Anytime Fitness — Local services in Valparaiso

This gym underwent new owners and management last month. They decided to get rid of John, the best manager this gym ever had, and coming from someone that’s been a member since 2014, that speaks volumes. Not only did they fire John on a whim, but they never even took the time to first take a step back and see what John did that made this gym so successful. They bulldozed in and changed things in nonsensical, ineffective ways.

I gave some leeway at first because a transition can take some time. But it’s been over a month and I’ve seen no improvement whatsoever. The obvious big change is the towels and cleaning rags. Management was so quick to cut costs that they eliminated all the cleaning rags that were conveniently placed at each station along with towels for showering. And to make it worse, they insulted our intelligence by having their sign state that it was for our “health and safety”….what? Am I Will Byers who just got transported into the Upside Down because that makes zero sense. Let’s get rid of your cleaning rags for your…health and safety…mind boggling. What was the already perfectly effective system that we had in place replaced with, you ask? Some paper towels and hand wipes that you have to travel to the far corners of the earth to even get. But don’t bother going to the one on the north wall—it’s installed incorrectly and the wipes are all dried out. But don’t worry, it’s for our “health and safety”, everyone.

As for management, it’s virtually non-existent. I’ve seen a lady in the office I think twice since they switched hands, and I’m here at least a few times a week. I admit I have a set schedule and my hours simply may not align with theirs, but I’ve asked other people during the day if they’ve seen anyone and the answer is always no. And the times I did actually see someone, they never left the office. No presence at all. John would always greet you and would make simple rounds around the gym just to tidy up and make sure everything is running how it should be. That presence helped make sure everyone was doing their part to keep the gym clean.

I hope you like working in complete humidity because the dehumidifier has been full for weeks now. I’m honestly not sure if management even KNOWS we have a dehumidifier. I suppose if they were actually there and stepped out of the office once in a while they may discover that it needs changing.

If management is stretched too thin as I’ve heard the one worker is needing to jump around offices, then, oh,I don’t know, maybe not fire the one person that kept this place running like a well-oiled machine?

And with how quick management was to cut existing management and critical expenses like our cleaning rags, you can be certain that those types of people are also going to raise the menbership fee. These patterns go hand-in-hand. So essentially we’ll be paying more for less. Great deal.

I’m normally not this vocal, and, as my account shows, I’ve only made one other review (which ironically is for this place which I had to edit since I already wrote a great review a few years back), but the drastic drop in quality and sheer utter lack of regard at attempting to achieve the high standard that John worked so hard at maintaining is a complete shame and disgrace.

I’ve been a member at this Anytime Fitness location for about 5 years now and this gym is currently in the best condition I’ve seen since I’ve started. Although I’ve always been satisfied with this gym, the current manager, John, has substantially raised the bar in regards to this gym’s cleanliness, professionalism, and general upkeep/maintenance of equipment. It is for these reasons, coupled with John’s dedication and determination to mange an exceptional gym, why I’ve never considered working out...

Due to my work/family schedule I knew Anytime Fitness would be the best fit with their 24/7 hrs of operation, and planned on getting a membership no matter what. I walked in and was asked promptly what I needed, and said "I'm here to sign up" She brought out her sheet with her pricing plan and I stated, "I already know the prices." I was then greeted with the 3rd degree and she decided to tell me, "How do you know the prices, we don't even have them online?!" in a snarky tone. I must admit I was taken aback, having gotten off of work I just brushed it off. At this point, we sat down to fill out paperwork and she asked for my id and how I planned on paying for this. Awkwardly I felt a bad vibe, there was no introduction where we exchange names, no name tag on her to state who she is, really at this point I felt hesitant on giving my id let alone my credit card. I did so anyhow, chalked it up as their young and learning. During this time she's filling out my application form and I'm busying myself looking at the membership pricing sheet, and notice there's a backside, so I decide to flip it over. She immediately grabs for the sheet and goes on to tell me, "Don't look at that, that's our old pricing information." I go on to tell her it's not a big deal I'm just looking. After busying with it for a few more seconds I leave it on the desk, she immediately goes in to grab for it and places it on a corner desk. At this point I had to laugh inside at the whole interaction, because I felt like I was being treated like a 2 yr old. After further filling out the application and moving along, I knew that signing up for the 24 month plan was out the window and wanted only 12 months after this experience. She was finishing up the paperwork and I asked, "Would it be possible to have this go through for a later date." That snarky tone reared it's head in yet again and she instantly responded with, "Why would you want to do that?" I told her, "Because I don't plan on beginning til Monday, I want to have it billed then." At this point the interaction felt not even an ounce professional, she did however, explain the first month was free from the time of sign-up which answered that question. From then on it was as though I was pulling teeth to get information and you can only imagine how the conversation went from that point, there was no "Hey let me walk you around and show you the facility" like I've received at other gym establishments. Now I could have just walked out, and taken my business elsewhere but I planned on hitting the gym hard at the crack a dawn, and a 24hr gym is necessary for my schedule, so i let it go. This was my 1st experience with the Anytime fitness, and I hope someone from this location sees this review, because as a now member I felt as though I wasn't a guest/customer at this establishment that I was excited to join but seen as more...

VALPO ANYTIME FITNESS HAS A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN!!! When I first started at this location 2 years ago, it was under different management, actually come to think of it I never really saw any consistent person there enough to know who the manager was. The clubs cleanliness was inconsistent and the energy level was blah, I preferred the energy level at other Anytime locations. When equipment wasnt working it took forever for them to fix and there was no indication that anyone was working on getting it fixed! Since the club brought in a new manager this year I have to say it has become my go to location. the club looks and feels better. John came in and improved on the look and feel of this location. He is always around to greet you and If there is a piece of equipment down he can tell you when he expects it to be back up and running. It is nice to see someone taking care of the gym like it is his own and cares about how it looks. You can see him do his "rounds" consistently walking around the club and putting benches and equipment back to where they belong, connecting and or just giving a welcoming smile, and as a result you can feel a measurable difference in the energy level which makes me feel more motivated to come in for my workout. Before I would venture to other locations even though this was the most convenient for me. John has been the best thing for this location, and during this time of sanitation I don't feel as vulnerable going to the gym as I trust he is on top of it the best he can be considering the circumstances. Now if we could get some newer recumbents and some fresher...