Fitness First? Previous experiences?

[Nickster]

Has anyone here been a member of a Fitness First club? Could you please tell me your experience and overall impression?

I have a very tempting contract in front of me, and a very out-of-shape body that wants me to sign it.

Should I do it?

[BrendansMum]

Hi Nickster,

I was with FF before falling pregnant with DS. It was ok but not great. I joined it mainly because it's convenient being so close to work. The classes are good but they can be very packed on busy time. The one I was at was also full-of buff blokes (esp. on weights section), nice scenery but made me a bit uncomfortable doing weights.

I was with Fernwood before that and found it much more enjoyable. Not so crowded and didn't feel like I was the only unbuff one there :laughing:

Now that I have DS I work out in my neighbourhood gym that has a creche. It's just a small one so everyone kinda know everyone there, plus I enjoy the 'me' time knowing DS is in good hands :thumbsup:

Hope this helps.

[MW&S]

I have just joined fernwood. The fernwood ill go to has free breakies, hair dryers, towels, toiletries and is all women. I dont mind perving and all on the blokes, but im soooooo out of shape and I think id feel uncomfortable around them.

The choice survey said that FF and fernwood were complained about mainly that they do not cancel your direct debits after you have ceased membership. But I think if your aware of it it is avoidable.

:thumbsup: Goodluck with ur fitness!!

[borntobemummy]

it was great, but pretty expensive compared to others and we weren't able to cancel it until after a year.

[Nickster]

The choice survey said that FF and fernwood were complained about mainly that they do not cancel your direct debits after you have ceased membership. But I think if your aware of it it is avoidable.

:thumbsup: Goodluck with ur fitness!!

Thanks for the heads-up, AngelZara - I've just looked at the contract, and it states you must give them written notice if you wish to terminate your membership on the date it's due to finish, otherwise they will continue to direct debit - that seems fair enough to me, it's exactly what my last gym did.

Fernwood sounds nice, but I've just been made an offer I can't refuse ($wise - a new FF opening in my area), and it doesn't really bother me if there's men or women there to judge my wobbly bits......I guess they'll get judged anyway!:laughing:

Thanks for your help, BrendansMum, this FF has a creche too, which will make everything much easier.:)

Thanks everyone for your input, it's much appreciated.:yes:

[subaruforestermum]

Guess you might be in Brissy????

I joined DP up to the new one opening in Springwood near the RSPCA shop..... and his cousin joined up too...

They got their membership for $11.95 per week, $40-$60 Administration fees and $60 for 4 personal training sessions!!!! Didnt have to pay MEMBERSHIP FEES!

And their creche is only $2.50 or something, I have to pay $3.50 for 3 hours, cheap but its tiny...

Pretty good deal! Seen advertised $9.95 per week but not sure about membership fees etc...

The plans look great, and it sounds better than most I have seen...I am jealous of his membership, I'm at Zest...

[LittleMissyMoo]

I joined FF and didn't enjoy it. I found it was full of beefheads who 'hogged' four machines at a time by placing a towel on one, a water bottle on another, keys on another and used the other while rotating around. It was impossible to get a workout done. And the staff were useless, they'd stand around chatting to their mates all day instead of helping. Plus it was very expensive.
I ended up joining my local community gym and their prices are great and its small scale so no busy rushes. My advice would be to shop around first.

[Nickster]

That just might be the one, Suby.;) Like I said, I've been offered a super cheap deal to join too. Too good to refuse, really.

Sorry you've had a rough experience, Miss Milly Moo, but if there's going to be members that do that, I wouldn't be backwards in coming forwards to complain to the staff. Behaviour like that is just not on, is it, really?:no:

Again, thanks for the advice and perspective, everyone.:)

[claireandbailey]

I joined fitness first a couple of weeks ago and i am loving it! Yeh sure there is the macho blokes that use the weights, but they are there for the same reason as everyone else to get fit and healthy! At first it was a bit intimidating but now its just some good eye candie while i work out!

[Lila]

hi
i was at a FF in sydney for a few years.
i guess it was quite good (other than DON´T try to talk to instructors about other things than sport.....:idea: ...)
they had a pool there, sauna, all the usual stuff and a nice creche....
so i did enjoy it.
btw: i HATED fernwood- can´t stand the fact of women only gyms anymore....

i am now at a mixed gym again and quite happy with it- my main focus is usually good creche (meaning good and nice staff there) and well scheduled classes....

[Lila]

I joined FF and didn't enjoy it. I found it was full of beefheads who 'hogged' four machines at a time by placing a towel on one, a water bottle on another, keys on another and used the other while rotating around. It was impossible to get a workout done. And the staff were useless, they'd stand around chatting to their mates all day instead of helping. Plus it was very expensive.
I ended up joining my local community gym and their prices are great and its small scale so no busy rushes. My advice would be to shop around first.

i´d just ask them to move on....:yes:

[babylover111]

I'm a member of fitness first and I love it! It really depends on what time of day you go if you're worried about the big macho men doing weights :laughing: I find that in the mornings it's normally full of Mum's, around lunchtime you'll find office workers on their lunch break, afternoon time it's quite quiet and all the macho men come around 5pm onwards.

The creche at fitness first is open in the morning time and there is almost always a normal class and spin class on at least once a day that fits in with the creche timing, this is when all the Mum's come!

[little mermaid]

I am a FF member, its ok but nothing fantastic plus I got offered a deal that was meant to be so fantastic, well I got ripped off majorly!!!!!!
And I find them to be all about money money money and am so over all the advertising while I am working out!!!:mad:

[mysonroger]

i love my fitness first (lutwyche). mine is spacious and airy compared to other ones i've seen. it s very close to home. the music is a bit questionable at times. the beefcakes stick in the one corner and don't really venture out of there. i'm unbothered by others when i'm there, i just do my own thing.

the only things that has cheesed me off is some of the earphone thingys on the cross trainers don't work. and i wore a brand new pair of pants there, must of forgot to put them in my bag in the changerooms and they got knicked. i had only got to wear them for about an hour before they were gone forever. they're pretty distinct though, so i'll be keeping an eye out.:detective:

karma will get that thief!

[mm85]

I joined fitness first a couple of weeks ago and i am loving it! Yeh sure there is the macho blokes that use the weights, but they are there for the same reason as everyone else to get fit and healthy

same here i go everyday i love it !! the classes are fantastic too, pilates boxing and body pump are great!!!
good luck

[MilkOnTap]

They got their membership for $11.95 per week, $40-$60 Administration fees and $60 for 4 personal training sessions!!!! Didnt have to pay MEMBERSHIP FEES!

And their creche is only $2.50 or something, I have to pay $3.50 for 3 hours, cheap but its tiny.....

Are these the prices for ALL new FF's? There is one opening up just around the corner from me and apparantly they are going to have a creche.

There is also a ladies gym (not Fernwood) that has a creche which is only $17/week for use of the gym and $3 for 1 session of creche (1 session is 1.5hrs). I love the notion of an all female gym - cause all the Fitness First's that I've seen have been full of meat-heads!

If my new one has a pool then I would REALLY consider going to it more than if it doesn't... I love swimming, so between that and the classes I think I would enjoy it better than just using the weights room.

[GirlGerms]

I found FF ok when I first signed up. I rang them and they arranged a time for me to come and see the 'membership consultant' that day. I was aware that once the 12 months was up, they would continue to draw out money until I notified them. When I decided that I no longer wanted the membership (after 14 months), I rang them to cancel it. But that wasn't enough. They organised an appointment with a 'membership consultant' 4 days later (how convenient) which would 'ensure that your membership is properly finalised'. What a joke. Anyway, I turned up on my lunchbreak, and had to wait 15 minutes for a prepubescent spermgirl to tell me that I was getting a 'fantastic deal' and that I should consider keeping my membership or transferring it. I reassured her that I didn't wish to transfer it. Eventually, spermgirl gave in and let me finalise it. Then she tells me that another two (fortnightly) payments would still be deducted from my account. I told her that I thought that was a bit rich, but that I also realised it wasn't her fault.

So there. I doubt I'll ever go back there.

[subaruforestermum]

Are these the prices for ALL new FF's? There is one opening up just around the corner from me and apparantly they are going to have a creche.

There is also a ladies gym (not Fernwood) that has a creche which is only $17/week for use of the gym and $3 for 1 session of creche (1 session is 1.5hrs). I love the notion of an all female gym - cause all the Fitness First's that I've seen have been full of meat-heads!

If my new one has a pool then I would REALLY consider going to it more than if it doesn't... I love swimming, so between that and the classes I think I would enjoy it better than just using the weights room.

Not sure, but they DP's cousin told them what rate DP was on, and said he would only join if he got the same deal, so they gave it to him...

Not sure how long the $2.50 for creche is, but I think it is longer than 1hour I think its for 2-3!!!!

[Myztik]

I was with FF when ds1 was about 2ish.. I think.. I found the gym itself and the trainers etc to be really good but had a hell of a time getting ds into the creche there. I had no other babysitting options so ended up pulling out during the 'cooling off period'

[Nickster]

Mystik, why did you have trouble getting your DS into the creche?

They are telling me I need to book DD in a few days in advance, which is fine.....I guess at least I know then the creche won't be overbooked etc...

PL, have PM'd you...

suby, PM'ing you...

Thanks for your input, good and bad, everyone.:)

[Myztik]

Yeah they told me to book in advance aswell but they put limits on how often ds could go to the creche (I think it was twice a week..) Most times I called to book him in for the next week they were already full.. It was just one thing after another. It may just be the one I went to was extremely busy I dont know..