Push Fitness Club of New Hyde Park — Attraction in Town of North Hempstead

I’ve been a customer and member of the push fitness club at New Hyde park for more than 3 years. Throughout this entire 3 years I’ve encountered little issues with the employees or the gym but I didn’t care enough to actually complain about It. Things like employees at the reception desk ignoring me because they’re maintaining long conversations with other employees and/or other members and keeping me standing for longer than 5 minutes till I get helped.

Employees using their phones and not greeting me or not even looking at me or even making eye contact. No customer service whatsoever.

Reception desk empty for long periods of times.

Etc.

But today was different. Today I walked in with my will to workout and “enjoy my workout” like your loud speakers always remind us every time you guys make an announcement. But when I walked in I scanned my card and there were two employees one old woman and one short guy I don’t know their names. Both talking and chatting with each other and some other member, both noticed me both saw I scanned my card and I was giving my towel card so I can get a towel in return both saw that and did nothing and I got nothing. So I waited for around 3 minutes till they were done. And when they’re done. This old woman at the reception desk said that I didn’t pay last month. It was a surprise for me cause the payment is automatic and there’s always and there will always be funds to afford $40 for a monthly subscription. So I was surprised by that until I remembered I got a new credit card because the other one I had was lost. So I told them “Oh I remember now yeah I changed my card that’s definitely why” Then both said they needed the payment so I can avoid late fees or whatever. I said “Yes I know I’m sorry I lost my card and got a new one but my wallet is in the car so can I go workout and then pay when I’m done?” Then the short guy said “We need the payment cause you’re late and you’re gonna get fees” I said “I know but my card is the car can I go exercise and then pay before I leave ?” I was expecting a yes of course and a cordial smile from both But I got this response from the short guy while the old woman nodded in approval of what he was saying to me. “We need the payment, you’re late. Pay now. so go to your car bring the card and pay” I said “Then nah I’m coming and paying tomorrow”

Now this is the part I do not understand. I’ve been a member for more than 3 years. So that should be more than enough to be able to workout and pay 45 minutes to 1 hour later. But not only my loyalty to the gym but also... I brought people who joined the gym because of me and I have over 14,100 followers on Instagram (more than your gym page has) where I post pictures and stories and I give you free advertising.

So I do not know why this happened. Maybe because I’m Latino and I have brown skin?(the two employees are white) Maybe because I’m gay? Maybe because I have an accent ?

What caused this to happen? I’m not a new member. I’m not a bad member. I’m not in a month to month basis subscription. And my method of Payment has always been automatically deducted from my bank. As most importantly I’ve been 3 years a member.

So...

I started my membership in New Hyde Park in April of 2017. At the time it was the best value for my area (I lived in Bellerose), and I really didn't have a strong opinion for or against it. When I was initially signing up the staff member I was speaking with was definitely trying to push paying for a personal trainer and the extras, but in my opinion it was not to the point of being rude. The facilities were clean and definitely had the equipment I was accustomed to, and then some.

The reason I am leaving a two star review is as follows: On April 24th of 2018, I went in to the gym to cancel my membership. The employee at the front desk, Tiffany, was very polite and asked why I was looking to leave. I explained that I was moving a few towns over and the location was no longer convenient - especially since there was another Push Fitness down the block from my new home, which I planned to sign up for. I filled out the cancellation request form, of which I was given a carbon copy for my own records. Since I missed the 30 day notification window by a day or two my last payment was going to be in May, which I was fine with.

When June came around I checked my card statement and saw that I was charged that month for my cancelled gym membership. I immediately called the gym and was put on the phone with an employee named Ursula. She apologized and informed me that there was a manager (that was no longer employed there) that was collecting cancellation receipts but not filing them, and that I was not the only person this had happened to. This raised a red flag in my head - the staff knew that this had happened, but did not take the steps necessary to follow up with those affected, and continue to take money until the customer noticed. But I was assured that if I scanned and emailed a copy of the receipt the issue would be taken care of, and that I would be refunded. The first email I sent to Ursula was on June 29th - no refund or response. I sent a follow up on July 17th - no response. I called again on July 20th, after I had been charged yet a second time, and was told the first two emails weren't received. So after confirming Ursula's email address again (which I had correct both times already), I sent the scan again and was told I would hear back on Monday - and here we are - two months overcharged and counting.

Needless to say I will not be going around the corner to sign up at Push Fitness...

Push Fitness Club of New Hyde Park is an extremely clean and elegant club that is both welcoming and respectful of each member. I've been a member here for over 5 years and these guys have a lot do with my continued overall success regarding health and fitness. However, before I get into all the things that initially made me wanna join, I'd like to mention some precautionary Covid updates, and just how impressed I am with the steps taken by not only ownership and management, but by the front desk, in order to ensure the health and safety of some of the older and at risk guests.

1. Temperature checks and health screenings are done before anyone can work out or even enter the building.
2. Everyone is required to wear a mask at all times. I am seeing employees walk around constantly to enforce this.
3. I noticed the cleaning staff has been wiping down surfaces and machinery at much a higher rate these days, (as you would expect, but still, it makes me feel a little more comfortable working out here.)

I think what drew me in initially was the club's emphasis on respect for the other members. Implementing rules like not slamming down weights, and wearing proper clothing, (like no ridiculously thin tank tops,) really created this sort of safe space/non-intimidating environment. Words cannot express how reassuring this was for an overweight 19 year old trying to lose a bunch of weight and tone up. The free personal training session and assessment that was included also really helped provide me with some guidance and direction.

This was the first time I've worked out in a place where the 25 pound plates are actually with the other 25's and the 45 lb plates are with the other 45's, etc... It's really just a bunch of little things done correctly. They also do something else that I've never heard of before in my life. My monthly membership fee included all classes FOR FREE! Yoga, Spin, Pilates, Yoga, HIIT training, Zumba etc... This was an incredible way to try out something new while meeting some cool people in the process. And classes are still going on btw, (spread out, with masks. It's fine. You get used to it, I promise.) Shoutout Sajah's awesome yoga class for helping me destress and gain more presence through all this uncertainty.

I love this place, thanks for...