Wow Work out World review: apparently a hustle / scam 31

i went to their site www.workoutworld.com and wasn't able to find any information on the california site. which is a shame sine was wanting to join but never before seeing some type of contract. itried calling one of the other fsaciities on the site since the 800 number was disconnected and the person said that they don't have any locations other than in new jersey

This is a great location! Whoever thinks otherwise must be working for the competition! My wife and I was given a tour of the space last Saturday( and yes it is an empty building under construction). The finished space will not only include new top end equipment and a multi purpose arobic room, but it also includes a day care, a women's only section and spa-like shower and locker rooms. How do I know? I asked questions during the tour, saw the drawings and called the City of La Mirada's planning department, before my wife and I bought our memberships.

The planned buildout is beautiful! Unlike alot of broken down tired gyms in the area, this will be all new construction . Imagine at $19.99, you get a brand new gym with new Matrix gym equipment (this is tier 1 rated topline gym equipment - if you know equipment) . Whoever is complaining do your homework and just check with the City of La Mirada. You'll find out the buildout is slated for July, the drawings are in plan check and the architect is SenningerWalker. Please people, when you complain on this board use facts and do your homework; otherwise you'll make this website useless.

Hey it is a great location! I moved and being a college student i saw this as a great opportunity to get in shape for a good price! what really attracted me was the all women part of the gym! All i was saying is that this company is very disorganized! All I wanted was a little information before joining. I tried calling the number on the flyer i received and the number was disconnected!I went to the website and found a lot of nothing. i called other branches of WOW and they told me they didn't know anything or even acknowledge that there was one being built in La habra, ca. After doing research in trying to find information for joining a came across the BBB or the better business bureau, and after seeing that a majority of their rating are below C ratings with multiple locations having F. i am going to have to say i am done and won't join because it' not worth a risk. I am glad you were able to find information and have a pleasant experience with this company. I wished it could have been the same for me

http://www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews/#middle-result

you can look for your self. out of all the locations there were only 2 A

I for one did my homework, and am very glad I did. I have seen the Wow locations in Japan http://www.wowd.jp/, and also worked out while on business in the New Jersey Wow locations http://workoutworld.com/index.php, check out the links. All I can say is finally a health club that is not trying to drain my wallet. I signed up at an unbelievable 19.99 per month. I am someone who needs to lose weight but have always been intimidated by health clubs, all I have to say is that all of the Wow gyms that I have visited on my business travel have felt more like a spa than a gym. I love the atmosphere, the availability of trainers, but I am most grateful during these hard economic times for the 19.99 price.

ok i must say something before people just start complaining... everyone always has something negative to say but heres the positives... the work out world in california will be the best one in the country because of the owner. theres i believe 13 or 14 locations on the east coast that are owned by steve borgi and a ### named beth bennatti- they suck! but the owner in california is a great guy that believes in fitness for everyone and will do everything in his power to make you not only feel happy and satisfied but also make you feel compfortable. my advice to everyone thinking of joining is to join and ask for a 3 day trial... within 3 days you'll know if you like it but i swear your gonna love it! and next time i look on this site there will be nothing but positive reviews... i live on the east coast but honestly am in the middle of moving out there and joining that gym will be the first thing i do... if you want to talk negative about any work out worlds then talk about the ones in minnasota, RI, mass, new hampshire, and the friendly fitness in CT... those work out worlds are owned by steve and beth- two ppl that are out to screw all there members... go ahead and google there names and the work out worlds they own but honestly you need to give the one in california a chance... you will not be disappointed! have a wow day

I also thought that it may be a scam, but I checked with the city of La Mirada and w.o.w did sign a 10 year lease. This is a great deal for $19.95 a month. I know it sounds too good to be true, but it is. Don't worry this place will open up in June. I live down the street and I have insisted that I been shown a copy of the lease and a copy of all building permits, and they are all up to date. This is not a scam.

this place is the real deal! i talked to the owner, who co owns the east coast clubs and minnesota, and you are right, HE CARES! his mission is to never treat members like his clubs do on the east coast, minnesota ! apparantly the clubs on east coast and minnesota used to be great clubs until his partner died and the wife and other silent partner got involved and ruined a great company. he came to the west coast to get away from the ### partners on the east coast and deliver a great place for everyone to enjoy...very nice guy and very handsome i must say( dont worry i am a happily married mother of 3) GO WORKOUT WORLD CALIFORNIA

My doctor told me to exercise or die! Diabetes high blood pressure and overeating were going to make it impossible for me to see my baby girl graduate from elementary school, never mind being around for my grandchildren. I joined L.A fitness and was doing fine until my hours were cut back at work. I asked for a more affordable plan but the best they could do was $30 per month. When I first saw the Workout World ads I thought it must be a misprint but it wasn’t. I joined and feel like my prayers were answered.
I joined for 19.99 per month and that rate will drop to 9.99 and I will have access to over 30 locations in southern California alone. Thank you for coming to California after all we are not all movie stars with unlimited money but we all still need to exercise……FOR REALZZZZZZZ!

This place is awsome I cant wait to start working out on the new stuff! I did my home work and its for real like they told us at city hall, was a bit worried at first. The city does their home work to protect it citizens, someone should have told that to the nuckle head that wrote the first comment.

Look into it before reading the negative comments. I personally feel this new gym is a good opportunity for people that are wanting to stay healthy and fit.. I also did my homework before signing up, it’s affordable and the staff are friendly and polite, I had the chance to speak with the owner and got a better understanding I am excited and looking forward for the grand opening.

The person that posted this should worry about there own employer..

24 Hour Fitness Charges Fees After You Cancel
Monday, 08 June 2009 18:20

Were you a monthly customer of 24 Hour Fitness and charged fees or dues AFTER you canceled your membership?
If so, and the fees/dues were subtracted automatically from your checking account, you may be able to take part in this class action lawsuit!

Click here to go straight to the submission form

24 Hour Fitness centers across the country may have illegally charged you for dues after you canceled your membership. Did you know that 24 Hour Fitness actually charged you first AND last months membership dues when you first signed up with them for a no commitment or short term commitment contract? Because of this, if you decide to cancel, you should be able to do so immediately without any extra dues or fees charged to your account.

Unfortunately this typically doesn't happen. 24 Hour Fitness allegedly tacks on an EXTRA sixty - ninety days to your membership automatically after you request to cancel your account.

In addition, 24 Hour Fitness allegedly tacks on these fees after your current bill cycle ends. That means you could be stuck paying for almost ninety days you didn't want. That doesn't sound like a monthly membership. Were you stuck with membership fees from 24 Hour Fitness after you canceled your membership with them? If so, you may be able to join this class action lawsuit and may even get to be a named Plaintiff in the case.

This class action lawsuit case is ACTIVELY being litigated and the attorneys' seeking to represent you need YOUR HELP! Top Class Actions is ready to speak with you NOW! Submit the form below or Call [protected] for immediate assistance.

If you submit the form below you will be contacted within 1 business day if you were a member of 24 Hour Fitness, were charged month to month, and paid by electronic check (not a debit card.) If you don't meet this criteria or have a complaint regarding someone other than 24 Hour Fitness you will not be contacted. In that case please use our general

WORKOUT WORLD LA MIRADA ! CANT WAIT FOR THIS PLACE, AWSOME CLASSES AWSOME PEOPLE AWSOME EVERYTHING FOR ONLY 19.99 A MONTH AWSOME!

I took time to look into Wow Work out World and am very happy with what I found. The owner is really a hands on guy who cares. I am so happy that Wow Work out World La Mirada is here. I am paying only 19.99 a month and I would recomend it to everyone!

Wow Work out World, I went by yesterday and spoke to the General Contractor doing the build out, he was so excited. He said that nothing was being spared to provide the community with a world class fitness facility. I went ahead and signed up, after all for only 19.99 this Wow Work out World is definitely a great value.

omg this place is such a scam me and my friend went in there when it wasnt open yet adn signed up we got a good deal but then they say it will open on july the first week then that comes around no membership cards in the mail like we were suppost to haev so my friend went down there and they said oh now it wont be open til october november they are scanning everyone and she said it looked the same as when we went in there a month before dont sign up im telling you they are gonna rip u off cuz they are going to charge you for the months that you cant go in because they arent open dont let them scam you be smart no to wow...

This place is a scam I know the owners and they are ###.

not quite sure about this place. I signed up but am thinking twice about it now. The contract is messy, says they will charge you $19.99 once a year, every year for upgrades to equipment. They don't tell you this. Also they say you can cancel any time, but you have already signed up for 24 months. Also in the contract it says they reserve the right to change the price after the term has expired, basically they are not saying for sure you will pay $9.99. As far as the customer service, they don't tell you everything, they are out to make a buck...our buck!

Bottom line: hidden info in the contract:
additional $19.99 one time every year
locked in to pay $19.99 for 24 mo.
Not clear on when your payments begin.

WOW EMPLOYEES USING UNFAIR SALES SCAMS TO GET YOUR MONEY...LIKE A BAD-BAD CAR SALESMAN TRYING TO SELL YOU A JUNKER

POST CARD SAYS ONE THING, YOU GO TALK TO THEM AND THEY SAY ANOTHER!

HELLO, I WENT THERE AND SIGNED UP IN MID JULY, I GAVE THEM A POSTED DATED CHECK FOR THE DAY I WAS TO GET PAID. I LEARNED THAT I NEEDED TO CANCEL THIS AT THE TIME CAUSE I NEEDED MY MONEY FOR VERY IMPORTANT FAMILY ISSUES, WITH A VERY ILL FAMILY MEMBER. I WENT THERE THE DAY BEFORE THE CHECK WAS DATED FOR AND TOLD THEM I HAVE TO CANCEL AT THIS TIME AND WILL CONSIDER SIGNING UP WHEN I CAN. THE GUY SAID OK FINE WE WILL GIVE YOU THE CHECK BACK TOMORROW, AND HE COPIED MY MEMBERHSIP FORM AND WROTE CANCELLED ACROSS IT. SINCE THEN THEY HAVE CASHED MY CHECK, AND EACH TIME I GO OR CALL, I GET A DIFFERENT STORY ON WHY I CANT GET MY MONEY BACK. THE "MANAGERS" THERE CLAIM THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER OF THE COOPORATE OFFICE SO I CAN RETREIVE MY MONEY BACK FOR THE CANCELLATION WHICH WAS SAID 100% MONEY BACK IF CANCELLED. SO A MANAGER IS NOT AUNTORIZED TO GIVE ME THE SOOPORATE NUMBER, SOME MANAGER HUH? I TOLD HIM HE IS NOT HANDLING THIS LIKE A MANAGER, I DEMAND MY CHECK BACK NOW AND A PHONE NUMBER TO CALL THE MAIN OFFICE AND A WRITEN STATEMENT STATING THE DAY I WILL GET MY CHECK BACK. OH YEAH THIS PLACE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OPEN BY SEPT 3rd U WAS TOLD. LMAO, ITS NOT WHERE NEAR BEING OPEN YET! GO SEE FOR YOUR SELF. THEY USE BEAT TABLES AND CHAIRS AND A MAKE SHIFT MOBILE OFFICE, REALLY PROFESSIONAL... I SAY SCAM OR SOME KIND OF BOGUS JOKE THAT WE WILL ALL SOON FIND OUT. here is the number to th Better Business Bureau I am talking with about this place. feel free to call and complain. They want to hear from you.
[protected]

WOW! I AM TRULY SORRY TO READ ABOUT THIS PERSON’S EXPERIENCE, BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT MY EXPERIENCE WHEN MY WIFE AND I WENT TO CANCEL WAS MUCH DIFFERENT. WE WENT IN TO CANCEL OUR MEMBERSHIP AND THE MANAGER IMMEDIATELY CAME OVER TO ASSIST US AND TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO TO NOT LOSE A MEMBER. I COULD NOT BLAME THEM FOR THIS; I CAN UNDERSTAND A BUSINESS NOT WANTING TO LOSE CLIENTS. AS HE STOOD THERE TALKING TO US WE COULD NOT HELP BUT TO BE SO IMPRESSED WITH THE TRANSFORMATION THE OLD RITEAID PHARMACY BUILDING HAD GONE THROUGH. THE SPACE TRULY IS BEAUTIFUL, IT IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL GYM, BEAUTIFUL LOCKER ROOMS, WONDERFUL EXERCISE ROOM AND MY WIFE JUST LOVES THE WOMEN’S ONLY AREA. MY WIFE AND I BOTH DECIDED NOT TO CANCEL OUR MEMBERSHIP, INSTEAD WE ADDED 2 MORE PEOPLE TO OUR MEMBERSHIP, MY BROTHER AND HIS WIFE, AND THEY ARE JUST AS HAPPY WE ARE.

I signed up in February and they told me it'd be open by May.

I cancelled immediately when I realized it wouldn't be. That was also in February.

They charged me for October and November(!?)

Isaac and Jose, the incompetent or dishonest managers, have promised me in writing to return the money.

That was three months ago, and counting.

Looking into a Lawsuit..l

WOW, LM is a SCAM. They have caused me so many troubles. I've been fighting them for a year. And I know other people that have been cheated, too. They just won't stop. All the positive comments are obviously wow employees that are using this as an ad. CORPORATE GREED VS POOR NEIGHBORHOOD.

I belonged to WOW in NJ...never again.

Good luck when you want to cancel your memebeship? Forgt about going to the front desk and taking care of it...you have to fill out a form send it via certified mail? Go to there site and see for yourself. Apparently the people that can actually make dcisions in the company can't talk to the general public and are never at the facilities.

Stay away from the WOW franchise, it looks nice, and while you're a member it's good, but god forbid you need to cancel, prepare in advance...the process is so long that you get stuck paying at least one more additional month minimum just so they can "approve" your cancellation.

And forget about talking to a libe person on the phone...you need to go to the location to speak with someone or go online for Customer Service. Try it for yourself, 188-JoinWOW.

These guys are scam artists. Just google on "Work out World complaints". You will see story after story of these guys screwing over people.

And watch out for the shills on these bulletin boards touting how they know the guy and "he really cares". B@ll [censored]. If he cared we would not be seeing all these complaints and pissed consumers.

Also, all these shills (WOW employees pretending to be consumers) keep touting $19.99. Almost as if they are part of marketing campaign. Because they are! Trying to get us (consumers) to be suckers to their crappy unethical scams. FU --- WOW aka Scam World!

They took me for $250 as part of my initiation fee when it was supposed to be $49. Been fighting with them ever since.

I RECENTLY MOVED INTO THE LA MIRADA AREA AND DECIDED TO CHECK OUT THE GYM. I DID NOT WANT TO SIGN UP AND COMMIT MYSELF TO A CONTRACT AND BE CHARGED CANCELLATION FEES. I WAS TOLD MY THE MANAGER ISAAC THAT I HAD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT AND THAT I HAVE HIS WORD. HE EVEN WROTE IT IN MY CONTRACT. HE ADDED "MAY CANCEL ANY TIME W/30 WRITTEN NOTICE". I MADE IT CLEAR THAT I DID NOT WANT TO SIGN UP IF I COULD'NT CANCEL WITHOUT BEING CHARGED. HE SAID IT AGIAN THAT I HAD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT AND THAT I COULD. WELL I TRIED THE GYM AND DIDN'T LIKE. IT'S SMALL AND GRAY, IT'S NOT A MOTIVATING GYM. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY WERE GOING TO EXPAND THE GYM AND THAT THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF OPENING UP THE WALL NEXT DOOR AND THEY WOULD HAVE A JUICE BAR AND MORE EQUIPMENT. WELL THAT WAS JUST A LIE TO GET PEOPLE TO SIGN UP. I SIGNED UP IN FEBRUARY AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF IMPROVEMENTS. I AM REALLY UPSET THAT I CLEARLY STATED THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO BE CHARGED IF I DIDN'T LIKE IT. I AM A MEMBER OF BALLY'S GYM AND I REALLY DIDN'T NEED TO JOIN, BUT THIS GYM IS CLOSER SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD HURT TO TRY IF I COULD CANCEL WITHOUT ANY HASSLE. WELL THEY ARE MISREPRESENTING THEIR GYM. WHY TELL ME THERE IS NO CANCELLATION FEE IF YOU CAN'T COMPLY WITH WHAT YOU SAY. YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO LIE AND BE DISCEITFUL JUST SO YOU CAN GET SOMEONE TO SIGN UP. THEY SAID THEY ARE BUILDING OVER 30 GYMS IN CALIFORNIA, BUT I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY OTHER GYMS. BOTTOM LINE DARREN MARTIN THE OWNER STATED " WE DO NOT WANT ANY OF OUR EMPLOYESS TO MISLEAD THE MEMBERS IN ANYWAY" HOWEVER HE WAS THE ONE WHO REASSURED ME THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO ANY CANCELLATION FEE AND YET HE REFUSED YOU CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP. THIS GYM SUCKS. I DO NOT LIKE DISHONEST PEOPLE LIKE DARREN MARTIN AND ISAAC.

DON'T BE FOOLED! **SCAM ALERT**

Steve Borghi a con artist. Work Out World was a brainstorm created while Steve Borghi was serving time in jail for drug trafficking and fraud. Borghi took a used car business model of advertising low costs while hiding significant fees and applying heavy, unyielding sales pressure at the first point of consumer contact. His entire business is predicated on broken promises, hidden costs and consumer manipulation.

Steve Borghi recently pled guilty to to two misdemeanor violations of the Consumer Protection Act in New Hampshire for taking membership fees from consumers before opening a Work Out World health club. Commonly known as a "pre-sale, " Borghi regularly uses this sales effort to promote "good" deals on membership if you sign up prior to a new club's opening - a misleading sales strategy that includes hidden costs and no real savings. Borghi and his sales staff promised that the club would open sooner than was realistic. Law also requires that any membership fees paid prior to the club's opening be place in escrow, a requirement Borghi failed to observe by embezzling the funds personally.

In 2009, Steven Borghi was sentenced to 30 days at the House of Corrections, suspended for 2 years. Work Out World was fined $15, 000. A condition of the sentence also required that Work Out World refund all individuals who had paid membership fees to join Work Out World which has not opened.

These tactics are commonly used by Steve Borghi and Work Out World. Most recently, a Work Out World that has opened in Rochester, MN was the subject of high-pressure and fraudulent sales efforts. The club claimed to be opening in September of 2008 and did not open doors until a year later. Ads promoting a $19.99 per month membership failed to acknowledge down payments and an unavoidable "finance charge" of $100 that everyone must pay at the time of sign-up.

In short, Borghi and his Work Out World operation are comprised of ruthless snake oil salesmen. Their consistent disregard for consumers and pursuit of reckless greed are alarming. If you see Steve Borghi driving around in one of his Mercedes or relaxing in his multi-million dollar lakefront home on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH (or his primary residence in Mansfield, MA) be sure to thank him for his false promises, exploitation of consumer trust, consumer manipulation and misappropriation of funds (right to his back pocket).

Mr. Borghi - you are a liar and a cheat. You did not graduate from any college, so please stop telling people you went to UNH. You earned your education in prison. While I know you go home each night and play with yourself while watching Boiler Room, let me acknowledge that you are not Chris Varick (Vin Diesel) or Jim Young (Ben Affleck). In reality you are a callous, petty thief who has somehow credited himself with the delusional notion of self-importance. It is only a matter of time before you are back behind bars, where you belong.

Hey STEVE BORGHI,

Why don't you actually READ what people complain about on these boards instead of posting in all CAPSLOCK like all old geezers of your generation who barely know how to use a computer?

You're nothing but a bunch of shady criminals and it's just a matter of time until there's a nice class action lawsuit against you. Not that you care, since you're rolling in money... money that you steal from innocent, hard working people who just want to work out. You can make just as much money operating gyms with stellar customer service, exceptional facilities, and top notch trainers. Instead, you just settle with mediocrity, throw some flat screen TVs on it, and rob innocent people. Because that's the right thing to do, right Steven?

So, it's either that you CAN'T operate a proper company or that it's simply easier to steal. Either way, you're an idiot and a coward. Even if you think no one notices what you're doing... there are THOUSANDS of people who do. And they're talking--- as it looks, from coast to coast. You [censor]ed up, Steven! Now Jersey and California know what kind of lowlife [censor] you and your family is. Disgusting, greedy, criminals. That's a nice legacy to leave for the next generation.

Find God. Find a good therapist. Find some common sense. Find it in your heart to stop stealing from people who maybe can't afford to get stolen from. People who spend their extra money on their gym membership... because it's all they can afford to buy. Let these people work out, stress-free because your customers are the ones who pay YOUR bills. They are the ones who make YOUR lavish life possible. Treat them right.

i live close to work out world and would have thought it would be easy to get to save transportaion money and the gym does look nice and not that packed. however looks arent everything they lokk like they hurase you all the time when you shop at bestway and i seen and even had them follow me into the store the way to demand i was around when they just first buliday and even then i knew what was up i sick of them treated people like this like i said it is a nice gym but only if your a member and even then what can you say plus they are way to personal and would stop trying to have me put money up front when i was just looking i told them i had none to put down and i would be able to the next day but that wasnt enough they went from $300 to 30 dollars just to get money and even when i said no i have none they keep saying why i said i get paid tomorow and im broke and they keeping saying you cant even give $30 today i said i have a family to support and i honstly didnt have the money its none of their bussines and when i left i asked for my idea back and the manger threw my id at me no lie actually to be honsty this is the second i had a bad expicence i once went in when they were buliding it and just two weeks ago they asked ofr me to go and i dont like to be mean to people and i understannd how sales is hard infact i work in it so i wanted to be nice plus i did want to see the new gym when it was finished and i was intersted but the rudeness is to much i swear everyday i go to best way they they are bugging me i benn to 24 hour and la fittness and i had great experince and they did not treat me or others that way and if you said you had no money at the momet and you would pay later it was fine and they left it as that. so wow fitness is a dump.

Yes the gym is stat-of-the-art, but a contract is a contract. My contract states under Automatic Renewal Option
"You have the optionto continue your membership on a month-to-month basis following a standard 2 year expiration at a rate of only $9.99 per member monthly dues." When I called try tell me that they can understand how "you can misunderstand that." When we (my wife and I) signed up the manager circled the $9.99 and said that would be for life>

If you misunderstand what $9.99 per member monthly dues means, lets get together. Maybe a lawyer and a class action can clear it up. like this page on facebook,