LA Fitness — Attraction in Oceanside

Misleading Sales, Dishonest Billing & Zero Accountability at LA Fitness Oceanside

I initially chose LA Fitness Oceanside because their website advertised personal training. When I enrolled, I made it crystal clear that I was signing up for that specific service. I was assured they had personal trainers, but in reality, they only offered group training—something I was never told upfront.

At the same time, they aggressively pushed their new Pilates program, which hadn’t started yet. I was told that if I signed up immediately, I’d lock in a special $99/month rate before prices increased. They know exactly how to pressure customers into signing up for things they don’t need, and I fell for it.

The Bait-and-Switch on Personal Training

When I called to book my personal trainer, I was blindsided. They informed me that their so-called “personal training” was actually group coaching following a preset methodology.

This is NOT personal training—it’s a group workout that doesn’t provide individualized support.

I tried it once—it was ineffective for my needs. Without real personal training, I had no guidance on how to get started—so I stopped going altogether.

Billing Issues & Their “Account on Hold” Trick

Later, I had a small accident and was advised to avoid exercise for a while. Their website offered a “Put Your ACCOUNT on Hold” option, implying it covered all charges. Nowhere did it mention that Pilates would continue being billed separately.

The next month, I was charged $99 for Pilates—despite my account being on hold!

Attempting to Resolve the Issue – More Lies & No Follow-Through

I immediately called LA Fitness Oceanside. A staff member informed me that Pilates was separate and hadn’t been paused.

I explained what had happened and specifically requested that my Pilates be put on hold right then and there.

I also requested a refund, since I had followed their instructions and believed my account was fully on hold.

He told me he would “take care of it” and call me back. He never did.

Life got busy, and since I had already requested the pause, I assumed it was handled. I was OK with losing the $99 at this point.

Discovering the Fraudulent Charges Months Later

Fast forward six months. While preparing my finances for tax season, I discovered that LA Fitness had continued charging me $99/month for Pilates—every single month.

This time, I went in person. I was told: • There was no proof I had ever called (my phone records showed I did) • They claimed they had done nothing wrong—and that I had no proof otherwise. • They would not refund me for any of it.

At that point, I called LA Fitness corporate customer service. Their initial response? There’s nothing that can be done.

Final Resolution – A Partial Refund & Getting Out for Good

I pushed back and wouldn’t take no for an answer. After speaking with a supervisor, they offered me three months of refunds—less than half of what they owed me.

At this point, I just wanted out. As soon as the refund hit my account, I canceled everything.

The Bottom Line

LA Fitness Oceanside is all about sales, not service. They mislead customers, make cancellations deliberately difficult, and refuse to take accountability for their mistakes.

Their “personal training” is a scam, their billing practices are deceptive, and their customer service is non-existent and designed to wear you down until you give up.

I will never set foot in an LA Fitness again.

If you care about honesty and fair business practices, avoid LA Fitness...

The gym itself is huge with a lot of equipment. Also cleaner than the LA fitness in Lynnwood I used to go to. I had cancelled my LA membership when I moved from Washington to Cali, since I wanted to checkout the situation here first. I was ready to sign up for the monthly again, cause everything needed is there. When I entered the gym I was informed I can re-activate my membership, just have to pay an additional month since it’s going to be my first transfer to another state which is free... BUT, on my way out, ready to pay and asking for the manager, the sales-game started... be aware of the “manager” (not sure if he was the manager since when I asked for his card, he didn’t have one) and other trainers/sales people in there... This guy really thought I’m stupid.. First he tried to convince me that it is better for me to sign a 2 year contract instead of monthly payments, cause I can save $175 in the first two years.. just have to pay the full amount upfront.. are you kidding me?! $1500 down and I can save $175 but I’m in a contract for two years.. nah I’m good and stay with monthly... He ignored me several times and started calculations on piece of paper and calculator to show again how much I can save.. when I repeated again and again I want to stay monthly and just reactivity my contract he called another guy, the “Vice President” to confirm how much I can save and that I can put it on my credit card and I will have one week to cancel if I decide otherwise... seriously?! Don’t assume clients money situation, I just don’t like contracts and you should care about customers and not your provision... pushing people into credit card debt.. wow.. I thought you are in a industry to help people?! After reading other reviews here I’m also sure that if I would have tried to cancel the payment later you guys would have told me “we have your signature”... Also stop the bullsh** about “this offer ends once you leave, you can save 175 only now”... when he finally accepted I want the monthly, he started to be rude and tried one more time to sell the 2 year plan. He blatantly lied to my face, that I have to sign up today because my cancelled membership doesn’t have any time left and I also will have to pay $200 enrollment fee?! When I told him his coworker in the morning told me the transfer is for free the first time, he didn’t know what to say, and started to tell me “oh yeah you have a few days left”... no actually I have a email confirmation, that I have till May 15th paid and access.. don’t lie to people... you look stupid while assuming they are stupid... after that I left and never will go back to a company hiring and training people that kind of practice. One last thing, turn off your second monitor next time you show people something, before you start chatting with your colleagues and the front desk about clients and about new people at the front desk and what lies they should tell them so you can start your sales game... very disappointing!! No...

I attended a Aqua Aerobics class on Thursday night and it was a lot of fun and the instructor (Laura) had us really moving. According to my watch I worked off about 420 calories and I was very sore the next day. I don’t understand why they only have morning classes on Wednesday Saturday and no classes on Monday, Friday and Sunday. I don’t think it’s fair to the members.

One problem I really have with this place is some of the members sweat profusely and they don’t wipe the equipment down after they’re done with it. 🤢🤮 There’s one member that Carrie’s a big black duffel bag with him and he has a couple of black towels draped over equipment to hold it for him while he works out on another machine. The towels are drenched with sweat and of course he doesn’t wipe them down. This an update. When I went here the other day I noticed that a tricep machine had the same blood on it that’s been there for months. Then the Stair master was filthy, I also noticed in the women’s locker rooms that the inside of the stall door was dirty and so were the walls. Someone needs to walk around this place and do inspections and also monitor what the members are not doing, like wiping their sweat off of machines. I’m getting really disgusted with this place. The staff and GM needs to get up from their desks and make rounds, it’s called good customer service.

Update 1024/23 - This place has gone way down, hardly any sinks work in the ladies locker room, the restroom area has smelled like dead fish for over a month now. Another member complained to me and said she has reported it numerous times and nothing has changed. I don’t know if they changed GM’s because I haven’t seen Ms. personality there in months. I still have not seen one manager of staff member walk through the place to see if members are ok or need any help. Horrible, horrible place, I would go to Vista but that’s...