Fitness Connection — Local services in Charlotte

Lots of equipment, lots of space, huge gym, and the women's section & women's cardio theatre is a huge plus - especially as sometimes I can only come in to do cardio so having a movie playing is a nice bonus. Other than the gym itself, the classes are also nice. I've only done the Cycle class with Gigi which was small (4 of us, but I've seen it busier), which was fun. It's not overly crowded nor is it awkward if there's less students, and the other classes seem to be alright too though I haven't tried them yet.

This place does get really busy. That's the only reason for a 4 star rating. I find it overwhelming if I come after 5 PM but sometimes I can only come at 6 PM. When I do this, I make it a cardio day and stick to the women's area. If crowded spaces are a problem for you, then come between 10 AM - 5 PM.

The biggest complaint I see in these other reviews are about the cancellations fees. They're really clear about this in the contract and will explain it further if you ask or don't understand what the cancellation deal is for either the Plus plan or the Basic plan. I asked during my 5 day trial and they didn't sugar coat anything - staff are very clear about it.

For the basic plan, there is a cancellation fee and also a 30 day notice. Meaning once you request your cancellation (and make sure they actually confirm it), you will still get charged for one more month after you cancel (because it's a 30 days notice, and that 30 days will likely lap into your next month anyways). If you're cancelling before the 12-month commitment is up, then there will be a fee.

My agreement (Plus with no commitment), specifically says that I can call, walk-in, or write to them to cancel. And they were clear I might get charged for the next month anyways because it's a 30 day notice.

The short version is that If you don't want to deal with cancellation fees or a commitment/contract, then just do the higher paid Plus plan. The extra $10 bucks/month, if you do end up canceling 6 months or so down the line, ends up being what you would have paid in fees anyways. If you don't care about the extra fees and don't think you'll use the basketball court or the classes, then just do the basic plan. If you're not sure, go in and ask.

Nearly every gym does this. But no one reads their contracts then gets upset about it, or they don't understand it and refuse to ask for clarification, then still get...

I canceled my membership at this gym because I felt completely unappreciated as a paying customer. The manager was blatantly disrespectful and misleading. He convinced me to upgrade my membership in order to bring any guest in, but conveniently failed to mention a ridiculous restriction— the same guest cannot enter more than once within a four-month period. So you can imagine our shock when he suddenly denied my brother and me entry, despite what he had told us before. When we questioned him about it, he was not only rude but also demonstrated a complete lack of basic customer service skills or common sense. As soon as we decided to cancel due to his dishonesty, he started throwing accusations at us, saying things like, "Why do you even come here if you can go to your university gym for free?" (Maybe because we didn’t want to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back?) The fact that a manager could be so unprofessional, dismissive, and downright incompetent is beyond me. Rather than waste another minute arguing with this clown, we canceled our membership immediately and went straight to CRUNCH Fitness. The difference in customer service was night and day—cleaner facilities, better equipment, and most importantly, staff who actually value their members. Honestly, the employees at Fitness Connection looked miserable anyway, like they hated their jobs, no smiles EVER. It’s not worth your time or money. Go somewhere that actually respects you as a customer. The manager here will do anything to squeeze more money out of you—blatantly dishonest and completely...

Okay so... I love Fitness Connection!!!... particularly the University location. It offers a range of different equipment. This gym offers more space for calisthenics and HIIT than other local gyms. They have a spaceous dry sauna. The gyms are extremely clean. The membership is a great value for what you receive. There is always ample equipment and machines at peak times. I do have very pressing unaddressed complaint which impacted my rating. I do not like their guest policy. You can only bring the same guest once every 4 months. That's excessive to me. I have friends who belong to other gyms. I can workout with them but they get harassed when they come to FC more than once. I have also received very poor assistance from the staff there. They were extremely dismissive and always on their phones. I feel like a nuisance when I have to ask for help. This is particularly the University staff more than other locations where I have been. Even though UC Fitness Connection has the best facility and is closest to my house, the customer service is very lacking. To the point that I am going back to Planet Fitness. I have been carrying both memberships but I am treated with so much more regard and respect at PF that I'll go where I am appreciated. The gym is 5 star. The customer service is 1 star for an average of 3 stars. I would love to give a higher rating but I need the FC employees to stay off their phones long enough to answer a question before I can reconsider this review. This review is honest, unbiased and...