River Oaks Gym — Local services in Houston

FALSE ADVERTISING!! Website says "WE OFFER A FREE 1 DAY TRIAL TO ANYONE THINKING ABOUT JOINING OUR PRIVATE GYM". See photo from website from TODAY. Completely false. The owner (Chad) needs to train his employees better, and accept responsibility for when 2 said employees tell a customer incorrect information.

On 2 separate occasions (my in person initial visit to tour the facility and a week later on the telephone) I was advised that I could do a "free trial" workout (1 visit) to try before joining. On my initial visit to tour the facility I didn't have time to do the trial workout and was told I could do it when I got the chance. A week later (today) | called in the morning to advise that I would be coming in today to do my trial workout and most likely join afterwards barring any unexpected issues. The employee said "Great! You'll just need to sign a release of liability form and you'll be all set". I told the employee l'd be there in the afternoon.

I show up and am greeted by an employee who looks at me skeptically when I said I'm here for my trial workout. He says "we don't offer free trial workouts ANYMORE". Oh ok, well I only know what 2 of your co-workers told me on 2 separate occasions..guess they're idiots?? The desk employee then calls Chad - the facility owner who was advised that I was told by 2 of his employees an obviously untrue statement about a free trial workout.

Chad declined to take an opportunity to make a smart business decision AND HONOR HIS OWN WEBSITE and instead decided that a $20 day guest pass fee was his priority. He said no "free workout, but you (me) can pay a $20 guest pass fee and try the facility". Ummmm...Chad. it's your gym and you can make up all the rules you want on the fly..but that's really bad business. You asking me for $20 when 2 of YOUR employees gave me false information and your own website contradicts you is just bad business in anyone's judgment.

You obviously need the $20 more than I do. I passed on the $20 day pass to try the facility where I was going to pay a $300 INITIATION FEE to join a facility I hadn't had the opportunity to try. The facility itself is "different", I have 2 other large gym memberships that ! keep but wanted a smaller quieter facility as an option.

Chads bad attitude made my decision NOT to join very easy. He acts like someone who's...

Let's get the negatives out of the way:

Their initiation fee is the highest I've ever paid, and their monthly rate is higher than you'd expect a facility like this to have.

Their hours are limited compared to other options nearby.

(A lot of) their equipment is old.

Their playlist is...definitely not what you'd expect a gym to have.

Cool. Now that that's done, let's move onto the actual review.

I LOVE this gym. After working out at big-box gyms, this place is a huge sigh of relief.

I love that they have a waitlist (or so they say). From what I've seen, this has prevented the gym from becoming an absolute mad-house, even at peak hours. I almost never have to wait for equipment to free up; that's worth the super high initiation fee right there.

I love that they have ZERO televisions in the free weights area! TV's are distracting and, in my opinion, mostly unnecessary now that most folks bring their phones with them anyway. They aren't entirely against the tube, though; they have a TV in the lounge area near the front desk and in each bathroom, and all of the cardio equipment seems to have a cable hookup.

I love that they have two Pelotons in the back. Most gyms have abysmal spin bikes, so I was really surprised to see them in such an obscure area.

I also love how clean they keep the place. This is the first gym in the 14 years I've been working out that I'd feel comfortable showering in. They also have a Keurig coffee maker in the back with lots of pods; while I haven't used it, it's a really nice touch to an already homely gym.

This is a weird thing to love that I wasn't expecting, but their dress code heavily discourages "showboating" (revealing clothing) for men and women.

While I haven't used their services, the trainers seem very nice and attentive towards their clients. They don't seem to rush them out, either.

Finally, the equipment. Most of the free weight equipment is old...but all of it seems to be extremely well-maintained! The TWO power racks that they have are secured properly, and they all of the same machines you'd find at big box places. The cardio equipment is also relatively new.

Working out here is awesome. If you live in the area, it's a no-brainer, in my opinion. I wish I found this place sooner. I'll be really sad if it ever sells out or goes away.

Also, Remi, the gym dog,...

Today l was there with my client (lam independent PT and l ve been training my client for almost a year) we were looking a gym, less crowded , maintained equipment and fresh. After fit club closed, we tried some and was hoping to find equal fit club. We gave a shot today, asked for 2 memberships and free trial. A guy at front desk offered one week free trial. We accepted and kept going about monthly pay, annual fee etc… everything was fine included monthly pay until annual fee! Yes it is 300! I ve never worked out in any gym with the oay more than 100$.l talked with my client and we discussed about annual fee. We did workout, gym is fresh, but workout machines are literally fron stone age and extremely dark inside. No music. I figured out a bold guy (l assume he is pt as well) was starring me all workout. It was pretty creep even my client realized that. We just ignored him, completed workout. Before we left, same guy at front desk said “good luck for finding new gym, this is your last day for free trial, we have right to refuse anything here and l asked but you offered a week before we did workout, he said he doesnt have to give reasons, today is last day!, l was smiling bec that gym is big big no. Disrespectful stuff, creepy bold guy, old machines, no music.. lm sure that gym wont last longer. I as a 10 years personal trainer, l highly NOT recommend that place for your safety and your wellness. Have...