Life Time — Attraction in Maple Grove

Undersized, questionable club level, and more importantly, unsafe. I've trained at 12 LTF facilities across the nation for 15 years, and no facility has left me questioning my membership more than this one. Let me explain;

Not a true Gold facility when considering the like: Whether it be Woodbury, Plymouth or even South Jordan UT, each of these facilities seemingly meet equipment standards (e.g., X number of assisted chest fly; X number of stand alone lat pull downs, etc.) that I've seen across all other Gold facilities I've been to. Not only does the Maple Grove location fall short of this by a rather significant margin, the facility itself isn't the appropriate size in order to accommodate Gold level amenities that other Gold gyms in the metro area can manage. I'm convinced that the only reason this is a Gold level LTF is because of the Maple Grove label. Not a problem in and of itself (as this does help regulate gym population); however the facility needs to be up to standards to justify charging for Gold, otherwise this constitutes the criticism of 'Overcharging', 'Ripoff', or lack of value in general. Coon Rapids, Champlin, each nearby bronze level facilities are of better value. It's pretty hard to dismiss this feedback when it's a fact.

Safety: With consideration to the above, the gym floor feels over saturated with equipment (again, not even enough to meet what I'd consider Gold standards) laid out in such a way that is not only uncomfortable, but unsafe. Equipment is so tightly packed together that there isn't reasonable rest area for in between sets aside from the free-weight zone. I have also been bumped into during both bench press and lat pull down sets because there isn't enough room beside or behind the equipment to walk by. I intend to address this directly with the Maple Grove Mgmt.

Example (see photos): Flat bench's are forced up against the wall/mirror which doesn't allow for adequate all around access for proper spotting. The real issue here -- Although one can drag the bench away from the wall, this doesn't always cross the minds of those lifting, those who may already be apprehensive to ask for a spot. I can SELF IDENTIFY that I've needed to help with an emergency bar re-rack for someone late into their set lifting essentially to failure, from the side of the bench because the rear wasn't accessible. Additionally, directly to the right was another bench with someone else in the middle of their set limiting my ability to help the person in need, nearly knocking his bar in the process. All of this could be prevented if benches were turned around with placement beginning from the center of the room so that people aren't prohibited in any shape or form from providing a spot or re-rack. Emergency re-rack's do happen, but the facility lay out shouldn't in any way inhibit safety. I'm also surprised that more mirrors haven't been shattered.

TLDR: New building needed; money being spent on cosmetic details when the brick and mortar is itself is the complication. Unsafe gym equipment floor layout due to the former, with the building itself limiting the facility's ability to even meet the equipment standards that of those constitute a Gold level facility.

Separate feedback has been sent to corporate directly; no response has been received. I hope this situation can get sorted out in the near future as there is FAR too much similar...

After only completing a week into my membership I have to say overall I am satisfied with Lifetime (not necessarily Maple Grove). Which is why I am giving 4 stars... I found Lifetime Fitness as I was looking for a nearby pool to swim as I have poor circulation and fluid retaining in my ankles. HOWEVER, finding out that the maple grove pool amenities are shared with the community center pool I was less than thrilled. I could pay roughly $200/year for a yearly pool membership at the same pool I have access to with a $79/month membership fee. Not to mention I have read reviews and heard that the pool is always overcrowded and gross by people who use it through the community center rather than lifetime. On the other hand with a Lifetime membership I have access to other lifetime facilities which is nice because the Fridley location is on my way home from work... I was starting to question the value of the membership until I used other facilities. The maple grove location is good, just not great. Lastly, I read reviews on how pushy they are for you to open your pocket book... Well talking to someone about a membership they are supposed to try to sell you into joining. Lisa Stallman did a wonderful job with that, however, its also up to you as a consumer to ask the right questions. For me cancellation policy and amenities were important so I grilled her on worst case senario situations. While staying composed Lisa did answer my questions as I was very direct about them. She also spent over an hour after she was supposed to go home with me just to answer my endless questions and did it without rushing me or hurrying me along. I felt terrible when I realized how late it was but also really appreciated she took the time to make sure I was comfortable making decisions without being rushed or forced into anything. Any questions I have had since I have emailed her and she responds as quick as anyone could hope with that type of communication. I know it was her job to sell, but it was her, not her pitch, that showed me this is a place I will...

I was a member for a year and a half and paid a whopping $70 dollars a month. I have since cancelled my membership (thank goodness) and the other day I received a 1 day pass, and I went to the gym hoping to use it.

Upon giving my pass to the front desk receptionist, an older lady with white hair, she immediately told me there was no way I could use it, without any further explanation. In addition, she also had a very rude demeanor when she questioned where I had received the pass in the first place, as if I had stolen it or foraged the pass entirely. I was then told to fill out some paperwork (which was just an excuse to get me away from the front counter) and before I even finished the paperwork, a employee came over to tell me that if I wanted to use the gym I would need to pay $40 for that single day... I declined to pay $40 to workout, and the employee mumbled half of a sentence and then walked away leaving me sitting in their café area. At this time it was now raining very hard outside and I proceeded to walk back to my car (now drenched) and I decided to call the lifetime in hopes of receiving an explanation of why I was declined the use of one of their company's coupons.

I called in and I was asked to verify all of my information that I had just wrote on the half-filled out paperwork (almost in a mocking fashion) and then I was put on hold for an extended period of time before the lady came back on the phone to say that I would be transferred to a manager that would handle my question. I was then transferred to a "manager" voicemail which I left a detailed message asking for someone to simply go over the policy of the day pass. That was more than a week ago, and I still have not heard anything back from this "manager."

I will be calling this company back today, in hopes of understanding the worst customer service experience I...