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Hello fellow L A Fitness victims...here is my story. If you are thinking about signing up for a personal training program at L A Fitness, please don't do it.

Learn from my mistakes.

I am a group fitness dance instructor that wanted to step up my fitness routine as well as improve on some physical issues due to herniated disc/nerve problems that I was experiencing, so I signed up for a personal trainer at LA Fitness (I do not work there) where I work out on my off days.

Feeling confident about doing so as well as making a substantial financial commitment, I signed on for 6 months @2 days per week. The first two sessions went ok, until I was switched over to a different trainer that I was informed of being more knowledgable for my specific needs...trained with him for the next two months...he was good, I liked him, and I was seeing results...until...today, when I was informed by such trainer that he had been 'promoted' to 'master trainer' and that if I wanted to continue to train with him, I would have to fork over and additional $50.00 a month, or be handed over yet again to my now 3rd trainer (in less than two months!)...not only is this minipulative, it is a grossly unethical business practice on their part...this is a CORPORATION that is only interested in your money...they feel that they have me locked in for another 3 months, which they may have, due to the signed contract, however, when all is said and done, I won't ever be investing in training or a gym membership from them again.

Location: Miami, Florida

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Guest

Check your contract. Your contract states you are joining a training program not purchasing a specific trainer.

Any trainer in that program can train you if you choose. You should just learn to read a contract before you start signing.

Kylor Kgp

I feel like I've gone from crazy to sane by reading this board! I have had exactly the same problem, perhaps worse than some I've read here: In late 2012, my Urban Fitness health club was taken over by LA Fitness. As that was taking place, the personal training salesman informed me that I needed to purchase more PT sessions immediately if I wanted to lock in the lower Urban Active rate. So, I did, purchasing a full year of sessions.

Shortly after the takeover was completed, my trainer informed me of the dreaded "Master Trainer" "promotion" and that's when I found out that regardless of what I'd been told earlier, I'd still have to pay more. I complained and notified the BBB, but ultimately agreed to the higher price because I absolutely wanted to work with my trainer, and I didn't want him to get screwed for their bad practices.

That was in February. Yesterday- prepare yourselves for this one- they informed me that when I upped my plan to "Master Trainer", I didn't up ALL of the sessions, and I'd have to pay more AGAIN if I wanted to keep working with the guy! If I agree now, my rate will go up ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH...plus an additional $250 out of pocket today for...you know, I don't even know what that is for.

As said here by others, this designation requires no additional training, licensing, seniority- it's just given to the trainers with the most clients.

Thanks to all of you for your stories- I feel a tiny bit better reading them.

Guest

Yeah, I just got the whole "Master Trainer" BS... When I asked the training manager who my new trainer was going to be, he tried to sell me the new rate for my old trainer.

When I mentioned that had I known that this might happen I could have been more prepared and may have even budgeted for it, he told me that they didn't have the Master Trainer program when I signed up...

By the look of these messages that is not true at all... So I guess I'm going to be bouncing from trainer to trainer for the next 9 months

Disgusted Shu

Unfortunately all comments in response to my original complaint all ring true, a few possible solutions to remedy your problems might be to cancel your credit card, or submit by registered mail your copies of medical problems that prohibit you from participating in any gym related activity. As of this posting, today I started with my fourth trainer...I refuse to pay another dime to this corporation and play into their games, I have about two and half more months to go with my personal training contract, upon expiration, I am going to submit my cancelation request a month in advance with several copies mailed to corporate office, and general manager of the club where I am regardless of their request to send it off somewhere else, where it ends up being ignored anyway..I have also notified my credit card company of the business practices that are going on with this corporation well in advance so that it will hopefull expidite my cancelation with this sham of a company. Good luck to all...and fight back!

Guest

LA Fitness must be on a Master Trainer spree. My trainer just informed me she was becoming one.

She said they offered it to her 6 months ago but she turned it down because she knew it would hurt the clients. She really needs the extra money that this will mean for her. the extra $6 bucks I'll be paying goes straight into her pocket. I really love my trainer and can't imagine working out with anyone else, so for now, I'll be paying.

I'll think of it as a generous tip. When my contract is up, though, I may have to say goodbye.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-548139

MY LA Fitness trainer informed me he is now going to be a Master Trainer, and I need to pay $30 a month more to stay with him. He is a young kid and never took any additional classes for this, they just put that title on him. How can they just assign a title to someone without any further education?

Guest

I have been fighting with LA Fitness corporate since January 2012 and they won't let me out. I have not used ANY of the classes and the customer services reps say they will not give me the name of anyone in a supervisory position and that they are empoweed to make the decision and no one will listen.

I purchased the personal training on the last 10 minutes of their opening club sale and that if I waited I would pay a higher rate. It was not explained to me that it was an annual contract. I was paying an initiation fee and pre paying for four classes. I, too, was told I could cancel at any time. I have been on medical leave and then after medical leave I was laid off from my job. Being on disability and unemployment I was scouring my account and notices these large deductions from my account. It was the personal training fees. Apparently I had signed into an annual contract where as they would auto deduct from my account.

When I left the club I didn't sign anything, they said they would just email me the agreement.

I contacted LA Fitness immediately and was told there was nothing they could do. I would be allowed to cancel, but at 50% of whatever payments were left. I have never used any of the classes. I tried to transfer the account to a family member and was not allowed to even do that.

This has been ongoing now for 10 months. They allowed me to "freeze" my account, but it has a maximum of 6 months with the resumption of the remainder of the contract when I came off of freeze.

This is unacceptable business behaviour. I can't even give away the classes even if I wanted to.

Melissa D Cjp

I too am having the same issue. I however have a larger issue that the club I go to had a three month period that they only had two trainers and those two trainers could not accomadate all of the clients so I now have 28 sessions back logged and LA Fitness expects me to pay $5 per session for each of those as well as the $5 per session upgrade moving forward.

I do want to stay with my trainer so I will pay the $5 fee moving forward however I will not pay the $140 for the back log of sessions because I had no options and they were unable to provide me with the services. I did nothing wrong and they were unable to hold up their end of the bargain. I called the corporate office and they told me all they had to do was have one trainer at any club in a 20 mile radius and they fulfilled their end of the bargain. It is BS.

I am ready to close my account that these fees come out of. I am sick of this place.

Guest

I agree with the original poster completely. I purchased 30 pre-paid training sessions, and last week was advised that I have to pay $5 more per session to stay with the same trainer who a week ago wasn't a "master".

I was shocked that they would try to upcharge me before my sessions ran out. Very greedy, unethical and short-sighted.

I won't be signing up for another block of sessions. Nor will I pay the extra $5 (on sheer principle)!!

Guest

Hello, I know exactly what you mean. You're lucky, you only have 6 mths, I signed a whole year.

My trainer has been promoted as well and funny, he used the same line! That must be their speech. Anyway, you have the option of training wherever and you don't have to pay. I would suggest that you find a new trainer that you like and finish off your contract unless of course, you just love that specific trainer, paying the extra money might be worth it.

I have chosen to interview other trainers.

I refuse to pay another dime as I believe I already pay enough for my contract. Best of Luck!

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