Fhitting Room- Upper West Side — Local services in New York

I took my first class through a ClassPass trial I had at the Fhtting Room Upper West Side. The front desk folks who were there helped me check in, explained all the facilities, and I have to say I was very impressed! It is very hars to find a gym that has both a sufficient workout space, but also amenities that people on the go can utilize like clean and comfortable showers, restrooms, lockers et cetera... I knew found my gym! Dale the instructor was great encouraging, and didn't come off as cheesy or robotic (which sometimes happens at places like these).

My class pass trial ends today and since I enjoyed working out at the fhitting room so much I figured I would just buy a monthly unlimited membership outright at the end of my 11 AM session today. Unfortunately, as I was en route to an 11:00 a.m. class today when I arrived at 11:03 (I know this because I parked my car at 10:59 AM and have the parking reciept to show it) I was told I could not enter the class because "they had just finished the warm up" and they have a very strict policy on if you finish the warm up you're not able to enter.

I understand a policy is a policy but (1) it was one I was not aware of, and (2) moreover there's a certain sense of professionalism that comes in running a business like this where grace and leniency around these policies are expected and often considered.

Sure if I showed up at 11:05 and people were well into the circuit with their weights I would have understood...If I showed up at 11:10 that's entirely too late to expect to jump right into a workout class... but for someone like me who comes all the way from Washington Heights to attend a class on the Upper West side, it is beyond a mild inconvenience to be told after driving for nearly 40 minutes in traffic, finding parking, paying for parking, over extending myself to ensure that I am able to attend this class and entering just a short few minutes too late that I simply cannot attend because of because "we would get into toeubke if we let you in".

I come all the way from Washington Heights to take this class so to say that is an easy journey via car, metro, uber, or bus is not easy.

Just for fun, I checked, an Uber to get to the class today wouldve cost me $37.

After pleading and explaining my situation a bit more to no avail the 2 teenagers who worked the front desk, they still refused to let me in.

I very politely explained to them that I was fully ready and committed to purchasing my unlimited membership today because I enjoyed working out so much. As concerned as they may be about getting in trouble for letting a customer in late, the bigger concern should be on how that customer responds to an issue of this.

YOU'VE NOW LOST A CUSTOMER!

It never ceases to amaze me how in a city full of workout options these studios can let patrons go so easily...

Tangentially, I will never forgive the pandemic for closing what was my favorite workout studio in the city. They had a very forgiving tardiness policy, fantastic instructors, and a reasonably priced unlimited monthly membership.

Based on other reviews I'm sure this facility will be just fine but it's a strong no for me. Time is valuable commodity on both ends of this transaction and for me I don't have the time, energy, or money to worry about an incident like this happening again.

On to the next overpriced HIIT style...

I have tried a few times to take a class here and it is just not for me. The trainers are usually very knowledgable but the sound system is extremely loud: music and the trainers speaking loud into their very loud microphones really hurt my ears. They offer ear plugs but that is not how I want to work out. The format is such that you have to listen to all this fast explanation of what the class order will be that you basically forget right away because it is too much information to take in. They put you in groups and most of my experience is that the other trainees are not always very friendly and its just kind of awkward. I would prefer a one on one training or work out by myself. I have hurt myself with kettle bells here before here so I will not try this place again. It may be right for others but not my cup of tea. Also front desk...

I’ve been going to fitness studios for almost ten years now and I can say that The Fhitting Room is the best!

When I first moved to NYC, I started trying out different gyms to see what worked best for me. The instructors made me feel really welcomed and the facility is very nice. Fast forward three years, and The Fhitting Room is part of my life now. I originally started going to the location in Flat Iron but sadly it’s now closed. I make the trek 4 times a week from Chelsea to UWS - if that says anything about how great this place is. The instructors are attentive and correct your form which is wonderful. I’ve seen great results and always recruit my friends to join....