VI Fitness Centres |
| Canada, British Columbia |
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Consumer reviews about VI Fitness Centres |
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drewr
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Dec 17, 2011
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billing practices
I tried to cancel prior to the end of my term but was denied. My fault afterwards as I got busy and did not notice that after term contact went to month to month. Asked to cancel but fell for the freeze option, again I was busy, and was out of the country, called today, Dec 16 to cancel but was told I had to clear up 3 missed payments, when I mentioned I had paid those, at that point they had found the pay notices in the file. However I had a missed payment from Dec 15 I have to pay before they will cancel. Payment was missed as my credit card was compromised and the bank cancelled my card and will reissue a new one. However VI does not accept that as a legitimate reason. All I can say is think twice before you sign a contract, easy to sign, not easy to cancel
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Michaela-VI Fitness
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Dec 19, 2011
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billing practices
Hi, I'm sorry you have had a hard time getting your membership cancelled. If you would like to contact me directly at [email protected] I will look into this for you and see what I can do to help you!
Michaela
Regional Manager
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Christopher222222
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Jan 14, 2012
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billing practices
VI fitness runs a very agressive retentions department.
I run a large business on the island which requires me to travel north to south from vic to campbell river and its absolutely amazing how many times I hear about this company in a negative light.
So much in fact that I started asking around just to see how many people have been affected. Quite incredible. They are doing a great job of getting people through the door but you simply cant base a long term business on lock in contracts.
Buyer beware they will get you to sign something once you walk through that door. Dont do it.. Plenty of alternatives.
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Chowderhead
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Jan 15, 2012
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billing practices
I received a notice in my email that VI Fitness was offering the option to join with zero enrollment and no long term commitment. When I called to verify I was told what a great deal I was getting and would only be charged a $20 fee - they're just calling it something different than enrollment. but it's still a fee.. and the month by month isn't actually monthly, it's bi-weekly.. It would make so much more sense to stop the duplicitous sales tactics and invite people to join with candid, transparent reasonable rates and offers. Business increases exponentially when people feel they are treated fairly and honestly. I also had a very bad experience with VI Fitness a few years ago but I was willing to give it one more try to see if I really did want to join. Not much chance I want to sign anything or give my banking info.
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Michaela-VI Fitness
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Jan 16, 2012
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billing practices
Hi there,
I wanted to take a moment to respond to you and say that we sincerely apologize for any miscommunication that has occurred in regards to the promotion that we are offering. It sounds like you may have been given some incorrect information about how this promotion works. I would be more than happy to have the opportunity to speak with you and clarify some of the details for you. You can reach me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!
Your in Health & Fitness
Michaela Exelby
Regional Manager
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Olya123
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Feb 21, 2012
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billing practices
Just wanted to share my story too; cancelled membership back in November, 2011, in Jan 2012 I saw ViFitness charging my account again. I've made a few phone calls with no result, visited in person couple times to finally find out, that my file is lost, then they charged again... Finally I received a call from the manager with West Shore center assuring that my membership is cancelled and I receive a refund for Jan via mail. I'm charged again in Feb! My phone call inquiry was answered by a receptionist, who advised me, that they have no record of my cancellation... I've heard these stories before, but could not believe, that I'd have to spend so much time trying to stop ViFitness charging my account after the cancelled contract. Very disappointing. Indeed, buyer beware: easy to get in, but good luck to protect your bank account from unauthorized charges
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Michaela-VI Fitness
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Feb 22, 2012
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billing practices
Hi, I am so sorry if there has been some mix up with the cancellation of your membership I can definatlely look into it for you and find out what has happened and try to fix it for you! You can contact me directly at 250 477 9299 or alternatively send me an e-mail to [email protected]. I'm so sorry this has frustrated you, it certainly was not our intention! I look forward to hearing from you!
Michaela Exelby
South Island Regional Manager
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JCDD
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Mar 22, 2012
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Billing Practices, Again...
VERY POOR SERVICE - the gym failed to properly bill us all year, and then dumped a $600 back bill on us when we attempted to cancel... Unclean gym, 1/2" of dust on all surfaces (check out the hanging lights), and we saw a male s3x toy (fleshlight) in the lost and found for 2 weeks - no joke, we took a video of it.. Gross!! Wonder what happens in the change rooms?
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JCDD
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Mar 28, 2012
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Issue resolved.
The local regional manager Christina called me, and we have reached a tentative agreement regarding our billing issue. Regarding the other issues - I can say that once reported to staff most of our concerns were attended to.
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Amanda123
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Jul 29, 2012
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Billing
My coworkers and I all go to this gym and it has been one thing after another. My coworker paid up front for her membership and they wanted a visa # on file so she gave them one so even though she was paid in full they continue to charge her visa almost every month so shes had to go in constantly over this. Now I come to find I have been charged 3X in June and than for this month (July) they charged me my regular fee at the beginning of the month than at the end when they do the other payment they charged it than gave it back than took out $45!! Im so upset there was the correct amount of money in there now they have totally screwed up my acct and Im getting charged interest for them overdrawing my account! Its 11:30 at night..and I just feel sick to my stomach knowing they are taking too much money out for the past 2 months!! :(
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Michaela
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Jul 30, 2012
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Response to Amanda123
Hi Amanda,
I believe we just spoke on the phone and resolved your issue. Again I am so sorry for any inconvenience to you! Let me know if you need anything else! You can reach me directly at [email protected], thanks!
Michaela Exelby
Regional Manager
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Amanda123
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Jul 30, 2012
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Michaela
Hi Michaela,
I just want to say thank you for your speedy response. And Im just waiting to go into the bank and hopefully its all resolved. I just want to say again that its 100% inappropiate that someone from Sunday would book me an appt and than I show up on time and your manager (whos supposed to be there at 10 anyways...according to the staff) shows up late and than informs me that Well they aren't supposed to book me appointments for things like this?! So I waited there and was an hour and a half late for work for her to be all like well Ill take a copy of the statement and send it over to head office. They should have told me at the front desk to leave a copy. I was told I would have to wait for the manager. Seems like everytime we go in theres someone training :( Such a dissapointment since I believe the gym is great and the classes are amazing...as well the daycare staff is excellent. I was extremely annoyed at the manager more because of her passive aggressive attitude about being late for our appointment which her staff had booked! and that caused me too lose my cool with her and for that I apologize. I believe that you are addressing any and all concerns and thank you again for being so sweet :)
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Russ jensen
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Jan 18, 2013
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Fraudulent visa charges
My name is Russ my wife and I wanted to give my daughter a Christmas present last year and signed her up at your VI fitness Gordon Head location . The gym sales person advised my wife that it was creeper to get the year membership and then my daughter can take over payment at that rate if she wanted to continue going to the gym without any further charges to our Visa card . August 8th we faxed a signed cancellation agreement back to the gym . 3 more monthly fees were charged to my visa . I phoned and talked to your head office and was advised cheque coming . December 15th phoned and was told again cheque in mail . My daughter is visiting us in Montreal and she told me the gym manager says I will not be getting my money . Vi Fitness has fraudulently charged my visa and have lied to me about being paid on two occasions .
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Subnet
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May 25, 2013
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False Advertising
My girlfriend signed up for this gym and was excited to get their "free trial". When she arrived she had to sign the typical form that you would expect to sign; indemnity all that stuff, and a clause in it that talked about having 10 days to cancel after the two weeks or she would be obligated to continue the membership. After two weeks when she had decided she wasn't interested in continuing she went in to cancel and they told her that she wasn't able to cancel anymore and that she was now in a contract to continue services for a year. Thankfully she hadn't given them any cheques already because they were threatening that they were going to take the money anyways. Unfortunately they have also threatened that her credit is going to get ruined now if she doesn't pay. To date she hasn't got a call from the bill collector which of course would be necessary before a mark on her credit is going to occur, but the status of where the contract remains in limbo. She told me that if they hadn't taken that route, she might have even signed up in the future when she was more serious about doing the gym. So now, the results are that she can only say bad things about the gym (obviously) and whereas the gym could've just let her go (and she would've said good things about it and the gym probably would've gotten more new customers via her word of mouth), instead they chose to strong arm her and as a result are getting bad press and this review. Notice how all these reviews are similar? This gym sucks, there's plenty of good gyms to go to - no need to pick one like this that uses underhanded tactics to trick customers into having to pay. This "regional manager" Michaela should try looking at the business model and fixing it, so that she doesn't keep losing potential word of mouth customers - let alone monitor threads like this that are clearly saying things are wrong, and all she says back essentially is to call her and "we'll try to work something out". Work something out before they get to this stage Michaela, it's a no brainer.
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CDH
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Jul 2, 2013
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Billing
VI Fitness is TERRIBLE. DO NOT Sign any contracts with this company , never ever ever give them your credit card to bill freely they will have you by the balls and do whatever they want when you try to cancel! This place has TERRIBLE filing and billing practices...they loose things, they falsify documents, they will send you to collections due to THEIR errors, please do not trust this company! Join a public facility instead.
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Barbara Filgate-Cobham
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Jul 13, 2013
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Just like an MLM
I went in on the recommendation of a friend to see about my "free week". I met with a very new and sweet young lady who clearly has a passion for fitness. However, she had clearly been drinking the Kool Aid. I was very interested in taking some classes so I agreed to the two year membership. I was then offered the upsell, which was the current special for personal training. I should have said no, but was reassured that there was a ten day cooling off period. Like a dummy, I signed. When I got home, I panicked. I have a very tenuous job situation and expect that hours will vary based on seasons. When I went back in to tell them I had changed my mind, I was told that the cooling off period was only for the membership. I was then subjected to a guilt trip about becoming a healthy mother for my children, thinking of it not as a bill but as an investment in me, you get the idea. I became quite angry as they already had my credit card information and I know that they knew it, but the (extremely young) manager met me with smiles and a blank stare no matter what I said. Since then, I met with my personal trainer whom I loved, but whose system of measuring health is a joke and have also come to discover that there is a serious shortage of equipment and that the change room and showers stink of mold. I just want out, but it looks like I am on the hook for thousands of dollars of personal training and membership. Learn from me, people!
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Cjohnson9
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Sep 7, 2013
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Contracts
Hi
I don't recommend getting a membership at this gym. The staff is always new and clearly aren't informed on how things work there. I was paying monthly for a while and I went in to see how I could get a better monthly rate. The girl said right away oh just sign a contract for 2 years and it will lower your monthly payment by quite a bit. I then said that my situation with work could change at any time and that I would only do this if I could cancel or buy the contract out if my job had me be elsewhere for a long period of time. She said ya all you have to do is pay the 99 dollar cancellation and we terminate your contract I said great sign me up. Huge mistake! Not only was she wrong and obviously had no idea that this wasn't an option I now went in a couple days ago to see about cancelling the membership and they explain that I can't cancel at all. I work out of town all the time and am never home which means I will never use the facilities here in nanaimo. They said that the only way I can cancel is if I move away from town and can show 3 months of mail or proof of move. Now I'm stuck in a contract until the middle of 2015 and will not be around to use the membership. I then saw about finding someone that might want to take over my membership so that I wouldn't be stuck with it. I found someone who wanted to do this but am now informed that they don't allow you to transfer a membership to another person. They encourage you to promote there gym and get other ppl to sign up with them but they can't work with you to help you out of a jam. All in all steer clear of this gym. I recommend using anyone else but VI Fitness. The staff here is clearly not educated properly due to the high turnover rate with staff which shows management is an absolute joke. Hope this helps out future gym membership seekers.
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gtrfds
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Oct 18, 2013
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Contracts
I used to work here and just wanted to warn everyone how shady it actually is. As a trainer, I did not have to deal with customer contracts but heard so many horror stories. Do NOT give this company your credit card! They will "accidentally" charge you months after your contract has ended and then plead ignorance about trying to get your money back. It is actually illegal, I know people who have been waiting months to get their money refunded. All the comments about how this business sucks you into written contracts and then give incredibly poor service when you need to change or get out of a contract for legit reasons is completely true. Apparently moving away isnt a good enough reason to get out of your contract. Even when they do cancel your contract rest assured that you will be continue to be billed. Avoid this place at all costs!
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Bels
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Dec 24, 2013
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Billing nightmare
DO NOT SIGN UP WITH VI FITNESS. I signed a 1 yr contract with the oak bay location which ended in August 2013. I then moved to Toronto and wasn't aware once your contract ends, it rolls over...the point is, I sent them multiple emails in September 2013 requesting a cancellation since I am past my sign contract term and am out of Victoria anyway, what a nightmare. They continued billing me and never responded to my emails to this day. I even emailed head office and Michaela Exelby, the regional manager, and she never emailed me back or return my calls( left her msgs at the Shelbourne location since that's where you can supposedly reach her). After more emails and phone calls, I managed to talk to Lisa, the oak bay manager, with more waiting period etc...she cancelled my account and said she'll contact head office so they can reimburse me money they took after my first cancellation email. I've been waiting for my damn cheque since November and nothing in the mail. I called Lisa again asking for an update and she told me she'll contact head office again... WTF...3 months and counting just to close my account and get my money back after they sent my account into overdraft....what kind of service is that? I'll never recommend them to anybody ever. it's so disappointing. I've contacted Head office via email, Michaela the regional manager and the Shelboune location via phone, and not one of them got back to me and it's been over a month. I am not impressed at all. So much for supporting your community. Warning DON'T SIGN UP with them..
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KLB
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Jan 2, 2014
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Personal Training
I too got sucked into using a personal trainer. I ended up losing my job 1 day after the 10 day cancellation period and when I went in saying I needed to cancel I was told I couldn't as the trainer has been paid out for the full contract which is 6 months. The thing is I haven't even used the trainer yet as it is to start in January 2014. The contract can not be altered either. I cannot afford to the pay the monthly amount but no one cares they still want the money. Do I use you the trainer knowing that I will default on the payments, I don't feel right doing that? VI Fitness is going to come after me anyways for payment but as the saying goes you can't get blood from a stone.
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carogoy
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Feb 18, 2014
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VI Fitness
My husband and I signed up for a 2 year membership with VI Fitness. I had never before had a gym membership but agreed because I figured if we did not use it we could always transfer it to someone at some point. Well, we used it maybe a handful of times after signing up and haven't gone back. It is out of the way, terrible parking and I the child minding hours was not working. The last time I went to the Bowen location with my son, had called ahead for child minding, got there to find out that there was no child minding so we turned around and went home and haven't gone back.
We've paid our monthly fee for almost a year now and were just approached by another couple about taking over our membership. I called VI Fitness to find out what we need to do to get this done and they advised that we can't transfer it but the other couple is welcome to come in and sign up for their own membership. I was astonished. What business sense does that make? I'm not happy and will spread the word not to sign up there, the other couple will go to a different gym but VI Fitness will get my money for another year. Does that make any sense? If the other couple were allowed to take over our membershp and they use it for the next year and like it chances are they would continue on. So VI Fitness is foregoing a potential long term member in this couple to opt for taking our money for another year.
Ridiculous. Are all gyms like this?
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Sally7
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May 6, 2014
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Personal Trainers favoring clients
I have belonged to VI Fitness for almost 4 years now. I signed on for a personal trainer off and on for the first couple years and then decide to design my own program as I am on a limited budget. I have enjoyed my time at VI Fitness, however I do have one complaint. Several times I have been in the midst of my workout circuit and a personal trainer will interrupt and take weights from me. The trainer will say I need to take these as I am training someone and they are paying me to train them. I say well can you wait for a few minutes for me to at least finish my set. Nope, not a chance, they don't care. I think this is rude and disrespectful. I have been paying my membership for almost 4 years, don't I count as a good paying client or do I have to pay for a personal trainer to avoid this type of treatment ? Either the club should make sure there are plenty of weights or the trainers should be more considerate and find a different exercise for their client while waiting for the weights they require.
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Thai Dragon Fruit
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Jun 24, 2014
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Horrible Policies
I wish I had seen these complaints about how no one is safe from VI Fitness and their unbreakable contracts BEFORE I got sucked into their nasty paws and unforgiving attitudes.
I was enjoying my Personal Training session and was doing fine with my first trainer, but she left the company having found employment somewhere else as she was unhappy at VI Fitness (I'm so glad she did find a job other than VI Fitness). Since she left, I had to get a new trainer, and by new, I mean not only new at working with me, but new at working as a trainer as well. It makes no sense to me that I am paying an "expert" to train me when I know more than her. Also, she kept telling me "Yeah, you can cancel an appointment 24hrs in advance" ... something the old trainer had never mentioned not never insisted on like this new girl. I had never heard that policy before nor did I read it anywhere. Then, bad luck for me, I got sick at work and my supervisor sent me home for fear I might be contagious with gastro. So, I went home, which took me an hour when it usually takes 25 minutes because I was throwing up all the way home. When I got home, I called VI Fitness to tell them I had to cancel because I was sick. They told me: "It's not possible to cancel after your 24 hours in advance period is up, therefore we will charge you for that session in full or you can bring in a doctor's note to prove you are sick". After a horrible hour of travelling back home, I couldn't believe they wanted me to go back on the road to get a doctor's note and couldn't accept the fact that they were showing me no understanding or compassion about my situation. They even called me, while I was finally at the doctor's, and left me a voice mail: "well, if you are really sick, you should come in for half an hour instead of a full hour". If I am sick and vomiting every 15 minutes and can't work, I can't imagine how I am supposed to workout! To me, it just seemed normal to cancel, without any fees, to avoid vomiting on their floor or infecting their other members. Turns out, I did have gastro so I did them a favor by not showing up.
Anyways, I e-mailed twice since I lost it with them on their policies by phone and in person and no one has gotten back to me. I know I will have to pay until the end of my contract but I sincerely hope they don't charge me after that since I read their cancellation policy and informed them in person and via e-mail well over 30 days before the end of my contract that I wanted it terminated. I will be looking into my credit card statements to make sure they don't over bill me, which I am very afraid they will do.
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sassylassy
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May 8, 2016
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sassylassy
VI is the worst gym around. I was a member of Oak Bay since early 90's. When Carl owned it, the gym was spotless, equipment maintained, and the staff were fantastic. The new owners abused staff, ridiculed members behind their backs, and were generally nasty people. All the VI gyms I have been to were filthy, equipment in disrepair as not maintained, no spotter in weight rooms and we were overcharged for everything. The staff were pushy as they were forced to be by the owner. The owner would have friends of his call the gym to trick the staff. He would have a script they must follow. If staff messed up the script, he would phone and scream at them. He was abusive to staff. I was witness to his screaming at staff on phone and pestering them constantly to see how much money they had made, and how many people they had harassed through telephone sales. The showers are disgusting and doubt they are ever cleaned. Trainers were rude and would push you off the equipment when training clients. Sorry but get some manners and wait your turn, as all others do. Trainers for most part have no clue what they are doing. Karen Bennett is excellent. She is best trained person on the training team. She was a phys ed teacher and has continuously kept herself in the loop. Sharon was rather loud and aggressive. Also caught her snickering about other clients. I was a member for many years and was treated like rubbish when i left. They even had teh gall to continue to take payments when I left. Stay far away from this gym. Until Dave and Terri sell it, it will be a hellhole.
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JessChloe12
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Oct 20, 2016
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Would like to talk to Regional Manager/Head Office Directly
I have received terrible service at my gym and would like to receive the email of a head office or regional manager and email them directly instead of dealing with my current gym's manager. Thank you, Jessica
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