Gold's Gym - Fairfax Station — Local services in Burke

I've been going to this gym for over 2 years. I actually like it. Big space, good utilization of their floor space, and good variety of equipment.

Their problem as always been management. Probably 5 different managers over the time I've been there. The heavy bag broke more than a year ago. Over the last year there has been a wide variety of excuses from the various managers. The manager at the time told me they're looking to order a new one. Time goes by..... the next manager (Sonny) said the heavy bag isn't a priority. Time goes by.... the manager after Sonny told me it's on order and it'll be here in 2 weeks! Finally! Someone who knows what they're doing! Thank God. 1 month goes by, he says they got it and they are planning on preparing the area to accommodate it. Ok... I can wait until then..... Months go by...... and still no heavy bag. A new manager shows up and says he put the heavy bag on order.... I told him the previous manager told him it was "supposively" already on order and acquired, which was an blatant lie from the previous manager Chris. Then he told me that the previous manager has been promoted to the District Manager! Oh lawd..... oh no..... Say it ain't so.... I can't trust this Gold's Gym. I put in my cancellation notice a week later! An end to BS! Thank God.

If there is not going to be a heavy bag, then tell me there's not going to be one. This really isn't that complicated!!!!!!! This is NOT rocket science! I repeat... This is NOT rocket science.

The manager at the old Sully Plaza Golds Gym in Chantilly was on-point with maintenance! He never slacked on maintaining the heavy bag or boxing equipment there. That guy should be district manager.

In short, there will never be a heavy bag at the Fairfax Station location. I have hope that the current manager of that gym breaks the cycle of excuses, lies, and deception, of the managers...

The facility, location, equipment and people are all fine. The trainers not necessarily so. I am a 61 year old male, 20 lbs over weight, and had back surgery in '07.

In 2011, through working with a trainer in a different state, my back was fixed and I was good shape for a man my age. I stopped training a few years ago and things slowly reverted. This past May I went to the Ox Road Gold's gym and told the guy at the front desk I needed a trainer. I told the trainer my back ground and what I was looking for. I specifically asked if he had training and experience working with someone with my issues. He assured me had. At this point I had no pain, only knew it was time to start taking care of myself.

After 7 sessions with this guy I could barely walk and was out of commission for a week and a half. I still have back pain. I switched trainers and while better, he still asked to do exercises I should not be doing. Fortunately I had learned from the first guy...

Okay, here is the kicker. When I talked to the second trainer I told him I wanted to start from zero with full credit for the time wasted with the first guy. He did put me in touch with the manager, Vicky. She was very polite, but said Gold's can not give credit for the first trainer misrepresenting his expertise, but would be glad to give me a discount if I bought more sessions.

I have been a member of Gold's for several years (not this location and not always using the membership) and have spent over $4,000 with the company. This is the best they can do?

Bottom line: If you need a place to go and workout - use the equipment - no reason not to use this gym.

If you have any condition that requires other than a boilerplate training routine for a typical 25 year old jock, go to a different gym. These guys are dangerous and will not do...

I'll start by saying the staff is very friendly. They have always been GREAT. The reason I'm giving 1 star is bc of the inconsistency in member benefits/amenities and what seems to be poor management. When you pay money for a monthly membership that is supposed to include classes and then an extra $40 per month for kids club, you expect the classes to happen per the schedule and for kids club to be open during posted hours. For kids club, I take 2 kids about 1x per week. Since fall, it is frequently closed when someone doesn't show up. Nobody ever offered a credit for the service that was supposed to be provided. Recently, it has become ridiculous. Of the past 4 times I have brought my kids in this past month, it was closed 3 times during posted hours. The regional manager happened to be there today and said I "should understand bc I'm a small business owner". Let me tell you, there is NO WAY this is ok in my business-- Paying members expect you to be open during posted hours, period. I'm not sure what is going on, but I get the sense it is being very poorly managed. The class schedule has also been hit or miss since fall. They cant keep instructors, scheduled classes are sometimes not even held. It is all just very frustrating and I wish there was another gym as convenient to my house so I...