LA Fitness — Attraction in Houston

Bad experience is an understatement, from some of the representatives that work at this particular location on up to the corporate office. This company customer service and overall appreciation for the customer has definitely diminished. I will begin with the first encounter I had with this facility. I initially came in to to join last year and wasn't able to come to an agreement with the "interesting" membership sales manager. He treated my fiancé and I as if we were coming in to purchase a vehicle versus joining LA Fitness for a "gym membership". He made it seem as if we were bothering him, despite getting customers to join their facility is all a part of his job. Though this experience was not the best, I attempted to give them a second try. Boy was I wrong for going that route, so much for forgiveness and grace. I came back in to sign up at the beginning of the year. As I walked in I noticed he was present and tried to make small talk as a reminder of me coming in before. The gentleman stated "oh, your the one I spent an hour and a half on" REALLY, that's what you state to a potential customer??? Apparently he is unable to tell time or just unprofessional. I will choose both for $200 Alex . This was only the beginning of my unpleasant experience. He proceeded by assisting another representative with my sign-up process. Unfortunately the young man was not aware of the rules and regulations, so he kept asking this "manager/supervisor" questions. At one point they begin to speak in a different language and laughing throughout the conversation. That was the ultimate disrespect and displayed a totally lack of professionalism to say the least. Though I was skeptical and still wasn't completely sure of finalizing the contract I proceeded to do so because I needed to get in the gym as soon as possible. And for whatever reason they were unable to take my picture. They advised me I needed to come in another time to take a picture while the operational manager was present. At this point, I didn't know rather to be upset or feel as if I made a huge mistake by committing to a gym that did not display any professionalism. Afterwards I was advised that I needed to come back to meet with a representative from their sales team. Though the gentleman was much more pleasant than the first. It was all a sales tactic to sell a personal trainer. During this time, I was charged for first and last month. The contract states to contact them within 3 business days to cancel, however life happens and canceling a gym membership was not first on my priority list. I contacted corporate with a couple of weeks and advided them of the entire situation and how displeased I was. The only thing they were able to do was refund the most recent charge and told me it was nothing else they could do despite the horrible experience I had. Do it is safe to say I will never return, nor will I encourage anyone else to do so. If they were the last gym standing, I wouldn't go. Good luck if you decide to...

This place is just chaos -- the staff does nothing to enforce rules while patrons trash the place. For instance:

1. Free weights are scattered everywhere. No one puts weights back in the proper place, so having to find the weights I need can be a wild goose chase. At one point, a 60 lbs barbell that I was looking for was left sitting at the check-in kiosk. They're just everywhere including in the machine section (why?) and cardio section upstairs. This is my biggest peeve here since it takes an unnecessary amount of time just to find the right weights, if at all. I suspect that some are just flat out missing from the facility.

2. Too many kids wandering around the free weight sections. We're talking 9-13 year olds using leg presses and free weights, and they usually come in groups of three and hoard equipment. This is incredibly annoying during peak hours. Not only that, they dart in-between people's workouts areas, posing a huge safety hazard.

3. Equipment hoarding while refusing to swap inbetween sets. This adds to the previous point to include adult patrons. Too often, and usually on the lat pull machines and the leg presses, that patrons camp out the equipment. After watching one guy do four sets of squats, I asked him how many more sets he had left on his machine , and he just replied with, "for 20 more minutes." Really?

This is also annoying when a group of workout partners use all the lat pull machines and refuse to use one machine instead as a group. Of course, they camp out the machines doing 10 sets, as if it were benefiting them.

One girl was hoarding, I kid you not, 4 sets of free weights and 2 barbells with a total of 10 weights laying about her bench. While she's sitting there alternating between admiring herself in the mirror, doing nothing, and texting on her phone, I ask if she's still using one of barbells since she hadn't touched it for about 10 minutes. She gives me a blank look. I ask again while gesturing towards the barbell. This time, she scowls at me with a "uh, ya?", then proceeds to do nothing with it.

The people here just treat the place like garbage. LA Fitness has dropped in significant quality in the last 5 years. They discontinued towel service about 2 years ago after people kept...

Alright, first what I dislike, then why I still go here below. I'd give 5 stars if they would get security in the parking lot, I'm always high-tailing it to & from my SUV, I just don't feel safe in the parking lot if I've parked on the sides. Why? Well, my first month there, there was car vandalism/theft, broken glass all in parking-lot, and all LA Fitness did about it was put out some fliers. I even sent an email to corporate who obviously hasn't done anything about it yet, these past 7 months.

The Front-desk staff carry-on in their own-conversation, and make no eye-contact. I've seen friendlier staff at other gyms, but I guess I don't need the front-staff to greet me, provide common-customer service courtesy like Smile, or say: "Have a good workout", (as one checks-in) or "Y'all have a good day", or "Thank-you" (as one leaves). Whatever I see how it is. Maybe that's just other gyms?

So as not to blast on ALL the staff, it's only the Front-desk staff during these days, and time-frame, I go Mon, Tues, Thurs, between 5:45 thru 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. and occasional weekends.

Also, I loved when they had Zumba in the afternoons at 4 p.m., but then they did away with all gym classes on Sat. afternoons without even checking with gym members first. I don't know maybe an optional questionnaire, would of been nice. What a major disappointment, not to mention they are closed earlier on weekends at 8 p.m! Guess I got spoiled with all these other gyms over the years, that are open 24/7.

Only reason I switched was because this is the closest gym to me right now. Not to mention, why is the kids club not included in the membership?

If I didn't love the gym classes, BootCamp Conditioning, BodyWorks plus abs, and Zumba, I'd start looking somewhere else. The instructors they have right now are personable, and enthusiastic, which is awesome, and this LA Fitness (since it's new) has nice equipment, great atmosphere, and so far, very clean. Anyways, the gym-class instructors are what keep me going!

But if you do go here, don't leave your valuables in the car, walk-fast or RUN to your car (bonus: x-tra workout, lol) and park close up-front, don't park out back. Overall I love this gym with a few exceptions, guess it...