Gold's Gym - Riverdale Park — Local services in Riverdale Park

I have been a member at this location since it opened. I’m going to address three overall themes in this review: poor customer service, common sense-less Covid restrictions, and hours/fees. First, whenever this gym changes hours due to a holiday or inclement weather, customers don't realize it until they drive to the gym and find the door locked. If you call first, the recording tells you to check the website or the app for hours. When you check the website and app, the hours are not updated. It has happened several times. How difficult is it to either update the recording or website/app? It’s lazy.

Second, the gym recently increased fees, ostensibly due to Covid, while reducing the services and exercise space that it offers. There was a monthly fee increase in addition to a “one-time” Covid cleaning fee charged in December. Members now pay more but get less. For example, the locker use policy, for months, was bonkers. Members could use the locker room bathrooms, but they could not use the lockers themselves, which were taped off. I was told this was due to Covid. It’s an acceptable risk for me to run on a treadmill three feet from other people on treadmills, but it’s an unacceptable risk for me to put my jacket into a locker. Which is more likely to spread a respiratory virus – my jacket or my panting lungs? The lockers are now, magically, available for use after months of being forbidden.

A current issue is with exercise space. “GGX Studio” is a large open room where scheduled fitness classes take place, which are free to all members. Since the gym opened, as long as one of the (infrequent) classes were not occurring, this space was open to any member to use for calisthenics or whatever. Since around the time of Covid, there has been a sign taped to the door: “GGX Studio is closed for all members.” Last week the gym floor was crowded and I was looking for a place to do lunges. Carlos, an off-duty employee, was in the GGX Studio working out so I assumed it was open (despite the sign on the door); I went in. He told me I could not exercise there, but that he could “because I’m an employee here.” He said I could only be in the GGX Studio space if I’m taking one of the free classes – otherwise it needs to sit empty. I asked him why that was and he told me, “because that’s the way it is.” Awesome. So, “GGX Studio” is “closed for all members” unless you’re an employee of the gym or you are taking a free class. Makes sense.

Third, despite increased prices, the gym’s hours were decreased. This, of course, was not to save money on payroll and HVAC, but to protect members from Covid. Like the locker policy, common sense is absent: if 100 people are going to use the gym on, say, Saturday, and the hours are reduced, this forces the same number of members into a higher density, which only theoretically increases viral transmission risk. Like the locker policy, and the GGX Studio policy, the reduced hours are just restrictions for the sake of having restrictions. Given these outlined issues, it’s wise to look elsewhere for a gym. The new Bozzuto development currently being built at 7150 Baltimore Avenue is slated to have a fitness center. Once it opens, I’ll...

I have had nothing but great experiences at this gym! Every staff member that I have come into contact with has literally gone above and beyond to help me!! Initially I signed up online to get the special before 3/31 and I enrolled in the 79.99 plan. Well once I got to the gym HAROLD took the time to talk with me about the different plans and gave me a tour of the gym. He was very nice and knowledgeable and pretty much convinced me to upgrade my plan which was seriously the best decision I could make! Currently, I am a member of a kickboxing gym and I pay over $126 for only kickboxing. At this gym, I pay less and I have access to a new beautiful facility, a nice weight room, a cycling class, a Burn (cardio) class, a class similar to cross fit but with out super heavy weights, sauna, bootcamp classes, and regular fitness classes!!!

After I visited the gym and decided I wanted to upgrade my membership, there was a slight issue with getting everything upgraded, which I was freaking out about because I already had my mind set on taking the Burn, Cycling, and Fit classes. I tried to call the Corp office but I couldn't get anywhere. I was just about to give up and decided to call the gym and get another number for the Corporate office! lol Well I just so happen to get one of the managers on the phone named FRANCIS. He was SO HELPFUL!! He listened to my concerns and said that he would make some calls on my behalf and follow up with me. Well he followed up with me the SAME day and worked everything out so that I wouldn't have to pay anything extra so that I could still benefit from the promotional deal!!!!!!!!!! I have no idea how anyone could complain about the staff here because they will literally do anything they can to help their customers!! Francis could have just dismissed my concerns, but he didn't. He was very professional and genuinely cared about helping me resolve my problem. THANK YOU. :)

Also, another benefit from have a membership here is that you can get a 3D body scan! I am part of a 30 day challenge so having this value added feature is very helpful because I now know my exact measurements, body fat etc. which will help me determine how much I have improved after 30 days. One thing to keep in mind is that you have to set up an appointment in advance, which is understandable. My appointment was with CAL, which is also one of the guys that does the Fit class. He is awesome! I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with him. We discussed such a broad range of topics such as nutrition, the affects of certain diet plans, health books that we have read, an in depth break down of my results from the scan, how I can achieve my weight loss goals and so much more!! I am so happy that Gold's decided to build this gym right down the street from me!! The facility is awesome, the staff is amazing, and the fitness classes are just as good as any Soul Cycle or Cross Fit class that you would pay so much more money for!! I cant wait to go to class tonight!!!...

I've been a member since 10/2018. Cons: I have had a number of issues. I have had issues with their financial service charging me three times in error. One was a human error taking money instead of refunding it. Another was taking $100 out for next months dues when they were no where near due. And the third was a transaction when I bought a supplement and it took my money but it didn't show in their system that I had bought it and I had to show proof from my banking app. Some gym staff are nice and personable. I am a regular and know everyone. The staff hasn't done anything wrong to me and always show respect as I do to them. They always speak and joke from time to time. They have hired new people and they seem OK so far. But the management staff needs leadership training. Matt the General Manager is often too busy and if you need something done you have to stay on him but do not bug him or he will take his time. Demeanor is key with him. But normally when I speak with him he is understanding and helps me promptly.

The Assistant GM is another character on the other hand. He doesn't know how to treat people in general. He often makes faces of displeasure right in your face as if you are not standing there talking to him. Iv'e stood back and watched his interactions with members and people interested in joining the gym. Even members wanting to cancel their membership to see how he interacts with them. He has never acknowledged or said hello to me since I joined almost a year ago. Depending on the day and how he feels it can be a good or bad interaction. If he doesn't agree with you then forget it. It's a lost cause. The treatment that he gives his staff creates friction not just with his staff but with other members. I'm in management myself and he is lacking leadership qualities and judgement. It's as if he doesn't want to be there. I had to look at him side ways the first and only time we encountered one another when I had an issue with something minor. Just so he would know I wasn't the guy to try to intimidate. He plays this Alpha male game and he tries to see who will cower or bow down first.

Pros: The gym equipment is often all over the place but I have seen much worse. For the most part its manageable. It doesn't take much to find what you need. Some staff members do help with keeping the equipment in order. The cleaning staff are on top of everything and keep the gym sanitized and clean. The men's locker room needs more attention with cleaning but is clean for the most part. Nice variety of machines and cardio equipment. I wish the gym was 24 hours but the hours work with my schedule most of the time. If this gym could work on these minor issues it would be a great gym. All most all the members enjoy training there and are serious about working out as I am. Not too many social media heads taking up equipment on their phones. It's the best gym in the area. All in all it deserves three stars. Could be...