Anytime Fitness Springfield Lakes — Local services in Ipswich City

A well-equipped large gym with bad management would not be a pleasant place to train. However, one can gain muscles and have a good time in a relatively small gym managed by an experienced mature manager. A small gym with a bad manager is a recipe for disaster and this is what Anytime Fitness Springfield Lakes is. At times there are just three or four people training in the gym, yet to use some machines you need to wait for 45 minutes. Some personal trainers program grand sets for their clients. They put towels on three or four machines so that their clients do four different exercises back-to-back. So, for the entire training session, you won’t be able to use those machines. Imagine, then, what would happen when the gym is busy during peak times. Before I wrote this review, I raised the issue four times with the managers (I assume the two teenage girls sitting at the front desk in the gym are the managers). Despite promising to solve the issue, they never got back to me with a solution or explanation. Insisting on getting an answer from them, one of the managers told me that she had talked to the personal trainer and because the trainer pays to train in the gym she could not ask the trainer to behave professionally and let other people use machines while he is training clients. Doesn’t such an excuse seem ridiculous? Can you do whatever you like just because you pay the gym to train clients? Do other clients not pay for training in the gym? Is this what you would expect from a mature, experienced manager? Search on Youtube “ten annoying things people do in the gym” and you will find using multiple machines simultaneously without thinking of other people among top three. You would forgive a beginner for such behaviours but not personal trainers or gym managers. And if a personal trainer or gym manager does not know basics of gym etiquette, you would not expect a good time in such a gym. Taking a course for a few weeks and getting a certificate is not a good indicator of good performance as a manager just like being large and muscly does not mean a personal trainer is professional. One can become large by using performance-enhancing substances. I have been going to this gym since October 2021. Since then, each time it rains you see buckets all around the gym as the roof leaks. It has not been fixed ever since. Such unprofessionalism led many people to leave the gym to sign up with World Gym as soon...

A bit of unprofessionalism, aint it?

Me and my friend visited Anytime Fitness on July 8 and were kindly introduced to the membership options by a staff member. She explained the 12-month plan at around $24.95/week and generously offered to waive the joining fee. I appreciated the professional and welcoming approach and let her know I’d be checking out a few other gyms before deciding. She mentioned that if I found a better deal, they might be able to match it — a thoughtful gesture that left a positive impression.

On July 9, I received a follow-up call from the gym asking if I had found a better offer. I shared that another gym was offering $17/week (12 month plan)with no joining fee. I also explained that, even with the lower price, I genuinely preferred Anytime Fitness because of its location and welcoming environment. I was told that the fees would be waived and that a better price could be discussed in person — so I made an appointment for the next day.

However, when I returned on July 10, I was quoted $22.95/week (12 month) — significantly higher than the $17/week offer I had mentioned. I was surprised, as I had understood from the phone call that a better price (i.e., more competitive than $17/week) might be offered. I tried to clarify this, understanding that misunderstandings happen, and I was still open to discussion.

Unfortunately, what could’ve been a constructive and friendly conversation shifted tone. The staff member () repeatedly questioned whether a $2–$3 price difference was really that important to me. She brought it up several times, in a tone that felt dismissive,and even said — sarcastically — that she would pay the difference to go anytime.

I want to be clear: it wasn’t about the $2–$3. It was about principle, respect, and how the situation was handled. For many people — students, newcomers, or anyone managing a budget — every dollar matters. And regardless of price, no one should feel like they’re being unreasonable or belittled for asking a question they were invited to ask. :)

I hope you would take the feedback...

Like all gyms, AF Springfield has its ups and downs. It may be small but it packs punch with machines for every kind of workout. It's actually so stocked that it even has some machines you won't find at some other gyms. Additionally, the gym is constantly getting either new machines or upgrading the existing ones/replacing old equipment. The atmosphere is great, the community is a vibe and the staff are real nice. However there are some aspects that aren't too great.

The amenities aren't the greatest. The area is really tight (particularly the locker space) and the shower/toilet situation feels subpar for multiple reasons. Sometimes it doesn't look very clean, sometimes it just feels old, broken and outdated.

Also, if you go during peak times, don't expect to follow a planned workout as more often than not, you may have to wait a bit for equipment to free up. This isn't really a big since you are going to encounter this at 90% of other gyms as well. And speaking of not huge points, the lighting is a real hit or miss throughout the gym if that's a big thing for you (point not meant to be taken too seriously).

At the end of the day it's a good gym, but some minor tweaks would make it...