Bally Total Fitness
reviews and complaints

I have been a member of Bally Total Fitness for about three years. I have decided to cancel my membership due to personal reasons a while ago. I have sent an e-mail through their webiste, sent a letter requesting the cancellation by postal mail; then sent another letter via registered mail. All I received after months of efforts to cancel was a bill for all these months! I have paid that bill as well although I had requested them to cancel my membership months ago. I still have not heard from them and I have not received a letter indicating that my membership is terminated! It is a very irresponsible company who is advertising wildly for future customers while mis-treating a very loyal customer like myself! They deserve a legal lawsuit I am afraid. I could have gotten a divorce much faster! They need to review their policies! You can do everything on line, but I cannot cancel my membership online. I cannot even cancel it on by registered mail! Theyare charging me for nothing simply by ignoring myr equest! I feel like I have been trapped, and I will be telling everyone not to enroll what so ever if I do not hear from them very soon!

One Question For Everyone! DID YOU READ WHAT YOU SIGNED! If you signed without reading it.. OH WELL! All contract have a "cancelation" policy and state the term. And anything you send to them "to cancel", send it certified return receipt! Cancelling your credit card won't cancel your account either!

And to Rameshm2... Cancelling your credit card won't cancel your contract. It simply stopped Bally's from billing your credit card! And they have every legal right to send your account to "collections" The AG will want to see a copy of your "orgional" contract, if it states 2 years, guess what it's for 2 years. And, I can guarentee it has automatic renewals. Go right ahead and stand in front of the store and "protest". . Oh and by the way, you don't go to the police to get a permit to protest, you go to the court house! It's the police who can and will come and arrest you!

last year my wife signed up for a non commitment program. when she went to cancel they told her that she has a two year contract. we canceled the credit card, and they sent her to collection agency for $475. I have repoted them to attoney general in state of ct. and hopefuly they'll do something about that. these people are blood sucking [censor] of the earth. I actually wanted to go to police station and get a permit to go in front of their door with a banner and protest. maybe I'll do it

I am so enraged right now! I can not believe they are still able to operate! I was completely swindled and I am so mad at myself but I felt as big of a corporation as they are I should have been able to trust them. When I joined I told the [censored] sales guy that I was moving in less than 2 months. He said that I could cancel at any time. He never pointed out or mentioned that they membership agreement I was signing & would be locked into was for 3 long years! I tried to cancel once I moved since there was not a Bally facility close by. They said I had to be over 25 miles from one to cancel. I was 23 miles. This is 2 years ago when gas was over $3 a gallon. Who in their right mind is going to drive 23 miles at $3 a gallon? No one! I went on the customer service page & emailed what had happened. I called the location I had signed up at & the girl I spoke to promised the District Manager would call me back. Nothing. I have paid nearly $50 a month for something I do not use. I am now unemployed & pregnant. Do they care? No. But because of my 'situation' the customer service rep I called said he would allow me to do a settlement. I will now pay $330 instead of $500+ for the rest of the year. But I had to pay half today and the remaining balance 30 days from now. This is completely wrong! I told the rep I had sent emails, called, etc trying to cancel. He said since I let it go this long there was nothing I could do. I said I sent emails! Nothing was done. He said "Yes, I see you sent something in October of 2008 but you let it go this long." Oh really? So they DID in fact receive that complaint?!?! But hmmmmm...no one responded! Ugggghhhh I am so disgusted & furious. So for anyone inquiring whether to join Ballys? DON'T DO IT! Anyone in this predicament- ask for a settlement. To Bally's- Thanks for RIPPING me off & having zero sympathy!

I totally agree with the ballys complaints...i really want them to burn in hell...this might be a rough statement, but they stole my hard earned money...they called me and offered a discount on my membership if I pre-paid for a whole year. I had to cancel my membership early because i was never using the place. They said i couldn't because i had to have moved where there wasn't a ballys over 25miles away from where i live for them to cancel. RIDICULOUS! I never received the terms and agreement in the mail, and they failed to mention the cancelation policy over the phone when the offered the discount. i got tired of arguing with them, and just left it alone. I could have save at least $600, because I pre-paid about $1200 for my year membership. I don't want this to happen to anyone else...and ballys needs to go down...make them disappear...

They put up the TV commercial to bragg about their 7-day trial period. I signed up the trial, and went to the Bay Hill club in Orlando FL. The manager started with the line of i gave him fake name and fake number. I thought he was joking. Unfortunately, he didn't. Since I am visiting, my Driver's Licence was issued by IL. The so-called manager said he could not redeem the pass because of their club policy. I responded that the website mentioned nothing about this type of out-of-town situation. He refused to honor the membership. What a joke. Why an unethical company still exist?! Shouldn't the legal systme do something about it? They are ridiculous!

bally fitness is a complete SCAM. they would not cancel my membership and i had to file a complain with better business bureau. less then a week i got a call from bally representative saying that they will cancel my membership. i ask them to sand me a letter stating this as i don't believe one word from this lairs. they did send me the letter right away and i have it just in case. but i am so thankful to BBB services for contacting bally and canceling my membership, there services are completely free, as they work for the government. but beside the point we need to close down all bally location as they are scamming people off. pls people write your complains there more complains there are more sooner some action will be taken against bally.

According to Bally's you have to mail in a request to them.

I also tried to cancel my automatic deductions from my bank account. I was told that it was taken care of and that I would receive an email. I am still signed up for the automatic deductions. I was told that there was a way to cancel the membership on the website, but no luck.

Bally's is a scam. I should be able to cancel a membership in person or over the phone or online. I am sure that if I get the forms to mail in they will be lost or it will take weeks to process, and I will continue to be charged.

Bally's gym membership is a scam- will not allow cancel membership scam
Bally's gym membership is a scam- will not allow cancel membership scam
Bally's gym membership is a scam- will not allow cancel membership scam
Bally's gym membership is a scam- will not allow cancel membership scam

I usually Google for scams. I have heard that 24-Hour fitness was a pain to quit, but this is ###. If there are enough complaints against Bally online they will have to change this process.

Get a doctors note have the doctor back date it to 3 days after your enrollment it would be canceled and you would be refunded.

While it seems like the only thing we can do is post on scam sites and message boards, this is not true! I think that everyone really needs to get together and try to bring this evil, immoral and corrupt company down. This is what I have done so far. Made copies of flyers and distributed it near colleges and even near Bally Total Fitness itself about my story. I also wrote an article about it online.

If the government won't do anything about it and if the Better Business Bureau won't do anything about it, no matter how many complaints they get, we have to take things into our own hands. I recently wrote an email to Michael Moore, the famous director and creator of award winning documentaries such as Sicko, Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11 through his website at www.michaelmoore.com or you can email him directly at mike@michaelmoore.com.

I know that this is a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to try. Maybe if enough people write to him, he will pay attention to us. He is a brilliant man. I believe he's the kind of person that personally reads his emails and will help if he can! So try it! You have nothing to lose. Meanwhile, the main goal is to inform people. If you see someone getting lured into Bally's, try to stop them from going in. The more people that knows about this, the more Bally's will lose business. Once they can't save themselves, they will realize what they have done wrong to have flushed their entire corporation down the toilet.

~Peace.

They are scammers.

i've got the same reason reason but they don't cancel my membership as well.

just don't use Bally Total fitness at all. It took me almost six months to cancel my membership. they overcharged me more than $400 before I can cancel my membership. I will never join this kind of club again.

Ok things have changes and because of the Bankruptcy. Call and request to cancel whatever you do do not set up your credit card or check account on auto electronic pay. They are required to drop your membership to 19.00 a monh per person dont argue with the telephone employee request to speak to a manager and they willhonor it. Let them know youlost your job trust me this willwork. If all your paying is monthly dues negotiate until they drop the price to 9.00 dollars a month they are requiredto do it. Iknow all the inside info.

the man

While it seems like the only thing we can do is post on forums and complaint sites, this is not true! I think that everyone really needs to get together and try to bring this evil, immoral and corrupt company down. This is what I have done so far. Made copies of flyers and distributed it near colleges and even near Bally Total Fitness itself about my story. I also wrote an article about it online.

If the government won't do anything about it and if the Better Business Bureau won't do anything about it, no matter how many complaints they get, we have to take things into our own hands. I recently wrote an email to Michael Moore, the famous director and creator of award winning documentaries such as Sicko, Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11 through his website at www.michaelmoore.com or you can email him directly at mike@michaelmoore.com.

I know that this is a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to try. Maybe if enough people write to him, he will pay attention to us. He is a brilliant man. I believe he's the kind of person that personally reads his emails and will help if he can! So try it! You have nothing to lose. Meanwhile, the main goal is to inform people. If you see someone getting lured into Bally's, try to stop them from going in. The more people that knows about this, the more Bally's will lose business. Once they can't save themselves, they will realize what they have done wrong to have flushed their entire corporation down the toilet.

~Peace.

To cyclone123

For how long did you sign your contract and for how much?

Cancelling the right way means "under the term of your contract"

* Do NOT call the gym to cancel.
* Do NOT email the gym to cancel.
* Do NOT visit the gym to cancel.
* Do NOT meet with anyone at the gym to cancel.

These will make everything worse:

* Do NOT stop your direct debit.
* Do NOT cancel your credit card.
* Do NOT close your bank account.
* Do NOT tell your credit card company you lost your credit card.

Check these web site

California

http://www.ag.ca.gov/
http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general.php

Example: California State Law gives you tons of extra protection:
California Civil Code Sections 1812.80-1812.97
TITLE 2.5. CONTRACTS FOR HEALTH STUDIO SERVICES
http://law.justia.com/california/codes/civ/1812.80-1812.97.html

Hope this will help

well man this guys sucks.. they told me the same to try it out and if i dont like it i can end the contract... well i tried it out for a week.. my job change my hours.. so i said i cant come to the gym anymore after 5 days ... then they said that i cant bcuz i was suppost to cancel before 3 days.. so if i wanted to end this i have to pay 1400 dollars.

now im payin 40 dollars a month for a gym i cant go.. nowonder why is going bankrupt.. those sale guys sucks they lied to you to make you sign.

oh and if you call the company they are very rude. to you.. they make it impossible to talk to ..

just wait a lil i think the company is going under ...

I know how tocancel!

This Bally's, located on Magnolia & Broadway in Anaheim, CA is unsanitary, with mold and standing water in the so-called stretching area. There is no hot water at the sinks in the ladies room. When machines break down, they put an "out of order" sign on it and a chain around it, where it stays for anywhere for 1-5 months and then they just haul it away. Four televisions were just ripped off the wall by disgruntled fired workers about two months ago. No replacements. Bally's Corporate could give a damn. When I called them, they were more interested in my membership number then the problems. This gym SHOULD BE CONDEMNED!

Health Department PLEASE! LOCAL NEWS CHANNELS PLEASE REPORT ON THIS. Pool, showers and jacuzzi are deplorable. The sauna is also out of order. And the club manager cannot do anything to solve the big problems. The roof leaks so there is standing water up on the walking track. The place is 40 years old and looks every bit of it.

Channel 2, 4, 7, 9, 11 and 13... Please go with your cameras and take a look

which bally's closed? what location are you talking about?

I am a member of bally total fitness and have been since 2003 and I am concernes with their practices and the way they have been doing business lately... on 01-30-2009 at around 1730hrs. I began my workout in the aerobics room at the king of prussia, pa. facility. I checked the schedule to make sure that there was no classes at that time before I started my workout and there was not... I began skipping rope and I was there for about 15 minutesand had a few minutes left to go. when this employee (class instructor) came in and said in a nasty manner that a class was about to begin and that my jumping rope was interfering with the class.. I told her that I cjecked the schedule and there is no class scheduled today... she said that it does not have to be on the schedule... and if I do not leave she would call someone and have me dragged out of the room and escorted out of the building... I told her that I still have a few minutes of skipping rope and I plan to finish it... she said that that "you will not" and marched out of the room to get someone. meanwhile I finished up my skipping rope routine and started on the universal machines outside of that area. thats when I was approached by the manager (bob). and I don't know if he was giving me the business or not but he said that classes does not have to be on the schedule.. and everyone has to abide by that.. he was apologetic about her attitude. but as a member there I should not have to stop my workout to giive way to classes that are not posted... on that day before when I came to the gym.. there was classes there that were posted and I did not skip rope that day. due to the scheduled classes. I am apalled at the fact that I am inconvenienced if I have to work around there schedule and be inconvenienced I could workout at home... and save my membership money. there has been other incidences that happened there but this was the straw that broke the camels back.
1. most of the personal trainers walk around like they have chip on their shoulder and are very anti-sociable. I forgot my jump rope one time and a female trainer was sitting at the desk where the rope was and I asked her for it and she told me it was for the personal trainers and there customers.. of which there was never a problem with me using it before.
2. there was a time when I was working on a machine and a personal trainer that never says anything to me moves into my way while I am working out and almost caused a serious accident. and made up some some crazy excuse to justify his actions
3. there is never a lifegaurd in the swimming pool area and it seems that bally total fitness has some kind of contract with the hotel beside it and familys from the hotel and there kids come into thet pool area unsupervised by their parents and disregard all of the rules. and it is very unfair to the members. my wife had to corret them on many ocassion. and it is not fair that she has to do that... again there should be a life gaurd there
4. their has been times when staff was very disrepectful to me. one particular incident was on martin luther king's birthday I asked a staff member what time they closed. and a girl at the front desk asked "how long have you been a member here instead of answering my question...

There has been alot of other incidents that happened there to the point where I am seriously thinking about going to the human relations commission about this and file a law suit against bally's and then find another gym to go to that is more accomodating to my needs... after all as a member my workout is first priority... and it should not be interupted for an unscheduled class

ALERT to anyone with a gym membership! I was recently a victim of a theft at Bally Total Fitness in Beachwood, OH. I entered the gym at approximately 10 am on November 11th and when I returned from working out, my lock was completely removed from my locker and all of my personal belongings were stolen! This included my house/car keys, cell phone, purse, gym bag and clothes. After scouring the locker room twice, I reported the incident to a less-than-empathetic employee at the front desk (and an even worse Manager!). I could only remember the number to my bank, so I contacted them to report my debit card and check book stolen. I next contacted the police and they promptly arrived to take my report. By the time I made it home (approximately 90 minutes later), the thief had charged $8, 500 on my credit cards and written two checks totaling $1, 500! Eight different merchants allowed this thief to use my credit cards that clearly stated 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED' on the backs of them!

I am writing to alert everyone of this crime and my terrible experience. Almost one month and approximately $10, 000 later, I am still not the same. I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy. And the sad part is that the Detective handling my case does not seem motivated to catch the thief at all. He stated to me in our first conversation, 'I get 4 or 5 of these across my desk every week.' With such a poor attitude like that, he doesn't help my feelings of being victimized, violated, fear, frustration, etc.

I have not received any support or assistance from Bally Total Fitness. A contact in their corporate office stated that, 'this doesn't happen very often.' Since publicizing my story, I have met and heard of NUMEROUS people with similar experiences at Bally Total Fitness and other health spas.

So as the holiday season approaches and the economy continues to weaken, please be advised that the thieves are on the prowl. Please be careful and protect your personal belongings because Bally Total Fitness and others certainly ARE NOT!

CAUTION: DO NOT TAKE ANY VALUABLE ITEMS INSIDE THE GYM!

My name is Frank, on November 04, 2011 I went to Bally Fitness to pick up my wife ID that she forget to pick up after a visit. A Bally's employee told me that my wife would like to be a member. After a tour of the place, I decide to be a member. I also sign for a personal trainer which he talk me into. Its $89.00 1 time only. I found out later that Bally lied to me about my wife want to be a member. my wife said she don't want anything to do whit Bally. The next day I went back to Bally and cancel my member ship. They told me I need to send a written certified cancellation letter to Washington in which I did. Now Bally is still taking money out of my bank account. plus Bally send a bill for another 89.00 for personal training. Me and my wife never used any of Bally's equipment or a personal trainer. I tried to call Bally which was a wast of time.

While it seems like the only thing we can do is post on forums and complaint sites, this is not true! I think that everyone really needs to get together and try to bring this evil, immoral and corrupt company down. This is what I have done so far. Made copies of flyers and distributed it near colleges and even near Bally Total Fitness itself about my story. I also wrote an article about it online.

If the government won't do anything about it and if the Better Business Bureau won't do anything about it, no matter how many complaints they get, we have to take things into our own hands. I recently wrote an email to Michael Moore, the famous director and creator of award winning documentaries such as Sicko, Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11 through his website at www.michaelmoore.com or you can email him directly at mike@michaelmoore.com.

I know that this is a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to try. Maybe if enough people write to him, he will pay attention to us. He is a brilliant man. I believe he's the kind of person that personally reads his emails and will help if he can! So try it! You have nothing to lose. Meanwhile, the main goal is to inform people. If you see someone getting lured into Bally's, try to stop them from going in. The more people that knows about this, the more Bally's will lose business. Once they can't save themselves, they will realize what they have done wrong to have flushed their entire corporation down the toilet.

~Peace.

Numerous of times I’ve seen Bally’s staff using bolt cutters to cut open someone’s lock in the locker room. It’s really understandable if the lock belongs to you and somehow you can’t open your lock. My question is how do they know it really belongs to that particular member. These is the reason that I would not leave my wallet in the locker even though I use a lock.

Bally Total Fitness in Auburn, WA had outdoor pool with privet fencing around it; there were two gates with locks on them. Also there was a rehab center next door. The only way to get in the pool is through the locker rooms which obviously you need to check in at the front desk. In the summer of 2008 I was swimming with my 4 year old, I noticed a drunken lady walking in through the gate that supposed to be locked. I myself mentioned couple of times to the staff of Bally’s including a life guard that the lock is broken and strangers walk in any time they want to. At the end of the summer Bally’s still never fixed the fence lock. That same summer this lady went to get her things out of the locker & her car keys were gone, her things where still there. She ran outside & her car was gone too. She told me that she didn’t use lock; she had a gym bag w/clean cloth and keys on the bottom of that gym bag. Although she said she never used lock she just left her things in the locker. Not a smart thing to do, but still… I myself left my bag in an unlocked locker and thank God nothing was stolen. I learned my lesson since.

I was a member at the Ballys Total Fitness in Colorado Springs, Co and the same thing happen to me. I lost my wallet, rings, and watch. I really believe it was a staff person. Seriously the Gym is packed and how could no one walking in and out the locker room not see that someone was breaking into a locker. I did find a piece of my lock. It appeared to be cut. We I asked Staff if they had cut my lock they stated, they had open a lock for a member who claim to have lost thier key. The problem was that was my lock not this person. They should really ask to see ID once the locker is open to ensure that they are opening a true member's locker and not a thief.

It is completely binding unfortunately. I was a victim of this scam in 2001 and it did go on my credit report for 7 years, I only realized this when I tried to apply for credit and it came up. Bally's treats this like a "loan" its ridiculous. It was sold to a credit collection agency and they are still trying to collect the full amount although I only attended one month! I refuse to pay it specially since it is not in my credit report anymore.