THRC Downtown — Local services in San Marcos

If you're looking for a gym that embodies poor communication, unethical leadership, unsafe practices, and a toxic culture, then THRC Downtown might just be the unfortunate place for you. After being a member here for over a year, I feel compelled to share my experience and the truth about what goes on behind the scenes.

Management and Staff Conduct An Abuse of Power The issues start at the top. The manager Natalie is known among members and staff for her unprofessionalism. She once asked an entire college fraternity to vote her “Best Personal Trainer” as part of a personal vendetta which speaks volumes about her priorities. Even worse, she is known to confront gym members during their workouts asking inappropriate and uncomfortable questions about her staff clearly using her position to settle personal grievances. One member who complained had their concerns escalated to her superior only to have them completely dismissed. Rather than take action, leadership chose to sweep the issue under the rug revealing a culture of zero accountability and an alarming abuse of authority. At the front desk Eliana displays a similarly unprofessional attitude. Laughing at members who don’t appear "fit enough" or criticizing people for imperfect form is beyond inappropriate. It’s mean spirited, exclusionary, and completely contrary to what a welcoming gym environment should be.

Unsafe Labor Practices THRC doesn’t just treat members poorly the treatment of their own employees is even worse. Staff have reportedly been forced to paint the gym themselves including climbing dangerously high ladders with no proper safety equipment or training. Risking employee safety to cut costs is not only unethical it’s potentially illegal.

Deceptive Closure and Disrespect for Members Perhaps most infuriatingly the gym is now being shut down with only TWO DAYS’ notice despite management knowing for weeks if not longer. Their vague disingenuous email calls it an “exciting” change but let’s be clear this is absolutely disrespectful to the many college students and local members who rely on this location and don’t have transportation to get to the newly consolidated San Marcos site. The closure email cites “equipment moving availability” as the reason for the rush a laughable excuse when you’ve had ample time to plan. This sudden closure is yet another example of disorganization poor planning and complete disregard for the community that helped build the gym in the first place.

Unqualified Personal Trainers // Do Your Homework Another red flag Multiple members including myself and friends have discovered that several "trainers" at THRC are not even certified. If you are considering purchasing personal training sessions ASK FOR THEIR CERTIFICATION NUMBERS before you commit. Hiring unqualified individuals to run fitness programs is both unsafe and unethical. You deserve to work with educated professionals who have the credentials to guide you safely THRC does not seem to prioritize this.

Bottom Line THRC Downtown is not a gym that values its members its staff or its community. From rampant unprofessionalism dangerous labor practices and unqualified trainers to the final slap in the face a last minute closure with zero transparency this place has proven time and again that it cares about power and profit not people. Do yourself a favor and find a gym that treats its members with respect employs qualified trainers and actually invests in the well being of its community THRC is not that gym. Oh I also do have prove from employees, former employees and current members to...

When I first got to San Marcos in 2018, finding a gym was brutal. Many of the places in the area were different, and having come from planet fitness, I hadn’t lifted at a gym that had free weights. I used my apartment gym until the next semester when I changed apartments, and they were still building a gym in that apartment due to renovations. So everyone in my gym got a month's trial because they had a contract with my apartment to do that for a month. I instantly fell in love with the gym, and as soon as the month trial ended, I signed up with the gym. I was a little nervous because of the monthly price and being a college student, but I never ran into payment issues. The way I think about it, it’s like eating out four times a month; if you save that money, then you can pay the monthly payment every month. When they built the downtown location, I started going there because it was closer to my place, and the 24/7 access was super convenient. Being a smaller gym than the more prominent location, it doesn’t feel small. They have everything you need and the space feels like just the right size for you to get your workout done comfortably. I don’t wait long for a squat rack; the gym is always spotless, the people are very respectful about not hogging the equipment, and the friendly workers. You can always go up to them and ask for tips or questions, and they are always open to helping you no matter what. As I’m moving to North Carolina, finding a fantastic gym will be hard; I’ve grown a lot in my fitness journey from the environment alone, the motivation and push from the people there, and their constant encouragement! Shout out to the manager, Natalie Villalobos, for always being professional, friendly, and encouraging! The Trainer Natalie Ornelaz for always giving fantastic diet tips and training tips and for making the environment super comfortable! And lastly, Kaitlyn, the associate, I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve walked in with low motivation, and talking to her gets me pumped up and brightens up my day!! I’m going to miss this gym soo much; I recommend it to anyone coming into the area and people thinking about...

If you give them a chance, likely, somewhere along the way you'll say wow. I like: CLEAN facility, above average free weights by volume and luxury, 24 hour access, free first visit. Chesly called me personally, and I dont like phone calls, but she was wonderful. She adressed my initial concerns; the lack of photos inside and the somewhat odd smoothie policy, which are only at the main location, fortunately. They set me up for a first visit and actually got me excited about it. She also mentioned they have many ways to pay for membership; so you've got options! And thats why you dont see prices listed, virtually, anywhere. It seems like this place really is worth their 5star rating. But we will see 🙃... After working out; Its pricey, but not without reason. For ~90 bucks a mo. you can get in. Considering showers, 24hour access, and not having to deal with Anytime Fitness abysmmal contracts... solid 4.9... its just missing that little bit of magic... You pay extra for the working equipment, clean 24hr access and showers, and genuinely interested staff... Not that Im here to make friends, but you certainly could here. Plenty of networking opportunities... Really great gym. Ammended: bit overpriced. Not perfect. Bit small but because of pricing never crowded. Has an air of "elite-ism." I can push rocks outside for free and not be judged for it. Ill dock 1 star until they find a way to show us...