Hackensack Meridian Fitness & Wellness — Attraction in Maywood

Update: Most of the issues outlined below have been resolved. The glaring issue continues to be cellphone use on the gym floor. We are not talking about people off to the side, messing with their music or sending a quick emergency text. I am referring to the grown adults who plop down on a weight bench/machine ( great when it's 1/2 bench presses or sometimes BOTH) and text like they are writing a novel. I can finish multiple sets and the SAME people will still be sitting there, hogging a machine for their 90.00 per month social time. Why bother being at the gym ? Sit at home and scroll away. It's absolutely infuriating, especially with seating areas on each support around the gym. Why haven't I told the desk ? Because they are also on their phones. Someone, preferably a large, intimidating human, needs to be walking around and reinforcing a "no texting" policy. On another note, the weights on the lat-pulldown closer to the massage area are alllll messed up. I felt like the Hulk until I realized that the either the stickers or weights were completely rearranged or taken out. Compare it to the other machine to see what I am referring to.

I really enjoy this gym. It is clean with lots of equipment and a beautiful pool. Here is my honest review.

Pros: Large with plenty of room for distancing . The disinfecting wipes are always full and there are rarely any issues with unclean equipment. The facility doesn't have that "dirty gym" odor. Machines are fixed quickly and are generally in good shape. The facility is wheelchair accessible with good trainers. They frequenly run safety drills with a rapid staff response . Unfortunately after a year here, I am on the verge of going somewhere else for the following reasons.

Cons: Everyone is plopped on the equipment and texting away. This is an issue in the free-weight area and in the rest of the gym. There are plenty of staff members around, but ZERO enforcement of the cellphone-equipment hogs. I watched a woman set up the squat rack, sit down, lean back and text away for 20 minutes straight. It is extremely frustrating. I absolutely love the pool. Unfortunately the cellphone issue extends there also. Parents are constantly taking videos of their children in lessons, while catching myself and others in bathing suits. I am NOT comfortable with this. Again, zero enforcement . The lifeguards are wearing sneakers and boots while working. This makes it nearly impossible to rescue someone quickly . They also do not enforce a "no street shoes policy" for parents who stomp across the deck without a care in the world. This incredibly unhygienic. A gym connected to hospital should be doing better. Perhaps an ankle height water spray at the entry/exit would solve the issue. The pool has been crowded, made worse by private lessons that take up an entire lane or even two. Can these lessons be condensed or moved to the actual children's pool?

The cafe in the lobby is excellent. However, the hours are odd and the grill is only open until 1pm. Not sure if Hackensack runs this or if it's an outside company.

I really want to stay with this place and expect better of the facility. PLEASE keep this place decent, enforce the rules and don't let it become a P....

I have been a member for over 3 years. I have taken many classes and there are some that do stand out. Yoga Class with Kiersten is absolutely incredible and quite informative too. Patty who teaches Yoga on Saturday also has a beautiful and strong Practice. All these yoga teachers stand out. Irwin who teaches Zumba with new choreography every few weeks. He teaches step at the right beats per minute for half hour but after that he increases it at a dangerous speed not thinking that most of his steppers are seniors. His classes would be perfect, if he would keep the proper speed for the step and used a microphone. Many places don’t offer the microphone to their instructors and the instructors have to scream… The kettlebell class taught by Raymond, a great class with powerful sets, excellent cuing and different options. I suggest that you warm up before class. Liza teaches an all level belly dance class, great cuing and choreography. There is also an Afro dance class with a drummer Gene and his beautiful wife Debra. Their choreography, drumming and dancing are to die for. The choreography changes all the time, the class is always fresh. Do try! Low and High impact cardio class is a senior class taught by Joe, a great role model for seniors. Pound by Sareen is very strong class with weighted sticks, don’t let the sticks fool you, it is powerful. Seated strength with Rob is a perfect well balanced class using the chair (if you like) and strength training. Don’t be fooled the class is for all levels. My suggestion are for instructors to use a microphone, warm up and cooldown for all classes, show or cue different options to class participants. Walk around the class and help the members in your classes. This is not about the instructors workout…it’s about your clientele. When instructors are out sick, vacation etc. Please post a sub list or cancelled class list on your bulletin board or send a message as you have done some times, through your App. It would be quite helpful.It would also be nice to post in the app your special events. Their cardio equipment is up to date and once a year they bring in new equipment. But there are a few pieces that do need to be changed… The trainers who are not training should walk around the floor and help the members. Another problem the Gym has is that some member sit on the equipment texting and other members have to wait. The staff should point this out to members who don’t have the Gym etiquette. There is also baby sitting for kids and swimming. There is instruction for swimming for all ages. There is also a Pilates studio. When one first joins will bet free evaluation the first time plus every 4-5 weeks, 1/2 hour free pilates and 1/2...

I’ve been working with a personal trainer at HUMC Fitness & Wellness for almost 3 months now and Garo, my trainer,is fabulous! He’s so motivating and incredibly knowledgeable. I’m getting to a place physically that I never thought I could achieve , feel great, and I look forward to each training session more and more each time. The gym itself is huge , has state of the art equipment and I’ve only just scratched the surface of all they offer. Tons of classes with yoga for all levels, Pilates Reformer and Pilates Mat, Bar, Ring, cardio classes, stretch ability classes, assort. dance classes, and lots more to choose from. Meditation and Tai Chi classes, athletic training plus a huge 8 lane lap pool, a therapy pool for water aquatics classes like yoga and Poolates. Also, an in ground hot tub is awesome -feels great and a good size-not crowded. The whole aquatic center is unique. Nothing like it around this area. Studios for classes, cycling studio, Les Mills classes, and so many more classes every month. Super friendly staff and membership includes a continuous evaluation by a trainer every 6-8 weeks for as long as you’re a member as a free benefit regardless if you’re working with a personal trainer or not to track your progress. Also included in your membership is a continuous every 3-month evaluation by staff nurses to track your health, weight, blood pressure, BMI, your measurements, etc. You’ll know your muscle:fat ratio in total as well as by each body part. See your progress throughout your entire membership as another included benefit as long as you’re a member. Huge partially carpeted locker rooms with steam shower, dry sauna, lots of showers, tons of dark wood lockers, big vanity areas, and all the towels you need. Very clean and well maintained. A spa is on sight as well for all types of massages, reflexology, and facials for an additional fee but discounted if you’re a gym member. And there’s “Sal’s,” a cafe-style eatery with lots of healthy options. Smoothies too. That’s the “Fitness” part of the facility. Check out the “Wellness” part as well offering acupuncture, physical and aquatic therapy prescribed by your doctor, counseling, mammograms;, cardiac rehab, cancer wellness program including yoga sessions, and so much moire. You never...