Life Time — Attraction in Newton

I worked for life time in Illinois for two years, so I feel sad writing a sub-par review. Unfortunately, this location is just that. I joined in December of 2022 at a rate of $219/mth for a single person. I convinced my partner to join too, as he wanted to lift in the mornings and Life Time was one of the few places open before 6am. He joined a month later, but was clear this was a trial basis for him, and we changed the membership to $319/mth for two people.

During our time there, there were machines that weren’t functioning correctly. My partner reported one to at least seven members of the staff, and it still hadn’t been fixed after several weeks (both under old management and the current new management). My partner wasn’t for the fluff of towels, provided toiletries, etc and decided mid-May he was going to cancel his membership and switch to a cheaper option with better equipment maintenance. I emailed through the app to notify LTF that I’d be returning to my single member and was aware my price would be $219/mth for just me.

I received a response where they informed me it would be a $10 charge to remove him, and my new membership price would be $229/mth. When I inquired about why it would go up, the response was essentially I should feel lucky that it’s $229 and not the current rate of $259 (!!!), and that they do not guarantee rate lock-in. Just for some perspective, Burlington costs $259/mth and they have tennis and pickle ball courts, as well as option for indoor and outdoor swimming, which chestnut hill does not.

I was already annoyed that I had to pay the same rate as men after finding out from my partner men have access to a cold plunge pool in their locker room (I was told by the previous GM that they could only put it in one locker room due to space and they chose the men’s to trial it). Considering the high level evidence to support longevity and health, it is a complete disservice to women and absurd to charge the same amount without equitable access to amenities (google Peter Attia or Huberman Lab and cold exposure). This is literally called the healthy way of life company and they’re providing superior health and longevity benefits to ONLY men.

Anyway, long story longer, between that and the complete lapse in customer service. They had to try to squeeze out that last little bit, sticking to their guns on an increase of $10/mth, from a company that was sold for $4 billion in the middle of the pandemic after I brought them in an extra $500 worth of revenue over 5 mths on having my partner on my membership. I’m still getting emails asking me if I’d reconsider and come back.

There are other things such as not being able to use a majority of the racks in the mornings due to alpha classes, the lack of cleaning that is done, consistently empty cleaning wipes/tissues/etc, signing up for spaces for yoga classes and people being in them who never signed up because there is no one checking people in.

That being said, it was nice to have all my toiletries, towels, etc provided. Day lockers. Sauna and steam room. The yoga instructors were phenomenal (particularly Jodie, Danielle, Mary and Meredith). Which is why they get two stars...

I was very disappointed with Lifetime. I joined and once they got my $$ everything changed including monthly charges. Everytime I go there is something wrong wether my trainer has canceled or late or not getting back to me. Also there is not a trainer on floor to help especially if anyone is in trouble or something happens. I was told all the trainers are with private clients again more $$ for company. I would think this is illegal to not have someone supervising on floor. I paid extra for private group training and we are in a tiny area cause the other group takes over most the area and plays loud music so we can't hear anything and not able to use rowers etc cause other class using them. They always run out of mats etc. Also I was told there would never be more than 6 to a class and it's always more than 8 if not more. I showed up to take a yoga class and once I arrive it has been changed last minute to a completely different class. Again everytime I go I am disappointed it is always something. Again upon joining I was told that if I didn't like it I could cancel no problem no questions asked the management would work with me or give my money back. Come to find out cause I cancelled the other day cause I've had it after being a member for a month they tell me I need to give 1 mtg notice no $$ back. You are charged for anything extra besides your gym membership wether it is a complimentary session etc they charge you. They are always looking for more money and very aggressive in selling you more things. I am extremely disappointed and they were not honest. Please think before you join it is very shady. It's a lot of $$ and not worth the money at all. If you have money to throw away go for it but I don't and if I did I would want a gym that stands by what they say and you get your moneys worth. If this didn't make me do 1 star I...

One year ago I bought a trial membership for myself and my daughter. Soon I realized that I cannot attend it and after one month came back to cancel. At the reception I was assured that the best option would be a suspension, there wouldn’t be a problem – the cost would be $30 per month for 6 months, after that the membership will end automatically. Also, I requested my child membership to be ceased outright. Unfortunately my English is far from perfect and I had not realized that the management would manipulate that: I was not given anything in writing. I have been travelling out of the country a lot since then. In July, while abroad I found out that in June the club automatically reactivated my membership without revoking my daughter’s and charged us for 3 full monthly fees. Upon return, I went to the club with my husband to figure out what’s going on. We were shown the original monthly contract, while the manager was trying to insist that this was a termed binding agreement. Our request to see the membership freeze and removal of the child elicited a flat refusal and doubts about my English proficiency. We were told that the child membership had been cancelled and the child fee was not being charged, that was not true – my card was being charged fees for adult+child membership.

Certainly, it’s my fault that I did not insist on all copies and haven’t been checking my credit card carefully, nevertheless I’d like emphasize the completely unacceptable attitude on behalf of the club management, public admonition about my inadequate English and deliberate misleading of clients about the...