Retro Fitness — Local services in Toms River

First let me start by saying that I am not someone who likes to give negative reviews for fun. If I am not happy with a service or something else, I normally just move along. I will, however, give a positive review when it is deserved. Unfortunately, this is not one of those times. My wife and I signed up for a 16 week challenge at the Retro Gym in Toms River, NJ in April. I have driven past many times and was actually looking forward to joining due to its close proximity to my job and home. The very first time we actually went in to work out is when I realized what a terrible mistake this was. I went to use the bathroom and was hit with a horrendous stench, like it hadn't been cleaned in awhile. I went to wash my hands, most of the faucets had worn handles, one of them was not even working. Paper towels all over the floor. It looked more like the floor of a nightclub at around 3 AM when the lights come on. You could definitely tell it hadn't been cleaned in some time. I warned my wife about using the bathroom unless she really needed to. Onto the equipment....just about every machine in this place has rips and tears in the padding. The padding is so worn out that there are jagged edges that actually ripped a few pairs of my wife's yoga pants. The handles that are used to attach to the cable machines are all completely worn out. They actually squeak when you use them. The metal indentations that are imbedded into the metal are completely worn out and smooth. Those little indentations are there so your hands don't slip while using the equipment. I have been a gym rat for a very long time...it takes a long time for human touch to wear out metal. That tells me that these handles have been here since this place opened. The rope attachments are frayed and there are only a couple of them. The safety locking knobs that are used to adjust the height/position of the pulleys have no pull knobs, you have to grab the metal stud that the knob screws onto to move the cable pulleys. There are 4 exercise bikes...one of them was not working for the entire 16 weeks that we were working out ...no out of order sign, or equipment out of service sign anywhere...just a bike that does not work. The kettle bells are so worn out that you have to guess what weight they are by size compared to the ones that actually did have a number still on them. All in all, this place is not a very well-kept gym. It is obvious that they put no money into it. We have since joined Planet Fitness and are 100% happy. Do yourself a favor, before you join this place, take a good look around. A...

Good Gym, as long as you don't need to cancel.

The gym itself is great. It's clean, has great classes, and plenty of equipment. The problem lies when it comes time to cancel the gym. My wife joined the gym and within the same month, she was pregnant. When joining, she did so because it was close to work, not home. When we asked about cancelling, they said we would have to wait the year. We did, and then we tried to cancel, 3 times. Each time we went in, we were told the 1 person who could do cancellations wasn't in. We were told she was there Monday - Thursday, 11 -4, and Saturdays 10-3. We were also told my wife, an RN, would have to go in and that I could not do it on her behalf. After 3 attempts and not getting the girl (it was outside the hours above) we asked about other methods of cancellation. We were told we could send a certified letter to cancel but that we could not drop it off or sign any paperwork at the gym. $5 later (I know it isn't much but it's the point), I sent a letter requesting cancellation and asking for a call to confirm. I called in 3 weeks after and was told the account was cancelled 2 days after I had sent the letter. When I asked why I didn't receive a call, I was told they didn't know but that the account was cancelled. No apology for not calling, no "we're sorry to see you go", nothing. While the tour of the gym was great, the cycling classes and instructors were awesome, the cancellation process...

If I could give 0 stars I would . I typically use the howell gym. I was in toms river and couldn't make it home in time for the gym and work so I figured hey I'll try this one seeing as how retro is advertised to be so versatile . Well that was a mistake . I didn't know where much was so I walked around for a bit and looked for someone to ask and there really was no one around . Once I finally saw someone I asked how they properly disinfect the machines .... Howell we use wipes here they use just spray . She was so ride about it like I was an idiot and should use common sense . I then informed her this isn't my home gym not have I been here before . By the end of my workout I decided I'd get a simple protein shake since I didn't have time to make one . A classic protein shake .... 10 $ !!!!! Howell is 6.50 . Same ingredients, same everything . I then told her I have 2 punch cards that if like to use for it to be free . She said sorry we don't do that here . What do you mean ?? I just saw you punch someone's card before they left ??!!!! Well this isn't your home gym she said and we can't combine any . Moral of the story here is the customer interaction is poor and prices are outrageous!!!!! I will skip a gym day before I go back to this...