Catalyst Fitness - French — Local services in Town of Cheektowaga

This location is shameful. If I could give zero stars I would. On 04/25/23 I initiated pmnt for a 5 session training pkg. I discussed w/the trainer only wanting the minimum pkg because I was unsure I would like the training sessions as I had never worked w/a personal trainer, it was also just for me to get a better understating of using machines and certain exercises. I had absolutely no desire to have a recurring plan/pkg, that was never discussed, I didn't even know that was an option. The only thing I was told about the pkgs was that I could use the sessions at my discretion, meaning that If I wanted to use only one a month or all 5 in the same week I had that choice. When the plan for classes was agreed upon w/myself and the trainer we went to the front counter to sign up and pay, and schedule my first session. A different employee signed me up after briefly speaking to the trainer. At no time do I recall him telling me I was signing up for recurring sessions @ $175/mo. My understanding was I was paying for the 5 class pkg and I could add more after completion if I chose, again, this is what I discussed w/the trainer. Signing anything at this gym is blind, there are no policies available on paper or posted anywhere for a customer to read prior, nor is it available on a digital screen at the counter. After signing up for the training session I never received the policy via email either. When I signed for my credit card it was for the $175 one time payment, and to add that card to my general acct for recurring billing for my monthly membership dues because my previous card on file was no longer active. Never did I knowingly sign for recurring billing for training sessions. I asked numerous times since being charged on 05/25/23(recurring charge) for a refund. I immediately called that day to inquire why I was charged, then asked for the recurring billing to be removed. I had been told by someone claiming to be a manager that the $175 would be refunded. A week passed and no refund so I called again 06/03, still no refund and again called 06/13, every time she/manager would tell me that a refund was supposedly requested but on 06/29 still no refund. I had to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau to get anywhere and was finally issued my refund.

Part of the appeal of signing up for the training sessions was being able to use the personal training room on my own as long it was not interfering with someone else's paid session. The trainer told me this was a thing, that it was ok, every employee at the front counter told me it was ok to use the room for over a month (I always asked before going in every time), and even the trainer I had a free consult with in 2020 at the Wehrle Dr location told me it was one of the perks. But once the issue with the refund happened, the guy who signed me up came into the training room when I was working out alone and told me that after that night I was not going to be able to use the room outside of my scheduled sessions anymore. This was clear retaliation because he messed up and probably was "reprimanded". I was so embarrassed and insulted at the same time I never went back to the French Rd location after that night. The nerve of these people. I asked that my membership be changed to a different location.

Aside from all that drama, the gym is dirty, no enforcement of wiping machines down, ants in the women's locker room, on the platform I saw a dirty paper towel between two treadmills on the floor and when I went back the next day it was still there, same hair in the sinks for days, overflowing garbage cans first thing in the morning (clearly not cleaned from the prior day)the same brown hair scrunchie was on the locker room floor for 4...

Great gym to go to if you want to use equipment literally held together by electrical tape… benches, lat pulldown equipment, seats, everything. Taped. Bars are rusted, constant, and I mean constant broken equipment. I’ve given them the benefit of the doubt for a few months now, but tonight was the tipping point where I’m cancelling. It’s annoying when you see 100+ people in the facility every hour, all paying roughly $30 a month plus annual “upkeep” charges and the equipment is continuously poor, or literally looks AND feels recycled from other locations meanwhile the other locations continuously receive newly wrapped equipment on the gym floor. Also seems like I’m not the only one feeling this way, based on other reviews. It’s sad, I used to go to the maple location because I lived over there and now that I’m in this area it’s almost like they know there’s no competition out near French rd so they are the actual Armpit of Catalyst Fitness, and they seem to be ok with it. The showers even, they don’t even have curtains large enough for the showers lol… they’re out of touch. The staff is nice and friendly, and the shake bar is nice but that’s about all this gym has going for it unfortunately.

It’s almost worth the 20 minute drive to go to a “prime location” catalyst where they actually put money back into their facility. If you’re thinking about coming to this location, just don’t. Find another gym or take the ride out to Maple Rd, Elmwood, or Colvin. This place is obviously left behind and the last on their mind...

I have been coming to this location for about a year and half now. Desk staff is not very friendly rarely says hello or have a nice day first. water filter constantly says it needs to be changed and/or the fountain is out of service. Equipment is also out of service a lot. The club is not clean at all, the only reason I come there is because it’s close to my house and I do enjoy the equipment they have (when it’s not out of service lol).

I wasn’t informed that I needed to update my payment method (had no email or anything about payment method needing to be updated) and when I finally was they refused for me to come into the gym since my payment was overdue by A WHOLE TWO DAYS. I told them I would be able to update it when I got home since I didn’t have my card on me or I’d bring it in tomorrow since I come in every single day. It’s hard enough to find time to get a workout in, but to be refused from something you’ve paid for for over a year you’d think that they’d have a little understanding!! The guy who I was speaking with was not kind and willing to work with the situation and I will not be returning to that location.

The Express location staff is much better and way more kind!!! I just wish they had the same equipment but I understand why since it is...