24 Hour Fitness Personal Trainers Are Just Used Car Salesman with Muscles Paradise But Not Gym Paradise Hawaii

Mason, You said you lost your job at 24 Hour Fitness. I suggest you consult an attorney asap. 24 Hour Fitness has a long history of unfair business practices, harassment, discrimination, etc. It is worth asking a few attorneys if they think you have a case. As a member, I dealt with the Legal Dept. Maxine Valenzuela and I contacted the CEO. There are corrupt and karma is catching up with them. Do some searches on-line of 24 Hour Fitness and harassment, lawsuits etc. Get an experienced local attorney to look at your case, most will consult with you for free. I had a strong case (as a member) and never pursued it. I wish I had.

You are better off joining the "Y", That way you can quit when you want and no rip off company will be screwing up your credit with bad claims against it!!!!

Deja vu! I was lured away from LaFitness by promises of not ripping people off and decent pay. There are quotas for supp sales, training session sales. The apex supp are garbage, with all the senior trainers in agreement they are garbage,although that does ot deter them from pushing them on clients. It took me four days of employment to see the job as it really is, at which point I quit without notice. They gave a completely false description of the job.

As far as I am concerned, there is not one person working at that location(coral springs) that can truthfully call themselves a personal trainer. These people pay 60 plus a session for the knowledge and experience of a CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, and in return their trust is used as a means to sell more sessions and supplements. During the brief time I worked there, I found most trainers are aware they are doing something wrong and feel bad about it, but money or peer pressure keeps their behavior from changing.

Some advice to those wanting a trainer: do not go to a gym, find an independent trainer whose paycheck is based on the results their client sees, dont sign a contract, ever, and dont get sold on losing weight easily or relying on supplements, especially if they are sold at the gym. Only way its gonna happen is hard work and more hard work

Deja vu! I was lured away from LaFitness by promises of not ripping people off and decent pay. There are quotas for supp sales, training session sales. The apex supp are garbage, with all the senior trainers in agreement they are garbage,although that does ot deter them from pushing them on clients. It took me four days of employment to see the job as it really is, at which point I quit without notice. They gave a completely false description of the job.

As far as I am concerned, there is not one person working at that location(coral springs) that can truthfully call themselves a personal trainer. These people pay 60 plus a session for the knowledge and experience of a CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, and in return their trust is used as a means to sell more sessions and supplements. During the brief time I worked there, I found most trainers are aware they are doing something wrong and feel bad about it, but money or peer pressure keeps their behavior from changing.

Some advice to those wanting a trainer: do not go to a gym, find an independent trainer whose paycheck is based on the results their client sees, dont sign a contract, ever, and dont get sold on losing weight easily or relying on supplements, especially if they are sold at the gym. Only way its gonna happen is hard work and more hard work

Deja vu! I was lured away from LaFitness by promises of not ripping people off and decent pay. There are quotas for supp sales, training session sales. The apex supp are garbage, with all the senior trainers in agreement they are garbage,although that does ot deter them from pushing them on clients. It took me four days of employment to see the job as it really is, at which point I quit without notice. They gave a completely false description of the job.

As far as I am concerned, there is not one person working at that location(coral springs) that can truthfully call themselves a personal trainer. These people pay 60 plus a session for the knowledge and experience of a CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, and in return their trust is used as a means to sell more sessions and supplements. During the brief time I worked there, I found most trainers are aware they are doing something wrong and feel bad about it, but money or peer pressure keeps their behavior from changing.

Some advice to those wanting a trainer: do not go to a gym, find an independent trainer whose paycheck is based on the results their client sees, dont sign a contract, ever, and dont get sold on losing weight easily or relying on supplements, especially if they are sold at the gym. Only way its gonna happen is hard work and more hard work

I agree that 24 Hour Fitness lacks in the quality of trainers. I was hired without any experience or certification, just that I looked enough like a trainer and I was CPR Certified. I did have to become certified through 24 Hour Fitness before I could begin training anyone. I learned a lot, but I learned way too much about Apex products and not enough about more important things.

We had a trainer that was hired like me, without any certifications or experience, but they actually had him training people! He took the 24 hour fitness exam twice and didn't pass, which is the easiest test in the world and shows he should not have been training, but because he "looked" like a trainer, he could train.

My boss hired two new girls after me without any experience, and he allowed them to train as well. It was totally wrong to me! They knew nothing about personal training. They didn't have any sports experience, at least I had that! And I wasn't training people until I was certified.

The club manager did many things I didn't agree with. He'd talk about how "hot" they new girl trainers were, and that we needed to focus on making money. I didn't care about making money, I just wanted to help people. It's unfortunate how they try to push us in that direction. I never pushed anyone to buy training, it was totally up to them. And I dislike many of the supplements, so I never encouraged them on people. I did love training, I felt like I was making a difference in their lives. That in itself was rewarding, not the money. My club manager wasn't too harsh on me for that, but when I transferred to a club in Utah it was a whole different story. My new manager treated my horribly because I didn't care as much about bringing in high numbers as I did about just helping people. I ended up quitting.

I once worked about 6 hours overtime, and I know I wasn't supposed to but my schedule was just a bit crazy. My manager illegally went and changed my hours, he took off an entire days work from my paycheck. I approved it, but only because I couldn't clock in again unless I did. I also saw him forge signatures.

I love personal training, and I think the company is decent, but it needs to have hire standards for personal trainers. They definitely should not be allowed to train without any certifications, and they need to focus more on their clients, not "counting my money and swimming in it" as my boss once said.

I think that it is important to observe how trainers at any club interact with their clients. I have seen really poor trainers and really wonderful trainers. I joined 24 hour fitness for 3 years....got the pkg with 5 sessions. I waited until I was really sure about who I thought would be a good fit for me. I waited a little too long, and my 5 sessions expired. My trainer worked with me and got them reinstated.
I am still training with him and have lost 26 pounds in 6 weeks. Just like anywhere...it is a business...hospitals are a business but you have to find the right Dr. for you!
John K is my trainer at the Austin 24 hr fitness...Anybody who is looking for an awesome trainer should look him up!

John,

I would suggest you seek out the Fitness Manager at the Miliani club and tell them of this situation. They will make it right for you as in no way is this the way 24 Hour Fitness would want you to feel. Sounds like this trainer lost their emotional intelligence. There is no excuse for that.

I recently lost my job at 24 Hour Fitness this year as a Personal Trainer after writing a letter of complaint to corporate regarding sloppy management and poor business ethics that were practiced by my managers regularly. There is constant pressure on everyone to reach sales goals at the clubs. I was fired because I did not tell my clients that they needed our supplements. I was also fired because I would commonly put the client's needs over the company's whenever I was forced to choose between the two. Believe me, they made me choose regularly. For example:

-I was repeatedly ordered to reschedule clients for Sales Meetings that were not on the schedule. If Clients need to cancel appointments 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged for their session, then the club needs to do the same. Otherwise it's like saying our time is more valuable then our customers. On one occasion I refused to cancel them, so my Manager did it for me, and that caused a huge argument between the two of us. I asked him straight out if he thought was he was asking me to do was ethical. He said "No, but in this business exceptions have to be made." I wish I had it on tape.

-We are given a bottom dollar amount when trying to sell people training. I'll tell you what it was. One 5 session package could be offered as low as $249.00 + 1 additional session. If we liked we could combine two of these together which would = 12 sessions for $498.00. Of course they wanted us to sell every 5 pack for $299.00. The 10 pack was $579.00. They could not understand why I kept wanting to give my clients the best deal. I guess it really doesn't make sense from a profit perspective.

-My assistant manager said flat out in a meeting "Let's be honest. None of us are really here to help people. We are all here to make money." Once again I wish I had that on tape.

-If we did not meet our weekly goals, we were punished by having to attend Friday night meetings that could go as late as 11pm. Nobody likes getting their Friday nights taken away.

-When planning seminars, the Manager always stressed that we never reveal too much information. "We don't want them to know too much." I understand that you don't want to overwhelm people with information, but that's not what my managers had in mind. It was all part of the "Art of Selling Fitness" handout we were all issued.

-Supplements are pushed like crazy. They had contests for the trainers every week to see who would sell the most "MUSCLE MILK", "FAT BURN PILLS" "VITAMINS", every Apex and Promax product we had. Every day it was "supps...supps..sell some supps...supps." Every time I hear someone say that word now it really strikes a nerve.

-The reason I applied to 24 Hour Fitness was because they were the only Club that would certify people off the street with zero experience. I was disappointed to find that their training course was only 5 days long, and the majority of the material was concerning Apex supplements. They really wanted us to know those. If we passed their easy test, we were certified Personal Trainers and were ready to give people "professional" fitness advice.

-We were taught how to talk so we would appear to know much more than we really did. I hold no degrees in exercise science but I can still make myself sound like a fitness genius, with the words I choose and the energy I bring.

-New business is generated primarily by walking the floor and talking to people. We are supposed to help them out with their routines, but the only reason Management puts us out there is to reel in new business.

-To justify someone paying $55.00/50 minute session, we would say things like. "Obesity is now the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. next to smoking. What price would you put on your health? It makes more sense to invest in your body now, than to spend thousands of dollars on Heart Operations down the road." Scare tactics are fair game. Whatever it takes to get them to sign.

-There are no refunds on training. Once you sign. That's it. They now have you under contract and they can re-assign you to another trainer whenever they want. There is alot of other stuff in that fine print that gives the Fitness Managers the upper hand on the client's investment.

-A "Professional Trainer" once asked me what an amino acid was. He had no clue what they were or what they do.

-When taking measurements, Trainers will exaggerate. That is why they use the four point caliper method. It leaves it entirely up to the trainer what they would like the client to believe. I saw my manager do it. I stopped using the method and bought an electronic body scanner for my clients. It was soon after this that I was fired.

-Equipment and and Exercise Balls are never cleaned before use. I got in trouble for taking time to spray and wipe down an exercise ball before my clients used it. Good Hygiene and cleanliness is a standard I was used to after volunteering at Physical Therapy clinics. There are considerable less people at those clinics.

-The trainers constantly brought junk food (cup cakes, Burger King, Carl's Jr., Pizza) into the training area. It was torture for clients that were on strict diets WE PUT THEM ON, (and gave them hell if they did not abide by them.) I complained to my Managers but nothing changed.

-There is alot of drama between the trainers. Do not believe the fake smiles, and the false collaboration. Trainers may look like a team when others are watching, but none of them really trust each other, and they couldn't even if they wanted to.

-One of the least organized trainers, was also a Marijuana user (I know because he offered me some when telling me the secrets of the universe). Anyways, He was promoted to Fitness Manager and is now working in the club in Fontana, CA. He was the one that gave the, "Let's be honest. None of us are really here to help people. We are all here to make money" speech.

I feel at this point I have said enough. I know much more that I have not disclosed yet. But it feels good to get this off my chest and into the open, so someone can read this and know the truth about 24 Hour Fitness management. Not all trainers are "used car salesmen", my point is that they ARE expected to be by the managers. If trainers want to leave it's hard because the money is good, and good trainers do not want to abandon their clients. It's a big relief to not be under the sales pressure anymore. People don't realize that jobs come and go, but the quality of your integrity stays with you always. I'm just glad I got fired for doing something right.

I recently lost my job at 24 Hour Fitness this year as a Personal Trainer after writing a letter of complaint to corporate regarding sloppy management and poor business ethics that were practiced by my managers regularly. There is constant pressure on everyone to reach sales goals at the clubs. I was fired because I did not tell my clients that they needed our supplements. I was also fired because I would commonly put the client's needs over the company's whenever I was forced to choose between the two. Believe me, they made me choose regularly. For example:

-I was repeatedly ordered to reschedule clients for Sales Meetings that were not on the schedule. If Clients need to cancel appointments 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged for their session, then the club needs to do the same. Otherwise it's like saying our time is more valuable then our customers. On one occasion I refused to cancel them, so my Manager did it for me, and that caused a huge argument between the two of us. I asked him straight out if he thought was he was asking me to do was ethical. He said "No, but in this business exceptions have to be made." I wish I had it on tape.

-We are given a bottom dollar amount when trying to sell people training. I'll tell you what it was. One 5 session package could be offered as low as $249.00 + 1 additional session. If we liked we could combine two of these together which would = 12 sessions for $498.00. Of course they wanted us to sell every 5 pack for $299.00. The 10 pack was $579.00. They could not understand why I kept wanting to give my clients the best deal. I guess it really doesn't make sense from a profit perspective.

-My assistant manager said flat out in a meeting "Let's be honest. None of us are really here to help people. We are all here to make money." Once again I wish I had that on tape.

-If we did not meet our weekly goals, we were punished by having to attend Friday night meetings that could go as late as 11pm. Nobody likes getting their Friday nights taken away.

-When planning seminars, the Manager always stressed that we never reveal too much information. "We don't want them to know too much." I understand that you don't want to overwhelm people with information, but that's not what my managers had in mind. It was all part of the "Art of Selling Fitness" handout we were all issued.

-Supplements are pushed like crazy. They had contests for the trainers every week to see who would sell the most "MUSCLE MILK", "FAT BURN PILLS" "VITAMINS", every Apex and Promax product we had. Every day it was "supps...supps..sell some supps...supps." Every time I hear someone say that word now it really strikes a nerve.

-The reason I applied to 24 Hour Fitness was because they were the only Club that would certify people off the street with zero experience. I was disappointed to find that their training course was only 5 days long, and the majority of the material was concerning Apex supplements. They really wanted us to know those. If we passed their easy test, we were certified Personal Trainers and were ready to give people "professional" fitness advice.

-We were taught how to talk so we would appear to know much more than we really did. I hold no degrees in exercise science but I can still make myself sound like a fitness genius, with the words I choose and the energy I bring.

-New business is generated primarily by walking the floor and talking to people. We are supposed to help them out with their routines, but the only reason Management puts us out there is to reel in new business.

-To justify someone paying $55.00/50 minute session, we would say things like. "Obesity is now the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. next to smoking. What price would you put on your health? It makes more sense to invest in your body now, than to spend thousands of dollars on Heart Operations down the road." Scare tactics are fair game. Whatever it takes to get them to sign.

-There are no refunds on training. Once you sign. That's it. They now have you under contract and they can re-assign you to another trainer whenever they want. There is alot of other stuff in that fine print that gives the Fitness Managers the upper hand on the client's investment.

-A "Professional Trainer" once asked me what an amino acid was. He had no clue what they were or what they do.

-When taking measurements, Trainers will exaggerate. That is why they use the four point caliper method. It leaves it entirely up to the trainer what they would like the client to believe. I saw my manager do it. I stopped using the method and bought an electronic body scanner for my clients. It was soon after this that I was fired.

-Equipment and and Exercise Balls are never cleaned before use. I got in trouble for taking time to spray and wipe down an exercise ball before my clients used it. Good Hygiene and cleanliness is a standard I was used to after volunteering at Physical Therapy clinics. There are considerable less people at those clinics.

-The trainers constantly brought junk food (cup cakes, Burger King, Carl's Jr., Pizza) into the training area. It was torture for clients that were on strict diets WE PUT THEM ON, (and gave them hell if they did not abide by them.) I complained to my Managers but nothing changed.

-There is alot of drama between the trainers. Do not believe the fake smiles, and the false collaboration. Trainers may look like a team when others are watching, but none of them really trust each other, and they couldn't even if they wanted to.

-One of the least organized trainers, was also a Marijuana user (I know because he offered me some when telling me the secrets of the universe). Anyways, He was promoted to Fitness Manager and is now working in the club in Fontana, CA. He was the one that gave the, "Let's be honest. None of us are really here to help people. We are all here to make money" speech.

I feel at this point I have said enough. I know much more that I have not disclosed yet. But it feels good to get this off my chest and into the open, so someone can read this and know the truth about 24 Hour Fitness management. Not all trainers are "used car salesmen", my point is that they ARE expected to be by the managers. If trainers want to leave it's hard because the money is good, and good trainers do not want to abandon their clients. It's a big relief to not be under the sales pressure anymore. People don't realize that jobs come and go, but the quality of your integrity stays with you always. I'm just glad I got fired for doing something right.

I recently lost my job at 24 Hour Fitness this year as a Personal Trainer after writing a letter of complaint to corporate regarding sloppy management and poor business ethics that were practiced by my managers regularly. There is constant pressure on everyone to reach sales goals at the clubs. I was fired because I did not tell my clients that they needed our supplements. I was also fired because I would commonly put the client's needs over the company's whenever I was forced to choose between the two. Believe me, they made me choose regularly. For example:

-I was repeatedly ordered to reschedule clients for Sales Meetings that were not on the schedule. If Clients need to cancel appointments 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged for their session, then the club needs to do the same. Otherwise it's like saying our time is more valuable then our customers. On one occasion I refused to cancel them, so my Manager did it for me, and that caused a huge argument between the two of us. I asked him straight out if he thought was he was asking me to do was ethical. He said "No, but in this business exceptions have to be made." I wish I had it on tape.

-We are given a bottom dollar amount when trying to sell people training. I'll tell you what it was. One 5 session package could be offered as low as $249.00 + 1 additional session. If we liked we could combine two of these together which would = 12 sessions for $498.00. Of course they wanted us to sell every 5 pack for $299.00. The 10 pack was $579.00. They could not understand why I kept wanting to give my clients the best deal. I guess it really doesn't make sense from a profit perspective.

-My assistant manager said flat out in a meeting "Let's be honest. None of us are really here to help people. We are all here to make money." Once again I wish I had that on tape.

-If we did not meet our weekly goals, we were punished by having to attend Friday night meetings that could go as late as 11pm. Nobody likes getting their Friday nights taken away.

-When planning seminars, the Manager always stressed that we never reveal too much information. "We don't want them to know too much." I understand that you don't want to overwhelm people with information, but that's not what my managers had in mind. It was all part of the "Art of Selling Fitness" handout we were all issued.

-Supplements are pushed like crazy. They had contests for the trainers every week to see who would sell the most "MUSCLE MILK", "FAT BURN PILLS" "VITAMINS", every Apex and Promax product we had. Every day it was "supps...supps..sell some supps...supps." Every time I hear someone say that word now it really strikes a nerve.

-The reason I applied to 24 Hour Fitness was because they were the only Club that would certify people off the street with zero experience. I was disappointed to find that their training course was only 5 days long, and the majority of the material was concerning Apex supplements. They really wanted us to know those. If we passed their easy test, we were certified Personal Trainers and were ready to give people "professional" fitness advice.

-We were taught how to talk so we would appear to know much more than we really did. I hold no degrees in exercise science but I can still make myself sound like a fitness genius, with the words I choose and the energy I bring.

-New business is generated primarily by walking the floor and talking to people. We are supposed to help them out with their routines, but the only reason Management puts us out there is to reel in new business.

-To justify someone paying $55.00/50 minute session, we would say things like. "Obesity is now the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. next to smoking. What price would you put on your health? It makes more sense to invest in your body now, than to spend thousands of dollars on Heart Operations down the road." Scare tactics are fair game. Whatever it takes to get them to sign.

-There are no refunds on training. Once you sign. That's it. They now have you under contract and they can re-assign you to another trainer whenever they want. There is alot of other stuff in that fine print that gives the Fitness Managers the upper hand on the client's investment.

-A "Professional Trainer" once asked me what an amino acid was. He had no clue what they were or what they do.

-When taking measurements, Trainers will exaggerate. That is why they use the four point caliper method. It leaves it entirely up to the trainer what they would like the client to believe. I saw my manager do it. I stopped using the method and bought an electronic body scanner for my clients. It was soon after this that I was fired.

-Equipment and and Exercise Balls are never cleaned before use. I got in trouble for taking time to spray and wipe down an exercise ball before my clients used it. Good Hygiene and cleanliness is a standard I was used to after volunteering at Physical Therapy clinics. There are considerable less people at those clinics.

-The trainers constantly brought junk food (cup cakes, Burger King, Carl's Jr., Pizza) into the training area. It was torture for clients that were on strict diets WE PUT THEM ON, (and gave them hell if they did not abide by them.) I complained to my Managers but nothing changed.

-There is alot of drama between the trainers. Do not believe the fake smiles, and the false collaboration. Trainers may look like a team when others are watching, but none of them really trust each other, and they couldn't even if they wanted to.

-One of the least organized trainers, was also a Marijuana user (I know because he offered me some when telling me the secrets of the universe). Anyways, He was promoted to Fitness Manager and is now working in the club in Fontana, CA. He was the one that gave the, "Let's be honest. None of us are really here to help people. We are all here to make money" speech.

I feel at this point I have said enough. I know much more that I have not disclosed yet. But it feels good to get this off my chest and into the open, so someone can read this and know the truth about 24 Hour Fitness management. Not all trainers are "used car salesmen", my point is that they ARE expected to be by the managers. If trainers want to leave it's hard because the money is good, and good trainers do not want to abandon their clients. It's a big relief to not be under the sales pressure anymore. People don't realize that jobs come and go, but the quality of your integrity stays with you always. I'm just glad I got fired for doing something right.

I recently lost my job at 24 Hour Fitness this year as a Personal Trainer after writing a letter of complaint to corporate regarding sloppy management and poor business ethics that were practiced by my managers regularly. There is constant pressure on everyone to reach sales goals at the clubs. I was fired because I did not tell my clients that they needed our supplements. I was also fired because I would commonly put the client's needs over the company's whenever I was forced to choose between the two. Believe me, they made me choose regularly. For example:

-I was repeatedly ordered to reschedule clients for Sales Meetings that were not on the schedule. If Clients need to cancel appointments 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged for their session, then the club needs to do the same. Otherwise it's like saying our time is more valuable then our customers. On one occasion I refused to cancel them, so my Manager did it for me, and that caused a huge argument between the two of us. I asked him straight out if he thought was he was asking me to do was ethical. He said "No, but in this business exceptions have to be made." I wish I had it on tape.

-We are given a bottom dollar amount when trying to sell people training. I'll tell you what it was. One 5 session package could be offered as low as $249.00 + 1 additional session. If we liked we could combine two of these together which would = 12 sessions for $498.00. Of course they wanted us to sell every 5 pack for $299.00. The 10 pack was $579.00. They could not understand why I kept wanting to give my clients the best deal. I guess it really doesn't make sense from a profit perspective.

-My assistant manager said flat out in a meeting "Let's be honest. None of us are really here to help people. We are all here to make money." Once again I wish I had that on tape.

-If we did not meet our weekly goals, we were punished by having to attend Friday night meetings that could go as late as 11pm. Nobody likes getting their Friday nights taken away.

-When planning seminars, the Manager always stressed that we never reveal too much information. "We don't want them to know too much." I understand that you don't want to overwhelm people with information, but that's not what my managers had in mind. It was all part of the "Art of Selling Fitness" handout we were all issued.

-Supplements are pushed like crazy. They had contests for the trainers every week to see who would sell the most "MUSCLE MILK", "FAT BURN PILLS" "VITAMINS", every Apex and Promax product we had. Every day it was "supps...supps..sell some supps...supps." Every time I hear someone say that word now it really strikes a nerve.

-The reason I applied to 24 Hour Fitness was because they were the only Club that would certify people off the street with zero experience. I was disappointed to find that their training course was only 5 days long, and the majority of the material was concerning Apex supplements. They really wanted us to know those. If we passed their easy test, we were certified Personal Trainers and were ready to give people "professional" fitness advice.

-We were taught how to talk so we would appear to know much more than we really did. I hold no degrees in exercise science but I can still make myself sound like a fitness genius, with the words I choose and the energy I bring.

-New business is generated primarily by walking the floor and talking to people. We are supposed to help them out with their routines, but the only reason Management puts us out there is to reel in new business.

-To justify someone paying $55.00/50 minute session, we would say things like. "Obesity is now the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. next to smoking. What price would you put on your health? It makes more sense to invest in your body now, than to spend thousands of dollars on Heart Operations down the road." Scare tactics are fair game. Whatever it takes to get them to sign.

-There are no refunds on training. Once you sign. That's it. They now have you under contract and they can re-assign you to another trainer whenever they want. There is alot of other stuff in that fine print that gives the Fitness Managers the upper hand on the client's investment.

-A "Professional Trainer" once asked me what an amino acid was. He had no clue what they were or what they do.

-When taking measurements, Trainers will exaggerate. That is why they use the four point caliper method. It leaves it entirely up to the trainer what they would like the client to believe. I saw my manager do it. I stopped using the method and bought an electronic body scanner for my clients. It was soon after this that I was fired.

-Equipment and and Exercise Balls are never cleaned before use. I got in trouble for taking time to spray and wipe down an exercise ball before my clients used it. Good Hygiene and cleanliness is a standard I was used to after volunteering at Physical Therapy clinics. There are considerable less people at those clinics.

-The trainers constantly brought junk food (cup cakes, Burger King, Carl's Jr., Pizza) into the training area. It was torture for clients that were on strict diets WE PUT THEM ON, (and gave them hell if they did not abide by them.) I complained to my Managers but nothing changed.

-There is alot of drama between the trainers. Do not believe the fake smiles, and the false collaboration. Trainers may look like a team when others are watching, but none of them really trust each other, and they couldn't even if they wanted to.

-One of the least organized trainers, was also a Marijuana user (I know because he offered me some when telling me the secrets of the universe). Anyways, He was promoted to Fitness Manager and is now working in the club in Fontana, CA. He was the one that gave the, "Let's be honest. None of us are really here to help people. We are all here to make money" speech.

I feel at this point I have said enough. I know much more that I have not disclosed yet. But it feels good to get this off my chest and into the open, so someone can read this and know the truth about 24 Hour Fitness management. Not all trainers are "used car salesmen", my point is that they ARE expected to be by the managers. If trainers want to leave it's hard because the money is good, and good trainers do not want to abandon their clients. It's a big relief to not be under the sales pressure anymore. People don't realize that jobs come and go, but the quality of your integrity stays with you always. I'm just glad I got fired for doing something right.

I have read the complaints regarding 24 hour fitness. I realize the report given was from 2003, but I still need to comment.

I must say, employees are only as good as the management they serve.

I must comment on my own 24 Hour Fitness Experience. I am not an employee. I am a client. If everything everyone is saying is true, than I am truly blessed to be living in Nevada where the 24 Hour Fitness Clubs are just exceptional.

The management (from regional on down to club management) exemplify everything one would want in a fitness club. I never ever feel any pressure to purchase anything. Truly what the club offers can only help save peoples' lives.

My personal trainer (and I have trained with him for over a year now) is extremely knowedlgable and professional. He never pressures me to do anything except reach my own goals. It took me a while to accept his nutritional suggestions (my way wasn't working).

A year ago I could barely bend my knees. I had a squat of about 2". I had no balance. The first time I stepped on the elyptical I could maintain movement for about 5 minutes. I've worked out with my trainer Jack for twice a week for 16 months.

I can now squat to the floor. I am riding a bike and in fact raised $1800 last month for our Tour de Cure (for Diabetes) and rode 33 miles. Last Saturday I rode another 65 miles, that's 5 hours in the saddle. I have reduced down 4 sizes. Slowly, mind you, but solidly. My posture is more erect and my energy and stamina, are like being 15 years younger! All of this is due to the wonderful training, excellent club facilities, and caring staff of my 24 Hour Fitness Club.

I have written to 24 Hour corporate many times over the year and have received immediate response and/or action on my concerns.

All I can say; if you are having trouble with your particular club, e-mail the corporate office. They ABSOLUTELY do care and want to take care of their customers. I find this company to be top rate. They might have trouble finding good employees, just like any company. But don't throw the baby out with the bath water!

I owe my health and my life to my trainer and 24 Hour Fitness. I've made a commitment to a lifestyle change because my life depends upon it!

thank you for the opportunity to share this with you.

Eating twice/day is bad for you. Eating the same amount of food in 4 meals is better. It keeps your metabolism running, while eating twice/day spikes it, then lets it fall off.

The proper supplements also help greatly. Creatine is great, as are NO boosters. Men should take a natural testosterone booster, and everyone should take vitamins. Glucosamine(joint support) should also be part of your daily "pop". BSN makes some of the very best stuff, but it's pricey.

Everything should be taken in a 12 week "on", 4 week "off", cycle(vitamins and joint support need no cycling).

Fat burners work wonders during the "off" cycle. These should be taken 3 weeks "on", 1 week "off". You can take them during the other 12 weeks also, but remember to use the 3-1 cycle with them, otherwise you may find out why you don't take them more than 3 weeks.

You can find dozens of good workouts in a "Bodybuilding" website. Choose one that you like. Try several if unsure. Use the forums in there.

Stay away from sugar. Drink a gallon of water/day. Set a schedule, and stick to it.

Buy your own equipment. I have very good stuff, and it wasn't expensive. People sell the equipment they wasted money on all the time. They wasted money because they had no intention of actually doing anything with it. They thought owning it would get them in shape.

I am 45 yrs old, but pass for 35. My hair is still the same color(sandy-blonde) it was in High School. My friends growing up(my age) are all gray, with pale white skin. Mine is still a nice light tan(maybe from being in Florida). They are all out of shape. I hang out with friends who are in their 20's-30's, and only a few actually know my age. The rest think I am in my mid 30's...at the most. I still got "carded" at bars until a few years ago, and I was nearly 40.

Proper diet, and exercize will do wonders. I know...I am proof of it.

I worked for these people for 3 1/2 years. Try working a job where you actually dread waking up in the morning so much that you make everyone around you feel bad.

24 is about "What have you done for me lately". If you're not buying something, they don't care. Trainers (just like the sales person) have a list of people they know will buy....no matter what. I saw members with 30-50-100 sessions of training being attacked with high pressure sales tactics to buy more.

It's simple. Every person in the building has a goal to sell something....even the guy answering the phone. And at 24, god forbid you don't hit this number. And by the way, the job for trainers and sales people is 100% commission. So yea, you better believe they know who is buying and who is not.

Once you buy a membership, they don't care about you until you are ready to buy something again. From the day I started, we were trained on one thing....CLOSING THE SALE!! Instead of offering education on fitness and health so we could better service the needs of members, we were sent several days each month to our local corporate office to watch sales videos, and listen to upper management talk about high pressure tactics that have been prove to work.

Don't get me wrong, I believe personal training is one of the best investments you will ever make. Like one guy said, don't try to slowly work you way into the gym....just do it. Get in there and go at it. However, if the trainers were honest with you and not worried about goals and profit margins, they could teach you enough in your 5 sessions to last you for a while. Maybe later you might want to buy more when you are ready to change up you routine.

Supplements!!! To the one response from the new trainer, WOW is it obvious you are just out of your first training class. Phoenix Labs??? It's a sister company of 24 hour...not an independent company. They own it all. Different names for tax purposes. There stuff is the most overprice on the market today.

My favorite was the $50 box of supplements we sold to the people paying a grand for a 3 year membership. It's included in the price and if you don't sell it, you don't get paid for any of the deal....so yea, you're buying it. $50 for a box with 4 or 5 bars and a bottle of vitamins?? Oh yea, it has a coupon book. Guess what the coupons are for. Right!!! More training and supplements.

Never purchase large packages of training from these people. Buy as few as possible and only when you need it for your results. Ask a member that purchased 36 to 100 sessions how they feel when their trainer leaves the company or club. See how much the new trainer cares about you until you are ready to buy more.

We were so dishonest in everything we did; I felt so dirty and wrong lying to these people just to get them to buy a membership.

If you ever want to lose a really good friend, give a 24 hour sales person their phone number. After they call you till you cuss them out, they call you one more time and then give it to someone else to start over on you. While working there, they came up with a way to delete "leads" from their system. I thought this was great until I made it to management level. As a sales manager, all those "deleted leads" show up in your system so you can reassign them to someone else that will continue to call them.

If I ever let a customer leave my desk without meeting 2 club managers (know as the TO or higher authority close), I got written up. If I ever let anyone leave without having them sign a piece of paper saying if you don't buy now, you can't get the same "deal" later, I got written up. If I didn't get at least 3 to 10 names and phone numbers of your friends before you left, I was not allowed to see any more guests that day. If I couldn't beg at least 8 people a day to set an appointment for at "free pass", I spent the next day driving around businesses and neighborhoods trying to gets phone numbers from everyone and anyone...and you don't get paid for that work. Needless to say, it is in their best interest to get you into to that nice used car you are looking at.

I could go on for days about how p--s poor their customer service is and how they lose more good clients then they can sale. One not so big company secret is 24's desire to go public. It's all the managers talk about..and how much money they will make when it happens. Truth is they can't. Their business practices are SO BAD the SEC will not allow them to be traded at this time. Because of their erratic sales stats, nobody will work with them.

My advise, find a place to work out where you feel like you matter. DON'T JUST PRICE SHOP FOR THE CHEAPEST "GYM". YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!
If you don't enjoy going, you won't. Then all that money you saved did nothing for you.

I worked for these people for 3 1/2 years. Try working a job where you actually dread waking up in the morning so much that you make everyone around you feel bad.

24 is about "What have you done for me lately". If you're not buying something, they don't care. Trainers (just like the sales person) have a list of people they know will buy....no matter what. I saw members with 30-50-100 sessions of training being attacked with high pressure sales tactics to buy more.

It's simple. Every person in the building has a goal to sell something....even the guy answering the phone. And at 24, god forbid you don't hit this number. And by the way, the job for trainers and sales people is 100% commission. So yea, you better believe they know who is buying and who is not.

Once you buy a membership, they don't care about you until you are ready to buy something again. From the day I started, we were trained on one thing....CLOSING THE SALE!! Instead of offering education on fitness and health so we could better service the needs of members, we were sent several days each month to our local corporate office to watch sales videos, and listen to upper management talk about high pressure tactics that have been prove to work.

Don't get me wrong, I believe personal training is one of the best investments you will ever make. Like one guy said, don't try to slowly work you way into the gym....just do it. Get in there and go at it. However, if the trainers were honest with you and not worried about goals and profit margins, they could teach you enough in your 5 sessions to last you for a while. Maybe later you might want to buy more when you are ready to change up you routine.

Supplements!!! To the one response from the new trainer, WOW is it obvious you are just out of your first training class. Phoenix Labs??? It's a sister company of 24 hour...not an independent company. They own it all. Different names for tax purposes. There stuff is the most overprice on the market today.

My favorite was the $50 box of supplements we sold to the people paying a grand for a 3 year membership. It's included in the price and if you don't sell it, you don't get paid for any of the deal....so yea, you're buying it. $50 for a box with 4 or 5 bars and a bottle of vitamins?? Oh yea, it has a coupon book. Guess what the coupons are for. Right!!! More training and supplements.

Never purchase large packages of training from these people. Buy as few as possible and only when you need it for your results. Ask a member that purchased 36 to 100 sessions how they feel when their trainer leaves the company or club. See how much the new trainer cares about you until you are ready to buy more.

We were so dishonest in everything we did; I felt so dirty and wrong lying to these people just to get them to buy a membership.

If you ever want to lose a really good friend, give a 24 hour sales person their phone number. After they call you till you cuss them out, they call you one more time and then give it to someone else to start over on you. While working there, they came up with a way to delete "leads" from their system. I thought this was great until I made it to management level. As a sales manager, all those "deleted leads" show up in your system so you can reassign them to someone else that will continue to call them.

If I ever let a customer leave my desk without meeting 2 club managers (know as the TO or higher authority close), I got written up. If I ever let anyone leave without having them sign a piece of paper saying if you don't buy now, you can't get the same "deal" later, I got written up. If I didn't get at least 3 to 10 names and phone numbers of your friends before you left, I was not allowed to see any more guests that day. If I couldn't beg at least 8 people a day to set an appointment for at "free pass", I spent the next day driving around businesses and neighborhoods trying to gets phone numbers from everyone and anyone...and you don't get paid for that work. Needless to say, it is in their best interest to get you into to that nice used car you are looking at.

I could go on for days about how p--s poor their customer service is and how they lose more good clients then they can sale. One not so big company secret is 24's desire to go public. It's all the managers talk about..and how much money they will make when it happens. Truth is they can't. Their business practices are SO BAD the SEC will not allow them to be traded at this time. Because of their erratic sales stats, nobody will work with them.

My advise, find a place to work out where you feel like you matter. DON'T JUST PRICE SHOP FOR THE CHEAPEST "GYM". YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!
If you don't enjoy going, you won't. Then all that money you saved did nothing for you.

I worked for these people for 3 1/2 years. Try working a job where you actually dread waking up in the morning so much that you make everyone around you feel bad.

24 is about "What have you done for me lately". If you're not buying something, they don't care. Trainers (just like the sales person) have a list of people they know will buy....no matter what. I saw members with 30-50-100 sessions of training being attacked with high pressure sales tactics to buy more.

It's simple. Every person in the building has a goal to sell something....even the guy answering the phone. And at 24, god forbid you don't hit this number. And by the way, the job for trainers and sales people is 100% commission. So yea, you better believe they know who is buying and who is not.

Once you buy a membership, they don't care about you until you are ready to buy something again. From the day I started, we were trained on one thing....CLOSING THE SALE!! Instead of offering education on fitness and health so we could better service the needs of members, we were sent several days each month to our local corporate office to watch sales videos, and listen to upper management talk about high pressure tactics that have been prove to work.

Don't get me wrong, I believe personal training is one of the best investments you will ever make. Like one guy said, don't try to slowly work you way into the gym....just do it. Get in there and go at it. However, if the trainers were honest with you and not worried about goals and profit margins, they could teach you enough in your 5 sessions to last you for a while. Maybe later you might want to buy more when you are ready to change up you routine.

Supplements!!! To the one response from the new trainer, WOW is it obvious you are just out of your first training class. Phoenix Labs??? It's a sister company of 24 hour...not an independent company. They own it all. Different names for tax purposes. There stuff is the most overprice on the market today.

My favorite was the $50 box of supplements we sold to the people paying a grand for a 3 year membership. It's included in the price and if you don't sell it, you don't get paid for any of the deal....so yea, you're buying it. $50 for a box with 4 or 5 bars and a bottle of vitamins?? Oh yea, it has a coupon book. Guess what the coupons are for. Right!!! More training and supplements.

Never purchase large packages of training from these people. Buy as few as possible and only when you need it for your results. Ask a member that purchased 36 to 100 sessions how they feel when their trainer leaves the company or club. See how much the new trainer cares about you until you are ready to buy more.

We were so dishonest in everything we did; I felt so dirty and wrong lying to these people just to get them to buy a membership.

If you ever want to lose a really good friend, give a 24 hour sales person their phone number. After they call you till you cuss them out, they call you one more time and then give it to someone else to start over on you. While working there, they came up with a way to delete "leads" from their system. I thought this was great until I made it to management level. As a sales manager, all those "deleted leads" show up in your system so you can reassign them to someone else that will continue to call them.

If I ever let a customer leave my desk without meeting 2 club managers (know as the TO or higher authority close), I got written up. If I ever let anyone leave without having them sign a piece of paper saying if you don't buy now, you can't get the same "deal" later, I got written up. If I didn't get at least 3 to 10 names and phone numbers of your friends before you left, I was not allowed to see any more guests that day. If I couldn't beg at least 8 people a day to set an appointment for at "free pass", I spent the next day driving around businesses and neighborhoods trying to gets phone numbers from everyone and anyone...and you don't get paid for that work. Needless to say, it is in their best interest to get you into to that nice used car you are looking at.

I could go on for days about how p--s poor their customer service is and how they lose more good clients then they can sale. One not so big company secret is 24's desire to go public. It's all the managers talk about..and how much money they will make when it happens. Truth is they can't. Their business practices are SO BAD the SEC will not allow them to be traded at this time. Because of their erratic sales stats, nobody will work with them.

My advise, find a place to work out where you feel like you matter. DON'T JUST PRICE SHOP FOR THE CHEAPEST "GYM". YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!
If you don't enjoy going, you won't. Then all that money you saved did nothing for you.

As a former employee of 24 Hour Fitness, I can't stress to you how important it is to realize that this company is a BUSINESS. As a proper business, they base their success on monthly and quarterly revenue goals. I had been in the fitness industry for about 10 years and this company was quite frankly, the low point of my career. However, it was a job and served it's purpose personally.

I succeeded by far in private clubs where I was able to keep track of members progress. Reason being? if a member is having positive results then he is telling his social circle and then I would get more members. A win/win. What a better way to attract people to a club than providing the testimony of a waiting list to get in because all the memebers are getting results!

You may have been attracted to join the club by all the mid-level advertising and marketing - something I later learned in the ad industry - and acted on your personal resolutions to something that seemed like an improvement for your life. It was! and you did a great job of making the first step. Unfortunately, you experienced the "mcdonalds" of the fitness industry, or the "walmart" of retail, or the "honda" of automotive. should I go on?

The other poster who had just started working with this company is right with his philosophy and education, but really sounds to be overqualified to work at 24 Hour as a trainer. He sounds more like he should be working for a PT center. Did you happen to join the club at the end of the month? I remember we had high financial goals at the end of the month to make bonuses etc. I even walked with people to the ATM to get cash.

Yes, that is how much of a business it is and how desperate we were to make our revenue. As a new person to the fitness club population, I would recommend spending a little more on monthly dues and join a club where you truly feel comfortable and where the trainer won't upsell you until you are "addicted" to his services. Perhaps at the 4th session or even a week after your 5th. Only you will be the judge.

Personally, I have spent thousands on personal training but that was after I realized that I wasn't getting the results that I had gotten when I was with a trainer. And since I had gotten so strong, I had to have two trainers to assist in my Mr. Olympia type training! One of my trainers who was getting his masters in physiology was so pleased with my charted results that he even gave me some experimental sessions (complimentary) which were after hours since they involved charting my strength at 10% stronger while screaming than not screaming duing the positive muscle twitch.

As far as your comment about car salesman. yes, the company tends to look for more "hungry" employees than educated. That tends to bring more $$$$ in the eyes of business but at the same time kills repeat $$$. It's all about economics. I know that you are probably in a non-refundable 3 year memebership but perhaps you can change to another location where you would feel more comfortable. Downtown? Kapiolani? Don't give up on your goals, just concentrate on making it a habit. It only takes three weeks to develop (like smoking). If you don't want to take supplements, just make sure you eat your broccoli and carrots. Apples and banannas suffice as snacks for your many meals per day too! You can do it naturally, but if you feel a little lazy, that's why they recommend supps. I don't know your specific goals but there are lots of different training methods that may be suitable for your lifestyle.

Hope this all helps. I hate to hear about detriment to a good decision.

Aloha

Hello all!

I am a 24-Hour Fitness "newbie" trainer. I have an Exercise Science degree, an NSCA-CPT certification, and am well on my way to get more. Why? We are given the incentive to learn more by studying for and receiving high-quality certifications. The more educated we have, the better equipped we are to help our customer.

I hope I can dispel some disillusionment from the 24-Hour Fitness Personal Training industry if you have it. Before going further, I would like to inform you that I am fresh out of training class, and I am really excited. I love to help people. I may be a bit naive - but hey, that's a good thing for attitude!

24-Hour Fitness promotes a program called Solutions developed by the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). After 5 years of educating myself, learning ups and downs the hard way, studying exercise science, and even passing the rigorous NSCA-CPT test - I felt as if I knew absolutely nothing! The program is first class!

Furthermore, it's streamlined so you don't have to wonder "does this trainer REALLY know what he's doing?" It may be wise for you to ask around the club, watch trainers, and then pick out who you feel you may work best with.

The problem - is the personal trainer functioning in the way 24-Hour Fitness TRAINED them to? Unfortunately, some take the sales side personally. Perhaps they're in the business for the wrong reason. Maybe it hurts them when they want to help, but are frustrated with themselves for failing to communicate to you just how important it is to train with a certified trainer.

Obesity is now the number 1 preventable cause of death in the nation! Today's kids life-expectancies are lower than their parent's generation! Training with a trainer increases your "life expectancy" in the gym by 2 years on average! Otherwise, you may fall away into the 90 day category and never come back. What a shame!

We're selling a product that: 1.) No one wants. 87% of Americans are not regularly active! 2.) Is intangible. It's our job to help you see the value in what we do by finding out WHY you're in the gym in the first place. Something in you got you there. You just may not want to fully commit to changing your life. Perhaps you don't think you're worth it. Perhaps you think it won't work, that you don't believe you can do it, and are throwing your money away. It IS a lot of money! It's OUR job to keep you motivated & excited and hold you accountable to your program.

Why is it people have no problem taking their car to the shop to get fixed when it breaks down - fork over thousands of dollars - and deal with it. Even if you "can't afford it" you sure get the money from somewhere, because you NEED to get that car fixed! So why not invest in your body? It's the most complex machine around! Why tinker with it when you don't know what you're doing?

The supplements are worthwhile - they can save you from getting McDonald's in a pinch. The multivitamins are top notch. Check out (((link redacted))) for more information. They utilize Phoenix Labs to manufacture and test for purity. This is the same place that makes all Good Earth products. Go to the Good Earth website to check out just how much effort goes into these puppies!

I'll get off my soapbox. Find a trainer in the club that smiles, is friendly, helpful, and says hello to people. Ask them about their experience, education, and background. Why are they a trainer? Do your homework! Then SPEND THE MONEY! It will literally change your life in ways you have not yet imagined.

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

After working 6 years in the fitness industry, I think I'm qualified to put my 2 cents in so here goes.

1.) I think the trainer should have backed off and just gave you what you wanted. Afterall, it's your money and your life.

2.) I have something to say about your approach to your new lifestyle and it may or may not apply to you. 95% of the people I have enrolled for memberships say what you just said- I'm not ready to do a whole lifestyle change, ect. They just want to learn the functionality of the equipment and then go on their own. And guess what? Most of those people end up using the club for about 2 weeks or so (I've seen some that never set foot back in the club after they enrolled) and then you see them cancelling their memberships 10-20lbs later because they never used the club. Essentially what I am trying to say is in order to change your lifestyle, you have to...change your lifestyle!!! The whole "I'll just start off meandering around the gym and get comfortable first" approach never works. That's why you should purchase additional training. Now, I wouldn't train with someone who's only in it for your money, but keep in mind that it's a business transaction- they get you in shape, you pay. But, they should never pressure you.

I have a co-worker who's husband is a "personal trainer" at 24 hour fitness and ALL he brags about is the amount of money he makes up-selling memberships. NOT a WORD about helping people get in shape or lose weight - ALL ABOUT THE MONEY - He is WORSE than a Used Car Salesman - Because people expect to get a serivce, NOT to be sold and sold and sold. He said he LOVES upselling to people he knows will never use the service.

What a life.

I have had the same experience as you.....i used to work for them and was looked down upon because I couldnt get someone to spend hundreds of dollars on training....and supps. Hint: maybe if you lowered the prices just a LITTLE more people would want to train there!!!!!!!

I'm an ex-employee of 24-Hour Fitness. I actually managed to beat the Personal Trainer employee turn-over by 2 months! Usual turn over is 4 months! As a former employee who actually cared about my clients (what a concept), I refused to sell the stupid worthless supplements, and pressure people into buying personal training sessions. As a result, I was treated horribly by the managers! The worst part of it all? I was the one there with the MOST education!!!! I had just graduated with my Bachelor's in Exercise Science, and passed my certification examination for the American Council on Exercise. NONE of the other trainers had ANY college education in fitness, their certifications are from an open-book, mail-in test!! When my job finally got to the point where I was coming home from work every night crying, I finally quit and found a much better job. I strongly urge everyone NOT to use 24-Hour Fitness, it's not worth your money!!!