In Shape Fitness — Local services in Branford

The most uncomfortable experience I’ve ever had at a gym. I have NEVER written a yelp review, but truly felt it was necessary as I do not want this to happen with anyone else. For starters, I am a competitive body-builder. I got my Personal Training Certification to help build my knowledge of body mechanics. I have never charged or have trained clients in person. My business focus is on mental strength and work with women on mentality techniques and healthier living. I belong to 6 gyms and have many friends whom I work out with. Workouts are more fun with friends! I joined In Shape a short month ago. Within the first week, the manager, Brain Woodford stopped me to say hi and tell me that he has followed me on Facebook for a while now and asked if I was interested in training as he saw I had my training certification. My response was that I kinda do my own thing and I’d get back to him. I never touched base with him after that as gym training isn’t my focus or interest.

Today, I was working out with a friend who’s back in town. She had worked out at In Shape for years prior to now and was considering renewing her membership post COVID (was hesitant to get back into the gym due to the pandemic). We were simply super setting exercises and talking about all the things anyone who’s heavy into working out talks about- supplements, food, dietary stuff etc. The manager, Brian Woodford, was near us training another client and obviously overheard us. I wasn’t worried about him hearing because I simply have freedom of speech and was simply working out with a friend/ wasn’t doing anything wrong. He stormed off, and went to grab a supervisor ( I don’t have his name possibly the owner or president of In Shape) and before you know it I was being taken away from my exercise by the supervisor stating “I need to talk to you.” He lead me to an office where another man, Al Sapiente was sitting. I started to feel uncomfortable and asked what this was about before stepping into the office. He again said we just want to have a chat with you. I walked into the office, and he closed the door. I outloud said what is this about. The supervisor stood looking down at me and started to accuse me of training clients and taking business away from them. I repeatedly stated that I was working out with a friend. He then made the statement that I’m a trainer. I said yes, I have a training cert but do not train people, I’m a life coach but that is not a client. I then stated I felt uncomfortable. He then asked me again if I was training people. I said no. I then stated again that I felt uncomfortable and that the conversation was entirely inappropriate. I also asked how he even knew I was a trainer. When he couldn’t answer I responded by saying that his manager, Brian Woodford, has followed me on facebook for a while now, asked me to train clients there and I declined. Further that this accusation was a personal attack because of the knowledge of my certification. He then questioned me further. The conversation lasted far too long. I repeatedly stated I felt uncomfortable and that I wasn’t training a client but simply working out with a friend. I felt intimated and like I could not leave the office. He must have finally realized what was happening was harassment when I stated “I am no longer going to defend myself, I feel uncomfortable, this is a personal attack and I want to cancel my membership at no fee.” He then opened the door and left to talk with Brian Woodford. Conveniently, manager Brian Woodford ‘unfriended me’ on Facebook as soon as I left the facility. In Shape displayed harassment, discrimination, and intimidation in communications with me and I do NOT recommend...

Terrible customer service I won't even consider joining now. I am a certified personal trainer and I've worked in a gym before myself. Just called to ask general pricing questions like i have many times to many other gyms. This is the first time ever in all the gyms I've called in many states they were this unprofessional. Tried asking for pricing first the counter girl said 19.99 month when i asked for monthly, i had to ask a few times that was contract having been in the business i figured she didn't actually mean monthly and i was right only because i knew she'd be mistaken. Then the jerky sounding guy in membership told me they have that with a year contract. Asked him how much down and he refused to tell me. Told him i was hurting for money mom just died and i just moved back i am pricing gym. Didn't care just repeated he couldn't give that info over the phone (literally every other gym in america does-I've lived in/worked in/priced checked probably 200+ gyms in multiple states and counties- this was/is my job) he was just punishing to get me in (so he could try to sell me in person obviously ) asked again he finally said it varies based on things like kids club i said i don't need any extras just the cheapest he still refused to tell me when i said well i need to know how much money to bring in with mehe cut me off being a jerk said "well thanks for calling". What a jerk. Any fitness professional experiencing that would agree not to even bother. Now i see why i saw a similarly review when i googled the number . I'dbe careful...

Definitely don’t recommend coming to this place. The front desk worker here in the mornings is extremely unprofessional and unhelpful. We had to get her attention as we came in because she was too busy looking into her iPad. After we told her we requested a week pass (as advertised online), she rolled her head back and started laughing at us. She told us “member services doesn’t come in until 9.” We told her that we filled out the form online and she proceeds to say “never fill out the online form.” So, what are we supposed to do? We ended up paying a daily usage fee of $10 per person, which was completely reasonable. However, what was unreasonable was the way we were treated regarding the week pass. The front desk worker refused to issue us one, and said only “member services” was able to issue it because they ask for more paperwork. Yet, she had us fill out a waiver with all of our info on it, charge our credit card AND sign a liability form in order to use the club for one day. What more does member services need from us? I work at an athletic club that is much more high-end than this one, and we always provide the best service we possibly can. I understand that this club isn’t on the same level, but you should expect at least a “good morning” or “hi” when you come through the door. Instead, expect someone sitting buried in the corner not even paying attention. Honestly, we could have just walked right through the doors and nobody would have noticed. This place is a joke, don’t waste your time...