Gold’s Gym Elite

This gym had rude staff and not once did I ever see any of the staff doing anything. They were always just standing around. I get that they have someone who cleans, but staff should be getting off their asses to clean the equipment at least every hour (I used to work at a gym and that was our policy). The gym is disgusting, crowded with machines that are always broken, dirty, and constantly hot. Don’t even bother wasting your money at this place.

Horrible, unprofessional customer service!
I was a loyal member of Gold’s for years but I do NOT recommend this gym under any circumstances.
I had to move out of state and so I cancelled my month-​to-​month contract with Gold’s Gym. The front desk girl (I wish I had her name) informed me that it would be an easy cancellation since I was on a month-​to-​month contract.
After I made a final payment, the girl at this Gold’s Gym front desk printed out a final payment and cancellation receipt for me, I signed it, and she informed me that all I needed to do to confirm the membership cancellation was to send an email to a member services email address.
I sent the email with my info, called the front desk to confirm this, and from what I was told, it was completely cancelled.
A few months after I moved out of state, the Gold’s Gym/​EOS third party collection agency (Jonas Fitness) contacts me and tells me that I owe over $ 200. They said my membership dues went to their dept. collections. After explaining to them that I had cancelled months ago and I shouldn’t owe anything, they proceeded to tell me that their records showed I still owed a past due amount fo over $ 200 and that I «should have called member services to cancel the gym membership.»
This information completely contradicted what the front desk informed me. I was never told I needed to call member services then, only that I needed to pay and then send an email (which I did).
I’ve tried EVERYTHING, I tried to get in touch with the original gym manager who signed me up (Brian? Kipp), but I never received a return call or email. Everyone I spoke to at the front desk told me there was nothing that they could do for me and kept sending me to member services.
I’m so disappointed. After many frustrating conversations, I paid off the amount that I «owed» to Golds/​EOS and yet I still have not received any written confirmation regarding the cancellation/​pay-​off amount.
I’ve since discovered that this same situation has happened to several Gold’s Gym/​EOS members.
Save yourself the trouble and do not become a member of this very unprofessional and unorganized EOS (formerly Gold’s) gym.

The gym itself is nice The staff are nice and helpful but look out for the finance company Jonas Fitness. They are absolutely awlful to deal with. I would give Golds a 4 if they did not work with Jonas Fitness. They have been caught in lies about payments and are quick to charge overdraft fees that are a nightmare to straighten out. This company cheapens the brand name golds gym world wide. The nicest thing I can say about Jonas Fitness is they are repulsive and have no idea of what character and integrity means. If there are any words stronger. Consider them said.

Great location, just wish it was more geographically desirable to me. Clean facilities and gym itself is spacious, though locker space is challenging. Equipment is awesome and plenty of TV but expect crowding often. I love that they have a cardio theatre room to entice you to burn calories while distracted by the feature movie.

So we joined up together… well, I joined up and was able to have a guest come with me. This meant my boyfriend always had to go with me if he wanted to go to the gym. That was okay, because I truly do enjoy working out regularly.
The facility is beautiful… at first. Slowly but surely I’d notice TVs on machines not working, there were no spray bottles for cleaning up machines (not that most people who worked out ever cleaned a machine), the steam room was being worked on on the men’s side for quite some time, there were broken machines sitting around for days w/​o any note left on it. The place SMELLS terribly. People need to learn how to bathe.
The last thing that ticked me off is the class sizes. There were truly 2 that I enjoyed… they were ALWAYS full. Yes, I did go in the morning and it was the Wednesday and Thursday 6am classes that would FILL UP. One particular time I got there 10 minutes before scheduled class and asked for a ticket to go into the Spin class. I was given the last one. When I got up to the Spin room, every bike was taken. I still went and worked out on a few machines outside, but just frustrating.
There were also always little things like the machines not being kept clean… gum in one of the elliptical machines that sat there for weeks.
I cancelled. It’s a bummer, but there are many other options.

Pros:
Good clean place to workout. Not too crowded.
Cons:
Be very cautious when you sign up for membership. I signed up for a 1 year contract and when I wanted to cancel they said I had signed up for 2 years. the front desk asked me to contact their corporate and said there was nothing she could do, wouldn’t even let me talk to the rep who signed me up. after 3 months of back and forth with them I just gave up and paid. They also pulled a bait-​n-​switch on me with the instructor. The guy who was promised had all the right credentials and was pretty good but after my first session with him he was never available.

JUST GO GIVE IT A CHANCE. MAKE A DECISION BASED ON WHAT YOU SEE YOURSELF.
I’ve been a member of many gyms, and this one is by far my favorite. I snubbed my nose at it because of the ratings and low price. (I’m used to paying $ 50+ for all my other memberships.) I didn’t like LA Fitness or Anytime fitness when I toured their facilities. I gave this gym a chance as a very last resort and I’m so glad I did. They validate the parking so I can go hang out, AMAZING staff, clean, everything is up to date. I really feel spoiled by this gym.

The issue was finally resolved months after my initial review. I still maintain this place is one huge scam and they are obviously trained to lie to customers. My membership was never able to be cancelled and the only way to get out of the huge mess was for the sales man who originally set up this gigantic lie had to pay off the rest of the membership out of his own pocket (a few hundred bucks). Even the people at the billing department were in shock with what a mess he had created when we spoke on a 3 way call.
I am thankful that the issue was resolved but it was months and months of stress and headache. Do not EVER sign up for a membership at Gold’s Gym.
Also, I was never able to get a hold of the manager despite my best efforts. AWFUL management.

I started at this Gold’s when it opened. It was shinny and new. Everything was in it’s place. Though, others are right when they say the place fell by the way side quickly.
The amenities in the locker rooms were never stocked and when they were, they didn’t work. Towels were always in the washer and weren’t ready for you. They switched soaps to a cheap industrial smelling soap that made not want to take showers (they eventually switched it back, so you can only ding them for trying to be cheap). Also, all the people that signed up when the gym started pay a lot of money, though now there is a sign out front that says $ 19.95 No contracts. No gimmicks. Does that mean you had gimmicks before? and when do those gimmicks start again?
I had a lot of problems with the personal trainers, too much drama, the turn over is ridiculous.
There are pros to this club though, staff that have nothing to do with sales are really nice and tend to make things happen for you when your sales contact has moved onto another sale (which you can’t blame them for, that’s how they make a living). You get two hours of free parking underground, which is nice since there is no other free place to park DT.
If you are looking for a place to go workout for an hour and go home, this would be a great gym for you. If you are looking to workout before work or on your lunch breaks, then need to shower and freshen up, I would go somewhere else.

The facility itself is nice, well kept, and there are many options for people to work out. One of the perks of this facility is getting parking validated post workout, even during the busiest days of traffic.
The two star rating comes from several business practices that I feel are lacking the honesty and customer centric policies that I value:
(1) They charge a low initial rate and membership fees, then heavily push expensive personal training packages. The gentleman I spoke with after signing up freely admitted that the business model is built around drawing people in with low membership fees then making money on the personal training packages.
(2) The training packages were not up to par with the quality of other fitness centers. I’ve worked with other trainers in the past very successfully and these training sessions were by far the worst bang for the buck. The sessions are short and expensive compared to other packages I’ve had in the past. The trainers vary significantly in knowledge — to the point that one trainer I worked with aggravated old injuries I suffered from and I had to ask to be reassigned. My next trainer was knowledgable, but not available frequently enough, due to scheduling limitations. I ended up losing money due to scheduling more often than not.
(3) The membership and training contracts are extraordinarily difficult to leave. I lost my job and went in the same day to let them know so I could avoid extra charges. After weeks of going back and forth with them, I had to pay over $ 500 to leave my contract. On top of that, the only reason I was able to have my contract cancelled was because I moved out of state — not because I lost my job and could no longer afford the membership.
If you’re looking for a gym that provides good equipment and fitness options and you plan on being with them year after year — then this is a good option for you.
For me, personally, I don’t enjoy doing business with companies that are more interested in the bottom line for them, than delivering a quality experience to their customers.

Nice variety of equipment
TVs working on the treadmills
Towel service
I was able to use it because I was staying at the Hotel Palomar

Hmmmmm idk. I must relocate myself from la fitness to here. Haha. I absolutely love the view of downtown while working out. This place is so clean, weights and everything is put back in the right place. Great music choice here.

Used this gym while staying at the Palomar Hotel and was pleasantly surprised. Coming from Manhattan, the facility was reminiscent of the Soho Equinox. It was also not very crowded for a Saturday morning. If I lived or worked in the area, I’d definitely make this my home gym. Treadmills have a great view of the cityscape shopping area, the classrooms are large and open, and there’s even a cardio cinema room!

I have been a member for just under one year now, and I have really zero complaints. I’m not sure what all the griping about the actual gym is about. There have definitely been times when you wait for machines or a bench, but if you go during rush hour you need to expect that. I have also not had any issues with my actual membership fees or contract. All of the staff has been exceedingly nice.
The machines and other equipment are new and up to date and are seldom under repair. Most of the other members are respectful and there aren’t any douche baggy meathead types. I have not taken them up on personal training, but I have overheard sessions in progress and all of them seem to be respectful and motivating.
I guess my one complaint, which isn’t about the gym itself, is with some of the people who workout there. The benches are not meant for your personal belongings while you go and use some other machine or bench. Also, I use my cellphone in there, but for the love of all things holy, don’t sit on a machine and text away while other people are actually trying to get in a workout. End rant.
Bottom line I have had a great experience and would recommend this gym to anyone.

While Golds and health club chains in general are notorious for questionable business practices and contract shenanigans, having been a member at this gym for just over 1 year, my experience has thus far been overwhelmingly positive.
By the same marketing magic that makes a Starbucks small a «Tall», this is a Gold’s «Elite», which means it’s smaller and does not have as much stuff as a regular Golds gym. To the apparent shock surprise and bitter bitter disappointment of some it does not have squash, racquetball or basketball court, swimming pool, running track, velodrome, steeplechase or polo, but if you have a full price membership they will validate if you park your pony in the garage. they do however have everything you need to work out if not every thing imaginable in a great location right at the heart of downtown and just off the light rail at CityScape.
My experience with the staff and management over the past year has been nothing but pleasant and professional. My compliments to the front desk staff that greets me pleasantly on entry and exit, and who went beyond the minimum in scrounging up a clean work out T-​shirt for me on an absent-​minded day when I forgot mine. Additional praise for the personal trainer staff, comparatively affordable training rates, and especially trainer Geoff, a genuinely knowledgeable trainer who has demonstrated nothing but patience and perseverance in dealing with my infirmities, and who has not yet broken off any body parts.
Now back to the gym in general, the polished concrete floors and the work out areas are consistently spotlessly clean. The men’s locker room, not so much, at least not consistently, for the entire past year. Apparently a fair number of men are pigs who cant be bothered to pick up their own towels and leave them soaking wet on the shower floors both in the individual stalls and common area where they may lay for quite a while as cleaning staff is not on duty during all gym hours. Additionally, the common area between the shower stalls just doesn’t seem to drain as completely as it should. We call this the bacterial pool. Shower shoes recommended. It’s also slick as glass when wet. We call that «liability hazard». Otherwise, however, the locker room is well laid out, attractive, and has plenty of bench seating. The two mens toilets have consistently been clean and well-​maintained, and the counter area
always stocked with soap and paper towels, and nearly always stocked with disposable razors, ear swabs, shaving cream, and deodorant.
All in all, in my experience a great 5 star urban location, 4 stars for the staff of which I am a fan, 5 stars for my personal personal training experience with Geoff as money well-​spent, and two stars for that shower area cleanliness. I’ve definitely seen better.

It may not have everything every person could want, but it has everything you need, and more, but if you have a dispute with the contract management company, my sympathies!

SCAM!!!
Their payment system is a scam. Do not sign anything!
Not only the gym itself is probably the worst gym in Phoenix, but also they charge you hidden fees and charge you for 13 months a year.
They lost my credit card information and send my account to collections instead of correcting their own mistake. $ 40 bill went up to $ 300. When I told them it was their mistake, they got rude and told me they didn’t care anymore and that I have to deal with the collection agency.

I was turned away.
I got a flyer in the mail and figured I check the gym out. I’m currently a member at 24hr, but this gold’s gym is closer to my house.
When I got to the front desk, I asked if I can try out the gym, perhaps do a week pass. She informed me that I have to go online to print one out. Given that I’m already physically there, I asked her, «so you want me to go home and print out a pass? Isn’t there something you can do?» At which point she shrugged and said that, well that’s how it’s done.
I then asked if I can talk to a sales guy. She looks over and saw that both guys had customers, and said, well they’re both busy. And rather than trying get my info, or possibly asked me to hold while she checks on the sales guys availability, she lets me walk.
This might be the first gym I’ve ever been to where they actually don’t bother getting your info to call you every day. As good as that is, my trip to check out the gym was quite a waste. Perhaps they need to better train their staff.
I got back in my car and drove to 24hr after. The front desk girl smile and greeted me. I’m content with the extra driving.

This gym is run extremely poorly. The movie studio or «cinema» is down for maintenance a lot, there are rarely early morning classes, and when issues arise there is no one there to help. Yesterday I showered after my workout and came out to find one single and very broken hair dryer. I called the front desk and was told they are aware of the issue and that the GM would be buying some for Monday morning. There was no signage, no one informed me at the front desk, and I was only made aware of the situation once my hair was sopping wet with no chance to rush home before work. The working manager Stacy showed up 10 minutes later with 2 more broken hair dryers asking if I was the one looking for a hair dryer (duh-​doy) One didn’t work if you moved it and the other only worked by plugging it in (on/​off switch broken) and only on low/​cold (power level/​heat broken) I was very upset (and now late for work) and scheduled an appointment with her to speak to the gm Monday morning at 8 am when he arrived. I get here and check in to speak with him just to find out he won’t be in until 9. I was then informed I could email him. No offer to have him call me in regards to our missed appointment. Head to the ladies locker room after my workout. Still no hair dryers. Good thing I learned my lesson and brought my own this time! Then I am venting to a friend that also uses the facility and find out he is able to use the same locker room, is able to attend classes, and gets his parking validated for $ 20 per month. I pay $ 40 and was told you cannot have parking validated, attend classes, or use the locker rooms without the platinum membership. I have noticed the classes are often full and everyone seems to take advantage of the services I pay more for. Simply because they don’t check/​it is poorly run/​monitored. Either pay the $ 20 and use everything freely or for $ 40 a month do yourself a favor and go to Mountainside across the street at Chase Field for $ 38… Follow up: the manager didn’t even apologize for missing our meeting and instead emailed me a very condescending email I am happily going to post for you :)
A few things I did enjoy during my year + with this gym: It has a great panoramic view of the city aka I get to watch people drinking and enjoying themselves at Copper Blues and Blue Hound while I slave away on the cycling machine. The breakfast club is outside for post work out smoothies or coffee, and lastly, they offer razors, hairspray, and deodorant in the locker rooms, but as you can see in the GM’s email you should not hold your breath for them to keep their «courtesy» items in stock just because you are paying for an «elite» gym. Say what? That’s exactly what I expect, bro.

Terrible billing/​contracts, nice facility. Would not recommend. Costs much more than your contract states.
So they have rather painful contracts that are fulfilled with a third party called FiServ. I had an issue with my card being shut off by my bank because of fraud. Rather than informing me that my card had expired, I was immediately charged a $ 25 late fee. No call, no email, no nothing. If you forget to update your card info (or in my case, find out when my card got shut off), you get a $ 25 fee.
It took the front desk weeks to inform me of the issue and once they did, they had no intention of helping me. Instead, they handed me a card with a phone number on it to call. M-​F 9 – 5.
It gets better! It happened again! This time, when my card was replaced, I went in and gave them the new credit card number on the same day. According to my contract, I was supposed to inform them of any changes in my credit card number 30 days in advance. I have no idea how I could do that when I am being billed twice a month.
When I called to complain, I was treated like I was committing fraud. «Please have your bank send you a letter stating that there was fraud on your account to have the charges removed.»
TLDR; Their behind the scenes customer service is atrocious. You are likely to have a billing issue at some point, and when you get charged a fee, they will act as though it was their right to take it from you.

Locker Room sucks ass
The locker room is WAY too small … they have a whopping two benches that comfortably sit 4 each, so a whole 8 people fit in the entire room at any given time. The rest of the locker room is wasted by «premium» lockers that virtually NO ONE uses. Then there’s the very awkward positioning of chairs where people can hang out and lounge in the locker room while you are changing in front of them. And although there’s signs that say «no cell phone use» in the locker room, the people in those chairs usually have their phones out with backside cameras facing YOU.
Undependable shower water temperatures.
This places has gone weeks without hot water in the showers, and it’s always hit and miss. It’s been over 3 months and they can’t seem to get it right.
Machines in various states of disrepair.
This place is brand new and still there are numerous machines in various states of «broken-​ness». It’s just amazing to me that these machines are left broken for months on end. Do they ever use their own equipment?
«Opps for got to tell you»
So while getting the sales tour we were shown the tanning bed, of which the salesman just forgot to tell us that it was an extra charge. After telling management about this scam, the response was «sorry».
One decent thing is that they supply razors, q-​tips, antiperspirant, bodywash, cream rinse and shampoo in the locker room/​showers.
I wish I had gone back to the YMCA rather than get locked into a 2 year deal with this poorly managed gym. The Y does not have any long term contracts and they have a pool, racquetball courts, basketball courts (of which Gold’s has none) along with two workout rooms and all cheaper and without a long contract …