Retro Fitness

I created a Unilocal account just to warn others of how bad my experience was with this gym. The way this gym handles canceling memberships is the worst I have ever dealt with. When I signed up, I made it very clear that I was only going to be in Raleigh for a few months and wanted a temporary membership and not a year-​long contract. I was told that’s what kind of membership I signed up for, and that I would have no fees/​issues when I wanted to cancel.
When I moved out of the area, I went into the gym and asked to cancel my membership at the front desk. The employee working told me I was all set and that she was able to cancel my membership and I would receive no additional fees/​bills. Well, a couple weeks later I get an email stating that I need to provide «proof of relocation» in order to complete cancellation of my membership. I called to explain that I had been told I was all set, and the employee on the phone said I not only needed proof of relocation to cancel, but that I also was on a year-​long contract and would need to pay 20% of my remaining yearly membership fees if I didn’t provide said proof. Also, I didn’t receive so much as a «sorry» from the manager I spoke with, despite the fact that they totally screwed up. It was annoying, but I sent in the proof and asked for them to confirm that they received it. Well, a week has gone by and I have STILL not received any such confirmation.
A few of my friends had similar experiences here – the employees at the front desk don’t seem to know anything about their membership fees/​cancellation policies and don’t seem to really care.
This gym has really nice equipment and is very large, but you can find comparable gyms and prices ($ 20 a month plus a sign up fee and a hidden $ 49 yearly «processing fee», btw) where the employees are actually competent and where canceling isn’t a horrible process.

I have been a member of the rapid fitness for many years before they have been bought by Retro fitness, I tried to cancel my membership in October by phone, fax or email and they would not do it, unless you come to the club. We live in the 21 century, people, and you still stuck in the 80^th, I am positive that this tactic brings them more revenue as they create a MAJOR inconvenience to the customer, meanwhile still collecting the membership fees. General manager at the Glenwood location is not helpful, my last month was supposed to be free, but he would not cancel my contract until I pay for the last two months even though I have been asking to cancel it that long. Very unpleasant experience overall.

Theres no pool, or sauna area (the crappy little 2 man portable thing in the locker room doesn’t count guys, sorry), but all of the equipment is in good good shape, its always clean, theres never an issue finding parking, plenty of cardio equipment, a TRX and Kettlebell area (Btw, the trainer Lee does a really killer kettlebell/​TRX class weeknights that got me in the best shape of my life when I was doing it regularly. She knows what the hell shes doing) and a boxing area. Locker area is decent, all the staff is really friendly and helpful (Y’all know who you are Hanna Mikey and Reece!) and they have towels. For the money, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better equipped no frills gym. My only complaint is the smoothie bar *kinda* sucks (but its passable) and the early closing time on the weekends (but I guess most people probably aren’t looking to work out past 8 on Saturdays and Sundays).
Also note, this review does not apply to the downtown Person st. location!

THIS REVIEW IS ABOUT THE PERSONAL TRAINER HALEY.
I met Haley outside the gym and she convinced me to get a free personal training session. She is very enthusiastic, attractive, and charming. But don’t let that fool you. My first traning session, she texts me at 11:30 Am to make sure I am on time saying 12:00 sharp. I am on time and when I get there I find out she is sick and unable to train me. I drove 30 minutes from Chapel Hill and they had noone to replace her for my training session. Then she doesn’t apologize or text me afterwards either. When she finally responds to my text, she is not apologetic and is only interested in rebooking me for another session. I am in the service industry myself and this type of behavior is very unprofessional. I would not recommend anyone going to her or this gym for personal training.

The gym is standard issue. The problem is the personal training. When Rapid Fitness switched to Retro Fitness they also implemented a new system. The new system only allows you to schedule up to 4 weeks, but no way of guaranteeing a time slot. When I signed up I had requested noon to train during my lunch break. A few weeks in I had to compete with some idiot who now wanted noon and it was whoever signed up first when that week opened up in their scheduling system.
I also tried to cancel after moving away from the gym, which like most scumbag organizations from phone carriers to gym memberships, it took 10 minutes on their cute little ipads to signup and pay, but I had to pick up a form and mail it in, and then allow 30 days to cancel. The 30 days is just a legal way of saying, we know you want out but we’re going to get one more payment no matter what. I sent my cancellation certified mail 2 weeks prior to the billing date. Of course I still get billed and the only answer I get is, your contract says allow 30 days. When did every businesses move to this model of screwing the customer any way possible? Welcome to America.

Great gym, very friendly staff, clean locker rooms, great and enough equipments, great smoothie area, fair monthly fee

***This review is only for the Muay Thai class here***
Not alot to say about the Muay Thai here except that it is fantastic. Been training here for about 1yr now. See alot of beginners come here and get treated with the same respect as us more experienced martial artists. Kru Johnny is excellent. Real nice down to earth guy. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge that he passes to his students. Great for cardio, self defense and definitely a confidence builder. I would recommend that any one try it out at least once.

I.LOVE.THIS.GYM.
I’m a meathead so trust me when I tell you this place is awesome! Huge cardio area, group fitness room, cardio theatre that runs movies, a grappling room, large spacious changing rooms, heavy dbs, machines and benches and my personal favorite? An MMA ROOM!!! Whhhhhhaaaaaat! A ring, bags, climbing rope this place is amazing.
How much do I like it? I drive 90 min every Sunday just to workout here… Crazy? Crazy like a fox baby!
Now go get your swole on!