Gold’s Gym

I want to start by saying I hope somebody in management or ownership actually reads this because every negative review addresses either the aged equipment or the customer service provided by the less than friendly staff. Some addressed both.
I just moved to Texas and after a few days I went here to check things out because it was one of the closest gyms to me. Coming from California, I’m familiar with the brand and expected something great. What I got greeted with, on the other hand, was nothing short of the poorest marketing and memberships departments I’ve ever seen.
I walked in and was greeted by someone at the desk was very friendly who advised me if I wanted to see the gym that I would have to sign up as a guest on the computer, which I totally expected. The computer was frozen and the same person spent 10 minutes clicking the same button before calling someone who I assume was supposed to show me around and talk memberships. Sean, I think was his name. Sean spent another few minutes messing with the computer before turning it off and then on again, at which point it continued to stay frozen and he had me sign up as a guest on paper. I didn’t mind that, we probably should’ve done that after a couple minutes instead of 15.
We moved on to walk the lap around the gym, which had classroom situated on the outside of the track and weight systems grouped by muscle group both in and outside of the track as well. We walked by a couple classrooms and I told him I didn’t typically participate in those so there is no need to go over that in detail. We spent two minutes walking around the lap around the gym before he brought me back to the front desk, had me sign up for three day membership, and then walked away.
I actually had to stop him and ask about monthly cost and things like that. He seemed like he couldn’t get away quicker, and I never got any actual membership information until I went online and looked at the website. No sales pitch, it seemed like he really didn’t even care about signing people up. So I got 15 minutes of waiting on a frozen computer and a two minute walk around the gym.
I worked out once here and was surprised to notice that a lot of the equipment was older and while well-​maintained, wasn’t exactly state-​of-​the-​art equipment like I had come to know from the brand in California. Simple things like cardio machines with TVs on them made working out a little bit easier and the Gold’s that I’ve been to in the past have been flooded with simple machines like this.
The equipment came down to being average for any corporate gym and the staff was notably unimpressive. I felt neither compelled to sign up nor did I feel like I would be welcomed as a new member after a two minute walk and a signature on a piece of paper with no reasonable discussion about memberships.
Update: I checked out LA Fitness whose fees were almost identical to Gold’s and I was much happier. They gave me a tour that didn’t make me feel rushed out, they discussed membership options, and the equipment here is all brand new since the location was recently built (my cardio equipment with TV’s included). The person who showed me around was very friendly and the customer service I received there alone is the reason why I won’t be going back to Gold’s in the future.

Horrible GYM i usually like Golds but this location the management is so bad the place always is dirty, funny they have maybe 40 personals trainers but 1 housekeeper LOL … also the machines are more old that my grandmother and they really need maintenance. Soooo bad im sorry guys but is the true

I like this Gold’s gym because it’s big and offers great classes… especially the yoga classes. My few complaints… It’s dated and lots of the cardio equipment gets run down or is out of service. However, the cardio cinema is great and cold. Also, doesn’t smell bad! (Like many I’ve been in!)
And, there’s always a lot of people to see! It’s a very diverse gym and the people at the front of the gym seem to try to be nice and friendly.
I would like that the women’s area get some nicer weights but overall, not a bad gym.

I have kind of a really difficult request for you, sweetheart at the front desk. Can. You. Turn. On. The. Sauna. Without being a total B about it??? And can u also remember that, um, I pay your bills? Gracias.

I’ve gone to this location for many years and was satisfied, but it’s taken a real turn for the worse in the last year or so. It’s still a large gym with a lot of equipment and is relatively affordable, but the good news stops there. They finally got wi-​fi, but it only covers a quarter of the gym, and when the gym gets a little busy, it pretty much stops functioning at all. My biggest gripe, however, is the staff’s complete and utter refusal to enforce the gym rules. This means that the gym is now full of people carrying giant duffel bags on the floor, using chalk, and working out barefoot or in their filthy socks. All of these things are annoying, but they’re also health hazards, and I’m tired of it. Guess it’s time to go to a different location or try another gym altogether.

I’m leaving to go to LA Fitness… same price, cleaner, has a pool and much nicer staff. The mold in the showers is unacceptable and the lack of response from mgt is even more so. It’s a health issue.
When I called to ask how to cancel, I was told I had to come in and meet with a manager. When I asked if I could do it by phone/​online I was told no and he hung up.
That’s another issue: nothing can be done online. Really? It’s 2015.

Angelas Yoga class is legit! Concentrating on your breathing throughout the class is challenging and relaxing at the same time. It feels good to let go of stress and get a work out in :)

If I could give this place zero stars I would. Canceling your membership is a nightmare. The people that work there are clueless when I asked why I was being charged again when I already canceled my membership. Then one of the managers told me my last payment didn’t go threw so I physically had to go in with my bank statement to show proof that my payment did go threw. I was told it was going to be fixed and I was still called the very next day by the staff saying I owed them money. They even called my mother who lives far away and has nothing to do with it. Weeks have passed by and it seems like the issue is still not fixed because I am now receiving letters in the mail saying I still owe them. Worst experience ever!!! Don’t not get a membership here.

DO.NOT.JOIN.THIS.GYM!!!
You’ve been warned.
Before I get into the nastiness, I have visited many gyms and two things this location has that I don’t see often: an indoor track and a cinema with cardio equipment in it. Outside of that, the facilities are pretty standard. You can tell this is an older location, and it gets extremely crowded. Especially before and after traditional work hours (9 – 5). With their redeeming qualities out of the way, let’s get into why you should proceed with caution.
I joined last summer, out of desperation. There is a small gym in my apartment complex, but the weights are lacking. There was an LA Fitness (where I’ve had a membership for years) opening across the street but not for about five months, so I found this nearby Gold’s and joined just to hold me over.
Now, I signed up with «Brandon» and I told him specifically that I did NOT want a year long contract because once the LA Fitness opened I would be leaving. I knew I would have to pay more ($ 40/​month!), but I figured it would only be temporary. In addition to that, I knew my Amex would be expiring in February so I figured, as added insurance, they wouldnt have my updated card information even if they tried to continue to charging me (I did read previous Unilocalers complaints about cancellation).
Fast-​foward to a couple weeks ago when I realize they are still charging me a membership fee and I havent been to the gym in MONTHS! I made a point of physically going in yesterday to see what happened and I spoke to «Rick». I told him about my continuing to be charged and he said «often the credit card companies just keep putting charges through» (yeah right!). I told him that I specifically told the rep I signed up with that I did not want a year long contract since I would only need to use the facilities until January, hopefully less, and his response «Brandon is no longer with the company» (of COURSE he isn’t). And then gave me the cancellation website and sent me on my way.
The customer service sucks. I’m calling my credit card company immediately after I post this review. Then I’m filing a complaint against them with the BBB. And after, I may just cover my basis with the State Attorney General. They have bilked me out of hundreds, and I cant imagine the number of people they have done this to as well.
There are other gym’s in the area with newer facilities, and cheaper membership. Don’t bother with them, they are charlatans.

For a membership less than $ 20/​month you get full access to any of their locations and it includes most classes-​including Yoga! This location has a steam room, is clean, and the staff are friendly.

After joining and leaving other gyms in town (mostly due to convenience/​class times) I decided to check out globo-​golds gym because of their numerous locations in Austin and the cities I traveled to most often. There are some decent customers and friendly front desk staff, but overall my experience with the logistics of the gym were irritating and deceitful.
BEWARE
1. NOT ALL GOLDS ARE CREATED EQUAL: When I signed up I mentioned to the rep (Devon) that I traveled frequently and he said I’d be able to use other Golds gyms. What he DIDN’T mention is that you only have 14 «travel passes» to non-​franchised gyms. How do you know which Gold’s are franchised and which ones aren’t? You don’t. Until you go and they say «sorry you can’t workout here without an extra fee». The Austin ones were interchangeable but since I travel frequently, 14 days doesn’t cut it. 24 hour fitness doesn’t work that way…
2. BENCHING IN THE SQUAT RACKS
This gym gets crowded. I mean, 2 working stair-​masters that are always full from 5 – 7, weights all over the place (including sometimes in the «women only» workout section which makes for a scattered time consuming workout), and every machine in the free weights section taken. Don’t expect these people to let you rush them through their workout, as they spend 45 minutes in one of the squat racks doing bench presses and calf raises.
3. CANCELLATION NIGHTMARE
So I was RUSHED like no other when signing up for my membership. I tried to tell the rep I would come back when I have more time and yet was assured everything was easy breezy and simple. Apparently when you move out of the city you can cancel (which happened to me), but make sure you’ve done some ninja warrior training to prep for jumping through these hoops. Like sending a certified letter with a copy of a bill? In June I moved out of town after having a membership since March. As if living an hour away from a gym is enough I can’t just cancel online and send an email with a copy of a bill? This isn’t healthcare or the NSA jeez. So I cancelled online in October and emailed a rep from my location a copy of my bill (as she had requested once I called).
And lo and behold.
I’m charged through the end of my contract in March.
Regardless of their policy to release your contract obligations if you’ve followed the cancellation procedures.
Bad. Business.
Do cash up front instead of letting those vultures have access to your account info. Thank goodness I gave them a credit card (which I cancelled) instead of my bank draft info.
Do yourself a favor and go to a better gym in austin who’s owners you can meet face to face instead of some corporate greedy vampire that cares less about you and more about your money.

I signed up recently because my boyfriend goes here and I wanted to start going with him. This location is easy to get to, located right off of the highway.
One thing they have here that I’ve not seen before at another gym in the track around the middle of the gym, it’s pretty neat for runners I guess. They have a decent size dressing room which is always very clean and never too full. They have tons of machines and even have a separate room just for women. They also have the cinema cardio room which I haven’t checked out yet.
If you refer a friend you get a free t-​shirt!
The staff is all very nice and when I go around 9pm it’s usually pretty quiet and perfect! Great deal for under $ 40 a month!

Plenty of equipment. Women’s only section. Theater cardio room. Quiet in the early morning, packed after work.

I came in on a one day pass while in town for business. 1 star right off the bat since their day pass is valid for a full 24 hours. So if you hit a workout in the afternoon and come back the next day before it expires, you’re good to go and don’t have to pay extra.
The gym was crowded as hell when I arrived around 7pm on a Wednesday. I spoke with one of the members who assured me it wasn’t typically that busy and that the New Year’s resolution-​ers were still out in full force.
There is a good selection of equipment and the place is pretty clean. By the looks of the patrons it’s a spot for some serious lifters and people who take fitness seriously.
I can’t speak to any of the contract grievances you’ll read in some other reviews but I’d consider going back next time I’m in town.

I love this gym/​location. While I completely sympathize with some of the reviewers that have had negative experience, I myself have not experienced them.
I’ve been a member at this Gold’s/location for 5 months, visiting 4 days a week. My experience has been generally very positive, and I will continue to be a patron here.
I completely understand why some folks would harp on their pressure sales team, though. When I came in for my free 1-​week trial and free fitness assessment, I thought I would be given the privacy to check out the place and make up my mind myself. But, I spent the first 2 days in their office meeting from one sales associate to another and being pressured into purchasing personal training sessions before I even had a chance to check out and use the gym. While the tight-​budget side of me thinks this is a complete ripoff, I ultimately was very happy that I did end up purchasing some training sessions. So, what started off sorta as a negative buyer’s remorse experience turned me into a very happy fitness enthusiast.
I’ve only had the experience of working with one personal trainer. He’s very fit, and seemed very knowledgeable regarding exercise routines and nutrition. We had great workout sessions together, and I found him to be highly motivational. We first had weekly sessions, then every 2 weeks. However, he also unexpectedly bailed on me the last two scheduled appointments. One time, he simply didn’t show up, and the front desk had no idea where he was. I haven’t heard from him since, and that was a month ago. As much as I really liked him, that’s just very unprofessional, and a huge no-​no in my book.
Why I like them:
— The location. I like that this storefront is across the street from my office. I would not go to the gym, period, if I have to drive more than 2 miles. I have previously had memberships to a few other gyms at half the price close to my home, and I just can’t ever motivate myself to go.
— I visit during lunch hours, where the gym is not crammed pack. Usually around 50 – 100 people there (including ones in group classes), so not as heavy foot traffic as the after-​work crowd. There’s no wait for machines or weights. I enjoy working out in an environment with others, so I feel motivated to break a sweat.
— Availability of equipments seems adequate. I’ve never had any problems using their machines or weights, but I’m not a fitness expert. I just know for my current fitness level, it’s more than sufficient for me.
— Friendly staff. The front desk staff are usually very friendly. There’s always someone there to greet me when I arrive, and sometimes s/​he will bid me farewell when I leave.
— I see a lot of personal trainers on the floor everyday. It’s good to know the availability of professionals that can help me should I ever want to book a session.
— I see the same usual patrons there when I visit. It’s comforting to know that a lot of visitors are regulars, and they’ve also found a system that works for them and are sticking to it.
— The cardio cinema is great for those days when I just want to get lost in a movie.
— Clean. The janitorial services staff are always working around the clock to keep equipments and facilities clean.
— They have recently switched the TV in the locker room from depressing Nancy Grace to daytime Court TV and Sirus XM shows. Not my first choice in shows, but much better than murder and unsolved mystery news.
Why they’re just shy of 5 stars:
— I have not taken any of their group classes, as I heard you have to sign up about 30 minutes prior to the class starting. It’s an inconvenience to me because I simply can’t take that long of a lunch break to arrive 30 minutes prior, then stay for a whole hour, then shower. They also offer a yoga class everyday at 10am. Who can make it to that class? Evidently people that don’t work.
— No basketball court or swimming pool, like some of the other Gold’s in Austin. My husband thinks machines and weights are boring, and would much rather participate in a team sport like bball.
— Sometimes, the Gold’s Fit class will take equipments from the floor (i.e. kettleballs) to use for their session, and we’re short.
— Some reviewers have pointed out that Gold’s Fit gets the best equipments. I have seen that be reflected on the resistant bands. There’s barely a full set on the floor, and half of them are missing or broken.
Factors that don’t apply to me:
— While I am a mom of an infant, I have not used their child care service.
— I don’t have a Gold’s Fit membership, just a standard one, so no opinion on the outrageous price and ROI for Gold’s Fit.
— They do have a Ladie’s Gold area for women that want to work out in private. There’s a good set of about 20 machines and some free weights. No door, though, like some of the other Gold’s.

Great indoor track! Although it cost twice as much as Planet Fitness, I wish I’d never changed my membership. The customer service is way better and the contract is more transparent and hassle free. Overall the company is run way better. I never felt intimidated here. In fact I felt stonewalled with billing issues at Planet Fitness while regardless of what issue I had at Golds, (late payments, temporary cancellations) they never made me feel bad about doing business with them and always updated my account and took care of it on sight with a friendly attitude. Can’t say that for the other guys.

While I respect the opinions of those that have posted negative reviews, and believe that they experienced issues, I have not had that same experience.
I decided to join Gold’d after doing a bit of research. I have had memberships at 24Hour and Planet Fitness before, so I was really looking into pricing and amenities. After reaching my ATF (All Time Fat), I decided to hire a personal trainer because that was the only thing that would keep me motivated to start — I am not a self starter.
I decided on Gold’s (my company provides a corporate discount) and the personal training was just a bit less expensive than 24Hour (which I had a negative experience with before). I found the entire sign-​up and consultation process to be quite enjoyable. I did meet with Minori, but had already decided on purchasing training before walking in the door, so I can’t say I felt pressured.
I am now training with Marie who is awesome. I feel like she actually listens and gives a shit, and is training me to make a lifestyle change, not just shed a few lbs. I’ve referred a friend to her who is extremely happy as well. Every time I go in, despite not being a fit person — yet — all the staff is friendly and says hi to me. I have never experienced rude front desk staff. Also, the place is CLEAN.
The amenities are great. The women’s locker room actually smells good! The Cardio Cinema is amazing — I watched Harry Potter on Sunday practically by myself and had done 45 mins of cardio before I even knew it! They also have a ladies-​only section if you don’t want to work out around dudes, plenty of machines and free weights. They offer a ton of classes with options to fit everyone’s schedule, all which come with your membership.
I have been VERY pleased with this gym and hope that others’ experiences improve. I am not giving it 5 stars because I haven’t experienced anything «above and beyond» from the gym yet. If this was a review of Marie, however, it would probably be 6 stars.

The hard sell from the unfriendly staff makes it seem like money is the only concern. I had to basically argue with the manager to get a month to moth membership.
The quality of the gym is meh. Good size, okay selection of equipment, but there are three different areas that play three different types of music so the sound is straining. The locker room (guys) is horrible. Smells of mold and I have never seen a person cleaning in there at any hour.
I am moving to London and went to cancel my membership and they don’t even do it at the gym. They try to sell you into a freeze which is a SCAM. Then when the «SELL» fails they kick you our with a sheet of paper to go online to cancel.
After going online to cancel, they say they are going to stop billing me in 30 days and that my member ship is paid for three month out. I was explicitly told that when I signed up I paid the last month so I would not have to give notice, a flat out LIE!!! SCAM! They basic stole two months fees ($ 70) from me!
I tried calling there national customer service line and its only open monday-​friday 9 – 5. For a national brand that is STUPID.
I called the gym manager and she basically told, tough. There is nothing I can do.
Do yourself a favor. Throw 70 dollars away and go to another gym if you want the Gold’s Gym experience.

Ugh, this gym…
1 — Unfriendly staff… I had the pleasure of talking to a handful of the staff one on one, and they were quite friendly — but when they’re acting as on-​the-​clock employees, the customer service is almost non-​existent. I’m a very confident person, but I get a strong sense of some big ol’ ego and superiority instead of compassion and giving two f’s about members.
2 — Inadequate equipment… unless you’re part of Gold’s Fit (Gold’s version of Crossfit, basically) and actively taking part in a class. Otherwise you are unworthy of actual quality equipment like resistance bands and kettlebells. The selection they leave out for us common folk is laughable, while racks and hooks of bells and bands sit untouched in an empty Gold’s Fit area which is roped off.
Their free weight area is a giant mess and the entire gym floor is just a tangled jungle of old and new iron and way too many people during any time of the day. It is not a pretty gym.
3 — SERIOUSLY, WHAT’S UP WITH THE HLN IN THE WOMEN’S LOCKER ROOM? We don’t want to hear about sad and gruesome murder cases or Nancy Grac’s sad and gruesome voice while we wind up or down for our workout, SO PLEASE CHANGE IT! I can think of 80 different channels that would be better than that one.
This gym needs a total attitude adjustment and makeover, STAT. The equipment is so poor and unorganized that workouts at Ben White suffer and I always leave frustrated because I had to change or cut out half of my workout due to their total lack of care for their gym.

I’m lucky to have 3 Gold’s Gyms within 12 minutes of the house. I’m also pretty far-​out cool with the insanely accommodating class schedule my location provides me. But at this particular Gold’s, for sure, I’m a big fan of the friendly staff, especially Alan.
Alan was today’s spin teacher. I hurt my hand, so upper-​body lifting is a little tough right now. When I walked in and said it was my first spin class I’m pretty sure he clapped, delighted that I would soon be unable to feel my butt cheeks. I left my water bottle in the car, so, after meticulously adjusting my station, Alan did what anyone else would do: gave me his extra icy water bottle (seriously!). I insisted I didn’t need it. I needed it. People, I needed it.
Thank goodness for the fan overload and the towel I remembered, as this is the only reason my car seat wasn’t completely soaked on the drive home. My legs got a workout different than they’re used to, and it was a great change of pace. I’ll keep going, lightly grasping the handles, until my hand’s all healed. I might even go after that, because Alan’s that cool a dude.