Bally Total Fitness

This budget gym trims the fat off its patrons at streamlined facilities.

by Contributor

The Scene
Most Ballys stick to the basics for their design. Televisions broadcast silently above multiple rows of cardio machines; mirrored walls act as the primary decorative components. But thanks to high-energy television ads and low-impact membership premiums, this national fitness chain has steadily attracted a clientele bent on saving money while losing weight or gaining muscle.

The Workout
Using fairly standard strength-training equipment and/or racks well-stocked with free weights, the best of the trainers here, who are classified at four different levels, can be as skillful as those found at costlier gyms. For group classes, signature exercise options include Spinning and Powerflex, as well as a number of patented routines inspired by Tae Kwon Do.

07/17/08

DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!

by cara2650

After two weeks of joining I knew I made a huge mistake. To begin with the employee signing me up didn't have the record of the original deal I made with another employee, but foolishly I let that slide and signed up anyway. Then it took them two weeks and discussions with 5 employees and 2 managers before I could get my membership card. The trainer sessions are a joke. 30 minutes of workout and 30 minutes of selling you more 1 hour sessions with under qualified employees! And lastly when I needed to change something in my service, they gave me a disconnected member service number, when I looked up the correct one it sent me to another number, which finally could still not fix my problem. It's been almost a year and I find this gym disgusting and a waste of time. I'm not sure if all Bally's are incompitent, but the one on Airport Hwy is ridiculous. I now have two memberships, because Bally's is useless...and I would suggest going to Lifestyles in Maumee; courteous, friendly, competant staff!!!

• Pros: It's a gym
• Cons: Incompetant, unfriendly, under qualified staff and managers