Anytime Fitness — Local services in Minneapolis

A worthy read for anyone considering a contract with ANY location owned by this owner, Aaron.

I’m a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Marine Corps and a Combat Veteran, so my honor and integrity remain of high value and meaning to me, but I’m a pretty busy guy, like most people. I keep in shape with home weights and regular outdoor activities but I was looking for a convenient gym location near my fiancé’s place downtown. Upon discovering this location and touring the facilities, I found the equipment totally sufficient for my needs and the convenience was unmatched for me, so I signed a contract on the spot. But that was the last positive experience I had with this location.

I experienced issues with my account (incorrect name spelling) and my key fob wasn’t recognized when trying to set up their mobile app. I discovered these issues the day I signed my contract, submitted these issues as response to the first email I was sent by Anytime Fitness and waited to hear back.

A generic ‘Welcome’ email was received the following day but never any responses to my setup issues, so I stopped worrying about it. Months later, I was sent text messages to set up personal training with a coach. Then other texts asking me for my bank account and routing number from a manager that I had not enrolled with or met. I assumed this was a phishing attempt. I finally responded to the manager texts by inquiring on the status of the issues I had raised on day 1. I was asked to forward the email I sent day 1 containing my notes issues. There was no clear conversation about resolving any of my initial concerns. Instead, the numerous unrelated attempts to solicit business and information from me were presented as a defense for this location and I was accused of not raising my issues sooner when I had opportunities.

I was met with resilient and well rehearsed accusations by the manager, of failures on MY part, to raise these issues to the attention of staff and for not using the gym, to my dismay. (I admit, there were failures in communication on both sides here and I take responsibility for my part and even reached out by phone to apologize to the manager for not handling this to full ability of my character).

I had requested to speak with the owner because I was frustrated, and after paying 6 months of dues on time and without issue yet never seeing any resolution of my original issues, I was seeking a contract termination and had requested a refund because in my eyes, the service agreement we had signed was not fulfilled as far as Anytime Fitness providing me fundamental business services concerning my account.

The owner was rude, accusatory and inflammatory to me on the phone as he had been following along with the manager’s communication with me. Without giving me a chance to explain my perspective or addressing my concerns as his customer, he did take his personal time to speak with me in a condescending and completely aggressive manner, going as far as to say my request for a refund by me was “trying to take food out of my family’s mouth”. though his attitude was aggressive and tactless with little attention paid to customer who was simply trying to address unresolved account issues (which were downplayed and dismissed by the owner before admitting he had followed along with my interaction with the manager the whole time - yet never a move to resolve the original issues).

The payoff: Learn from my experience and remove any illusion that your Service Agreement with this Owner is a two-way street at all. His solution to every concern of mine, was to remind me I’m on a term contract and I was locked-in and distorting my concerns into an excuse to exit my contract. This dodgy big shot’s ability to view a customer’s perspective is nonexistent. If you enjoy a good chastisement, Aaron’s your man. He can tell you how it’s going to be, rather than address any actual customer concerns or resolving any business issues...

This Anytime Fitness location is conveniently located if you live in North Loop or parts of NE Mpls, though parking can be a real challenge at times. It's a very small location, so not a lot of room for extra amenities, just the essentials, but if that's all you need, you'll be covered. However, I'm really here to review Andrew Brightman.

I answered a post on social media for a promotion for women 40+ to pay a chunk of money and if you meet the weight loss goal, you get it all back. I met with Andrew and immediately liked his energy. He was direct and warm in a very genuine way, and I felt had the wellbeing of the client as his priority. I'm not someone who is easily convinced, especially by sales pitches, and I decided while talking with him that the Year of Change program was a better all around value and paying a monthly rate was a better option for me. This program offers group fitness personal training classes, mostly a combination of total body HIIT and free weight circuit style training, progress checks including EVOLT scans, and some nutrition and lifestyle coaching. The cost, coming in at $150 per month billed $75 twice monthly is a slight stretch for me, but a fraction of the cost of similar programs I have done in the past which makes it feel achievable. I also feel the cost is somewhat of a motivator for me, I've paid the money, I better get to class! It's a well designed program from a business standpoint, and accessible which is incredibly important. There are so many annoying things bad trainers can do: yell a lot like it's a traumatizing high school gym class or bootcamp, hover too much and make too many comments on your technique when you're doing fine and really need to not have someone in your face at that moment so you can focus (maybe some people respond to that, but I shut down), constantly point out the gender of the women in the class or say things like "you gals over here might want to just start at this weight..." or if they do recognize you as a "gal" can lift, then push you to lift too much and jeopardize safety. Make assumptions about your nutrition knowledge and lifestyle based on your appearance, or just give really bad nutrition advice. The list goes on. Well, guess what? You will never have to worry about any of that garbage working with Andrew Brightman. The real motivation has been the positive, empowering atmosphere that Andrew creates. If you're having a good time working out, and you develop relationships with the people around you, you are more likely to stay committed to attending. This is the key to the success of group personal training and Andrew gets it. He is also incredibly knowledgeable as both a trainer and body builder, and as a nutrition and lifestyle coach. I have worked with other trainers in the past, and been part of similar programs in the past and have only met one other person that I felt matched his all around skill, knowledge, and ability to create the right environment. The fact is though that you can have a PhD in a topic, but if you're not a good teacher, if you can't empower your participants, build them up, recognizing the unique knowledge, experience and skills they bring to the table already, then you're not really going to retain clients or watch them succeed at their goals. This is where Andrew really shines. I've struggled with my weight/size my entire life, and I have also been very misunderstood especially by "gym bro" sports and fitness types. Andrew took the time to understand where I'm coming from, and the enormous efforts I've been making already, and really SAW ME. This is the single most important thing I can say about Andrew Brightman's work, he meets people where they are. He can read a room, and he's also got a great sense of humor, and sometimes you just need that! I can't express my gratitude and enthusiasm for the work I've done...

This review is based upon my 12 years being a Anytime Fitness member. Not always at the North Loop Location. With every chain, there are good locations and not so good locations. I would put North Loop in the not so good location compared to the other Anytime Fitness centers I have gone to over my membership years. But everyone has different expectation of what they want a gym to be. Given the new Anytime Fitness corporate business modals, gyms are becoming pretty average.

This is a location is a very cramped space and getting worse. After the remodel, there is even less space as another office has been built. Not sure why a such a small location needs two offices.

Weight and cardio equipment are older and low end. Even some of the new cardio machines purchased are on the low end of quality machines. If you like to watch and listen to the TV while working out, you're out of luck. Most of the cardio machines do not have the sound working right. Closed Caption does not work even though you can see the setting is on. Trying to find a remote that will work on the TV is always a hunting experience.

Decent amount of free weights and kettle bells but most of them have no labels so you're not sure what the weight amount is.

Seems like who ever is designing the new space doesn't understand fitness centers. There is little or no flow to the space. Back door is blocked by several machines so hope you never need to get out in an emergency.

NOTE - there is not active equipment maintenance at this location. If a machine is not functioning, it's up to the member to notify management. Event then it can take several weeks to get the equipment fix.

Anytime Fitness has recently starting re-assigning you home gum based upon usage. So if you travel a lot, it is possible that your home gym will be re-assigned without you knowing and your monthly fee will be changed. So it's no longer pay one price and use any Anytime Fitness without an issue. You have to fight to get it changed back.

You will also notice the response to my post from the owner. Interesting since the changes didn't make a more cohesive environment, just a more limited use. And the changes were never completed. The owner's referral to a trainer is kind of a joke. In my time at North Loop, I have made 3 appointments with trainers and the trainer didn't show up at any of them. Lots of excuses why they didn't show but who has time to waste on that type of customer service. The owner's response is pretty standard. Always claiming that things have changed where in fact they have not.

I'm giving them the 1 star as the do provide free parking and in the North Loop, that is a bonus. Otherwise I would not rate this location a full star. Hope they decide...