GoodLife Fitness’s earns a 1.8-star rating from 371 reviews, showing that the majority of gym-goers are dissatisfied with fitness journey.
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theft, rudeness,
03/04/2010 To Whom It May Concern, My name is Mary Quiroz, a member of your prestige company since November 2008, located at square one. My complaints was about this woman who claims she's working in your company for 12 years now and soon to be a manager. But before anything else, Shante your sales rep from that branch was able to talk to her to ask who...
Read full review of GoodLife Fitness and 1 commentdirty showers
When the co-ed club became coed/women’s club it started feeling crowded right away. A number of members was increased, but the maintenance didn’t change. The showers in the ladies change room are not clean anymore. The shower curtains are filthy and haven’t been changed for months. Please see a photo attached. The toilets are often out of order for days. The sauna was out of order for a long time.
They have a box for suggestions/feedback by the reception desk. However, they don’t bother to reply to what might be submitted in there. I made a suggestion to re-place existing orange over door shower caddies in the ladies change room with more substantial ones in 2009. The existing ones are useless, and it is impossible to place a shampoo bottle on it. So, we put our toiletries on the floor instead. They are also tipping to either side held by one hook over a door. The staff later placed the caddies over a shower head that is as high as 6 feet. It is impossible to reach the caddy for some women, and we still spread the shampoo and toiletries on the shower floor. How pathetic for a multi-million business to be so cheap!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
unauthorized charges
I joined good life fitness with a year membership last january. After using the membership up until June I stopped going because of work schedules and i was returning to University in the fall. Upon returning to school I wrote good life a letter and cancelled my membership, paid the fee (99$), and stopped using the bank account that i was with to switch to a new bank. When i returned home in December good life had written me a letter saying that i owed them 200 + dollars in unpaid fees. All the money i had saved in my original bank account was gone to good life and they overdrew my account 5 times, therefore leaving a 51$ charge at my original bank. They also informed me that because they had to overdraw my account, i owed them an extra 125$ for service fees (Must have been really small print in the contract). When i called the manager of good life to say i had paid the cancellation they said they never recieved the money (even though i dropped it off AT the club) and that technically i was still under the year contract so I have to pay them.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I had the same problem. I had a 6 month free trial and gave one of the reps my banking information so that the company can have a hassle free sign up if I chose to continue on after 6 months of free trial. Well the rep automatically signed me up for a membership and withdrew money from my account. Pissed me off! These reps are hungry money and will talk you into anything to get money or banking information from you. Its hard not to trust somebody in a suit.
I had a membership with this corrupted company in Winnipeg in 2003 and they tried to do the same to my mother and I but we closed out those accounts and we got a notification from them months after we cancelled and phoned the place in Toronto and after they did an investigation they found out the ###s who ran the branch in Winnipeg were idiots who had not sent in our cancellation forms and had just left our account open as an active member. Well the problem was correccted. I hoped you placed a stop payment on your cheque that they did not receive.
hold
We just had a baby in July of 2009. After that, in August, my wife was intersted in joining a new gym. She decided to join the club at the Sherwood Mall in London. I inquired two questions: 1) What if I break the one year contract? 2) I bought a plane ticket and we will travel abroad from December 12th of 2009 until February 18th of 2010. What...
excessive money withdrawals
I joined goodlife fitness in march 2009 and when i heard of the prices, i was relived that it was so seemingly reasonable. After less than a year of membership, i now see the reality of the gym's finacial agenda and have experienced nothing but problems when it came to payment and withdrawals. I always made sure to leave enough money in my bank to pay for each months fee and was always on time - or even ahead of time, yet i continuously receive notices from goodlife stating that i have missed my paymenst, and of this moment have an outstanding balance of $109. 00. This is ridiculous as i have always payed them the required price, and after reading other complaints concerning goodlife and money managemnt, i see that i'm not the only victim of their tactics and greed. I would quit but as it has not yet been a year, i would owe them an additional 100 dollars just to cancel - at this rate however, it would be worth it, as they are already taking excess amounts from my account and claiming debt when they are taking more than i owe.
Stay away from this gym. They are very shady when it comes to fee's and will leave you regretting ever joining. I know i do.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
lies and cons
I was told that i have to come in by 12:00 am the night of to be able to receive the deal of the month that would be changing at midnight. The offer is that with a sign up i would receive three (3) months for free due to me already existing at another gym. So thinking that what i was told was the truth i went into the gym at 11:30 pm ( the earliest i wa...
Read full review of GoodLife Fitness and 4 commentspoor management/acohol abse
I was a member of this Goodlife Club in Toronto, they have a restaurant at that location, and I got to say the management there was poor, somehow people who manage that place doesnt have any knowledge about alcohol law because I've seen people taking alcohol out of the restraurant and consume at the fitness club area any play squash, ok, I give them the benefit of doubt, they migh be licensed in other areas other than the restaurant, but I ddidn't see any servers in the club monitoring these drinks, I have a 10 year old son that I went to the club with, and the last thing I want is him getting alcohol from other members without any supervision restaurant staff while I'm working out, also I didn't think drinking and fitness goes together and I don't think this kind of environment is a good influence on my son, so we joined another gym instead. I wonder if any of those people are certified to serve alcohol...and food as a matter of fact because apparently they change the menu to like a sandwich menu instead of a restaurant menu, and have the servers making sandwiches while pouring beer, how bizzard!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
child minding
I've been bringing my children to the Goodlife Exclusively Woman's club for quite some time now. Recently the store underwent new management, and ever since the child minding area has gone downhill. I was there the other day and there was only one staff working with 5 babies and 4 or 5 toddlers. The babies were crying, one of the toddlers injured herself and the only person working couldn't do anything to help her because she already had her hands full. I voiced a complaint and the manager didn't seem to care and was actually really rude about the whole situation. I have every intent to cancel my membership and I know a few mothers that have already done so. There should be 2 or more paid staff working in that area or the gym is about to lose a lot more then just me.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
doesn't a caregiver have a maximum of 5 children they are allowed to care for at one time? we go to the ymca in guelph, GREAT childcare and activities there. they even have swim lessons, and I know there is a discount for people who are on assistance. good luck!
still taking money after 2 cancelations!
I signed up at goodlife fitness, my membership term expired and I stayed on. In June 2009 I called to cancel my membership the manager at Deerfoot Meadows did tell me no problem your membership is canceled.
A few months later looking at my bank statement I realized I was still paying for the membership. I called back to cancel again the lady said in September it was canceled.
I decided to put a stop payment on my bank account just incase. Today I received a bill for $95.89 for an outstanding balance on an account I cancelled 2 times or so I was told.
Goodlife fitness took money from my account for months with out my permission I did not cancel my membership before the term expired but actually over a year later!
I was billed again today, after filing a complaint to BBB I am no longer owing the $95.89 as stated above in my first complaint. I now owe $140 so calling the HQ did not do me any good! I highly recomend filing a complaint with the BBB. So anyone looking into getting a membership with GF will see what they are all about. i agree with F.Y.I never joing Goodlife fitness find another gym.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Good Life has taken over a gym that I use to be a member of, years ago. I have cancelled that membership, however for a reason unknown to me it remained active for years after. Good life has been taking money out of my account monthly and when I phoned to cancell AGAIN they still charged me for the entire month ( I have called on the 2-end of the month) I was told that there is NOTHING that they could do since they do not have proof of the first cancellation. I guess if they have access to your bank accont it is legal to take your money out for months, and it is also ok and legal to keep your membership active even aftery you have advised them to cancell.
F.Y.I If you call the head office to complain it dosen't really matter because nobody cares and people talk over you and don't listen and refuse to give out information (your information) claiming that it is for security reasons. You as a member do not have any security because they will take your money when ever they want. They make unrealistic demends like ask you to provide written proof of cancellation from 12 years ago. UNREALISTIC! They refused to conect me to anyone above them. I guess they are God only after a screaming session did I finally get the name and adress I was looking for.
Buyer be ware! Good Life is not professional and twists the truth to their advantage. DISCUSTING!
NEVER EVER EVER JOIN GOOD LIFE!
retsrictive contracts - no personal service
After having spent two and-a-half years communicating with employees of Good Life Fitness, I have learned that the company operates in a predatory fashion that demands their employees, including the club managers who allegedly have veto power on the company's restrictive and one-sided contracts, to take advantage of every client to the utmost possible.
I attempted to work with Good Life after my trainer quit, probably because he recognized the bad name he was getting being linked to this outfit. I asked a minimum of six times for further contact from someone who had authority to make a decision regarding my discontent with the contract provisions for my personal training. I also needed clarification regarding the payments they demanded.
Stupidly on part, I left my membership go on, and the company took $30+ out of my bank account twice a month. I should have had the foresight to put a stop payment on the account long before I did, because it was only when they weren't receiving money from my account that I heard from them.
Actually, it was not them I heard from, but their collection officer who works at a law firm in Toronto. It is funny, I asked them numerous times to have someone get back to me so we could work together and they had my phone number all the time, but not one company representative had the courtesy to talk to me.
Apparently, it seems, and is probably true, that Good Life Fitness does not communicate by telephone, only by mail and formal requests. Doing so protects them pursuant to the one-sided contracts they make customers sign.
I am interested in finding others who have had trouble with this company and their bullying style business tactics. They have their employees gagged and harassed and run an autocratic service for themselves, not their customers. Perhaps we can formally complain to someone who can make a difference.
My contact is [protected]@yahoo.ca.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Here's one for youe. I tore the patella tendon, LCL and MCL in my knee June 7 2008, after surgery I put my membership on hold. I saw someone during the week of june 15 – 21; hold should have been in place until Dec. 15 (at least). The following month I noticed they were still taking payments out of my account. After making 2 more trips, to clear the situation they finally put it on hold but did not issue a refund. My girl friend saw someone in Dec. to extend hold so it should have been in place till June (at least). I again noticed that at that time they kept billing me. After again makin a trip (the 4th about this same issue including my girl friends) it was again place on hold but again no refund, plus this time they also accured an count billing me for the time they couldn't charge me for over $250. They did wavie that but really thats not the point, I shouldn't have been charged anyway. So on to July, same issue but this time is better I again accured at $250 account with them, plus no refund from the previous issues. Remember I tore my patella, LCL and MCL year minimum recovery. The way they decided to deal with my$336.95 refund was subtract the amount accured, not refund the $80 they cost me for July and give me 5 months free (which if your doing the math I had already paid for.
So to sum it up.
Refund for membership and bank fees expected for period between June 15 through Dec. 31
Any bank fees from Dec. through to June.
7 visits, in person to Goodlife clubs.
7 phone calls
countless explanations about issue
3 doctors notes
1 bank charge for banking records
$336.95 never refunded
misleading sales tactics (personal training)
I am a relatively healthy 20-something year old who has never been to the gym before joining Goodlife Fitness. I decided that joining a gym would build my self-confidence and allow me to pursue a more active lifestyle. That said, when I was offered a "free" consultation to discuss my current health and general well-being after signing up for a regular membership, I was very excited.
The consultation was sales appointment in disguise, where the fitness manager did several measurements and basic cardio tests to see how fit I was physically. I found the sales tactics used were VERY aggressive. I told the salesperson I would like some time to think about the financial commitment to purchase the sessions ($2100 in total), and she kept pushing the sale. In the end, I agreed after receiving confirmation that I could cancel AT ANY TIME should my financial circumstances change, and I'm only liable for the sessions that I have used.
I thought about the transaction overnight, and muled over it with friends and family, who agreed, given my physical shape and day-to-day habits, while a personal trainer would be "nice", it was not an absolute necessity.
With the downturn of the economy and at the brink of losing my current job, I am now looking to cut whatever expenses I could to save up more cash as a cushion for the coming 3 months. Since I purchased the personal training sessions on the premise that I could cancel should my financial situation change (and I quote: "We are not going to make you pay for it if you lose your job. You only pay for what you use."), I discussed my options with the trainer, and was told that I must provide record of employment and prove that I have lost my job. That said, until I physically lose my job, $250 will still be withdrawn from my account every month, and I am committed to the sessions until they are all used up.
I called the customer service line as advertised on Goodlife, and was told by the rep there that I had 10 days to advise on a cancellation after the day of the sale. This, of course, was not communicated to me when the salesperson said "You can cancel at anytime". She must've forgotten to tell me "anytime over the next 10 days". I have been trying to contact the fitness manager there since learning of my financial uncertainties, and have not had a call back despite leaving several messages.
I felt like I've been lied to and deceived. The salesperson's verbal promises were empty and misleading. Because of my lack of experience in joining a gym, I feel like I have been taken advantage of. After reading other postings on this forum, this is just yet another incident where Goodlife is no more than a gym that could care less about its members, but what's inside their bank account.
In all fairness, I do like the personal trainer and find that she has been as accommodating and sympathetic as she possibly could given "corporate policies". I am just upset at the salesperson/fitness manager - and specifically, her tactics used to make the sale.
My only word of caution: whatever they promise you verbally, make sure you have it in writing.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I signed up knowing that I had to cancel within the ten days with the sales rep and I tried several days before, several times a day to reach him to know avail. I now have to go through providing documentation of my medical reasons to cancel and if the doctors note isn't satisfactory they won't let me out. All because the sales manager refused to contact me or speak to me when I called, went there in person etc. I am more than upset and would NEVER recommend Goodlife to anyone.
I don't understand you people! All these problems would not be an issue in the first place if... if... YOU READ THE CONTRACT! All of your responsibilities as a member are outlined on it! And when you break the agreement it's all of a sudden GoodLife's fault? Are you kidding me? I understand that if.. if the was an error made on behalf of the company, then yes this would definitely need to be corrected. But if you agree to a Personal Training package... it state on the flipping contract that the session if after 10 days or so many session the remaining sessions can not be cancelled or refunded. I would know this why? Because unlike so many other people- I know better to read this before agreeing to things? You people that are wining about the mistake that you made and blaming this company are selfish and disgusting. This is why they have contracts and it gives them the power to stand behind them.
So in closing... people- please for the love of god- READ THE CONTRACT (as you are given a copy of it- HELLO) READ IT BEFORE YOU ARE LOCKED INTO IT. Locked into it? What do you mean? YOU HAVE 10 DAYS TO READ THE STUPID THING OVER. In this time period you have the option (BY LAW :O) to cancel.
It would save so much grief if you people would open your eyes. I don't know about you- but my parents told me to never put my name on something unless I had a complete understanding of what I was signing to. Maybe the next time you want to better yourself in the form of Personal Training- read the damn paper and see what is involved. Shocking right?
unethical behaviour
Just found out that a female personal trainer from the Goodlife in Kanata on March Road has been having an affair with one of the gym's married clients and now the guy is leaving his wife and young children... is this place a gym or a brothel? She definitely knew he was married and had no problem moving in... watch it if your husband goes there to work out ... apparently there are no ethics or professionalism at this establishment... pathetic on all parts!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
It takes two to tango! This could happen anywhere, obviously he was not committed to his family and was easily seduced. He could have said no, woman say no all the time. Woman need to stop blaming other woman for their husband/boyfriends bad behaviour.
I trust my husband
could care less about their clients
I am a member of GoodLife in Ottawa. Things are no different here. I spent close to 4 thousand dollars on Personal training and pay my membership dues every two weeks. I have done this since I joined in 2003.
In July of 2008 I suffered two concussions in the span of a week at work and have been unable to do anything because I have been diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome.
I went to Goodlife with a medical certificate asking that they put my membership and training sessions on hold until I was cleared medically.They filled out the appropriate forms and said it would be on hold until I returned. They continued to take out membership dues. I went to them and they again filled out the paper work. Again the money kept coming out of my account. I had 44 personal training sessions left to complete so again I went to the club, they told me they would refund the money and my membership would be on hold.
It has been a year, not only did they continue to take the money out but they also told me that my personal training sessions expired...imagine...all that money and because I was medically unable to work out they felt I should forfeit everything.
I have yet to receive a full refund. They have "credited me the personal training sessions". I have tried to go to the Better Business Bureau who say it is a civil matter. I have threatened them with legal action which of course they say...go ahead because all the fine print at the back of their contracts covers them.
GoodLife SUCKS! If I didn't want to lose my training sessions I would have told them where to go a very long time ago...we as consumers are helpless. I have tried to find contact information for Patch which is always blocked by those idiots at Head Office.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
His email address is patch@goodlifefitness.com
You're welcome ;)
I would crtainly write to the Owner of the club in a non-emotional style letter explaining all of the facts. And I would send out the letter to him every 3 weeks. I'm sure he works out of head office so I would just find that address and his name is everywhere and just send it to him directly. Maybe you can even send a couple where someone would have to sign for it so at least you have proof that he got it.
I got really mad a Esso one day after my brand new car (500klms) got scratched up heavily while going through one of their car washes. So I called customer service. they did nothing. So I mailed the CEO of Esso. Within a couple of weeks or maybe even sooner I received a response from someone who he had delegated to look after the problem. They ended up paying me more than a fair sum of money to fix the damage. Granted I sent him photos and a quote of how much the repair would cost.
See, the problem is that most companies count on is that most people do not bother to go above anyone's head. Most people are to scared to bother the 'big guy' at the head of the table so most keep banging their heads against customer service or management. Honestly, if the top guys knew what really went on in the clubs and how some of the members were treated then they would definitely do something but they also don't have time to look after everything. Something's gotta give when a company gets that big. As long as customers are willing to due a bit of due diligence - like you have - which will show the 'big guy' you tried to sort things out with his management team, then the 'big guy' will be willing to work with you.
This usually works. It takes a bit of time/research mind you but it is worth it. I wish you luck and hope things all work out for you. You've been through enough.
suspicious business/stay away
As a recent employee of Goodlife Fitness I must tell all of you out there to beware. Money and greed, sales goals and suspicious business practices fuel this company. When you start at a new job or position it is hard to realise these facts until youve gained more experience with the company and the way they work. After working over forty hour weeks for almost two consecutive years at this company it was my time to move on to a higher level of education and better my own practices, also to better the environment for my clients too. Goodlfe took this as an attack on them that I would even think of leaving my "valuable" position to move towards a new prospective goal in my life. After giving my two weeks notice in a professional manner I was asked to leave two days later as the management would feel more "comfortable" if I just left. Even thouh it was with pay in lieu of, they denied me a letter of recommendation and went as far as sending me a threatening letter stating that if I were to contact any of my clientelle, members of Goodlife, staff and or associates I would be sued and legal proceedings taken against me. This is outrageuous coming from a company that supposedly has "core values" and apparently cares!
One quick story I must share with the public has to do with their sales team office. (the people who have nothing to do with a gym or workout facility yet are there at the front to let you know you are out of shape and its time to sign up) As if they really know who you are from a two minute meeting that I must remind you they are trained for consistently, using the same compliment strategies and uneducated fitness assessment guesses on everyone.
Regardless one fateful day I had to visit the sales team room, as one and only one of them was also my client and I had to see how her personal cardio workouts had gone on the previous weekend. The agenda for the day on their dry erase marker board stated and I quote: "Even a bum with a bank account can get a membership: lets get them in!"
Since my club was located downtown and frequented by quite a variety of people, as well surrounded by three mens homeless shelters and methadone clinics. My client who worked in this office advised me that they were instructed not to let people know of fees associated with cancelling memberships or the unability to afford one. If per say, a "bum" would sign up they would tell them they had a"special deal" for them and they didnt have to pay a startup fee! (they did this with everyone) They would then mislead them into thinking their membership was now paid for and as long as they got a bank account number no matter if there was money or not they would begin extracting it for their own greedy uses. I was very shocked at this and saddened to see quite a few actual homeless people be seduced into this trap. When they came back to let Goodlife know they couldnt pay for their membership as they didnt realise there would be all these associated fees. (they also set you up with towel service an extra 5 -6$ a month without your knowledge, you have to let them know you dont want it or they will just sign you up for it) Anyways after they came back in they would be treated poorly, left with no options from their so called "club" and left to deal with the banks and collections agencies. As if these people havent gone through enough in their lives lets destroy it a little more for a dollar. I am so happy and feel entirely free to be away from this horribly run company. I know there are many others out there like me and probably many more horrific situations. In a world where advertising and money rules all, beware what you get yourself into. Goodlife is not what it seems. It should be called Moneylife, as thats what really matters to them.
Anonymous.
Ps. I realise I left you all without a tip or piece of advice. Check out your other options, smaller gyms do usually practice better business ethics, as they cannot hide behind a huge corporate name. Check out your local trainers who work out of their homes or come to you, check out a more private studio (usually their rates are very competitive with the market if not cheaper because you may not have to pay any overhead or membership fees) Their prices will also be very upfront and no extra associated fees will pop up in the future. Good luck to you all and train hard, whatever you do.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I agree with you 100%. I was hoping that you might have some suggestions to help me out just because you were at one point "behind enemy lines". Me and my husband paid for $5000 worth of personal training sessions and have yet to get one (7 months later). Every trainer we book with ends up quitting before the initial sessions. We are desperately trying to get our money back but we aren't having any luck. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! please!
I agree with you. GoodLife is extremely unprofessional. I was a member of the gym for 3 years. I used to pay for the whole year using my credit card. I paid $900 in the first year along with $100 as initiation fee. I went to another GoodLife club to renew my membership and they charged me $680 for the year. I paid $680 once again at the same club the following year. This year, the management at the club has changed and I have never seen managers that are so unprofessional.
They refused to accept yearly payment. they wanted only pre-authorized payments and they also increased my fees. they told me that the fees are locked in only if I make pre-authorized payments. Since I was not making pre-authorized payments I had to pay the latest fees.
I also signed up for 3 personal training sessions. i wanted to take 6 more sessions but the personal trainer said that they only have packages for 72 sessions or 100 sessions. If I had that kind of money I would have joined a better fitness club. Are they out of their mind? How many people can afford 72 or 100 sessions?
The only reason that I stayed with club was because of the instructors. I like the instructors at that club and I do a lot of classes. So this is important to me. I just hope that they get rid of the managers.
suspicious business practices
My son (age 18) is interested in joining a new gym. The annual membership where he's been going for the past two years has just expired and he's looking to try somewhere new. I decided to do a little comparison shopping so I called Goodlife Fitness to inquire about their rates (their website doesn't offer any details). I was immediately passed along to a...
Read full review of GoodLife Fitness and 3 commentsdirty clubs and poor management
I have never been to a club so poorly managed. The manager, some BeeJay Duff, quite the unsual name, maybe it's for her reputation! Very unhelpful... The mens changing rooms are filthy, the floor is constantly dirty and the washroom area has a yellow floor from leaking urinals. They never seemed to be cleaned and are a getting worse by the day, it's a health hazard.. The sauna is constantly broken and has a pool of sweat sitting in the middle of the floor.
I've mentioned my complaints to the management and they don't seem to care, too busy flirting with other staff members.
Goodlife Fitness is a club that is only interested in taking your money and giving you nothing in return! Stay clear and join another club!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I've had a great experience at Goodlife fitness and I believe it's Patch Evans not Patch adams. I asked the right questions and clearly knew what i was signing for.
I go to Bowmanville Goodlife gym. I do enjoy the gym but I am baffled to see cleaners cleaning during members' hours. It is very disturbing to hear the vacuum cleaners going while you are working out, and breathing the cleaning/chemicals vapours as they clean around you. I hate it. How are they allowing this? I've never seen this in any other goodlife gyms. I wrote to the manager of that gym about this and she just brushed me off.
I am distressed to read some of the complaints on the board. I know when I was there and someone was being creepy it was dealt with immediately and the person was banned from the club. I find all the staff at Nature Parkway to be friendly and helpful and all the machines and the bathrooms (men's room i can speak to) are clean and well maintained. I would have no issue recommending the gym to anyone. The prices are clearly laid out the trainers are flexible. As a matter of fact although we have been personally happy with all our three trainers two of them were dismissed by GL for various quality issues and we found the subsequent trainers to be always better than the last. Amanda is excellent and we will continue to be satisfied with the facilities until experience proves otherwise. So balance our experience with those of others before deciding to join up.
Al Rae
Goodlife Member
Nature Parkway
Winnipeg
hidden fee
I joined Goodlife Fitness in Burlington Ontario in January 2009. Cost me $104 up front to join and then I paid biweekly at $18. Seemed much cheaper than the YMCA. Didn't end up using it that much, injured myself, so I decided to quit in April 2009. Sure enough, I found that it cost another $104 just to quit. Funny how they failed to mention that aspect to...
Read full review of GoodLife Fitness and 5 commentsworst club
I worked as a personal trainer at the uptown centre Goodlife were I was terminated without cause effective immediately. I was fired for no reaso because the Fitness Manager didnt like the fact that all staff came to me for help and guidance and I was kept in the loop of the club. A fitness manager that works out at a different club and wears there clothing around the Goodlife gym as advertising when he is of duty. Goodlife has no repect or integrity through there hole company. It is all about the money and nothing to the clients needs or goals. A few months ago I was even asked by the clubs General Manager to apply for the Fitness Managers position and the District Manager interviewed me and was excited and moved my name forward for another interiew. Duringthe time for few interviews I filled in as an Acting Fitness Manager before I found out the new guy was coming. Even when the new Fitness Manager arrived he asked me to be the Assistant Fitness Manager and help do everyday business. Then I was fired for no cause does that make sense.
Just because the Fitness Manager could not get past that I had a good repour with all the staff and all the trainers would come to me with questions and concerns. He was never in the loop and reacted like a big child. It is terrible that a company like this gives the pwer to one manager to fire someone with no cause and no answers. You contact the so called people department and they give you absolutelu No Answers either, they just wish you the best.
Patchell-Evans gives all new memebers a free book and the book is nothing but lies and false advertising. He may have had a dream years ago but that is all it was a dream of becoming rich on a career where people will try anything to be fit and healthy. It is a dsigrace and very upsetting. Stay clear of GoodLife Fitness the management sucks and they only care about your money. They take your money every month but never use any of that money to clean there filthy gym or fix equipment on a regular basis. That is very disturbing that you take 2000 members monthly fees but you cannot clean your club, always run out of soap and paper towel and it takes months to fix broken equipment. I am sure that wasn't in the book or in Patches dream in the late 1970's. I am sure his managers love the bonsuses they receive for hitting there numbers. GoodLife is all about new members and hitting numbers and not unahappy memebers or old memebrs. Bonuses are giving only pased on sales not happiness very disturbing in the health industry.
The club is a joke!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
i was also terminated without cause, however i knew exactly what the cause was and brought it up during the termination. i just moved to ottawa and was moving in to my new apartment after i was excited to get a new job as a personal trainer as that is what i went to school for. i needed to attend more classes that goodlife deemed nesssesary even though i just completed a college degree and all credentials before hand. i went to all of them, after three months my grandmother passed away, her burial was that week, on a wednesday also the day i was to attend another teadious class that was called "bootcamp". let me remind you that all other classes that i took for goodlife when i was there, a grade three could pass with honours, which for 90 percent of our trainers were the only credentials they had to there name but were named our best trainers because they were able to sell some poor person two years of personal training when they had no clue what they were doing. anyway i did not attend the bootcamp because i had to leave for the burial service however my manager was not in for me to tell so i left her an email about a family emergency. two days later after our group meeting on the friday she terminated me without cause. i have about a hundred other stories about how this gym was digusting but the stories above explain some of the exact things i went through. however i do have a funny story my girlfriend was started to attend the gym when i got the job and when i was terminated do you think she could terminate her contract. nope absoloutely not she had to go to the executive director and as she was in law at this time she had to threaten to sue before she was released and it took her three months of them withdrawing money by the time she was relased she sent goodlife a bill for the money they had taken and they had one week to pay back in full or would be sent to collections pending an investigation. so keep fighting if you are stuck in contract.
while i worked at goodlife i felt like i had to have no soul to work there.
i was supposed to be happy doing what i love but yet a lost sleep every night.
most trainers there had to say they just wanted money and were hired but were as smart as a stump when it came to personal training or nutrition.
they even tried selling me personal training by someone that couldnt tie there shoes and i felt pressure cause every other trainer had a trainer. my fitness manager called me in for a meeting because of this and said i wasnt being a team member so she being an "elite trainer" (she thought a squat was a bicept curl... just stupid) tried to sell me training in the meeting, how bad do u have to be to put your own employees in a high pressure situation to sell them something i did not want. now all i said was honestly i dont want training so after the next 30 minutes of selling me she asked why i dont. i simply said, "well i would totally get training from someone just no one that works here other than myself. she asked why. i said: "there is no one here that even compares me i also have more education and probably positive experience than everone here put together even if they have been doing it for twenty years, why would i buy something that doesnt work properly.that would be like you buying a brand new car off the lot and they forgot to put an engine in it, looks good on the outside but the inside has no brain." at that point she was looking for a reason to fire me. and all the clients that i had that loved me and said i have started to change there life were given to different employees and i was told that once im terminated i was never aloud to talk with them again. i only talked to one he quit the gym and said it was the worst money and most stressfull time hes ever had. now how does that make me feel to know that i could have changed someones life but instead i could have possibly made it worse by just getting terminated. dont work for the gym, dont go to the gym, unless your prepared to give your soul away or have it taken from you.
Reading all accounts, it seems you have to be a ruthless individual in order to be hired by GoodLife, at any location. Seems they have a set of rules of what an employee should be, the first being, again, ruthless. At our club, the manager is afraid of the maintenance staff, so he lets him do anything or nothing as he pleases - watches tv, equipment is not cleaned, towels are unclean but of course, they take your money right on time.
I was also a previous trainer at the quispamsis club over a year ago. The fitness manager ALSO had a problem with me, and I had to leave because of how difficult she was to deal with. She was horrendus but she had big "assets" and the club manager was afraid of her. To date she has gone through 13 trainers because they cant stand her past 2 weeks! Literally! She didnt have the credentials, along with a lot of the trainers they have hired there. The hiring standards are BOGUS! Before i was hired i had to go around cleaning equipment and do the fit fix thing with people in the mornings and evenings EVEN THOUGH i had completed all my courses and training over the past months, yet they hired TWO trainers who HADNT EVEN TAKEN THE CANFIT PRO COURSE! and one of them WAS THE FITNESS MANAGER! She had a business degree...and a high metabolism, because she couldnt do a proper bicep curl if it was her life on the line.
Also the club employees to members are awful! They are horrid to call on the phone because you get hung up on if you ask the wrong question. This is no joke. This has happened to many members. The machines are ALWAYS broken and if you call the main line in Ontario, they say "oh well we shall pass this on to the manager and he will look into it" Pretty much saying, we are looking the other way now, not out problem. And the reply by the manager is that the parts for the machines need to be ordered. Too bad they do not put in the machine part orders WHEN the machine breaks, it usually takes about 6 weeks to get a machine running again. The prices are ALSO rediculous for students and different members. It is literally the worst run company to work for AND to be a member of. the manager at the time when I worked there had said "it doesnt matter what they are looking to achieve, get them to sign a year contract for training, YOU will get the comission, and we can exceed our monthly goal!" LITERALLY! There is NO compassion or empathy what so ever with the employees in the club, and NONE when you call the main offices. They are so "safe" behind the telephone emails and contracts. Well working there has taught me a lot, and by visiting other gyms in different cities, and speaking to other goodlife members across canada...they ALLL say VERY similar stories...especially the employees/previous employees.
Also they have 9 "pilate" machines in the back corner of the gym, moved everything around so they can store these, collecting dust, each at the cost of 4, 985 PLUS TAXES each! and they whine when someone asks to use a towel for the spin class...I am SERIOUSLY considering putting an ad in the local paper to get mroe people to speak out about this corporation. Its unbelievable. The kids camp, by the way, a friend emailed them a year ago wondering where the money goes, and where this camp is, why it is NOT advertised anywhere else other than the balloons and name tags...they didnt give her an answer. They beat around the bush and said "we assure you, it is a good cause for good deserving people"
DO NOT JOIN GOODLIFE FITNESS! YMCA is the BEST run and most personal, health oriented club for ALL ages. It is amazing. That is just an option for thos who cannot find a gym if there is a YM-YWCA near you, go to it! SO much cheaper and the staff are more than likely KIND! If not, go to ANY other gym than a GoodLife Fitness club. It will safe you a LOT of money, Grief, and Late nights. Good luck everyone! And boy, was I glad to find this "forum"
Did the present fitness manager or past fitness manager react like a big baby? Was it the present or past fitness manager that works out at another fitness club? Was it the present fitness manager that fired you or the general manager? I am having a little trouble following your train of thought. Wouldd you recommend any personal trainers at that club with integrity or character? Would you recommend a gym in Fredericton for accessing personal training? Thanks.
Well then can you recommend a gym for someone who is interested in getting in shape and working with a good personal trainer? I've never worked out a day in my life and would need some honest coaching.
personal trainers & corporate response
I joined Goodlife with the idea of possibly doing some personal training. I finally got in to do an assessment and talk to someone about Personal Training. It was a huge amount of money and I didn't want to commit without trying it first, so through my corporate membership I found out we had an introductory deal of 12 sessions for $230 (approx). It was a perfect way of trying out the PT and see if I like the trainer and the programme, etc. etc. I went in to sign up and get in the car and notice it says 6 sessions. I call right away and they indicate that it's not actually 12, it's 6 sessions for 1hr. Ok, whatever, I'll ignore the bait and switch and try it out (there was actually not that much of a deal really). After talking to one PT after finally contacting them (GoodLife really really really needs to get a better way of putting Personal Trainers and the customer together, like online, email, ANYTHING!) I find out that he only does mornings so I'm passed on to another trainer. We finally talk and work out a schedule. Than I go in for my first training session after 3wks of trying to set something up and I have yet another trainer because the other is "too busy". I feel like a throw away, pass along. It really doesn't inspire me to go to the gym for sure! I'm upset because I didn't even get a call from the second trainer to tell me and the third trainer didn't have time today to take me through a programme. He was than behind the counter chatting with another employee when I was on my way out. Very frustrating.
I have no idea why I filled out the forms (two forms by the way) because no one reads them obviously, just a front for looking like they care and that I will be matched appropriately! I was told that on the 4th training session I would be asked if I would like to continue. At this point of time, it's a definite NO! I'm actually rethinking keeping my membership altogether. Maybe going somewhere where someone actually cares. I've since found more dedicated businesses with 1 on 1 training and nutritional planning for less than GoodLife and they don't charge you prior to doing the sessions.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
They did the same here in Calgary too. Me and my husband bought into the sessions ($5000!) and were passed back and forth between personal trainers. After 7 months we have yet to have a session. All the trainers quit before the first sessions ( i think the count is 3 or 4 trainers who have quit). Now we are stuck trying to sell them with Goodlife now telling us that there is an "expiry date" on the sessions and after a year we get nothing and they get our $5000! You go from being a client to just a number. Goodlife is definitely in it for the money with no concern for their "clients" aka paying customers
I am a member of the Goodlife/Nubody's club, Portland Street, Dartmouth NS. The Nubodys chain was bought out by Goodlife in the summer. I had left Nubodys because my favorite trainer was escorted out of the building. This man was able to improve my health dramatically and helped my wife rehab from a WHEELCHAIR or WALKER due to a 15 year balance disorder to running on the treadmill, doing travelling lunges and STANDING ON A STABILITY BALL. I refused to go to a gym that treated its employees that way. It is my firm belief that the fact that this man was an African Nova Scotian, played a major part in his dismisal.
When Goodlife bought the chain I returned to my old gym and found the same staff there. The trainer who had helped my wife and myself so much had taken a full time job as a Fire Fighter just prior to his fireing - imagine that, you would not want a hansome black fire fighter on staff at a gym, it might look too good. He was now working out at the gym and ocasionally give advise to people when they asked for it.
I had mistakenly thought that Goodlife was a good company to work for and would run a good gym - NOT SO. Today the gentleman who was fired as a trainer was asked to leave again - THIS TIME FOR HELPING HIS AUNT USE THE EQUIPMENT PROPERLY. Not only does this gym fire people for being exceptional trainers, they kick out members for helping their relatives.
Can you say "lawsuit on grounds of racial discrimination"?
I've been a member at Toronto's Bloor Park club for many years. When I joined, it was owned by Sports Clubs of Canada. Then Bally took it over and things deteriorated somewhat. Little did we know how bad things could get until Goodlife took it over. It's stunning how they allow things to go on forever with no attention. Example - the ladies' washroom needed to be retiled for close to a year and was actually completely closed for a number of days ("you can use the washroom in the mall downstairs'!). For weeks prior to them finally getting the work done there was one proper cubicle and one toilet surrounded by a tarp - clearly not enough for upwards of 40 women if there's a class on! Equipment takes a very long time to be repaired as well and cleaning staff has had hours reduction. The only thing they have going for them is location (can't do much about that fortunately). Would be nice if a quality organization were to purchase but it would cost a lot to bring it back up to standard.
automatic withdrawls
Beware of these scammers and thieves!
I cancelled my account with them within the first 10 days, and they continued to automatically withdraw from my account after that. They told me this "rarely happens" but when I mentioned it to my friends and co-workers, they instantly knew who it was -- Goodlife.
Watch your account like a hawk after dealing with these ###.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
My husband had a year membership with Goodlife fitness as far back as 2005! Well, it is now July 2011 and I just found out that Goodlife fitness is STILL withdrawing $35.00 monthly from our bank account! My husband hasn't been to that fitness centre since 2007! This means we have lost thousands of dollars! I called the Goodlife fitness club to complain and they told me, "Sorry, we can't do anything because your husband signed the contract and the contract makes it clear that you need to cancel your membership." Well, I am thinking to take legal action because if the contract was just for one year, then they should have automatically cancelled the payments for us! I want my money back!
THE BANK DID NOT CHARGE ME THE SCAMERS AT GOODLIFE FITNESS KEEP SENDING ME BILLS IN THE MAIL. (AFTER MY BANK PLACED A STOP WITH NO PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SAY IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIMEWITH THAT GYM)
I CANCELED THE MEMBERSHIP 4 TIMES!
I HAVE FINALLY HAD THE ACCOUNT CANCELED ON DEC 18TH AFTER TRYING TO CANCEL IT SINCE JUNE. I HIGHLY RECOMEND ANOTHER GYM...MISS An Avid Goodlife lover! WORKS THERE AND WANTS YOU TO SIGN ON SO LATER SHE CAN RIP YOU OFF!
I signed up at goodlife fitness, my membership term expired and I stayed on. In June 2009 I called to cancel my membership the manager at Deerfoot Meadows did tell me no problem your membership is canceled.
A few months later looking at my bank statement I realized I was still paying for the membership. I called back to cancel again the lady said in September it was canceled.
I decided to put a stop payment on my bank account just incase. Today I received a bill for $95.89 for an outstanding balance on an account I cancelled 2 times or so I was told.
Goodlife fitness took money from my account for months with out my permission I did not cancel my membership before the term expired but actually over a year later!
Why didn't you go in with your bank statment and have it refunded? They do offer that option... In my opinion, as soon as I saw the first charge, I would be on the phone... One payment I can see, especially if there wasn't 10 business days to stop it, but 2? After doing a 10 day cancellation? I highly doubt it.
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GoodLife Fitness phone numbers+1 (800) 387-2524+1 (800) 387-2524Click up if you have successfully reached GoodLife Fitness by calling +1 (800) 387-2524 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached GoodLife Fitness by calling +1 (800) 387-2524 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached GoodLife Fitness by calling +1 (800) 387-2524 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached GoodLife Fitness by calling +1 (800) 387-2524 phone number
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GoodLife Fitness emailsmembercare@goodlifefitness.com100%Confidence score: 100%Supportaroberts@goodlifefitness.com94%Confidence score: 94%communication
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GoodLife Fitness address710 Proudfoot Lane, London, Ontario, N6H1T2, Canada
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Goodlife couldn't care less about the cleanliness of its shower areas or about ensuring that they are properly stocked with soap. Bring your own soap and shampoo, because you can't rely on Goodlife to supply it.