", and apologize if I'm doing so incorrectly.

My situation involves "Lifetime Fitness", - an "upscale", overpriced fitness facility chain with has locations throughout the United States.

Initially, (months ago), I reluctantly activated my membership in Austin, Texas. I use the word "reluctantly" because of the fact that a co-worker of mine, who was an active member and had recommended the club, was paying an overall lesser monthly fee that what I was quoted at the time of sign up. Guessing that he had signed up on some sort of "special", as many of the salesmen often call it, inquired about my new membership anyway.

During my initial conversation with the Lifetime salesman, I specifically asked about using more than one location, - primarily San Antonio and Austin. He informed me that there would be an additional monthly fee, but it would be possible. I elected not to has a "muti-location" account, because the "basic" monthly package's monthly fee would be in excess of $50. (!) (The higher monthly rates were justified by indoor water slides, overpriced sandwich shops, etc. - None of which I had a use for.) I also inquired about a couple of different scenarios. One of the scenarios would be the situation were if I relocated my residence to San Antonio. If I use the SA location, and the SA location alone, would my monthly rates increase? The salesman stated that they would not.

Fast forward to this month: After inquiring to not only their SA location, but Lifetime's Austin location as well, they have firmly stared that my monthly fees would increase, for USING SAN ANTONIO ONLY, not Austin. I've been to the SA gym, and it's the exact, same lay out. - Explain the rationale. I even suggested that I add a member to my membership, But they required more "processing fess" (money upfront) and over $100 per month!

Needless to say, I abruptly canceled my membership. I will contact all of my associates, -personal and professional, and urge them to do they same. I will also inform anyone who inquires, as I am often approached, to STAY AWAY FROM LIFETIME FITNESS.

63 comments
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Rommell
Mount Laurel, US
Nov 07, 2022 4:49 pm EST

Deep cleaning needed in steam room and showers, it smells. Concern of fungus germs in damp, dark spaces should be deep cleaned at least weekly; turned off, hosed and scrubbed thoroughly. Growth of mould is breeding used by multiple people. More attention needed towards wiping, disinfecting, floors, walls and sitting surfaces daily. I love lifetime

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batman93
, US
Sep 10, 2018 4:26 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I've been applying for job after jobs for your company and it been a month and my statues is still active why is that i feel as if you are not constant but it makes not sense because you guys send job alerts but still no statues change
still keeping my head up .

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StephanieZG
, US
Sep 05, 2018 12:18 pm EDT

I had to cancel my gym membership because I didn't want to drive 26 miles to the metro west location in Framingham/Natick

Please, either Shrewsbury, Northborough, or Worcester

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Sunny day!
, US
Aug 28, 2018 12:56 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Life time lakeville, MN Front desk employee her name is Amber.
She is very impolite to member.
Manager MUST need to training her how polite to members.

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Cleopatra Mukopfa
, US
Aug 21, 2018 1:59 am EDT

This person is the most rudest person on the planet, I asked to speak to their manager because I didn't like their attitude and tone and he totally refused. You pple need to treat your customers as you would like to be treated

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Kanesha Boyd
, US
Aug 20, 2018 4:18 pm EDT

This company stole money from
My account and will not return it

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feinburgrl
, US
May 08, 2018 1:11 am EDT

I join Lifetime in 2011. The place was nice and clean. After a few years the place was going down hill. The price increase every year from $55 to $74 in 2017. My car was broken into when I was park in from of the building. The cameras at the place did not record. Why have camera in the first place. Lockers can be easily be broken into by asking a worker to open up a locker without proof it's your stuff. They stop being a 24 hour gym and the place got too crowded. A lot of people don't return weights back and trainers do crossfit on walk ways. I finally canceled Lifetime Fitness and pay $25 for LA Fitness for almost the same thing. I know LA Fitness is not the best place to workout but I rather spend $25 then $74.

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Vanessa corey
Des Moines, Iowa, US
Mar 07, 2021 3:50 pm EST
Replying to comment of feinburgrl

My car was burglarized during broad daylight 12:30pm 1/15/2021 my car was also parked in front of the entrance the GM refused to look into to it or corporate with the authorities, it’s almost sounded like the GM had something to do with the burglary claimed cameras didn’t record clearly due to rain then he abruptly terminated my membership after I witnessed him watching thru surveillance cameras women working out (zoomed in) while I was in his office discussing about my burglary and his name is Josh Gibbons lifetime in Iowa I am certain the headquarters has no knowledge of what he has been doing! Please someone need to look into it ASAP. He’s the new GM and very unprofessional with terrible customer service! He absolutely doesn’t represent what lifetime stands for.

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Jill T
, US
Apr 23, 2017 1:17 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Life Time is thinly veiled as a great place to improve your health and life; the truth is that Life Time is only interested in your money and how much you spend. When you check in to the club, they have a star system that rates you from 0-5 stars. If you're what they call a "member that isn't worth retaining" you will be given 0-1 stars, and this is based on how much you've spent in the club, minus anything yo purchase in the cafe.

They are expanding across the country, but only open clubs in areas where the median income is around $150, 000.00 because they need more and more money to fuel the ongoing plans.

If you talk to employees that work on their pyramid scheme commission system, then you'll see how Life Time makes good money. In the past, Life Time was able to avoid paying employees overtime (I worked 67 hours one week) by using some really tricky time allocation thing. I can't really explain it, but they did it.

The equipment and facilities aren't all that great. They just buy expensive treadmills to confuse and delight the members that they're tricking.

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Ariana grandma
Des Moines, US
Mar 08, 2021 3:17 pm EST
Replying to comment of Jill T

So unethical:-( we need to vote lifetime of this island ASAP

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Gv66
, US
Feb 20, 2017 1:07 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I try to cancel my membership for over 6 months. I have leave to Europe for my job and they don't want to cancel it just keep charging my credit cards. Have to replace my credit cards. Couple weeks ago I received a call from corporate office they asked me to make 150$ and that's it. I made that one time payment. After that they charged that credit card for 315$ without my authorization it's total #### it's legal money extortion !

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Rajiv.kumar162
Schaumburg, US
Aug 15, 2011 9:44 pm EDT

First they force you to take membership by saying it's a free trial
They sign you up for personal training.
And even after you quit, they keep billing you until you finally block the merchant from your credit card.

Extremely Bad
these guys are crooks, the owner is a shady Ethiopian/kenyan guy!

Join at your own risk

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Ariana grandma
Des Moines, US
Mar 08, 2021 3:19 pm EST

Let’s vote him off this island for his greed

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Paul F Smith
, US
Feb 23, 2016 3:38 pm EST

Sounds like too many people with the same complaints. Just got a flyer from these folks. It will be in the trash as soon as I finish this comment. I am a member at Planet Fitness. Their fees are low their facilities I have visited were in reasonable repair. Yeah no swimming pool, no overpriced food stand, no towels, but a very casual atmosphere. I was a member at LA Fitness for 2 years, everything is ala carte, i.e. they nickel-dime you to death. These guys sound like LA Fitness on on steriods.

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meman lal
, IN
Sep 27, 2013 9:27 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

employee pf account number not provided

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Trell2212
Topeka, US
Sep 24, 2013 1:06 pm EDT

Some how they took my money I don't know noting about this

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TaniaK
Monument, US
Dec 27, 2014 12:03 pm EST

I have belonged to multiple gyms for the past 20 years. Bally's, YMCA, Northwest Racquet, Villa Sport, Lifetime. I am from MN so Lifetime was a natural option to try. I moved to Colorado 6 years ago and until the Colorado Springs Lifetime opened 2 1/2 years ago, nothing could compare. We have a Villa Sport which is older, not taken care of and very run down that costs more than Lifetime but I digress. If you aren't looking for any more than a treadmill then by all means join a 24 hour Fitness for $25 a month. I belong to both Lifetime and YMCA. YMCA is closer and has great group fitness classes but I have to wait forever to get on machines or use weights. At Lifetime, there is always something available for me, the people are very friendly and have become good friends. When joining a gym, decide what YOU are looking for and what you want. The cost of Lifetime for what you get is VERY competitive if you are looking for a gym with everything. I do agree they need to loosen up on the guest thing. It's a little ridiculous that when my son from MN comes to visit, I have to pay for him. I have enough friends working there to get free guest passes now but my first year, I couldn't bring anyone.

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ChidrenUnsafeAtLifetimefitness
Confidential, US
Dec 23, 2014 9:00 am EST

My 7 year old son was assaulted by two much older kids (11 or 12) in their child center, he has physical visible injuries. When I called them they laughed it off and refused to take the issue seriously. Therefore we are filing a police report and also hiring an attorney to sue. The Lifetime fitness in Cary, NC thinks it's a big joke if your child gets beaten down by someone in their center.

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Miranda Konieczny
Boerne, US
Jun 06, 2014 5:22 pm EDT

This is what we sent to Lifetime in San Antonio, TX... We cancelled our membership back in January. My husband went in to member services and took in a letter. The gentleman behind the desk told him that he'd take the letter and cancel the membership and that my husband would also need to send a letter to corporate. He gave my husband a copy of the letter to mail and so he did and we thought we were done. 3 months later we are charged $494.13. We contacted the gym and of course the guy behind the desk no longer works there. How convenient for you! We contacted corporate and was told that we should have CERTIFIED MAILED the letter! What an excuse. They say they have no record of us cancelling and that our membership is still active! WTF?! My husband went in again and low and behold we are being charged yesterday the $494.13 AND $164.71. AND YET AGAIN, OUR MEMBERSHIP CANCELLATION WAS NOT PROCESSED! Our bank has told us that we are going to have to file a small claims with the court because of this bullcrap. Our bank is trying to reverse it back in and shut our checking account down. That's how horrible Lifetime Fitness is. Refusing to shut down our membership. Losing everybit of information we send or take. This is down right ridiculous! Something needs to be done!

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hagrid
Newbiggin by the sea, GB
Feb 15, 2014 3:52 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

They took my money too even though I unchecked the box for their video section also none of the people on the site were any where near me mostly just models from other sites trying to get me to join

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enricko
, ZA
Oct 05, 2013 4:27 pm EDT

freelifetimedating debited $49.95 in my credit card account and I don't understand this

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San Antonian
San Antonio, US
Jul 16, 2013 9:46 pm EDT

LTF is really expensive for what you get. We currently go to the one in San Antonio. Today, I brought my 10 year old son up to run on the treadmill next to me. There were several treadmills open and it wasn't overly crowded. I had dropped my daughter off at the daycare facility and told them I was taking my son with me. It rained today, so he didn't have conditioning camp for football. I decided it would be good for him to run on the treadmill. We weren't up there five minutes and a Lifetime instructor told me that she was informed by the daycare center that I had my son up here and he wasn't 12 so he wasn't allowed to run on the treadmill. My biggest complaint is that he was on a treadmill right next to me not causing any problems and using it without difficulty. Her reply is that it is a liability issue and that a kid had a seizure one time and scared many of the members. Any fat San Antonian that is working out there could easily have a heart attack or a seizure at any moment. I told her my son just had a sports physical and that I am a registered nurse. She said we couldn't make any exceptions. What I would like LTF to do is to change their rules so that if my son wants to use the equipment with an adult he can. As long as he isn't running around and acting crazy, I don't see a problem with it. I feel like I am paying for a family membership and my son can't use any of the equipment except run around the childcare center. I also have a complaint about the childcare center employee for contacting the upstairs employees instead of talking with me first. I found it very unprofessional. My husband has taken my son many times and no one has said anything to him about it. That is why I thought it was ok to take him since it wasn't very busy. I guess writing a complaint to corporate won't help because it looks like they don't care about the customer as I see from previous blogs. I would like to offer the suggestion for LTF to create workout sessions for kids without a charge added to it. I feel like there really isn't any benefits for them except to use the pool and the rock climbing towers. Any suggestions? Maybe a letter to the Better Business Beauru?

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Vanessa corey
Des Moines, Iowa, US
Mar 07, 2021 3:57 pm EST

Contact the headquarters in Minnesota google the numbers enough complaints maybe the CEO bahram akradi will take us serious🤞

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Sun kissed skin -Tasha
Troy, US
Apr 03, 2013 10:40 pm EDT

I recently called in for a tour the lady seemed snappy on the phone since I would not just jump in to a agreement without information, every concern she had to get back with me but the next time I would speak to her I received no answer until once I received no call back. I went to the gym after being given the wrong directions by a front desk worker, when I arrived I made my complaint this lady smirks as if she is not required to treat me like a customer . So she decides to give me the run around as well since she was obvious I asked to speak to a supervisor, finally I actually received the tour by that time I had to go to work he said he will call the beginning of the next month (2 days) so that I could come back in and fill out the forms I never received a call. I guess my green money is not as valuable as there members same green cash or maybe with me being kind I was not as easy to push and rush into a situation as they thought. The gym looked nice but there is no amount of money I will spend any place for people working to earn my monthly fees and people who pay the same or less than me are going to act like they are some high class or first class people above me. This was in Troy, MI and they can kiss my beautiful black behind as well!

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disgrunted in Vernon Hills
, US
Oct 11, 2012 7:49 am EDT

A "thug" at Lifetimes in Vernon Hills interrupted the first personal training session for 20 minutes, to make me go down to the locker room, get my credit card and pay for the sessions in advance. We were promised we could use our LifeTime dollars toward the first one and a half hours of personal training, but they cheated us out of that with NO explanation. The worst part was the inexperienced, young personal trainer who didn't know anything, would not write down a training plan of action for my husband to follow, and the second guy who acted like the "heavy" interrupting the personal training session to demand payment in full. We should have immediately walked out. It was the most unprofessional, shocking and tacky experience we've ever been through. We will cancel our membership. BUYER BEWARE of LifeTimes in Vernon Hills.

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dholly1984
Brooklyn Park, US
Jun 19, 2012 11:23 pm EDT

I just joined LifeTime Fitness in May, BIG mistake. Not only am I paying $167.00 a month for a family membership, but now they took out another $175.00 for a weight loss class I told the trainer I was working with that I couldn't afford and I didn't have the time to go anyways because I work about 12 hours a day. So they decided to activate this contract over a month later and pull all of my child support that I needed to use to pay my electric bill. They do not care. I cannot afford $350.00 a month in a gym membership on top of $3000.00 in other bills. LifeTime fitness does not listen and I am sick and tired of this. Not to mention the personal trainer I was working with called me fat. I have had kids and I'm not large, I just have work to do, either way that's not right.

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Darrell D
Austin, US
Jul 25, 2011 3:50 pm EDT

I agree with pretty much everyones complaints here. Lifetime does not do business in a classy way. they have hidden fees, they fail to tell you the entire story as you sign up. It really depends on the club you go to as to how you are treated. The Norht Austin club seems to be the absolute worst. This club has gone downhill so fast over the past 6 months. I will say since others seems scared to. MARK JOHNSTON, the moroon manager who owned his own gym prior to Lifetime opening. This guy is SOLELY responsible for man peoples decisions to quit the club. He should wimn WORST MANAGER OF THE YEAR if Lifetime had that. AWEFUL AWEFUL AWEFUL! Someone earlier was complaining about Braham Akradi, well Mark Johnston is one of his little pawns, always sucking up to him, so it doesn't look like he will be going anywhwhere since Akradi likes to surround himself with people who are yes men. I look forward to finding another gym. ANYTHING is better than this Lifetime.

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justdoingbusiness
Minneapolis, US
Jul 01, 2011 5:53 pm EDT

They don't care about their customers. I enjoyed the place while I was a member, but when I went to cancel I found out they require you to actually drive in and sign a cancellation. So i spent a half hour of my life because they want to make it as difficult as possible to quit their club? Straight shady. I can cancel my health insurance, life insurance, cable, internet, car insurance, anything without signing something in person.

Then when I cancelled, they told me they need a 30 day cancellation notice...on a calender month. so I tried to cancel via phone in june, then in person july 1, and they said they'd keep charging me two more months. I had been planning to renew my membership after a few months - they can kiss that goodbye now.

do yourself a favor and pick someplace that cares about long term relationships with customers, rather than just screwing people out of money. I put a hold on their ability to charge me and will dispute anything: they can take me to court if they want to try.

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lifetimesucks
Austin, US
May 28, 2011 4:34 pm EDT

Very rude employees, I have been a member for four years now rarely use this facility. Whenever I go I always get a rude treatment by staff. Their front desk dogs never fail to bite me. They always act like you dont seem belong here, is this your card? let me check your picture again. Today they did this in front of my family decided this is the last time I am cancelling the membership.

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FlorhamParkMember
Florham Park, US
May 24, 2011 5:07 pm EDT

The Florham Park, NJ Lifetime Fitness Club facility is over-crowded. The Personal Trainers are rude and disrespectful to every member that doesn’t participate in Personal Training. The Personal Trainers claim to have priority on using the equipment and management does nothing about the issue. Lifetime is only interested in membership fees not addressing problems.

Now that the summer months are here & the outside pool is about to open, the 3 month members (JUNE, JULY & AUGUST) start to arrive and abuse the pool and facility rules. Don’t expect to get a chair at the outside.

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Catcat79
Plymouth, US
Mar 08, 2011 11:27 pm EST

Two years ago I signed up to become a member of Lifetime in the Twin Cities. Within a couple days of signing my soul away, I came down with pneumonia and immediately obtained a doctor's note to put my acct on medical freeze as instructed by the employee that signed me up. My pneumonia lasted for months and the employee and I kept in contact saying that he would re-up my freeze. During this time I then dislocated my shoulder, I informed the employee about this and how I was going to have to just cancel the acct b/c this will take a long time to heal + surgery + rehab. He promised me (all through emails and all kept) that it was okay to have it frozen until I say the word that I can actually use the facilities. Sounds great and helpful, right?

My roommate comes to me asking why in the HELL there are hundreds of dollars charged onto the credit card from Lifetime. I said no idea, it's frozen. I emailed the employee once again with no answer. I then called Lifetime, told them what was happening, they then told me that that employee no longer works for them, and that I was responsible to pay. (!) Was then forwarded to the account management woman, who was as helpful as could be. She requested all the emails from the employee forwarded to her so that she could show them to corporate to see if I could get a refund. Long story short I was rewarded half my money back. It's ridiculous-since an agent of their company assured me it would cost me nothing.. but I guess it's better than eating the entire cost.

I really don't know if I would recommend Lifetime to anyone else.. they are over the top expensive, they charge downgrade fees if you want to switch to another 'level' of gym-which is eff'd up.. ppl switch b/c they want to SAVE money. Proceed with caution, keep all paperwork, read the fine print.

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i hate lifetime
, US
Feb 25, 2011 6:34 pm EST

Fiance' and I wanted to combine our single memberships in to one family membership - no one at the desk knew how to do this (Austin North) - Nick, member sales, was called to the desk, said he didn't know, turned his back to me and walked away. Complaint to club general manager netted nothing. We're quiting. And advising everyone I know to never join and stay far away...
Was told by a personal trainer there that because the member sales people to earn a commission on retention, they could care less about current members, only signing up new suckers, I mean members

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Ariana grandma
Des Moines, US
Mar 08, 2021 3:25 pm EST

They hire their staffs off the streets dress them up in suits and allow them to treat members rudely! Josh gibbons the GM at the Iowa lifetime sit in his office abuse his position and authorities watching women working out thru surveillance cameras and getting paid for it! Any issues he can’t or not to handle he terminates the memberships

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I hate lifetime fitness
Lenexa, US
Oct 11, 2010 8:22 pm EDT

WORST F*CKING GYM I HAVE EVER BEEN TO IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! They rip off their members & have ZERO customer service skills. Management will treat you like a stupid little child with any issue you hope to get resolved.

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perspectiv
, US
Jul 17, 2010 11:00 am EDT

I would just like to clarify... Vertical Endeavors and VE members are being victimized by Lifetime Fitness staff.

Vertical Endeavors is a separate corporation from Lifetime Fitness, but is on-site at the Warrenville location. And its almost impossible to not interact with Lifetime when using Vertical Endeavors.

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perspectiv
, US
Jul 17, 2010 10:56 am EDT

With regards to the Warenville, Il.

They violate membership terms with Vertical Endeavors members.

If you so much as ask to see management to express dissatisfaction, they will prohibit you from speaking with a respectful party, and they will call the police on you and have you escorted (or arrested). Their management team is disrespectful, as well as the front desk greeting staff.

They consider and inform potential members that they are unimportant and a waste of their time... makes you wonder if they'd treat a long-term member the same way.

After investigating with the police, I was informed that this particular club, the Warenville, IL Lifetime Fitness, has called the police in at least seven times for different individuals regarding interactions with Lifetime Fitness and Vertical Endeavors. And that the police even felt that there was something not right with the way the location is handling situations.

Lifetime needs to re-evaluate its treatment of members, non-members, and potential members, or its business model and business will be effected.

I say this as a caution to the poster who said to 'say F-you' to get their memberships canceled. If you do this, you may also wind up with a police record, especially if you are at the Warenville, IL club.

Especially considering that they have done this multiple times before, they are emboldened to think that this is appropriate business practice. They consider any complaints as "verbal abuse" and grounds for involving police enforcement..

after they verbally harass you - a customer and potential longterm customer - lie to you, deny you the terms of your own membership.

I'd like to think its just the Warenville, Ill club... but it makes one wonder how this is acceptable business practice.

Their clubs may be well stocked with equipment, but their staff attitude continues it shows they aren't going to be well stocked financially.

They should care about their members, potential members, as well as the income they bring to the corporation. How else do they expect business?

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Ariana grandma
Des Moines, US
Mar 08, 2021 3:27 pm EST
Replying to comment of perspectiv

Hi perspective they did the same to me:-( they made my complaints (social distancing) as a threat and terminated my membership! Sounds like a pattern

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Lizibear
Duluth, US
Jun 17, 2010 5:23 pm EDT

I completely agree. The sales associates often lie just to make the sale. I was added to my family's account and insured that I could do so regardless of the fact that I was over 21. The sales associate said that as long as only two people were over 21 this would be fine. Then I was told to pick up my temporary card in 24 hours. Fastforward 24 hours, I drive up to the gym, my daughter in tow, only to find out they haven't done it. When I inquire why they then go on to tell me that I need to wait another day. Next day arrives, I repeat the process, only to find out, once again, my name has not be added. This time they claimed the person responsible for adding new members to the account was out, but that I would surely be on the next day. Fast-forward YET another day, I wised up and called first. I wasn't on the account yet, no big surprise at this point, BUT this time they have no answer. So I had no idea what on earth was going on, and neither did anyone else, HOWEVER, they all made up something different. First it was that our account had been flagged, then it was about people being unavailable. THEN it was that no one was there. FINALLY, 8 hours later (after I had been on the phone with them nearly all day) someone called me to tell me that I couldn't be added. When I stated that the TWO sales reps told me that as long as only two people over 21 could be on, he stated "sorry ma'am the paperwork clearly states that it has to be a MARRIED COUPLE over 21, with proof of the marriage, and children under 21. Please note, my brother has 3 friends on his account besides himself and my youngest brother. One is 24. I would love to know why that is okay. Also, I know at least 3 other families that go to the same lifetime and have at least one child over 21, and yet they can do that. So all in all, I was VERY unimpressed with their customer service. If you have these rules, stick to them. Don't make exceptions because you want sales, then decide to go back to the rules. This was possibly the WORST customer service I have EVER encountered, and while their gym may be very nice, they DO not care about their member experience.

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michellesays
dont matter, US
Jun 10, 2010 10:34 am EDT

i love lifetime fitness! I've never been scammed, i love the staff too:) they have great trainers, who are willing to help! i have so much fun in the group training and clubs too! i'm a simple teenage girl in high school who has a small part time job, and i pay for my membership. i do keep up with all my cost, and i know what waste i do and don't do. lifetime fitness: sooo worth it! :D maybe you people might have your reasons to hate. but i know i'm being treated right and getting the results i want. I feel confident with life time fitness.

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4006
Goodyear, US
Jun 03, 2010 3:51 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Liftime Fitness in Goodyear Az is a club you should never join and if you are a member you need to walk away and put your money somewhere else. This club is not staffed well at all. The GM is never in so his sales guys have to cover for him. He can't handle all the complaints going on daily. The front desk can never answer any questions and they always send you to someone else who isn't at work yet. The childcare center is staffed with young girls with small children and another on the way so they have a place to keep their kids while working. The aquatics dept has had four heads since I have been there. The first one was great the second one was steeling from the club the next one a washed up swimming coach with a pregnant girlfriend whom he rubbed lotion on while working at the pool and trying to pick-up other girls and presently they have 2 ladies that are trained at scheduling member activities and work the activities desk at the club . They know nothing about aquatics. The club rents the pool to outside groups and then the paying members cannot use the pool at all. All to make $$$$$$ and not care about the members. The pool is always under staffed with too few lifeguards and then the slides cannot be used at all without the proper staffing. Once again the paying members get screwed. I have showed up to swim in the morning many times and the doors haven't been unlocked to the outside so you get locked in the pool when you enter. I have also scooped poop out of the pool in the AM. The bathrooms on the pool deck outside are never open in the AM because they supposedly have to lock them at night because people have sex in them and smear poop all over and the lifeguards have to clean them when they come to work later in the day. They have a water aerobics class that has to use 2 of the 5 lap lanes for there class and members are sitting waiting to swim laps because now there are on 3 lanes for lap swimming. I alway take the pool cleaner out of the pool so people can swim laps in the AM. Nobody at work at 8:30 in the morning. The outdoor pool is CLOSED for 6 months because they do not want to pay to heat it. The outdoor hottub never works and the sauna is torn apart again as I am writing. The mens steamroom is never working either. This club also allows public schools to come for 4 hr timeslots during the year for physical education. Four bus loads at a time and they rotate in the center from the gym.pool and fitness area. They are not paying members! Once again the member is screwed. But the club is all about making $$$$$$ and do not care about their members. There have been many breakins in lockers and in cars in the parking lots too. I have had things taken too. If you have a choice and I hope you do please stay away from this club. I will be going back to the YMCA with a smile on my face and $$$$ in my pocket!

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JimmyR
Manakin Sabot, US
May 05, 2010 10:20 am EDT

They're just denigrating me (James Russell) to reduce member attrition in Centreville Virginia, because I had vitiligo and some other things, but the joke's on them. I'm the reason why they act like that and they take no responsibility and raise membership prices claiming their "Value". Perhaps you can inquire about their "members' point of view" so they can' give you some "color" about their "point of view".

Lifetime Fitness is a scam! They're con artists and can kiss my "white" ###!

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madmardigan
aldie, US
Apr 30, 2010 4:58 pm EDT

All gyms suck management wise, and lifetime fitness isn't much better because everything from staff abuse to member abuse goes on in their facilities under the corporate stock culture logo LTM. To everybody who's gotten a membership, and to everyone's who canceled, their CEO Bahram Akradi is as crooked as they come.

All gyms do that 30 day thing and stuff. I think they consider themselves as leasing gym equipment, and that you're providing their financing so they're unwilling to make it less than difficult for you to leave, and that's why the majority have you sign contracts and falsely claim trial memberships, but in actuality, it's just a discount.

But back to Bahram Akradi. Without giving anything away, I'll just say he's a short little guy with a napoleon complex, and it makes it much worse that he's from a different culture. So, you see, I was raised here in the United States, so I don't go around blaming people for my problems like this guy does, but seeing as how attrition is the only governing factor and nobody cares how they're treated because at most on a good day they can keep their jobs, and this is where the disturbing factors come in because he just runs off does anything he wants.

It's a complex, and not a very good one, because everyone wants to be somewhere else, and I mean let's face it, wouldn't everyone rather have their own equipment and go home rather than go through all this stuff?

Without making a longer story short, I was standing right next to the guy, and the following time shortly there after all their employees mysteriously started harassing me and made me feel like I was being the blunt of a joke, so instead of actually fighting for my rights and demanding things like something should be done, the harassment ensued and in the following months thereafter a girl was found dead in one of their fancy dancy olympic sized swimming pools because of this. Soon there after I had to cancel my membership, since nobody there has a conscious and insists on covering it up. (Centreville, Va ;p)

Now, I'm not saying we're perfect human beings, and everyone should just magically get along and agree, but this guy is a con artist and doesn't accept responsibility for the way his gyms (I use the term his losely because it's infact a public corporation and not a private one) are run.

He's got that little temper of a short little colored man from a different country thing going on and has really no reason to be mad. This guys is one weird dude who can't accept the facts of life, who can't handle his job, and money grubs his shareholding stock all the way to the market. He's like a plague, and everybody catches a disease when they're around him.

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WOLFE2
, US
Apr 07, 2010 12:09 pm EDT

The management at lifetime sucks! They suspend accounts, cancel accounts for minor things like complaining yet when you go to cancel your membership they say wait 30 days and jump through these hooops! The best way to cancel your membership is to YELL F**K YOU at the manager and watch how fast your canceled.

Check out rateitall for more "0" ratings

http://www.rateitall.com/i-46201-lifetime-fitness-club.aspx

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Ariana grandma
Des Moines, US
Mar 08, 2021 3:33 pm EST
Replying to comment of WOLFE2

Hi wolf they did same to me but it was a blessing I didn’t have to pay the 30 days fee:-) I complained about them not enforcing mask wearing (lifetime staffs) not members

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imchaiwala
Davenport, US
Apr 07, 2010 11:35 am EDT

been a customer for 6 years, when i need to cancel they're making me show up in person or send a certified letter and charging me 30 days! what the hell! the gym is nice, the service sucks! i just called corporate - they told me tough luck!

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extremal
, US
Mar 30, 2010 9:34 pm EDT

Yup, Life Time Fitness sucks (referring to Warrenville location).

I used to be a member for 2+ years, then moved to another place and returned for a week, so decided to use an offer from their web site for a free week membership. My fault I was honest with them that I am not based there, and my fault I just told them that if I not gonna get the free week, I can just become a member and then cancel the membership. Was suggested to buy 2 weeks for 80$, and then a higher level manager increased it to 100$.

In the end they kicked me out - I pissed off a manager and his boss (I was polite, but demanding).
The service is extremely rude - they do not want customers who might end up not joining the gym.

The fitness center is nice, lots of equipment etc, but they almost killed their reputation for me...

So... DO NOT JOIN! They want your money and they don't care about you as a customer...

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?!?!?!121
Louisa, US
Mar 25, 2010 11:24 pm EDT

These clubs has no membership caps, the more the "merrier". The equipment is dirty. In over 2 years I have never seen any weight machines getting cleaned, other than perhaps some superficial vacuuming. Some machines even smell foul. The "personal trainers" are a total joke, with a God's gift to the human race mentality. I witnessed on occasion harassment, insults and even verbal threats directed at members. The facilities are overrun by out-of-control teenagers and the machines and free weights are limited with long aggravating waiting times. Break-ins and vandalism are often reported in the parking lot. An easy hit I guess? I once asked the sales agent if I could have a weekend pass for a visiting friend. OMG, may lightning have rather struck me down. For 10 mins I had to listen how I was trying to abuse "the system" and there are "no freebies" However, he did offer me a "great deal" if my friend wanted to join. Why I waited so long before canceling my membership I don't know. Perhaps I'm a sucker for punishment...you decide for yourself.