TMPL Fitness — Local services in New York

Updated review 9/2025: Ode to TMPL Avenue A (song for Ala) I’ve been going to New York City gyms for almost 30 years, and to TMPL Avenue A since early 2021. What makes TMPL Avenue A so very special is the people who work there. There are not enough stars in the evening sky that I can bestow upon them. At the reception, I am often greeted by Luís, Roxy or Raheem. Their beautiful smiles and warm welcome are sunshine on my day. The trainers and teachers are always helpful and friendly. Even if you don’t train with them or take their classes, they will often offer enthusiastic hellos and words of encouragement. Kudos to Teddy, Greg, Josue, Madison, Naomi, Keeley, Tania, Suszannah and new hires Joe, Holden, and Justin. My trainer, A.B., is the best trainer that I’ve ever had. He helped me get back into shape after Covid. I had a persistent frozen shoulder a couple of years ago. With A.B.’s guidance and patience, the shoulder returned to normal, and I avoided surgery. I had an appendectomy last year. A.B. kept checking up on me with calls and texts, and he helped me recover afterwards. He knows how to work with older people and to work with who you are. I’ve had trainers in the past who’ve tried to make me train like they do and eat like they do because that’s what works for them. But everyone is different. A.B. is incredibly knowledgeable. My knees were sore after my solo workouts. I showed A.B. what I was doing. He made a couple of minor adjustments to my routine and solved the problem. He’s also a pleasure to be with . . . we can talk about anything—cooking, movies, relationships, and sports (even though he wears that unfortunate Yankees cap). Best of all, he has a mischievous sense of humor, and we laugh a lot. General Manager Patty runs a smooth operation. I admire that no staff member at TMPL Avenue A is averse to picking up a stray towel, re-racking weights or replenishing the drinks cooler. If something is broken or not working, one just has to mention it to anybody on the team, and it gets fixed. Ala, the wonderful Customer Services Manager at TMPL Avenue A, has been after me for a long time to post a review. (Ala has a funny accent. I think she’s from New Jersey.) I’ve resisted writing because I’m conflicted. While I’m enormously appreciative of the staff at TMPL Avenue A, I’m not very pleased with the corporate side of TMPL. I was upset when they laid off their in-house cleaning crew, who were part of the Avenue A family, and outsourced the jobs. The housekeeping crew currently in place does an excellent job. But so did Brandon and Victor and their colleagues before them, and I miss them. Anyway, the gym is spotless most of the time. TMPL also refuses to participate in the Silver Sneakers or Renew Active programs. Almost every other gym in New York City does. Why doesn’t TMPL? There have been several general managers, customer service managers, and training managers in the 4 ½ years that I’ve been going to TMPL Avenue A. The constant upheaval can’t be good for employee morale, and it causes confusion among the membership. I worry that TMPL is becoming just another money-grubbing corporate gym. For the moment though, TMPL Avenue A is a home away from home for me, and I always feel good when I’m there.

First review in 2022: ABracadABra! This is a really great gym. I got a monthly rate under $60 as a former NYSC member. The gym has been entirely renovated and upgraded. All the machines are new. Everyone there, Jane the manager, Luis and Hunter at the reception and Sam, Josue and Teddy on the training staff make you feel special. The ace housekeeping staff keeps the place immaculate. But for me, the brightest star at this gym is Abdias (Ab). I've been working with him for six months and it's one of the best decisions I ever made. Ab is charming and entertaining but also demanding. His workouts are challenging but he keeps them moving briskly and makes them fun. My time at TMPL - Avenue A is a...

Former NYSC member here. I can say that yes, this is an improvement and I appreciate the new equipment and staff. That said it seems a bit overpriced at $70/month for what it is. I would consider this more of a $50/month club as far as what i've paid for in the past. The machines are nice, but the TV isnt working on many and the ones it does work on only have limited channels like fox business and espn. I'd like to see that updated. Also the matrix interface is okay, but doesnt link up to all apps or phones. Just little things that are annoying for me when I'm paying that much. Giving them benefit of the doubt since new, but after a few months, I'm hoping for improvement.

Update: it's been a few months So everything is pretty much the same. Machine still nice, people count is low during the day, but yeah TV issues I'd say on like 70% of machines I've tries. Management tried to call me and text me assuring me this qoukd be fixed after my review, but alas sane issues still and again for 70 bucks a month I do expect it to actually be happen as it ahoykdnt be difficult to fix. If one machine gets channels why can't all machines? At least have TV screens if not. Still a member, still reaching my goals, just don't know how long I'll stick around once I reach...

If I could give this place 0 stars I would. It started out as a great gym and slowly turned horrendous.

They’ve oversold memberships so the gym floor is constantly packed at all hours. When you are using a machine or a piece of equipment, you literally cannot leave it for one second or somebody will come take it. The trainers have no respect for members. They take over so much space, there’s barely room for the members to actually workout. They also talk behind the backs of their clients. I’ve heard this on several occasions. Oh and if you’re actually looking to get fit, don’t even bother. I was a member at temple for many months and noticed several clients week in and week out working with their trainer and achieving NO results. But the trainers took the money all the same. Thieves. Liars and thieves. Some of the trainers themselves could use a trainer. It’s a joke who they give a shirt and a clipboard to. They allow people to workout without shoes and socks. Speaks for itself.

I could go on but you get the picture. Literally just NYSC all over again. No improvement. Just some fancy rebranding o the outside but the rot on the...