ExtremeFitnessForum

skypad · Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

On Star Trek, the arrival of the red shirts meant that someone was going to die. I didn't see that happen at Extreme Fitness, but it didn't end well.

I had been a member of Extreme Fitness in North York, years ago before I joined Oxygen. At that location, the staff was unapproachable, the gym and parking area was overcrowded, but it was clean and the equipment was in good condition generally.

When Extreme took over the Oxygen location, I was amazed at how quickly things changed. Instantly, the red shirt mob was at the entrance, signing up what seemed like hundreds of new $5 a month members, or whatever the crazy offer was. The new front desk rarely responded to me - I wasn't asked once to have a new membership card made up, or if I wanted to speak to a sales person - my paid- in full membership was coming to an end in December of 06.

Then, construction started - not to fix anything broken, or add new features, but to prepare a fancy new office for a barrage of sales staff??

I did not feel welcome any more at my fun, cool, comfortable gym. Cold, aloof staff, drug store lighting, and so many of my friends vanishing from the place. After being at Oxygen since before it was officially opened, I was sad that this had to change.

Michelle · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 6

I left after having my concerns ignored by the staff day after day - it appears that all they are concerned about is '$$'...and not the members. When I said I was leaving I was basically told that Extreme was the 'only gym left in the area' - if this is so...how did I join Riverdale Fitness?! What a great gym!! Clean, friendly, a huge free weight area, the Staff is amazing - they really listen when you ask them questions and they don't brush you off! And to top all of this off...they are only $39.99 a month!

Bye Bye Extreme! I'll never be back.

linda · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

If you don't mind saying, where is that gym Michelle? I am looking for a gym in that area. Could you give more details please.
Thanks.

admin · Site Admin Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Posts: 132

What were the concerns you mentioned Michelle that you believe Extreme staff were ignoring day after day? If you could list those for us, it would be truly helpful for the cause. Thanks.

admin · Site Admin Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Posts: 132

Also, Michelle, if you could tell us more about the facilities in Riverdale Fitness, what the space is like, how crowded it gets or doesn't get, do they have a yoga room? Yoga classes? What other classes?

If you check back soon, I will create a new Topic covering other gyms in the area. I would love it if you would give the "low-down" on what the place is like, and what your personal experience has been there as a new member. This way we can get the word out, that they do actually have some competition in the area, and CAN'T just treat people so poorly.

Anyone knowing about the one on Carlaw, is that the Training Room?

Michelle · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 6

I'll try to answer everything in the last couple of posts in this one. Riverdale Fitness is located just East of Pape (before Jones) , it's above the Blockbuster on the South hand side of the Danforth. When I went in to take a tour I wasn't hustled into an office and given a sales pitch right away - actually, I wasn't given a 'pitch' at all! The front desk staff (Anthony) greeted me and then took me on a tour of the facility - I was really impressed! The cardio area is great - bikes, elipticals, treadmills, stairclimber - all equipped so that you can hear a bank of t.v.'s that are in front of you...or...you can see outside!! That's right - lots of natural light! The gym has a full set of Atlantis machines and the free weight area is huge! There's even a big bucket of chalk if you want to use it - the staff keeps the gym so clean that it's not a problem. They have a lot of flat benches and an entire wall of dumbells. There are no classes at Riverdale which is fine as I found I never went to the classes at Extreme anyway - there's enough cardio machines that you can get a great workout, and they have NO sign up sheets. When I was done the tour Anthony told me about the different type of memberships that they have with no pressure at all placed on me - he even offered me a free day pass if I wanted to try out the facility first (Riverdale has everything from one month memberships to yearly) I went with the Summer promo that gave me two months FREE and only costs $39.99/month after that - and there are NO other fees. None. Not like Extreme - I had to pay for a consultation there..and I didn't want one!
I'm SO impressed with this gym! The most amazing thing is that it has been around for about 58 years!! Now that's a great business track record!!

linda · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

Hi Michelle,
Thanks for the info! I checked out the gym you go to and it is really nice.(I almost walked right past it as it is on top of the Blockbuster video store)
It has everything I need to work out and is much more down to earth than Extreme. I am like you, I don't use classes, so Riverdale is fine for me. And the staff were so cool....no pressure at all. They even let me work out once for free and told me to take all the time I need to decide if I want to join....that is a change for sure. The price for a one year membership is only about $40 per month which is very reasonable too. I will probably join next month as I plan on being out of town for the rest of this month. see you there.

ExtremelyAngry · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Riverdale, Toronto

That's my plan too when my membership expires in february.

I just wish it had a StepMill.

Michelle · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 6

Do you mean a 'stair climber' ? I've never heard of a 'step mill' - is that a new machine? Riverdale has a great stair climber...busted my butt on it last week Smile

ExtremelyAngry · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Riverdale, Toronto

Thanks but I mean a Stairmaster StepMill 7000PT. Like a mini escalator. It's easier on my knees than a paddle type step machine.

Extreme has one. That's why I joined Oxygen as opposed to Alfie's, which was what Riverdale Fitness was called before. That and the Concept II rowers which also disappeared.

I'd post a pic/link but I am new here and the software here won't let me for at least five days to avoid spamming.

admin · Site Admin Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Posts: 132

I'll post the link for you if you like. It's for the machine you 2 are discussing? You can post the link without using www and the dots.

Thanks for all the input at this site, let's hope it has some impact. I was surprised to hear that they removed the rowing machines, I hadn't realized it, since I don't use them every visit. I do use them however, and will definitely bring this up with staff. How dare they take even more equipment!
But they are sneaky. They move a bunch of pieces around, then remove a piece or two, hoping no one will notice. Except of course for those poor suckers who actually paid for and are using that equipment.
As a request, I would ask everyone to please continue to write at this site. Tell your friends at the gym, and ask them to please write. Soon, I will bring these comments to the owners, Falconhead, to see the mess they bought into. Investors are a nervous and senstive type of person. If they see one of their investments possibly failing due to mismanagement, with so many unhappy (regular) customers, no doubt all hell will break loose!

ExtremelyAngry · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Riverdale, Toronto

I think all they measure is how much monthly revenue is generated. It's a cash flow business.

Also, I find most people are dazzled by the rows of cardio equipment, especially the treadmills and elliptical trainers.

Another piece of equipment gone BTW: That stretching station that used to be on the mezzanine level. It is sitting dismantled outside the women's locker room which tonight was being dismantled as well. One member went looking for her stuff at closing time but her locker was gone.

TRUE STORY!

Oh and BTW: Today, after yesterday's ''incident,'' they were handing out warnings to women that workmen were about.

ExtremelyAngry · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Riverdale, Toronto

I can't seem to post any kind of link. I can't even type the word that rhymes with Earl.
Sorry.
Just Google Stairmaster Stepmill 7000 PT.

Voted with my feet · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 9

Everything I've read here has been my experience as well.

I was so fed up that I've quit -- voted with my feet. I just wish I'd done it months ago!

In addition to what's been written, IMO, Extreme has driven this place down market.

It's packed with kids paying $19 or $7 or $5 (or whatever ridiculous monthly fee they were offered). And while they may quit after the 2 month deal ends, there is an endless supply of youth with $20 to spare.

(I met a woman yesterday -- who also complained about the place -- she told me that her 14 y.o. daughter paid for a 2 month $19 membership. They intend to quit when the 2 month membership is finished. Here I am thinking this facility was, or at least it used to be, an adult-only club.)

I was so frustrated with the crowding, unsafe location of equipment, cluttered conditions (doesn't anyone put things back anymore?!), workout space being taken over for sales offices, unsanitary washrooms, pest infiltration in the change rooms (ants), burnt out light bulbs, etc...

I addressed my concerns on more than one occassion with management who effectively scolded me by saying "can't you see what we're trying to do here?" What does renos have to do with such basic issues as gym etiquette, safety, clean toilets?

When I said I wanted the $20 monthly fee because of the poor value for money I was receiving they told me my $59+GST fee was excellent and that the normal charge is $97+. The GM was as helpful as to offer to suspend my membership for up to 4 months while renos were underway -- to be clear his offer was to suspend my privileges, not the monthly fee; I would not be able to use the gym during the suspended period.

Good luck all.