I joined Ladies Workout Express in November with a friend after seeing an ad in the local paper about a 16-week trial membership for $39 a month. We decided that it would be a great way to get back into exercising and so we set-up an appointment with a fast talking gentleman.
When I got there he ran through the program so fast and was interrupted to take phone calls. During the process he ran through what you received as part the "Fit-4-Life 16 weeks to a lifetime of health, fitness and vitality."
I also, after seeing the place, had several questions for him about the set-up of the facility and their child play area as well as what you do if you decided that this program was not right and decided not to continue because he pushed you into signing paperwork that would enter you into a 24-month membership.
He stated that the child area would have several improvements made such as a TV mounted on the wall instead of on a folding table and a gate to enable the children to play in the area without worry that they will come out into the equipment area. He also stated that the staff will assist with making sure the children are cared for while you workout.
As far as the termination, he stated that if you decided not to continue the membership beyond the 16-week trial that you notify in writing to the club owner within 7 day of the end of the 16 weeks and you will be out of the program.
The membership plan also stated that we would have full use of all cardio equipment, 3 complete fitness assessments, nutritional classes 8 total, one on one initial personal training, unlimited aerobic classes and open 6 days a week.
Lets just start by saying that the child area never was changed and I had to bring my 16 month old daughter in her stroller for part of the time; we did not have full use of all the cardio machines since she took some of them out for a week to put in her new club (since that equipment didn't come in on time should not have been my problem); we only had 2 fitness assessments; the nutritionist came on Saturdays at 12 noon making it difficult to attend the meetings; we never had a one on one with a personal trainer; we never had aerobic classes at all; and as far as being open 6 days a week that was not true (we joined at the holidays and she closed most of Christmas week and several Saturday's through December and January that were posted after we began - as well as Monday holidays and then every other Saturday).
Needless to say were were very disappointed and decided to end this membership in the proper fashion as stated on the sign up sheet. So we sent off our letter to all we were told to and heard nothing from anyone until I noticed that my credit card got billed in March for a fee of $39 when we were supposed to be done the end of February.
We spent the next 19 days battling between the owner who didn't have enough time to talk to us or return phone calls or the National Fitness Financial Systems trying to determine who was physically responsible for terminating our memberships and each one plead that it was the others responsibility until we got THE LETTER in the mail.
This letter stated that we had, failed to complete this program. The program stated that you come in to Ladies Workout Express for sixteen weeks, three times a week. It then went on to note when we did not come in and then stated, As indicated I the Rules and Regulations of your Guarantee, you must follow the program guidelines in order to cancel your membership. At this time you are a member in good standing at Ladies Workout Express with full privileges..
Give me a break. What other trial membership do you know that will force you to continue a membership because you couldn't go workout. The only person that should be harmed by that is me for not working out. I as well as my friend has children that have gotten sick this winter, both of us got sick this winter and I had a death in the family. The last person I am going to call when things like this are happening is my fitness club Sorry I can't come today. We were not on a set time there was no one that was physically waiting on us to show up so to get a letter stating this was like a slap in the face.
I believe that this company is scamming innocent women who like us were looking for a way to get back into the swing of things when it comes to working out. Now were are in the process of getting the charges stopped and notifying the Attorney General's Office about this company.
Don't join this fitness facility. They have made it appear to be something it certainly it is not.
Christine
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
U.S.A.
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