| rev:text
| - This is a review of the Westlake branch.
THE GOOD: The gym is fantastically equipped and thoughtfully laid out. It has tons of new and *functional* equipment: all types of cardio machines, weight training machines, and plenty of free weights. The work-out areas are almost always spotless and the mirrors are always clean. There is a spin-cycle room and a cardio room with a full-length movie screen. There is also a three-lane pool and a running track on the third floor. The gym is laid out effectively so that despite lots of equipment it feels rather spacious. I avoid rush hours at the gym but I never had problems with waiting on a machine or weights. In all those senses, the gym is fantastic for a gym enthusiast.
THE BAD: I am not sure who does the hiring in Urban Active but the employees--from the managers to the receptionists, from the personal trainers to the instructors--are quite unfriendly.
Managers are aggressive (not to be confused with eager or pushy) to have you sign on the spot without really taking into consideration the customer's needs or wants. They are really just after the contract and are not interested in your satisfaction after you sign the dotted line.
The receptionists rarely say "hello" or "goodbye" and are sometimes too busy chatting away to notice anyone standing. Be careful not to interrupt while they are texting or doing their college-related readings.
I also signed up for personal training, and that department is even more aggressive, bordering on rude and harassing--phone calls and all that. I managed to sign up for just 10 sessions and it was clear that in this instance too they only wanted the money and had no interest in my interests. Needless to say, the personal training experience is not individualized or, well, personal. I have been in gyms for the past ten years and know my way around, so I can tell you that their trainers are not truly invested in getting you results. Why would they? You pay up front and they get assigned customers rather than earning them. All in all - the personal training is definitely *not* worth it. I have 4-5 sessions left and I am not even that motivated to take advantage of them. For what it's worth the female trainers seem more invested than the men.
THE UGLY: The horror stories about being charged by Urban Active LONG after you cancel are true. On the Jan. 11. (2011) broadcast of the Sound of Ideas on 90.3.FM there was discussion of the fact that Urban Active has the LARGEST proportion of complaints stemming from their charging malpractices. No other gym in the Cleveland area can "boast" this type of record. They are the worst offender of continuing to charge you after you cancel. So be wary -- and be sure to put the charge on your credit card because you can at least dispute the charges with your credit card company.
And although the atmosphere is not the greatest, the gym is still new enough and fantastically equipped that I continue to go - steeling myself for a battle when I need to make sure they do not keep charging me after I cancel.
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