Scammed Badly But Seems I’m Not The Only One

Fitness First Hate Group  Do tight shirt gelled-up wearing idiots bug you in your face giving free trials to Fitness First? Do you receive phone calls from them time and time again asking if you'd like a free period of membership? Did you end up signing your life away with them? Do you stand in the gym and think, "are you for real?" when guys stand there looking at themselves with a smile and a wink? Do you get annoyed when the personnel trainers say "well done!" to the largish person doing nothing but talking to them on an exercise bike? Do you feel like a mass produced user who think losers with fitness first bags need to get a life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions or just read the above questions because you have nothing else to do, then welcome to the group. Hate is a very strong word I agree, but Fitness First deserves to be hated. They manipulate and turn an innocent person trying to be motivated in exercise into a money machine as they get locked into a contract that is way too long in an environment that is just pathetic. It’s mean, just mean. We can't get out of the contracts yet, but we can certainly hate them for it!!

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I joined FITNESS FIRST (remember that name!)  at Holden Hill centre in January 2009 on what I was lead to believe was a 3 month contact. I was assured it was a 3 month contract numerous times and a 3 month training plan was made. (1st month Introduction, 2nd month short term goal and the 3rd being my long term goal) Being disabled on a pension, not knowing what or how my medical condition would be affected. 3 month membership seemed appropriate, included in the offer was 2 free trainer assisted sessions which I had with an uninterested trainer.

IT HAS BECOME A NIGHTMARE.

Even after the assurance many times by the person who joined me up it was only for 3 months, I am now being forced into 12 month contract which I can not use because of my medical condition. The options, sucker someone into finishing the contract, (that is not acceptable) or supply a doctors certificate and pay $200. I can not refer to the person who joined me up, to back up the 3 month claim as he quit from fitness first. His reason for leaving was that the "Job was not for him". To me that showed that he knowingly joined me and others up on a false 3 month contract at the direction of FF management knowing that 3 month contracts did not exist. The worse thing I did was do Direct Debit as the amounts suppose to be deducted exceeded the subscribed payment schedule, leaving me out of pocket, due to bank dishonour fee charges.

STAY AWAY FROM FITNESS FIRST GYMS, THEY WILL MISLEAD YOU and CHARGE EXORBITANT FEES.

I wish I had done the research in the beginning, from what I seen on the internet many people have been conned by Fitness First and that is not only in Australia but also the other 15 countries these con artists have been established their businesses. This link, Fitness First Hate Group has over 3,200 members and that is one website, there are many more and not just on the Facebook website. Also if your disabled in any way most of these places are not disabled friendly, numerous times I almost fell down the stairs.

SO no matter what assurances they make the contracts are 12 months only. If you take the 30 days free the contract is not 12 months but 13 months. Their sales people use pressure to try and join you up and insist on direct debit, This either bank account or credit card, don’t be suckered in. What has been the case they will still Direct Debit even if your membership is cancelled. I am prepared to and considering cancelling my bank account with HSBC if they are not prepared to stop the direct debits. I have been with HSBC for some years and never had a problem recommending them to anyone so this is a drastic action by me but being disabled on a low government pension I can not afford to lose the money. I know I may end up in court which many actions are already being taken by past members and even one employee that I am aware of, I much rather go bankrupt than let these crooks win.

It is sad the fitness industry has not improved since the late 1980's, where many people were joining gyms only to be cheated which often resulted in many complaints, gyms closures and people losing lots of money. Just recently Bodyworks gym here in Adelaide, Australia closed, displacing many people and who joined up dozens of people prior to closing even management knew the centre was closing, they still took peoples money.

I hope this will open peoples eyes to what the fitness industry is all about. With the rise of obesity in our societies many people have turned to gymnasiums and fitness professionals only to lose money with little benefit. Much better to hire a personal trainer but make sure they have the proper qualifications.

The sad fact is no matter how many people think they are careful and it will not happen to them, need to wake up and smell the roses, you will find they are not as sweet as they appear. I hope my story will help others, take care guyz.