LA Fitness — Attraction in Clifton

Today was officially my last straw with this gym. I’ve been attending Monday through Friday every week for the past three years, and a series of issues have led me to terminate my membership.

While working out in the yoga/dance room, minding my own business, the general manager, Chris, approached me with a hostile tone. He later claimed it might be “subjective” that I took his tone the wrong way. I use this room because I prefer not to work out in the open. Over the years, other members often leave weights in this space, and it’s common for someone to use them for a workout.

Chris told me that weights are no longer allowed in the yoga/dance room, banging against a sign on the wall with tiny print. I respectfully explained that I found the weights there and had used them before without issue. When I asked about canceling my membership, Chris did not ask for my reasons. Instead, he insisted I re-rack the weights I found. I told him I would not, and he then demanded I leave the room. I explained I had finished my workout and would meet him at the front desk to proceed with cancellation. As I left, he made an unprofessional comment: “That’s why there’s always Planet Fitness.”

At the front desk, I clarified that my decision was not about pricing—customer service matters more than cost. Chris continued to complain about picking up weights multiple times a day, which is a staff issue, not a member’s. I explained that I always put my mat and weights away and that had he approached me respectfully, I would have gladly helped. Unfortunately, he chose to take out his frustration on me.

Based on this interaction, I do not believe Chris is fit for a GM position. A general manager should act professionally and seek solutions that prioritize the customer, especially for a consistent member who attends five times a week.

Beyond this incident, the gym itself has serious maintenance and cleanliness issues. The women’s bathroom and locker room have gone without soap and paper towels for a week. Cleaners sometimes come through while members are working out. The cycling room has been closed, forcing everyone into the small turf area, making workouts cramped. Equipment is often unavailable—even at 6 AM—and many machines are broken or insufficient in number (for example, only two leg press machines). The gym has no sauna, frequently smells, and the roof leaks when it rains.

Membership is not free, and as someone who takes her fitness journey seriously, the gym is like a second home. One thing I’ve learned is that if you feel disrespected or unwelcome somewhere, it’s time to leave.

Thank you, Chris, for pushing me toward a new and better gym. I’ll take this as a sign for a fresh start in my...

Important Note: There are two employees named Chris at this gym. This review refers to Chris, the General Manager at the Ackerman location. I recently joined this gym and had an extremely disappointing experience with Chris, the General Manager. While warming up with a guest in the aerobics room, we used some free weights that were already there. Chris came in and told us that weights aren’t allowed in that area, which I can understand. We tried to explain that the weights were already there but and he spoke in a condescending tone, repeatedly saying, “Well, you’re using them, aren’t you?” He then said he would be adding a $10 “service charge” to my account despite my guest and I offering to re rack the weights. Before I left I confronted him about his behavior , he avoided eye contact with me and directed all his responses toward my guest, who is male. It was clear he wasn’t taking me seriously because I’m a teenage girl, which felt dismissive and disrespectful. Later, when I went to update my payment method, he rushed to the front desk and told the staff not to process my card because he “didn’t trust it,” accusing me of trying to avoid the $10 fee. That was completely untrue I’ve already paid all membership and maintenance fees. So I don't understand the correlation. I contacted corporate, and they said they would call the location to address the issue. Soon after, I received a call from Lorraine, another manager from the same location. Unfortunately, she was passive-aggressive and dismissive throughout the call. She went silent multiple times as I explained the situation and offered no real solution. At the end of the call, she sarcastically said, “I hope you found our conversation constructive, even though I didn’t talk much.” As someone who works in customer service, I find this level of unprofessionalism unacceptable. Members deserve to be treated respectfully and taken seriously. Lastly, on another occasion, I personally saw Chris, the General Manager, picking his nose at the cubicle area in full view of the gym floor . extremely unhygienic behavior for someone in management. Overall, this gym needs serious improvement in professionalism, respect,...

The folks here are quite nice. I have two gripes which I hope they can address.

While there are plenty of weights and treadmills, there are just two leg extension machines. For many other types there’s just one machine, where one has to always wait.

Adding to the aggravation are folks use the machines to sit and and relax while texting while others wait. But this is more of an etiquette issue than a reflection on Esporta. Having said that, perhaps they can promote awareness around this issue.

The place is unevenly air-conditioned. It’s perpetually too warm with too little air movement. The bike area has no fans and is suffocatingly hot without them.

If you can address the above, I’ll be back in here to up the stars and review.

Thank you Esporta hope your listening…

I had enough and cancelled my membership.

This place has a high number of active members. But too few machines. What makes matters worse, is the hogging of these machines. Instead of sharing the machine between reps, too many selfish folks refuse to share.

I brought the issue to the managers attention. I suggested a marketing campaign in the gym to sensitize folks to the issue and share. He was polite, but could honestly care less.

Nothing was done!! One gets the feeling you just don;t matter. Not a good feeling at all.

What good is membership in a gym when I can't get the machines I need.

The staff is highly concerned that you sign in. But is that all they are there for?

I'm disappointed and therefore lowering my rating. I wish this was different.

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Another reason and symptomatic why this place is lacking.

Out of 4 bikes, only three working. Two have been non functioning for a month or more and now the third is kaput.

A new Planet Fitness opened in the vicinity. Actually a little closer.

New equip, Half the price, The AC works uniformly, My hope is the clientele won’t be hogging the machines as they twiddle away on their phones.

I would have stayed with Esporta/LA Fitness, but they just don’t measure...