PureGym - Formerly Blink Fitness — Local services in New York

I’ve been a member of this gym for 18 months now going regularly 3-5 times a week at different times. I consider myself a strength trainer who focuses in compound lifting. This is an all around just okay gym that has a couple pros and many cons.

Pros: It is kept very clean, serious kudos to the cleaning staff. Most of the personal trainers are great, mostly because when I talk to them they actually care about teaching form and helping you grow rather than creating terrible programs that force you to spend more money on them. There is a fair amount of cardio equipment. Even at its most peaked hours I see spare treadmills. Decent selection of free weights and an okay layout. Locker rooms do the bare minimum but are effective.

Cons: Groups of high school kids run around rough housing and breaking equipment. They never get reprimanded because they are friends with some of the workers. When equipment breaks, which there is always at least 3 pieces broken, it takes about a month for a repair. Over the summer I waited 9 weeks for the rear delt machine to get fixed. I laughed when a treadmill was placed in German / kilometers and it took about a month to find out how to fix it. Most of the carabiners for the cables are broken or just missing all together. There are only 2 dedicated bench press seats which means you will often have to wait 20 minutes to get to them. Because there is so much cardio equipment spread out the strength areas are compacted with a lot of people standing around waiting for equipment. Peak hours, 5p-8p on weekdays and most of the day on weekends, are a nightmare. Specifically with the school kids running around in packs of 5 and spending 45 minutes taking up machines. The club manager is super dissociated from everything going on and I have found them often just blankly staring at people when they workout and it’s very uncomfortable.

Conclusion: if you go to the gym for some light cardio after work it’s fine. If you are just starting out at a gym for the first time and want a “cheapish” intro, it’s fine. If you want a wide range of equipment and space to really dial in and push yourself, look elsewhere.

Recently Blink raised the prices of their memberships and the personal trainer sessions to the point were I would no longer consider it commercial gym prices, memberships for this level shouldn’t be $30/month with so many hidden fees. I will be moving to the Club Fitness down the block soon once my trainer sessions are up. It’s double the price for five times the space and equipment. With way nicer locker rooms and showers. In my...

I have been a member of Blink Fitness at this location since March 2024. Initially, my experience was positive—the gym provided everything I needed for my health and fitness.

However, over the past several months, I have become increasingly disappointed. As a deaf individual, I appreciate that most members are courteous and respectful. Unfortunately, some staff members, including management, have treated me differently since learning that I am deaf. They have been dismissive, unhelpful, and unwilling to address legitimate concerns. When individuals mocked me and other deaf members, management failed to take appropriate action.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), gyms are public accommodations and are legally required to provide equal access and communication for all members, including those who are deaf. This includes ensuring an inclusive and respectful environment. The management at this location has failed to meet that standard.

Last summer, a manager mocked American Sign Language (ASL). While learning ASL to communicate is commendable, using it in a disrespectful manner is offensive and unacceptable. I also introduced three deaf friends to this gym, and each of them promptly canceled their memberships due to similar mistreatment.

Additionally, I have witnessed unprofessional behavior at this location. A personal trainer helped himself to a snack without paying, and when I reported the matter, a manager violated my privacy by revealing my name. I have also seen trainers engaging in inappropriate behavior with clients.

As someone with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from a deaf university, I received extensive training in personal training and professional ethics. The kind of misconduct I have observed at this gym would never be tolerated in a reputable establishment.

Deaf individuals are just as capable as anyone else. The only difference is that we do not hear—but we are equal. Discrimination and unprofessionalism have no place in any public fitness facility.

If you are deaf or have a disability, I strongly advise visiting this gym before committing to a membership. Based on my experience, Blink Fitness locations in Woodside and certain Manhattan gyms are far more inclusive and welcoming. If you are considering other alternatives, Planet Fitness may be a more suitable option.

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They blocked me from using the door and said I cannot leave unless I use the pods and scan the barcode on my phone. I was also told that if my phone dies, I need to purchase a physical key fob to leave. Are you serious?

I’ve been a member since 2018, and these are the worst changes yet. First of all, they erased most of the guest privileges while raising the prices. Blink used to be so welcoming to newcomers and using the guest pass was how I introduced many people to the gym. Secondly, they replaced the entrance with two revolving pods where you scan an app, the pod opens on your side, you step in, it closes on the side you came in, then the pod opens on the other side. You need to scan your phone app to get IN AND OUT. The pods only fit one person at a time so if someone is coming in, you must wait to get out. If there is a line, you must wait. There is in fact a door, but it is locked and according to the employee, you are only allowed to use it if you need accessibility accommodations. It stays locked and if you attempt to open it, an alarm sounds to alert everyone. The employee happened to be holding the door open to talk to someone, so I attempted to leave through the door and was then blocked by the employee from exiting and told to scan my phone app and use the pod. I hate how tight and enclosed the pods are and that I’m not allowed to use the door. I’m not handicapped so I can’t use the door? Ridiculous. The door stays locked and the workers stay in the office until help is needed to unlock it with a key. There are some serious safety concerns. I asked what happens if there is an emergency and we need to get out? The worker pointed at the door and said “we use this door.” I was confused because emergency exits are not supposed to be locked. I also asked how do leave if my phone dies, and was told I have to PURCHASE a physical key fob with a barcode. Everyone seems visibly annoyed leaving and entering.

Besides the serious safety concerns and forcing you to buy a physical key fob to leave if your phone dies, I can say that I do like the free weights and that there are cleaning wipes. Also, 2 out of the 3 sinks had...