Bally Total Fitness (Reported Closed)

Doesn't Recommend

Bruizer

Joined 4 years ago

NOT SAFE for YOUR STUFF! THEFT!. I am sure not all Ball'ys are bad but this is NOT THE ONE TO JOIN! At this location I had the lock on my locker taken off during my workout and Credit card and cash stollen from it! I am not sure if it was a member or an employee that did it but filing police reports and canceling credit cards is not my idea of fun. The manager offered no compensation. I Guess I learned the hard way, luckily this took place during my free trial period so I definitely wont be joining this Bally's!!!

Doesn't Recommend

spiegelr

Joined 5 years ago

Ugh. Well, it is cheap, but the place is just dirty and old... The people are nice enough...did I say it's cheap? I dont really understand why they haven't updated this gym - it feels like a 1990s flashback. And they really need to get a cleaning crew in there throughout the day, even the parking lot is filthy. I have to say the Post Oak location is much cleaner so I prefer it.

Doesn't Recommend

villasv

Joined 5 years ago

Stay Away, and read your contract before signing! once you are in... they will never let you out!!!!. Bally fitness in Dunstan was one of the closest gym to my home, so we signed up on a month to month membership. Last month I had to relocate because of my job and obviously I went to the same desk where I have signed for my membership to ask for a cancellation and I found this:

-NO CONTRACTS CAN BE CANCELLED AT THE CLUB YOU SIGNED THEM SO THE NICE PEOPLE WHO SOLD THEM TO YOU WILL BECOME COMPLETELY USELESS.

-YOU ARE REQUIRED TO WRITE AN SEND A LETTER A LETTER OF INTENT, ALONG WITH A COPY OF YOUR CONTRACT AND A COPY OF YOUR NEW LEASING AGREEMENT OR UTILITY BILL (ONLY IF YOU ARE MOVING MORE THAN 25 MILES OF ANY BALLY FITNESS CLUB ACCORDING TO MAPQUEST... OTHERWISE YOU CAN'T CANCEL).

-YOU NEED TO SEND THEM A CHECK FOR $50 DOLLARS AS CANCELLATION FEE

-BALLY'S WON'T START THE CANCELLATION PROCESS UNTIL THEY RECEIVE EVERYTHING THEY WANT THEY CAN ASK YOU FOR MORE DOCUMENTS AND CONTINUE CHARGING YOU.

-AFTER THEY RECEIVE EVERYTHING AT THEIR SATISFACTION THEY WILL COUNT 30 DAYS AND CHARGE YOU AS YOU SHOULD GIVE 30 DAYS ADVANCE NOTICE.

-IF YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST CALL THEM TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROCESS BE PREPARED TO NAVIGATE THEIR TELEPHONE SYSTEM! which I must accept is the only technologically advanced equipment they have, as you will never find a human being to answer the phone! You will actually be able to reach someone after they have cashed your $50 cancellation fee.

And this is only for a month to month membership.... Thanks god I never signed up for a long term membership.

Bally fitness won't think twice before affecting your credit and hire collection agencies...

Just GOOGLE Bally Fitness and you will find consumer forums!... yes consumer forums specifically created to talk about Bally's bad business practices.

The gym in Dunstan St. in particular is SUPER OLD! and it is not kept clean!

In a NUTSHELL... DO NOT JOIN!!! UNLESS YOU ARE A LAWYER AND WANT A REASON TO START A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THEM.... IN THAT CASE, CALL ME!

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

This budget gym trims the fat off its patrons at streamlined facilities.. The Scene
Most Ballys stick to the basics for their design. Televisions broadcast silently above multiple rows of cardio machines; mirrored walls act as the primary decorative components. But thanks to high-energy television ads and low-impact membership premiums, this national fitness chain has steadily attracted a clientele bent on saving money while losing weight or gaining muscle.

The Workout
Using fairly standard strength-training equipment and/or racks well-stocked with free weights, the best of the trainers here, who are classified at four different levels, can be as skillful as those found at costlier gyms. For group classes, signature exercise options include Spinning and Powerflex, as well as a number of patented routines inspired by Tae Kwon Do.

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chickisblazing29

Joined 5 years ago

No Free Trial. I recently acquired a so call free trial. I never got my workout goals addressed. I was mainly on my own. when I asked for assistant they wanted to charge me very high prices for their time. To make a long story short everyone is not familiar with the equipment they give you NO sense of direction for beginners. I would have done better buying a Bowflex

Doesn't Recommend

people12356

Joined 6 years ago

its a gym with several problems. I've been to several gyms in my life and Bally's is not my favorite. The nice thing about the place is that its big and has plenty of machines and free weights along with a pool and steam room/dry sauna combo. However, upon entering you'll notice that the atmosphere oozes a slightly depressing mood to it. The builing is too big to keep clean and cool, which means you can sweat no problem at all. Also, the men at this club who use the urinal on the third floor bathroom cant aim, so it smells like urine all the time. And the cleaning couldnt clean it up if their life depended on it. The other bathrooms are also lacking in cleanliness but not as bad as that on the third floor. The staff are nice but love to kick you out early before closing...essentially cheating you out of your membership fees. This gym is also near the montrose area so you will find some extra friendly male counterparts who take extra long showers (shower trolls). The clientelle is generally old and ranges from 30s to 60s and most of them have been with Bally's for several years because they were suckered into the life-long contract by management (their main sales pitch - dont do it!). Do yourself a favor and look at your alternatives carefully before joining this gym.

Recommends

bj_cali

Joined 9 years ago

Gym is ok.... I am a member here and I find that the gym is coming around as far as equipment. They have added many new treadmills which are very nice. One complaint I have is that the free weights for people that need lighter weight (5lb, 8lb, and 10lb) are very hard to find and when you do find one, there is not a match. They have added a brand new parking garage which is very nice (even though it took them forever to finish it). I feel like some of the machine equipment needs to be updated to newer machines. The staff is very friendly and most of the people that work out there are friendly as well. They now have added some free classes that you used to have to buy a $2.00 pass to get into.

Doesn't Recommend

zastrozzzi

Joined 10 years ago

Bally's is Bally's. The West University Bally's starts with a "Super Club" floor plan occupying 5 floors but you will quickly see this is WAY too much real estate for a company like Bally's to properly run and maintain. Variety of machines is good and the top floor free workout area is a draw for the serious bodybuilder types. Staffing is a serious weakness so don't expect any personal treatment or help. Bally's priority is to push the revenue enhancers: lengthly sales contracts, personal training and products from their onsite supplement shop. I've found other Bally clubs much more friendly than this club. Parking is a nightmare and the Club's air conditioning is not properly maintained so be prepared to sweat it up in this place. Often crowded during peak workout times.