Bend the Bar Fitness LLC — Local services in Freeport

I joined Bed The Bar Fitness in Freeport about six months ago, attracted by their equipment and multiple locations. However, my initial enthusiasm quickly faded as I encountered several shortcomings at the facility. While I have no issues with the gym, its owners, or staff, there are undeniable areas that could use improvement.

Parking is a headache during peak hours—if you’re driving anything larger than a sedan, expect to circle the lot a few times. Once you’re inside, it’s just as crowded, with limited availability of machines.

Lighting is another significant issue. Many bulbs need replacing, and the mismatched fixtures create an inconsistent and dim atmosphere. Switching to LED lights would be a simple, cost-effective solution—they’re affordable (around $80 at Home Depot), easy to install, and require minimal maintenance. It might even be worth considering a trade-off with a member who’s an electrician in exchange for a membership discount.

If this were still a "back-alley" style training facility, the dim and uneven lighting might be more acceptable. However, given that their fees are comparable to other well-maintained, no-frills gyms in the area, it’s reasonable to expect better.

Recently, an additional membership fee was introduced (not yet charged), supposedly for repairs and improvements. I truly hope that they spend it on addressing basics like better lighting, improved ventilation, or installing a water fountain, rather than their "NEW" recovery center. While that may benefit some, the essentials should be prioritized. The lack of proper ventilation is especially noticeable in a small space like this—you can’t miss the mix of gym odors and occasional lingering food smells from staff eating meals like canned chicken or tuna.

If you’re considering joining, I recommend starting with a one-month pass to see if it meets your expectations. The membership does include access to the DeFuniak location, which is a plus, but it’s a 40-minute round trip. Unfortunately, the lighting there is even worse, though they do offer a water fountain!

Overall, Bed The Bar has potential but needs significant improvements in the basics. While it’s a decent gym for those willing to overlook these issues, it’s hard to give it more than three stars in its...

Horrible gym, no water fountain...constantly out of paper towels, and toilet paper, no sauna, no amenities, more expensive, owner never responds, no parking, bad lighting, ghetto music all the time blaring at an unnecessary level, one of every machine so constantly waiting, signs that say please wear shirt and shoes, no one to enforce (don't really care about that, but still) and children run amuck all day.......children should not be allowed where heavy plates are being utilized, especially when their parents just drop them there and then go next door for a smoothie.....there is never anyone there enforce said "rules". Who opens a gym and doesn't install a water fountain and showers? Like the locker room is a bathroom, no locks for the day use lockers....just all around lazy, cheap ownership.

Response to owner. ...no you don't keep things stocked.....children run around unchecked......machines all need maintenance, and thank you for your AI response.....worst gym ever #no amenities # no water fountain# bad owners# go to better gyms elsewhere# keep toilet paper on hand# install water fountain# maybe respond to clients...

Supportive, Welcoming, and Always Improving – Bend the Bar Fitness Rocks!

Bend the Bar Fitness in Freeport is everything you want in a gym—welcoming, supportive, and genuinely motivating. As someone who isn’t a regular gym-goer, I was amazed by the positive atmosphere. From the owners and staff to the other members, everyone is encouraging and always willing to share tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your workout.

The different membership options are a big plus, allowing you to tailor your experience based on your schedule and goals. The owner is very open to feedback and clearly committed to making the gym better every day—it really feels like a place to escape the stress of the outside world and focus on your gains.

Parking can be a little tight during peak hours, but since it’s a 24-hour gym, it’s easy to plan around the busy times. If you’re looking for a gym that feels more like a community, Bend the Bar is the place to be!

They also have another 24 hour location in Defuniak that I will be...