06/16/09

so much potential

by deckard716

i was eager when i joined in 2003 to lose at least 160lbs. i started with a trial and moved into a 12 month membership in a few weeks. i worked out daily and really started to see progress with my mind and body. i also started to see that things changed with the staff, who were friendly and supportive, now would no longer say hello, and couldn't be bothered with assisting any customers, unless there was a paid session involved.

when asked for "referrals" i gave names and numbers in sincerity, later to be embarrassed by numerous complaints of harassment by these same "trainers" for weeks/ months.

i watched as others, besides myself, often wait for personal calls, personal conversations, and party plans to finish before having their concerns addressed.

parking issues with both d/t and blvd sites at times is horrendous. and don't "bother" the staff either...you're not worth their time. cleanliness - again too much trouble for the staff to clean towels. it takes time away from their socializing and flirtatious activity.

after reading all the comments, i realized not only was i not alone with my experience but that this was the way the BAC conducts business. for those long-time members, i'm sorry if you have to belittle the experiences of others as they don't match your own.

yes i left. Disgusted, disillusioned, and more frustrated than before. fortunately i had a taste of what victory would be like and the next gym was a good choice. no wait time for machines, no parking issues, great hours (5am - 11pm weekdays), professional staff who are considerate, showed up on time, and treat customers as such. it's clean, towels and solution are at multiple stations throughout as well as posted signs encouraging all to wipe down the machines after use. what can i say? it's a great place! i feel good. i've the support i needed. lost the weight i needed. i feel good - damn good! i got my life back and i love it. i can work out now for hours at a time and the feeling is wonderful. i'm not afraid to go to the beach or wear better fitting clothes. i look in the mirror with pride now. this new place is supportive, experinced, customer oriented, cheaper, friendlier, professional, cleaner, just a real pleasure to at.

the BAC was an experience - it taught me all about what a gym is not supposed to be. thanks BAC!

• Pros: location, location, location
• Cons: staff, limited equipment, wait time, customer service

10/24/08

no thanks.

by JenRoc2

nothing but a pick up joint for married men. gross. everyone is checking everyone out. not interested.

01/16/08

Never again

by iamamericaneagle

I joined the BAC Downtown location in 2006. Needless to say, I've been disappointed.

Price: The "Fitness Prime" membership requires a $99 "initiation fee, then $33/month for first 12mo. There is a fee to renew, and the monthly rate increases unless you purchase the "preferred membership" upfront.

Facilities: Not climate controlled (read: no A/C) during summer; it gets extremely warm and dry in the gym rooms. Locker rooms are not as clean as other gyms I've been to. Peak hours it is impossible to find a "good" open treadmill, bike, or elliptical (some machines are older and outdated). Pool is small and can be crowded at times. The stairs can be slippery. Towels for wiping machines are not well stocked.

Service: Printing a free visit certificate online prompts immediate and unrelenting phone calls from their sales staff. A short tour of the facilities is followed by a hard sell strategy that will certainly make you uncomfortable. Short of death or dismemberment, or moving further than 25 miles from any of the BAC's multiple locations, it is impossible to get out of your contract- even if you are dissatisfied.

Parking/Hours: They validate parking in the ramp across the street, but only during non-peak hours. Street parking is metered and often unavailable.

Hours are not early enough-often the 6am shift arrives late (especially during winter), which delays your workout and morning schedule. Weekends feature no early morning hours.

General impressions: Free-weight and nautilus machine area can be intimidating. This is not your average neighborhood gym with average people working out. Unless you live downtown within walking distance, find another gym. There are PLENTY of other gyms that don't require contracts and initiation fees, or direct debit from your accounts. It all comes down to whether you really want to drive downtown, find parking, walk a block or two, wait for a broken elevator, wait for machines, and still be overcharged and unsatisfied.

• Pros: Some new machines, they have a pool.
• Cons: Price is expensive, requires a contract, poor service.