PAC Gym — Local services in Kennewick

It doesn’t feel good to give a one star review, but if I could give zero stars in this instance I would. There is a distinct lack of customer first principles.

I began my membership with PAC at the location in Richland, WA, but shortly switched my month-to-month membership to the Kennewick location, mostly because it is the mothership, and there is no staff at the Richland location.

I had only one day at the Richland location before switching(which was still under the 3 day penalty free cancellation notice mentioned in their contract. Pretty sure I cancelled the prior contract on the third day before midnight.)and was under the impression from the owner that for the next month, the difference in price between the two memberships would be credited to my account for the following month. It has now been made clear to me that, that is not possible, and the one day I participated in the Richland location does not count towards my membership at the Kennewick location, given that they are two separate entities.

The excuse management has given is that it’s because they can’t do that with their third party billing software ‘ABC Financial.’ I find this excuse rather convenient because I am now aware I am not the only party who has been affected by this when wanting to try out either locations, and switch memberships in a short time frame– within the same month. Essentially being double charged and up-charged at the same time.

I would have thought that PAC management would work with me to resolve this issue, but their general response has been that their hands are tied behind their back, because of their billing system which is handled by a third party. If I were a nefarious agent, this would be a convenient way to evade responsibility to the customer via plausible deniability.

Gym memberships have always been thorny, tumultuous, and immutable contracts, but I would have expected better from a gym that goes above and beyond in providing a great environment to work out in. The lack of a customer first culture is beyond disappointment.

Either the owners set this system up on purpose to take advantage of customers that are prone to change their mind, and using their third party billing software to evade responsibility or they are technologically inept and a victim of poor gym management system software– in which case it would be worthwhile to invest more time into researching open source billing systems specific to gyms, or invest in a freelancer to build in an house system which allows for pro-rata contracts, and overall a more malleable system that is built upon customer first principles. For example, for military service members who come home on leave for a couple weeks, they aren’t going to sign up for a 12 month contract, and a month-to-month would work, but it would be even better to have a pro-rata system.

This is especially important if you consider how the owners have publicly discussed opening more locations, such as in Boise– having a scalable system is imperative, but not if you're intentionally or unintentionally taking advantage of your customers and adding that extra revenue to your...

Moved back to the Tri Cities a few months ago and had to find a gym in town. I had started powerlifting in Seattle and needed something that would fit that vibe. Checked out 2-3 gyms in Tri that focused on Powerlifting/Bodybuilding and ultimately decided on PAC. A few reasons:

1. Location - The Kennewick gym is conveniently located right off of 240 and Edison, within 10-15 minutes of anywhere in Tri, and trust me I didn’t wanna make a long drive to workout. The Richland gym (although I don’t go to that one) is also conveniently right off of the Bypass and Van Giesen.

2. Equipment - Okay I’m gonna fan girl for a moment here. This gym straight up had EVERYTHING. 3 Bench stations plus several chest press machines. 3 squat racks and like a million (I’m not joking) leg press and squat machines. The only thing is there’s only 2 deadlift stations but they have more on order (gym equipment has been impossible to find - I’ve been trying to help friends build home gyms so I feel the pain of acquiring equipment).

3. Crowdedness - For being such a badass gym, this place is never super crowded. I show up between 4-6 or 6-8 depending on the night (peak gym hours) and I’m almost never fighting for equipment. And even when a station isn’t available, there’s 100% a machine that I can substitute in.

4. Cleanliness - This gym is so clean. The staff and janitor (she’s such a sweetheart and I don’t know her name) are constantly cleaning equipment and the members are really good about wiping down as well.

5. VIBES - Ok I can’t stress this enough. This is by no means an intimidating gym, everyone minds their own business, but the vibes are always on. Great high energy music, friendly members who are always willing to spot, and the environment is just right for someone who wants to crush it at the gym. You kind of have to experience it to understand. Maybe it’s the friendly staff, the encouraging community, the dope down lighting, the amazing equipment, but PAC is one of the best gyms I’ve...

This is the Tri Cities best gym. I've been to several gyms throughout the years since highschool and I can say that despite it's deceptively rough exterior it's quietly well thought out with equipment you won't find in any but the most exotic bodybuilding centric gyms in the world.

The staff are on point and goal oriented. They have clientele that have gone on to be successful in bodybuilding/fitness/bikini competitions. They offer coaching and consulting for people who wish to advance onto competitive fitness. If you feel you are ready.

Their equipment is very well thought out, some of it might seem old but a experienced lifter will know that their selection in machines will give you better results with less time. They have the most wild collection of hip/leg press machines I've ever seen. Everything is in great repair. I would go to say that they treat equipment thats broken or disabled as a personal issue. They also have some very nice newer equipment. You gotta check out all of the Italian made back machines they have lined up.

The music can be a bit loud but nothing I can't drown out with noise cancelling earbuds. It's a gym for hardcore people it's to be expected.

One thing to note that this is a private gym and it does cater to the more involved individual, don't be surprised to see people with their shirt off posing between sets or filming themselves while working out. If that is something you might not care for well this might not be for you. To each his own.

They do a lot of group exercise activities, so if you are looking for a bit more group encouragement. They also have a powerlifting group that comes in every once and a while I think.

If you see me there in the mornings I'm not as mean as I look, I just haven't had...