Bally Total Fitness
West Hartford, CT 06110
Phone: (860) 953-5779
Message from Bally Total Fitness
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Editorial Review for Bally Total Fitness – by Citysearch Staff
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.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
User Reviews for Bally Total Fitness
04/24/2008 Posted by bobby78
any google search for gyms will bring you right to bally's, with some ads for free 2 week trials. since 2 years is a long contract and, while fairly inexpensive, isn't cheap, so i was happy to try it out. after filling out a form on their webpage, i was emailed a coupon and an appointment time to go in and get the tour of the facilities. i went in to the gym, handed my voucher to the receptionist, and sat and waited for 15 minutes. i was brought to the office, given the 'special deal' i was going to get - notice you can't call and ask how much it costs. there are no real prices on the website, nothing written down. just promises of 'low to no downpayment' or 20 bucks a month (after an unnamed and yet to be determined downpayment) so i said that the deal sounded fine - but wanted a couple of days to think about it. since i had the 2 week trial membership, its no big deal if i wait 3 days, right? the salesman said that that was fine, but he couldn't promise the price would be the same - in fact it would probably cost more. i told him that i was willing to take the risk but wouldn't join without trying it out first. he looked a bit confused at this point and excused himself to the manager's office. after about a 5 minute wait the manager (who looks like he has never used the facilities once, by the way - not a great sign) storms in and quite forcefully tells me that the trial membership isn't valid at this location and i HAD to sign right now. HAD to? really? responded that he didn't think i was going to really join, and just wanted the free trial. really? im 30. i have a neat professional look. i came in wearing my gym clothes ready to work out - so what exactly was it that made me look like i wasn't serious? to which he replied - this is the deal. take it or leave it. so about 2 weeks later, i got a call from the trainer asking me if i'd come sign the deal (which was amazingly still available!)
Pros: wasting your time
Cons: complete scam artists!
06/14/2007 Posted by ladybug873
This may be the worst gym I've ever belonged to. Beware of their "contract" as you can't even cancel the trial membership unless you've been injured or have relocated. Even there they get you... if you move to a new location where there's another Bally's within 25 miles, they will not let you cancel. The upper management (at the Corporate level) is even torture to deal with. The West Hartford location is dirty, none of the free weights have the rubber and descriptions on them anymore, and that's if you can even find them within the facility. It smells awful, is terribly run, and the machines are disgusting. I've never before been afraid to touch a treadmill. Unfortunately I'm bound to this Corporation until I move (or injur myself) so I've been going to the Manchester location... much cleaner, friendlier, smaller... but worth it. Even though I live down the street, West Hartford Bally's will never see me again.
Pros: Absolutely nothing
Cons: Dirty, dirty, dirty.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
