Waverley Oaks Athletic Club — Local services in Waltham

Most things about this facility are great - members, staff, amenities, classes, equipment etc. However, I wish I could say the same for the management. Working there for a over a year led me to this conclusion.

Feedback from staff to management typically is not taken well. A well run healthy living center facilitates the needs of its members while takes into consideration the expert opinion of it's staff. Unfortunately, I had never felt this way at WOAC since all of my suggests (aside from one or two when I first started) were heard but more or less put aside. It's hard to describe a "we have it under control" response.

Policy changes were implemented with, oftentimes in my experience, inaccurate information. One example of this is, at the time there, management bought four Olympic lifting platforms - which to their credit was awesome - which are specifically used and make to drop barbells since it's safer to drop a barbell in rare circumstances than slowly lower it down. Management wanted to ban dropping barbells on those platforms (even though that's exactly what they were made for) for "safety reasons" (even though it's safer in certain times to drop it). Trust me , I'm not one to make a lot of weight in the gym and I'm a pretty big stickler on gym etiquette - but I was asked to inform members not to drop weights in this area because it could hit someone - instead of teaching when to drop, why and making sure no one was near when performing these activities. Sort of takes away the utility of the equipment.

The last and most crucial issue I've had is managements focus on only what's above them. I did not feel respected at this facility and in turn did not respect management. From the staff's perspective, it felt like management curated a "management vs. staff" culture as opposed to management helping staff improve member satisfaction. Happy staff make for happy members. Individually it was really easy to care about the members but management made it difficult to love the facility.

I would love to see WOAC change it's culture to one that seeks feedback and welcomes criticism equally as much as it offers help and allows transparency. Definitely a facility with a lot of...

Getting to go to this gym, for me, is the best part about living in Waltham.

Everything about this gym is great. I like how whoever is working the desk and I say hi to each other every time I come in; immediately I know that I've arrived to work out and have a good time.

Their classes are bomb. My wife and I have been going to pilates, and learning a ton - it's helped me with my squats and I have a lot of fun. There's yoga, cycling, water fitness, etc. - always more to explore. Lifting weights here is a pleasure, the basement is chill with lots of squat racks and dedicated benches. Second and third floor tons of other equipment.

Sometimes I go for a swim, and the pool here is so nice - it's salt water and not chlorine, and thus a lot less irritating and more enjoyable to swim in.

Steam rooms and saunas in the locker rooms are fantastic. I've been into going to the sauna or going to bathhouses for years ever since I started working out in college, and they truly keep it nice and hot here in the steam room, it's legit.

Hesitant to hit that post button below because I feel like I'm spilling the beans on a secret spot ... the $ value is phenomenal for the quality of the amenities and the staff.

During pandemic update 1/8/20:

So happy with with how the gym is handling the COVID-19 situation. They were able to re-open and we're fortunate to get to go every day.

I've never been let through without attesting to the COVID questions (yes it's brief but I have always had to do it).

People are great about cleaning equipment.

Social distancing is superb. Lots of space between machines. I always feel safe here.

Signing up for slots to work out during peak times is mandatory to keep the social distancing appropriate.

Hoping WOAC can keep going - we're all working together to keep it a clean space. The guidelines are quite strict and really respect how well the gym has been able to maintain them. Just as a comparison, before re-signing up with WOAC after we took a hiatus due to COVID, we checked out a competitor gym closer to our house, and were appalled - crowded space, definitely not distanced, and certainly not as clean as WOAC. Came back to WOAC in...

The gym is nice, but club manager acts rude and shocking with his attitude towards client. Today I came to Adam with a question to turn sauna lights off. The answer was : "the club needs special permission from the city to do it". To my argument about all another gyms in Waltham have sauna lights off, he said: "I do not care(!!)." After I asked to show me the regulation, I received another answer:"You should ask city to show you this document". Seriously, Adam? Why you are there than if you are not able to give all information to the client? Unbelievable attitude

PS I extend my review after receiving the club's reaction. First, my name is Elena - not Elana. Second - I have nothing against how the building was built and what club's management personally thinks is the best for the client's safety. My concern is how club's manager communicates with the client. It was rude and unappropriated at all. If client wants to understand , or needs information, or needs to see the document/explanation why something goes the certain way - manager have to give full support. I did not get any documents, any adequate explanation why light can not be turned off. Instead of this club manager uses "I do not care", "You should ask city hall" etc. And now you tell me something about 'client's safety'? Clients have to choose how they want to stay in sauna- it nothing about what you believe in, honestly. Just to conclude - the Adam's attitude was horrible and the style how he communicates is totally inappropriate. I still believe that I am as a client have all rights to see the whole information regarding my question (the document that regulates the sauna light) and to be treated politely. Plus I expect for the his personal apologies for the rude...