CrossFit Main Line - Ardmore — Local services in Lower Merion Township

I joined CrossFit Main Line in early 2024 and the workout and coaches were excellent. Unfortunately, I had a medical illness that afflicted me all Summer into the Fall and was unable to return to CrossFit per how I felt and per my doctor. I explained to CrossFit Main Line that I cannot do CrossFit anymore at this time, but I’d like to return in the future if and when I am able. However, they still charged me a 3 month cancellation fee per my contract (approximately $180 x 3 months). Be aware that this gym is sales focused. I was pressured to join after 3 classes when I had a trial of 5 classes. The gym won’t let you out of a contract even if you are willing to provide proof of a legitimate medical reason whereas other gyms will let you cancel with 30 days notice even without a medical reason. I really wanted to come back to Cross Fit Main Line after I got better, but I won’t because of their unfair business practices.

Edit: Amending my review on 11-2-2024 to provide clarification and respond to comments from the owner:

The statement by the CrossFit Main Line – Ardmore Owner stating that I was “provided 9 complimentary months” of membership is false and misleading information.

Here is a list of the charges made to my credit card to date with a timeline of events:

Joined Cross Fit Main Line in February 2024

2/22/2024- 89.18 (partial membership fee so because I was paying for two gym memberships this month)

3/21/2024- $178.35 (normal membership fee)

4/18/2024- $178.35 (normal membership fee)

May 2024- Informed CrossFit Main Line of medical illness

5/16/2024- $35 (medical freeze)

7/11/2024- $35 (medical freeze)

8/8/2024- $35 (medical freeze)

9/5/2024- $35 (medical freeze)

10/3/2024- $35 (medical freeze)

10/23/2024- informed CrossFit Main Line I will not be returning because I am unable to physically do the workout.

10/31/2024- $178.35 (cancellation penalty fee 1 of 3)

Again, I would like to reiterate that the gym and coaches are excellent. However, if I had to redo the process of joining this gym, I would not have signed a contract. I would have decided on a month to month membership since it is impossible to predict what will happen in life. I also want to clarify that the three-month cancellation fee was part of the contract I signed with the gym, but I believe this policy is unfair when one physically cannot do the workout anymore due to unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, I am informing others to keep that in mind when joining.

Second edit 11/6/2024

This is my second amendment to my review.

I am attaching a screenshot of the owner’s response that I was replying to on 11/2/2024.

I am also attaching a screenshot of the owner’s amended response from 11/5/2024 incorrectly asserting that I’ve never been a client of CrossFit Main Line and am posting false reviews. My experience detailed above is factual and non-threatening.

Third edit 11/8/2024

This is the third amendment to my review.

I am attaching a screenshot of the owner's response as of 11/7/2024. The owner contacted the Lower Merion Police Department in response to this review....

Long review but I needed all these words to say how amazing this place is! I moved 600 miles away from home all the way to PA for school. Then I decided to stay the summer in PA all alone from my family and friends. It was hard. It was lonely. As a former athlete, retired from numerous injuries from a car accident and life, I hated working out alone and couldn’t find the motivation to train at the same intensity that I had known for the past 11 years. Then I joined CrossFit Mainline. I began to find a community and looked forward to going to work out at a high level every day with amazing coaches and amazing athletes that encouraged each other during every workout. The coaches are amazing, I’ve never been a huge morning person, but Chelsey’s 6:30 am workouts became a staple for me over the summer before I went to work. Coach Chelsey, Jean, April, Matt, Mark, Ray, Daniel— they work each day to make you better, They celebrate wins with you, and they encourage you to work harder and do better everyday … even when you don’t feel like it. When I was in a car accident this year, I texted coach April for a hold on my account, and she showered me with support and love - this place has become my family and my home away from home. During the school year now I go back and forth from morning classes to evenings. It’s the best stress relief, best workout, and best place to be. To summarize this, all I can...

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about CrossFit Main Line! I was intimidated to join since I hadn't lifted any weights in 25 years and heard horror stories of injuries and unsafe practices. As a former distance runner, I was sick of running, so I was sitting on my butt, gaining weight instead (peri-menapause newsflash: getting heavier and heavier eating fewer and calories just to maintain). I joined 7 1/2 months ago and love it. Before even taking a class, they teach you how to do things like "clean and jerk", and "sumo deadlift". The coaches are super enthusiastic and helpful without being condescending. It's the first gym I've belonged to where men and women are treated exactly the same by both staff and other members. I feel strong and powerful and can see the progress everywhere (increased muscle mass, increased number and of reps, decreased weight and %body fat) Also, I've learned from the coaches how to eat more food to find my healthy weight. I'm now 8 pounds lighter and...