O2 Fitness – Seaboard Station

I live in Seaboard Station and love the convenience of the gym but that’s pretty much the only reason I can give it a positive rating. The cardio equipment is, for the most part, outdated and broken. I’ve been a member now for almost 3 months and the equipment that’s supposed to be «fixed soon» sits unusable. It’s a very low traffic gym so it’s never too bad being able to grab a machine but there have been a few mornings when I’ve missed out on something because the machines were all used up/​broken.
If you’re doing strictly weights, this gym is perfect. Lots of machines and they’re very well kept up on. Haven’t had a chance to do any of the classes, yet, but it’s a nice bonus knowing they’re there.

If I could pick 0 stars I would. Horrible personal training experience, the personal trainer made me feel extremely uncomfortable. Never have a had a personal trainer act the way this guy has. He asked me numerous times to text him pictures of myself in my underwear, to «monitor my progress». No trainer has ever asked me to do that. He showed me half naked pictures of his girlfriend and other women DAILY, along with the video I already mentioned. I was really hoping you would just do the right thing and refund me the money so I wouldn’t have to bring this uncomfortable situation to light. It sucks, its embarrassing, no woman wants to have to deal with a situation like this.
On top of that, he is always late, I came in 15 minutes prior to my 7am class and while I was warming up waiting for him, I received a text from him to reschedule. I had a class with him and came in, he told me he wasn’t going to count that day and spent 15 minutes with me then had to go talk to his boss. I know he didn’t count it but I came in expecting him to do his job. We were supposed to meet one morning at 7am, he showed up at 7:15 and instead of rushing to come find me I watched him stop and buy breakfast at the counter then stroll over to me. He does not respect my time, and when he is late it makes me late for work. I am paying for 1 hour sessions, and have yet to receive more then 30 minutes of his time. I’m paying $ 500 a month for 3 classes a week. My schedule is tight so even being 15 minutes late sets me back and makes me late for work.
They also took $ 500 out of my checking account even though my contract only gave them permission to withdrawal the money from my credit card. I have yet to receive a refund (5 weeks later) and they have now charged that $ 500 out of my credit card too, still no refund. I have attempted to cancel my classes multiple times and have done everything I was told to do to cancel them, but my account continues to get charged. I was told a new trainer would reach out to me to schedule classes, no one ever did, even though I do not wish to receive classes from this place anymore. I have tried working with the manager at the Seaboard Station location, and he assured me that my training could be cancelled if I emailed the regional director. I have made multiple attempts, but the regional manager will not call me to try and resolve this issue and continues to let them withdrawal money from my account. They have now taken $ 1,500 from me and have not provided me with 1 full 1 hour personal training class. No one seems to care enough to call me regarding the issue.

Small but well equipped. So far the gym has not been very busy when I’ve been there. Everything is clean and all of the equipment has been working. The staff is always nice and friendly.

I love the location and industrial feel. I have to say, the up-​keep is slow and underwhelming. I froze my membership a wrap months ago as I was doing specialty classes at other boutique gyms, when I came back (for convenience) a gym floor mirror that was broken and taped before I left is still in the same condition, I was shocked! The women’s locker room needs upkeep was well, too if bathroom stalls are thick with dust, steam room seems to be turned off (for a while now) a smiley inside and many of the electronic lockers do not work to lock. I think the gym was well done but needs better management and housekeeping.

This place is a complete RIPOFF!!! I got a free trial voucher in the mail and they make you sign whatever disclosures with your personal information once you’re there, I only went once., recently I checked my credit report and found out that they had sent me to collections for non payment which I will take them to court, I hate those sneaky sales people who lie through their teeth to get a commission, the gym it’s ok just like any other but they should keep it honest!

This gym is decent. The equipment is really nice but it is packed away in such a small space that there is not much room, especially when it is super busy. It is almost impossible to do much with a rack since there is only one in the entire gym…
The main reason I give this gym two stars is because of their shady sales tactics and how they kept charging me even after someone who was listed on my account quit the gym.
At one point my girlfriend «won a month free membership» but we soon found out that is wasn’t any different than the regular promotion that they run on a daily basis… So much for actually giving things away.
In regards to my second point, I was in Europe for a few weeks and my roommate decided to quit the gym. When I returned and the next month’s payment was made I realized that I was charged again for his supposedly «cancelled» membership. I was told that this would be the last time that the charge would appear on my account. Fast forward to the following month and guess what, I was charged AGAIN for having someone on my account. I was livid so when I went into the office and spoke with a manager (again) I was told that he physically had to sign paperwork terminating his membership. It would have been nice if this information was given to me from the beginning and we could have avoided another month of unnecessary charges…
There are better choices in gyms out there, there is also a free fitness center right near O2 in Seaboard station. Check that out instead!

Really pretty gym, but pretty overpriced. Convenient downtown location in Seaboard Station.
What I really like about O2 Fitness is their Shape Up Downtown program that they hold every once in awhile. Shape Up Downtown consists of FREE outdoor group workouts held at the turf in City Plaza. The classes are Zumba, BodyCombat, Yoga, BodyPump, and more! The next Shape Up will be held in April 2014 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 6pm.
Sign up for their free trial to see the gym and check out Shape Up Downtown before you commit to a membership! BUT expect a TON of sales calls and emails for them to try to push you into a contracted membership that will rip you off. Hence only 3 stars.

Great location for downtowners! I really enjoy the asthetic of this gym with the exposed wood-​beam ceilings and brick. I have tried other gyms in the downtown area, but none of them compare to the size and the overall feel of this gym.
PROS: lots of equipment, free weights, and dedicated areas for floor exercises. Open till 10 PM on weekdays. Decent amount of parking. Great location for downtown residents.
CONS: could be a little bit cleaner.

Solid four star gym. Not huge, but just about everything you need. I worked out at lunch time and had no wait or interference. It might be an issue at peak hours. The guy at the desk was super helpful — he even went next door to break a $ 20 so I could get a protein drink from the machine. That’s nice service.
I didn’t use the locker room so I can’t rate that, but weights were good, machines wee good, they had plyo platforms I used which were good. I think there is room to put in a smoothie counter and sell better drinks and snacks instead of the machine.

Where to start?
The facility at the seaboard station O2Fitness is very nice. They provide plenty of cardio machines including elliptical, bikes, stair climbers and 2 long rows of treadmills to suit even the busiest of after work crowds. The weights area is also very spacious. Everything from free weights and cable machines to the latest varieties of digital strength builders. My favorite part about the main gym is the open area. O2 provides a huge open space covered with soft astro turf for all of your stretching, plyo, yoga, and core workout needs. The open area is provided with floor mats, 2 pull-​up stations, jump ropes, and a variety of different size kettle bells, medicine balls, and light weight dumbbells.
Upon signing up with O2, you receive 2 free workout consultations. The first is a little embarrassing for your average, out of shape, non-​gym goer, but it is also VERY important if you are going to take your fitness goals seriously. In this meeting you will have your weight, body fat %, and arm leg and waste measured and recorded. This is to know where you started from and how much progress you make. The second meeting is more of a workout. You are partnered with the same certified physical trainer that took your measurements and you get an hour of but kicking motivation and instruction in the type of exorcises you desire. Whether its losing weight, building muscle, or just maintaining a healthy lifestyle these trainers will guide you through a series of worksout and record them for you as so you wont forget.
After these 2 sessions you will be offered an opportunity to work with a trainer for an additional cost. This is a very good idea if you have never really worked out or just need that extra motivation that comes with an exorcise buddy. For me, I chose an alternate route that included free classes taught by the same certified physical trainers. These classes are at varying times and days, 7 days a week and are included with your membership. I thrive better in a team environment. These classes allowed me to change my routines, shock my body with new work outs, and do it in a fun comfortable environment with other motivated people.
The trainers at O2 take fitness seriously and believe in your personal success. It was very nice being known by my first name and being asked frequently how my progress was going and if I were going to make it to class on Friday. This friendly accountability made me want to attend and push myself as hard as I could on a schedule that worked for me.
Trainers Rainey, Brittany, and Stuart were not only encouraging and great motivators but became that warm friendly face I looked forward to seeing and talking to upon sessioning the gym. As I said before they genuinely cared about my progress and fitness goals.
Unfortunately I had to move to California and find a gym that is, in my mind, not at the same level as O2 Fitness. But, in the few months of hard training before I left, I was able to reduce my body fat % by 9 points. I took 3 inches off my waste and added an inch to my chest and arms solely by eating better and going to O2 fitness.
The short time spent at this gym has inspired a fitness lifestyle that I live an believe in everyday. This lifestyle is a choice and O2 helped inspire me to be healthy, strong, and confident.
Be well!

Large workout space with clean machines, what else can you ask for? The crowd seems to be many young professionals who live downtown. I really enjoy spin classes, so I take advantage of the cycle studio at least twice a week.

I know gyms
Location: Since I live Downtown I could not ask for a better location. I find myself always going to Logan’s or Ace Hardware after a workout to relax and enjoy the area.
Facility: The building is amazing if you are into the industrial feel. With exposed rafters, copper piping and concrete floors this place is awesome. The locker rooms are always clean and digital keypads allow for locker use without having to remember a lock. A simple yet MAJOR plus for me.
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Staff: The staff is always friendly and when notified of something wrong they do everything in their power to correct it immediately.
Equipment: The equipment is always kept clean. It is also the job of the member to clean up after themselves. There can be a wait for certain pieces of weight lifting equipment during peak times. Most members are more than happy to let you work in and many times it can provide great motivation. This is also one of the few places that have dumbbells up to 120 Lbs!!!
Contracts: Read them. If you read the fine print then you know what the termination requirements are in addition to any annual fees. If you just sign without reading do not complain when you are hit with a charge that would have known about.
Classes: A list is always posted and available online. Most classes are included with no extra cost. Go to them sometime; they are amazing.
Cons: No pool
Conclusion: An awesome place for those downtown who are looking for a nice clean place to workout.

Membership Terminated
In the spring of 2011, Rapid Fitness DTR (on North St) closed it’s doors and I needed to continue my weight loss régime to get ready for my 25^th high school reunion. Since I’m a resident of downtown Raleigh, I wanted a gym in my neighborhood. Unfortunately, the pickings are slim… YMCA (on Hillsborough St) or O2 Fitness (Seaboard Station). My husband and I decided to join O2 for 3 months only. As I mentioned in my previous review, I don’t care much for this health club. It’s hard to put my finger on the exact reason but I just don’t like it. I don’t care for the weigh lifting machines, the overall arrangement, the number of machines, and the constant upselling of the personal training sessions. There are about 8 different stations to do triceps but only 1 machine for leg extensions. When you get a jerk who sits on the leg extension machine between sets, you are out of luck! Also I don’t like that the weigh lifting area is in the center of the club so there is very little natural light… too dark and gloomy for me. We did not plan to extend our membership beyond the time of my reunion. However, one day I decided to try a group fitness class taught by JoJo. OMG! It kicked my butt and I about died. I was sore for 2 days afterwards. It was absolutely awesome! I became addicted and changed my whole work out routine to take all of Jojo’s classes. JoJo is the best instructor I have ever had and I have been working out for over 25 years and was an AFAA certified fitness instructor when I was younger. From other JoJo fans, I found another instructor, Tony, I really liked. My husband and I lost weight, buffed up, and got in the best shape since our early 20’s. BTW, I rocked my reunion. My husband and I happily continued our memberships.
Over the year, the gym was no longer sparkling clean… bordering on very dirty. The floor of the group fitness room was gross. After class where I was up close and personal with the floor from doing lots of burpees and mountain climbers, I rushed to the bathroom to wash my hands. Ick. The mats were in terrible shape, crumbling/​disintegrating, unclean, and needed to be replaced. The upscale, luxurious bathroom went downhill. They stopped supplying hairspray, hand lotion, and mouthwash. They changed hand towels from the soft, water absorbing white paper towels to the cheap abrasive brown towels. And there always seemed to be 1 or 2 toilets that were broken. The place was falling apart but I ignored it because I loved the fitness classes.
In January 2012, we were charged an additional $ 39 each in addition to our monthly fee. I asked if they made a mistake. Nope, no mistake. It was an assessment and in the fine print of my contract, I had agreed to pay any assessment they felt like charging. So what did this extra money go to? Remodeling the steam rooms. WTF? Enough people use the steam rooms to warrant such a capital expenditure? O2 also purchased VIPR fitness equipment which are black, hollow, weighted plastic tubes. I can’t believe they cost that much. Most of these tubes were stored in the private training workout room making them unavailable for the ‘general public’. I wanted to use one since I helped pay for them so I walked into the room to ‘borrow’ one and got yelled at by one of the trainers. Not cool!
Lastly, Tony left. Fired or quit? I don’t know. And eventually JoJo ended up leaving. JoJo, to know him is to love him, had a cult following and the management should have done all in their power to keep him happy. Consequently no more reason to continue our membership. And we won’t be back!

Overall my experience with O2 was ok. The low rating is the result of the poor customer service. Unfortunately my experience was similar to Tina’s, and after reading her review, I wouldn’t recommend this gym since it seems that they have done this before and would not want other people to go through this in the future.
I lived in Raleigh for less than a year, signed for a membership in January of this year. I clearly remembered telling the sales woman who signed me for O2 I only needed the subscription until May and wanted to make sure I was not going to have any issues with the cancellation process. I cancelled my membership on May 16^th, as I was moving back to California. I was told that I was only going to be charged for one additional month since they had already process my payment for May. I was OK with that. I signed a form and thought that would be all. Last week, checking my accounts in detail I noticed that O2 has been charging me for the past five-​six months, which ended up being a few hundred dollars in total since I had their platinum membership or something like that.
I contacted the manager, and he said that I needed to send a proof of change of residency at the time of the cancellation. He told me he was going to look up my form and asked me if I could prove that I moved back to CA after May. I immediately sent him my updated ID with my current address, which included the issued date of my new ID. I don’t remember the person at the front desk telling me that at all when I signed the form since I showed them my old CA ID and told them I was going to live in the same address. I give them the benefit of the doubt since I was in a hurry the day before I left Raleigh, and I really wanted to make sure I cancelled the subscription before I left.
Long story short, after not hearing back from the manager for few days, I sent him a reminder asking him about the status, and he got back to me telling me that unfortunately O2 won’t be able to reimburse me any of the fees they charged since they didn’t find my form in their system. Instead he graciously offered to cancel my subscription immediately… Thanks O2, that was really helpful… I even gave him the exact date and time, and he said that he was sure they didn’t have my form. So basically, I was either blatantly lying or someone at O2 was completely negligent when filing my form, and based on the manager response, I guess I never filed the form because they never found it.

This gym is not without its flaws, but my experience here has been more than stellar.
The pros:
+ Fantastic classes – I highly recommend Inner Strength, Body Combat, CX Worx, and Cardio Interval with Britney. The only classes I haven’t loved here have been Zumba and Yoga. They do Les Mills classes here, which are great, especially because they’ll change up the routine about four times a year and you will burn some major calories! If you’re like me and joined a gym mostly for the classes, you’ll definitely like this gym.
+ Great personal training– I’m trying to get my fitness on in preparation for my wedding and Britney has been phenomenal. She’s nice, always has great exercises and modifications for when I need them, and is super motivating. Every session is completely different from the previous one (which I love) and I always feel sufficiently challenged. I do a 30-​minute session once a week and am already seeing results. Highly recommend.
+ Nice, clean locker room with self-​locking lockers. Love these lockers!
The cons:
+ Cleanliness is not a priority here in terms of wiping down exercise mats and equipment. This is a personal thing, but the general membership here doesn’t seem to worry about wiping down machines after they used them.
+ It’s a little small and can get really packed around 5/​6pm. I wish there was more general space for stretching/​ab work.
+ Sometimes the treadmills are hard to get going – everything is very high tech here and the machines can be hit or miss. However, there are always enough treadmills that I can find one that I’m able to use.
All in all, I’m definitely a fan!

I received a call from the mgr first thing this morning with an apology and a promise to look into the matter so that no one else has to experience what i had to experience! That’s enough for me … I will just keep checking there website and looking for the necessary changes to be made and content that should be added! Feel a little better!

We joined this gym years ago back when it was Seaboard. Unfortunately the customer service has seriously declined. After my husband had shoulder surgery he went in to cancel his membership in person and filled out forms with the person at the desk. Months later, in the middle of a move and with all our stuff packed into a storage unit, I realized we are still being billed on our credit card and they will not honor the cancellation. What a scam. Beware!

UPDATED TO THREE STARS — the staff has really improved. The bathrooms are not very clean and the steam room breaks down regularly, so 3 is about all I can bring this review up to.
Oh, Seaboard, where hast thou gone? We all knew deep down that the sellout to O2 would be a disaster, but it still hurts. They dumped most of the staff of smiling happy peeps and brought in the professional gym swill with the poor attitudes and total lack of customer service. Gone are the water bottles and lemon-​ice water dispenser. Gone are the great classes Seaboard was known for — replaced by the mega-​gym programs we ran from to Seaboard. Towel service is now regulated and the sundries provided in the shower rooms. This is certainly not what we signed up for. Sucks. If you are looking for another Gold’s type gym, just go on to Gold’s. At least you will get a pool out of it.