Life Time — Attraction in Westwood

We joined Lifetime a year ago and our family has loved it. It was good then, but it is even better now. I have been very impressed with all aspects of Lifetime. My kids love going to the kids academy, I love the variety of classes they offer, the changing rooms/bathrooms/showers are the cleanest I have ever seen at any gym (and I've been to a lot to compare) and their equipment is topnotch with great variety. The new manager has raised the bar with higher expectations of the staff, along with hiring new quality staff that meet his standards. I am someone who watches leadership and staff on a daily basis. An organization will be great if it starts from the top down. You learn greatness from your leaders. I have seen a lot of improvement with Lifetime Westwood and I believe it's because of great leadership in the past year. Just last week, I met the manager of the new Metro West location who was taking time to inspect all of the Westwood location to give a new set of eyes and notice things that others might not see. He said that he and the Westwood manager do that for each other so they can improve their facility to make it better. That's great leadership. This week, I stopped at the Activities desk to ask a question and the gentleman there knew me by my first name, without looking at any screen or my card. I complimented him on remembering my name, because I was so surprised he remembered it! I didn't remember his name! That's highly valuing your guests. That takes a lot of mental discipline and taking notice of detail. Another trainer complimented me last week on how I'm training. It wasn't even my personal trainer. I definitely don't see them or talk to them on a daily basis, but they went out of their way to notice that I'm working hard and wanted me to know they noticed. That's going beyond your job description. My kids are often referred to by their first name as well, without the staff looking at their sticker or the screen, because the staff in the kids academy do their job at learning the kids' names. No place is perfect, but this Lifetime comes pretty close. Thank you Lifetime for being a very enjoyable place for my family. Our health and fitness are of high importance to our family and we love being part of a place that values it as much as we do, on...

What is a very clean and well presented organization isn’t what it appears to be. Yes, the facility is top notch, but it is a giant, greedy business. The equipment is new, and nice - but nothing out of this world that other gym's, for a quarter of the price, don’t offer. Honestly, my favorite part was the locker room and shower…which I rarely used. Yoga classes started off well, but then all the preferred classes would no longer be available. I went for my “free” personal training session only to get a tour of the gym and learn how the equipment works. I received a tour before signing up and am fully aware of how the equipment works, this isn’t my first gym either. She honestly was just milking the time. I tried to make it clear to the woman that I just wanted tips and for her to show me some routines - instead she asked me to do lunges, squats, and push ups to see my form. Then she tried to sell me on overpriced supplements which have an unappealing look (yes go back to your old design because the new one isn’t going to sell) so she can get commission. So practically, I received no training whatsoever and she wasted my time completely just to give me a salesman pitch on their supplements. To continue, you get 12 guest passes - I’m sorry, prospect passes*. Yes prospect passes, because logically, a guest is allowed whenever they are invited…right? WRONG, at lifetime the same guest may only come once, every TWO MONTHS. Thus, prospect passes. They’d like you to bring 12 different people so that they have 12 opportunities to make…let’s say three of them…members. After I accepted the fact that they do all they can to milk every cent possible, I no longer wish to remain a member and will go back to my less intense, and cozier $20/mo gym and save myself the $120/mo… $1,440/yr and treat myself. Obviously if money is no issue to you, this post isn’t for you. However, if you’re an individual of principal and respect, it very well may be.

On a positive note, I’ve met some very nice individuals there, and they maintain...

I used to be a member and convinced half of my family and friends to join. I even convinced my personal trainer to switch from Equinox to Life Time Athletic. That's how much I used to love this place. Anyways I cancelled my membership due to travelling a lot because I never have the time to use it but I was looking forward to things slowing down so I can join again. Last month my partner asked me to cancel my plans and join her for the outdoor pool using one of her guest pass. I asked her to call and confirm just in case something have changed. The lady on the phone she assured us that it will be free using one of my partners guest pass. After 30 minutes of driving we finally got there just to be told by this young gentleman that I have to pay $40. I explained the situation and the lady in the front desk did admit she told us otherwise. The gentleman didn't know what to do so he nicely asked us to wait while he address this to his manager. The manager told him that he doesn't have time for this and he can't make any exceptions since its the weekend knowing that we were misinformed. The front desk felt terribly for us and apologized. I understand mistakes can happen but to be treated poorly that I didn't understand. Mind you my partner has a diamond membership which considered top of the line for Lifetime. I asked to speak to the manager in person. He finally came out after we waited for him for a while. He was so annoyed that he had to step out of his office and was VERY VERY VERY rude. He didn't bother to apologize. He kept talking on top of me repeating the same phrase. He refused to listen to us. He was a complete JERK. My partner wanted to pay but of course I refused. Definitely not after the way we were treated. We started walking away from the desk and we could hear him making jokes about how people want things for free.. SO UNPROFESSIONAL!!! I might not be able to convince my partner to cancel since she likes the location in Chestnut Hill but I'll make sure all my family...