Xcel Fitness Hickory — Local services in Hickory

It must have been a bad week for Xcel fitness with me. Having just moved to the area i visited three Gyms. The first day i went to Xcel and a very pleasant woman showed me around and outlined the various plans. I liked the variety of machines and cardio equipment . While the locker room has a strange layout it didn't matter as i seldom use it. In her spiel and on the web site they pitch their Personal Training ability and how they guide you. So when i signed up i specifically asked how PT works. Well, actually they don't have PT themselves but instead they have independent contractors who work for them. In order to get PT i have to call one of their trainers and organize it myself. This seemed very odd but the woman then handed me two cards and suggested that i call them. Okay, i thought it odd but i took the cards. I then left and called both trainers and left messages with them...twice. 4 days later i still hadn't heard back from either of them. So, i went back to the gym in the morning. The gym was essentially empty so i asked the guy at the front desk if he could walk me through a simple circuit using the machines. He told me sure and that he would be right with me. I wanted to get started so i said i would start on Cardio and when he had a chance just come grab me....50 minutes later i was still on the treadmill and i had watched this guy walk by a few times and chat with friends and wipe down a few machines. Twice i waved at him and he gave me the "be there in a second wave." Finally i finished my cardio and went back to the desk and now he was gone. So I left. 3 days later and still no word from the trainers I went back in and talked to the front desk yet again. I explained the situation and pointed out that no trainer had called me back . The woman at the front desk asked who i called and i literally pulled the two cards sitting on the desk and showed her. She said looking at one card "Oh he doesn't work here anymore"...huh? them why is his card on the desk...That seemed to baffle her as .much as it did me. The other trainer "she hadn't seen for awhile" Huh? She said there was a trainer hanging out there she could call. To be honest I had had it . I explained that on my last trip I had tried to get help for 50 minutes and was ignored. She seemed uninterested. Finally, i decided i would just cancel my membership. Of course , having been a member for a week, and having no trainer call me and be given a card from a guy who didn't work there at all anymore and having been shuffled off by the front desk guy on the last trip she still would have to charge me 75 dollars to cancel. Seriously? To be honest i would have paid 100 to get out of this disorganized mess. Clearly, misinformation and false promises meant little to these folks so it seemed an expensive yet valuable lesson. I ended up joining Spa Athletic where the owner took me on a tour and had a personal trainer call me to set up an appointment an hour after joining. Like i said maybe it was just a bad few days at Xcel but i find it hard to believe that i'm the only one who experienced this. Again, its a nice workout space but thats all i could see going for it after my...

My best friend and I traveled to Hickory for a couple of days. We researched local gyms in the area and found Xcel Fitness (ironically, we own a gym in Mooreville, MS called Excel Fitness). We were blown away just from pulling in the GIANT parking lot as well as from seeing the GIANT facility. We walked in and were greeted by Mike who is also the owner. He was extremely friendly and was more than willing to answer any business related questions we had. He gave us a tour of the facility which was absolutely mind blowing. The equipment was top notch, the atmosphere was super chill with no members seeming to be rude or overly loud. There was plenty of space for everyone and the music was adjusted perfectly where you didn’t have to scream to be heard. We also met Isaiah ( sorry if it’s spelled wrong) on our way out and his upbeat energy matched Mike’s perfectly. Every member that walked in/out was greeted and/or told to have a great evening. As a gym owner, I can say this place is what I hope is in store for our future at Excel...

I want to give a shout out to the blonde girl that works on Saturday! I can't remember her name I don't think, maybe Shanna or Cherie. You guys should know who I am talking about, she works there. I came in to check the gym out and she had a great personality. She answered all my questions, and trust me...I ask a ton of questions.

The place looks like I would like it there. I will be sure to join as soon as I get the money.

UPDATE: I felt bad that I couldn't remember her name and called up my buddy that works out there and he told me her name was Shay.....Sorry about not remembering...