Crunch Fitness - Park Slope — Local services in New York

I have been a member of this gym for several years. I feel compelled to tell local residents considering a membership that this gym is good but has some major issues. -- and I'm not even picky.

I think I'd hate it less if it cost less, (you pay close to $100 a month and at times it feels like the gym treats you like they are doing you a favor allowing you in.) but I'd definitely still have some issues. It's not that it doesn't have good qualities, because it does -- it's really just that the bad outweigh the good for me.

Good:

• Very close to subways. • Diverse variety of classes available. • Wait for cardio machines is short to nonexistent, especially if you're willing to gravitate downstairs away from the locker rooms. • Great spin classes. (See comment below on sign-up. • Front desk staff is very pleasant and for the most part nice and helpful.

Bad:

• Showers don't have reliable warm water. The water can go from COLD to HOT in a second. I am very surprised no has been seriously burned and sued the gym for this!!! • Singing up on line is a great idea in theory however: o Crunch has a three strikes and you’re out for on line sign up. So if you sign up regularly for three years (1 error per year) you’re out. Common sense is clearly missing...(Not to mention it Is also likely the no show might well be a clerical error by Crunch staff) o For the popular classes, the on line sign-up fills up right away…dah add more classes. For instance spin class should be at 5:00 and at 7:00 instead of just at 6:45 • Somewhat PUSHY trainers. I don't have a trainer because I can't afford one, and don't appreciate the sales tactics at all. • Trainers take up way too much of the very limited floor exercise space with clients. • Only a handful of class times are convenient for Brooklynites commuting from work in Manhattan. • DJ on Tuesdays is too loud (for my taste, at least).

Overall I'd say you're better off finding another way to work out, or finding another gym in the area that might provide a better value and overall experience....

This gym is fantastic. Firstly, the facilities are always very clean. Cleaning staff are constantly at work, refilling wipes and cleaning sprays, and maintaining cleanliness in the locker rooms/bathrooms. Personal training staff do a great job of cleaning off equipment after sessions, and there are ample cleaning supplies for members to use on their own. A+ Secondly, the personal training staff is exemplary. As a previous personal trainer and gym nerd, I tend to be critical of (and generally unimpressed by) training staff at gyms. The folx at this location are well-trained, very knowledgable, and so friendly. They are helpful and generous with advice and tips and I don't feel pressured by them to buy sessions. When I did decide to buy a personal training package, I was surprised by the trainer's thoroughness, knowledge, and approach. The quality of the trainers here is impressive. Thirdly, the desk and administrative staff are great--they are responsive, friendly, and very accessible. Having gone to this gym at different days/times, I've become familiar with much of the staff and they are consistently helpful and professional. Lastly, the gym itself is spacious with plenty of equipment. Of course, there are times when it gets quite crowded; still, there is always some place where I can work out and the access to a range of equipment--free weights, squat racks, kettle bells, boxes, bands, bosu balls, etc.--is fantastic. I highly recommend this gym and this location in particular. Truly. Here's a shout-out to some of the staff that have really stood out to me in only good ways: sales manager Jason Deraveniere (who easily convinced me to join); front desk staff Jaime (love this guy); managers Danny Morales, Justin Dolecek (yay for the trainers you hire!), and Ronnie Anchia; and personal trainers Eileen, Phil, Franklin, Eugene, Okeynan, Adam, and James who bring so much to the work they do (and who have helped me through injuries...

Giving 2 stars for the convenient location, 3 floors and friendly employees. However, for $100/month membership, this gym is definitely lacking. I went in at 7am this Saturday (yesterday) when the gym opened and the bathroom was not cleaned as it had a big stain and also it didn’t have toilet paper. I went in again on Sunday (today) and the bathroom was still not clean because the same stain still remained. Yesterday it was raining and the roof was leaking in 4 different spots and they had buckets on the floor to catch the water. It was really gross and felt like I was at a gym that costs $20/month.

Another recurring issue I have is that the machines always have weights on them. It should be better encouraged to re-rack weights after using them. The leg press machine always have 2-3 45lbs plates on each side and I have to take them off before I put my own weights on them. I alerted the front desk of this issue before and I was basically told that there’s nothing they can do. The previous gym I went to, employees walked around to make sure proper gym etiquette was followed. This is something I would expect from a gym that costs this much. In addition, when I come in at 7am when the gym opens on the weekends, the weights are STILL on the machines which leads me to believe that the employees don’t re-rack weights the night before. If they don’t re-rack weights, are they even cleaning the machines? Are the machines and area not thoroughly cleaned each night because that’s absolutely disgusting.

There’s also only one barbell in the weight room on the bottom floor. And 2 of the barbells in the weight room can’t hold any plates. The plates won’t fit and I even spoke to a trainer about it and he said that 2 of the barbells don’t work. What’s the point of a barbell on a squat rack if they can’t hold any plates?

Basically, better cleaning, better gym etiquette and better gym equipment will make the...