Hone Fitness St Clair & Bathurst — Local services in Toronto

My husband and I were met with the most hostile staff, enough for my husband to cancel his membership the following day and for me to never consider joining the gym franchise ever.

My husband had been a member with Hone Fitness at the St.Clair & Bathurst location shortly after it opened in our neighbourhood. Enjoying the convenience he had nothing but positive things to say about this gym up until this incident. He finally convinced me one night to join him for a workout at the gym - We had planned on working through a basic exercise routine together to help me become comfortable with the space (I have great anxiety with the gym environment). Barely midway through our workout, we were approached by a personal trainer. Without introducing himself or any basic initial pleasantries he went straight to accusing my husband of holding a private personal training session. My husband expressed his respect for the gym staff and his full understanding of the rules and we politely explained our situation. This staff responded very bluntly and rudely that "he knew what he saw". We offered to step aside with him and speak to the other staff members who recognized my husband as a regular there - to clear up the misunderstanding but this staff rejected the notion and remained hostile in his demeanor. He proceeded to press my husband for his information and stated that there would be a note placed in his file, and threatened that if they saw this again, his membership would be revoked. The staff huffed away reiterating "he saw what he saw". Naturally we were both distraught by this encounter - feeling unjustly attacked and now completely uncomfortable to continue our workout. While I understand the need to question certain scenarios that staff may feel is suspect - I also understand if we had met his inquiry with a defensive and rude attitude. But there was no inquiry - just an out right accusation with zero opportunity for us to speak for ourselves - the approach this trainer took was beyond unprofessional and left us with incredibly poor taste about the gym and the people they choose to employ. My husband returned the following day in hopes of speaking to this staff again and management - but decided on cancelling his membership as a whole and bring his money and time to a more respectful establishment - one which members would not be treated with hostility and have threats made...

If your idea of a nice workout includes passive-aggressive, non-communicative zombies for staff, this is your place! Be wary that your experience will likewise include an excessive amount of Reggaeton because apparently no other form of music exists (and, after all, the staff’s comfort is paramount to yours).

I’ve grown extremely tired of this place and the increasingly negative vibe it’s permeating. As someone with exceptional social skills, I find it absolutely pathetic that their staff can’t unglue their eyes from (various) screens to muster up a hello, if even an insincere one. They will, however, roam the gym on occasion to power trip about arbitrary “rules” they have which are consistently inconsistent! (Irony? I think not). If you’re considering this gym, avoid it like the plague. There are many other gyms (literally almost ALL the other ones I’ve been to in 15+ years) that won’t treat you as if you’re an inconvenience to them. Note to Hone – consider getting new staff.

Their “trainers” are also a complete and utter joke. Not one to turn down information, I was open to using the free “training session” that Hone offers. I have to say that it was one of the most inappropriate and unprofessional sessions I’ve ever had! The man literally wrote AND UNDERLINED “booty” on my paper when I voiced I’d like to maintain my lower half. I’m still entirely baffled. Moreover, the other trainers are hostile when you’re using a machine they want to give their pitiable excuse for training on. If you’re so great at your job, you should be able to adapt.

Lastly, do not get deceived by the seemingly reasonable / affordable prices they purport. With membership, starting, and maintenance fees, you’re basically paying the same price as any other C grade gym. (And I highly recommend considering those other gyms). All this to say, I’m taking my business elsewhere if things don’t...

I have been a member at Hone (on and off) for over 3 years now. I chose Hone for a few reasons, one being the membership is a great price plus you can bring a guest. Other reasons include the equipment; deadlift platforms, squat racks and a good variety of free weights, machines and pulleys. There is a diverse crowed and as a woman I never feel uncomfortable. Even before covid people would always wipe down whatever they were using and re rack their weights, making Hone a clean environment. Staff is always friendly and have been happy to help me out any time I have asked. I will also mention that broken equipment is also repaired within a week or two.

There are a few things that can be improved.

Although many people do clean their equipment after they use it and re rack their weights, I think there needs to be some reinforcement or reminders. One of the Hone trainers doesn't even wipe down what they used with their client, so why would other members?

Hone should invest in some new equipment to help with workout flow. Some extra barbells so people can use both the squat racks and platforms if they so wish to share, as well as some hip thrust platforms that can be moved around. Having the hip thrust platforms will allow people to leave the benches in the free weight areas alone as well as allow people to hip thrust in other areas of the gym. More plates need to be added (standard and bumper), when the gym is busy it is hard to find what you need. Another weight tower would be helpful downstairs. Lastly, a hack squat machine would complete the gym necessities list. There are two leg press machines upstairs and 3 calf raise machines downstairs, replacing one with a hack squat would be beneficial.

Overall I do think Hone is a great gym and I am happy to...