Gold’s Gym

Vinny took me around the facility and was very helpful at explaining to me what I get with my membership plan. He was very personable and one of the reasons I decided to stay with Golds Gym over the other options in the area. I believe building a rapport with clientele and maintaining good relationships is critical to keeping customers happy, and also coming back. This aspect was missing from the competitor gyms in the area. Golds Sterling is one of the best gyms around.

Disgusting Service that I never see in my life.
Do NOT sign a contract for a gym membership here. They make it next to impossible to cancel and the billing service they use, TAFT Services is just so bad! I am currently battling an ended contract with them and they continued to bill me on. You can check online, they don’t respect you at all, even your contract ended — it will be automatically renew.

Crowded, they charge you a deposit for a towel, not enough machines (especially squat racks), and keeps getting more crowded. Did I mention it’s crowded? They keep packing people in there with new memberships. Feels more crowded by the week!
I understand if you want to stem the theft/​loss of towels but being forced to wait for a busy front desk person to hand you one or to get your money back instead ya know, just throwing it in the dirty towel bin and actually just LEAVING like any other decent gym is beyond annoying and overloads the front desk staff who inevitably have to deal with 5 other people who need some kind of help the moment you need to leave and get your deposit back.
It’s not a good look and reeks of petty mistrust of your customers who are paying your salaries and to keep the lights on. All over an 8″ x 8″ piece of fabric.
Parking is a SERIOUS problem. Wanna work out anytime from 4pm-8:30pm Monday through Thursday? Get ready to park at Starbucks or Marshalls (not exaggerating) a few hundred yards away (especially fun in the wintertime!) because everyone in the jam-​packed aerobics studio classes in those time slots (oftentimes 50+ people, and there is more than one studio) seems to drive separately and then crowds around the entrance to the aerobics studio, chatting and milling around totally blocking access to the men’s locker room, swimming pool and water fountains, waiting to rush in and claim their spots just as the prior class lets out. Some of them even give you the stink eye and won’t move for you saying «excuse me» and trying to get through and you know, access the other half of the gym that you signed up for! Sorry, guess I won’t use the restroom, change or drink water during my workout so that you can be absolutely sure that you get the closest spot in the studio to the Zumba instructor! Bunch of rats!
The personal TVs on the treadmills are mostly broken. About half don’t work. It’s been like that for a year plus now. A lot of the treadmills also have had broken fans or other parts for years (have been an original member of this gym, 6+ years). Guess you’re stuck watching «Locked Up» on MSNBC on the nearest main screen for the duration of your workout.
The weight area is large and yet still too small given not only the number of people using it at any given time plus the amount of machines for the space. They’re all crammed in there and you can’t use some of them at the same time because the motions overlap with the spaces of other machines if they’re in use at the same time. The two (that’s right, only 2!) squat racks are inevitably ALWAYS simultaneously in use by someone and his 1 – 2 other workout buddies who want to chat and hang out in between doing their 487 sets of squats.
It’s so crowded you often can’t even sit in the sauna. Dudes left and right. It’s like trying to squeeze in next to your neighbor on an airplane. Except there are no seatbelts and the person 2 inches from you is naked and sweaty. And he’s some old blasting his crappy Latin music in his headphones at max volume and is yelling into his cellphone. Hope you like Reggaeton! Before, I have had to turn around leave the sauna before getting to use it because there was literally nowhere left to sit.
Pros: Location in Cascades marketplace is convenient. Although I’m wondering when they’re going to start instituting a shuttle service from the Cascades Library parking lot for people who get there after 5 p.m. on a weekday. It’d be a nice touch.

Parking is a joke and Taft Services the billing company won’t let you cancel membership. I moved away over a year ago and am still paying. I reported my card lost so they can’t bill it now they are threatening collection.

***UPDATE PART TWO***
Golds…My five year old is hysterical because she watched a game called «five night at freddy’s» in the kids club. Another child brought it a tablet and generously shared the game. My five year old is now in hysterics and I cant get her to calm down. It is apparently a horror game deemed too terrifying for most teens. How about a «no outside tablets/​phones policy» for the kids club? The ladies that work there are wonderful fantastic women but maybe a policy change is in order. My five year old, again, should not have been exposed to this.
***UPDATE***
Okay, changing my rating because the gym representative got back me in a day. As you can see from the below response from Jeremy there will be mitigation for this type of issue. He could clearly see this had me heated and provided exactly what I wanted to hear. I see alot of complaints about feeling ignored because staff is busy… meh, that’s not huge to me. There was also complaints about swindling… I don’t know about that, I make sure I know what goes out of my account when I provide a signature. Business must be good, congrats. Bottom line is, my below complaint was very important to me and I saw resolution fast. Way to go Golds. Shout out Jeremy. I will say that the front desk staff could use some customer service training though. I don’t expect anyone to kiss my ass, but I don’t expect smart ass responses LOL.
Original post here:
Man I hope corporate views this review. I gave 2 stars because this is my first big issue with this gym although I have had minor complaints here and there. So the lobby was playing a movie «drive», an R movie. Okay… I was okay until I saw strippers boobs and faces being blown off. Kids are constantly in and out of the lobby. Its definitely not Golds gym’s decision on when my five and three year old see their first stripper. Im no nun, I mean, I did give birth to two babies… but c’mon Golds. When I brought it up to the front desk I was told «kids don’t pay attention to tv». Uh… okay. So I went to the manager through the many eye rolls and huffs of the front desk staff. Someone assure me this will get handled or a policy will be put in place. I assure you… kids watch tv. I will definitely roll out if I can’t get resolution or if this issues comes up again. Please forgive my typos, I am on mobile

Do NOT sign a contract for a gym membership here. They make it next to impossible to cancel and the billing service they use, TAFT Services is just as bad! I am currently battling an ended contract they they continued to bill me on. Mysteriously, things can’t be found, policies change, etc. If you check online you will find this is very common!

Vinny was very helpful at explaining to me what I get with my membership plan. He took me around the facility, and showed that he cares about the gym as well as helping the members if interested in a gym membership go to Vinny. Best gym in the Sterling Virginia area, as well as has the most gym equipment in the Northern Virginia area.

This is a beautiful gym with a bait and switch sales team and terrible customer service. There is no 19.99 membership. It’s BS and good luck getting anyone to let you have it and my eyesight is bad so I probably can’t see the fine print that mentions the restricted hours and sign up fee. Let’s. Not mention the outright lies they tell you so you sign up. And if you go to cancel better know 60 days in advance you’re done, otherwise your sol. Best thing you can do is use a store bought credit card that isn’t linked to you. Otherwise they’re worse than a bad mobile phone carrier with equally rude customer service. They may have nice features and amenities but come with a very high price.

Wanted to charge $ 10 for a guest to use the treadmills. Will not even consider joining now

If I could give negative 5 stars I would! My son and I drop in today to see Alvin. We had an appointment at 4:30 pm today with Alvin. Alvin was not there so we have to speak to another person. This is the second time I’ve walked out of this gym disgusted. You go to see the gym and you expect a tour of the gym. I hope they improved since my last visit five years ago but no! We get sat down at a sales table right away and they start talking money. You don’t even get past this sales table to see the gym to even know if you’re interested in this place. They sent us the flyer that we could join for $ 19.99 a person a month. But this sales person barely talks about it and tries to sell you for more. Then they try to get you for a starter fee /​initiation fee. When their flyer clearly does not indicate that this is a requirement. So what they advertise they do not follow. I told the sales person that I do not pay starter /​initiation fees. All he stated was over and over again that they’re not that type of gym. We left and the gym was not crowded and they did not seem to have a lot of business. On the way out the door I overheard the salesperson make a derogatory comment about myself and my son. It took everything within my power not to go back in and scream at this idiot. I still feel like going back and yelling at this clown. Also talking to several people that go there they all have different rates which lead you to believe that this is negotiable. But this guy was trying to sell me the highest plan and using all kinds of numbers to convince me to pay more money when I had a flyer that we could join for $ 19.99. Stay far away from this gym because I do not believe they are honest and they’re just trying to get the most money out of you. When I make an appointment with someone I expect them to keep it or call me to tell me that they cannot make it that someone else will fill in or to reschedule the appointment. My time is valuable and they have wasted it. There are other gyms in the area that are way cheaper and they don’t try the speed talking fast speaking approach to rip your money out of your pocket. And they certainly don’t make comments to other staff members that are inappropriate before a potential customer or a curtain gym member could overhear. What a waste of time!
Update: Been a few days and ZERO calls from them. Alvin is such a disappointment. One thing they have done great is very Poor Customer Service. I still can not believe we did not get to see the gym prior to them talking money. Hard sales pitch before you get two steps in the door. Please steer clear of this gym. They don’t deserve your buisness.

This Gym is just fine as long as you are a paying member, but just try canceling your membership and see what happens. I moved out of the area and cancelled my membership. I had an outstanding debt because the card I was using for automatic debt got lost in the move, so I had an extra fee on the account. When I called them about the bill I was told my membership was cancelled in July by Taft services the financial group this particular gym uses. But when I went to pay my bill they said I had to pay for August. After getting the run around for a full month filled with phone calls and e-​mails both parties are telling me I not only have to pay for August but September too. Since I never paid my debt for August (I paid for July) because I was fighting them on the charges, they refuse to cancel my membership. Have I mentioned haven’t stepped foot in that gym since May. Don’t get involved with these people, there are plenty of other options in the area to choose from, save yourself the headache.

Very nice gym conveniently located in the middle of Cascades section of Sterling.
I was a member there for couple of years. Throughout my membership period, I felt that the facility was very well-​maintained. The staff members listen to your suggestions and they always try to ensure that their customers are happy.
The only thing that really bothered me was the basketball court unavailability. Pretty much everyday, including on weekends, 5 pm — 8 pm slot was reserved for local youth basketball practices. It just didn’t make sense as that was when most people needed the space to complete their workouts.
Even though the membership fees were reasonable for the amenities offered, I don’t think I will come back as the gym was always packed unless I went in really late at night (10 pm and after).

I’ve been going to Golds Gym Cascade for about two years now. I’m paying $ 36.99 a month for unlimited access to everything. I very much like the facility; it has a basketball court, swimming pool, a sauna, and a jacuzzi. I also like the place since they open at 5:00AM, and there are not many kids playing around, like lifetime. It may not be a right choice if you are care about staff since they are mostly college kids and unaware of customer service. ATTENTION, if you are enrolling for this gym, you ONLY have access to three Golds Gyms, which are Cascade, Ashburn, and Clocktower in herndon.
Small towels are provided for workout, so you have to bring your own large towels for swimming.
Ashburn has the largest facility, and if you are just going to swim, Ashburn has the largest and the best swimming pool.
Overall, it’s one the best gyms in this area.

I find the Gym itself nice, its clean, people are friendly. There are sometimes several machines out of order. My biggest reason for the two stars however is the billing agency they use. I had my membership automatically charged to my debit card. With all the Target, Home Depot etc breaches the card kept getting replaced. Their billing company would call me but never leave a message. By the time they reached me I was several months in arrears. I paid the past due but they still sent me to the collection agency and I got a threatening letter from them. It is ridiculous. I know this isn’t an issue with my specific gym but rather a corporate issue, but I cannot find a way to contact them at all. No «contact us» on their website. I guess they don’t care.

The facility is nice enough. I was originally in love — drop in daycare for my daughter, luxurious spa-​like showers, private area for women to work out, a swimming pool and hot tub. It sounded FANASTIC! However, all that glitters is not gold.
First off — as others have said — TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, unless they are trying to sell you something. If you need help from the front desk, expect to wait until there are no phone calls or other staff demanding their attention. I typically expect to be addressed before someone who calls if they call at the same time or after I walk up to the desk. Help the person who’s staring at you and ask the caller to hold. Umm, isn’t that basic customer service? I stood right at the desk and stared at this guy for at least 5 minutes while he repeatedly told a caller the working hours of another staff member, helped another staff member use the computer, and then welcome several members who came in after me. I felt like chopped liver, and not very happy.
I signed up for auto-​payment on a credit card for the monthly child care fee. $ 27 per month is really cheap IF you use it. My daughter screamed every time I tried to leave here there. She was about 12 – 18 months at the time. Maybe it would have worked out if she were older or more accustomed to a day care setting.
DO NOT sign up for auto-​payment until you are sure it will work for your child. They make it as tough as breaking your membership contract to cancel the auto-​payment, despite making it seem very simple when I signed up. I had to go to the gym, fill out a form, and «wait» for it to be «approved». I was also told I would not get any money back for the three weeks left in the month that I already paid for. Despite not using the child care, or even being able to successfully (ie: leave my child there) for at least three months.
That said, the daycare staff seemed nice enough. Sometimes they seemed inundated with older children, and as such, weren’t as attentive when looking after an older infant/​crawler or toddler. I’ve also seen them vacuuming around 5 – 6 pm in the general child care area. I thought this was odd — not only could it frighten the children, but why not just do it after the child care closes?
SPA-​LIKE SHOWERS. Yes, getting away for an hour just to shower in peace is important for a new, first-​time mom. Just the «showering in peace», or heck, just showering! I loved these high-​pressure, huge shower heads. However, you take a gamble on whether or not they will be hot, luke-​warm, or even downright cold. It’s pretty disappointing to make a special trip to the gym, looking forward to your quiet, hot shower, and have it be ice-​cold.
I mainly signed up for the swimming pool. It kind of creeps me out that there is no natural light in the place (ie: skylights or windows), and the lights they installed are very dim. Apparently, they do have a security camera in there, and staff occasionally walk through to put things in closets or check pH. Still, it’s kind of downtempo for a work out.
I am glad that I did not sign a membership contract with Golds. I was a member via a special program through my health insurance. I am terminating that as well, since Golds is the only gym they participate with in close proximity. Again, all great in theory, but a waste of money in practice.

LOVE this gym! The facility itself is amazing, not to mention the group fitness classes are the best around!

Hands down the most absolute worst customer service around. I was charged twice for my monthly dues this month and i have called twice in the past two business days to speak to the «billing» lady, and have yet to receive a call back. If i operated the way this place does when it comes to matters after the contract is signed, i’d for sure be out of a job.

I stopped by this Golds for a workout while commuting to a training event in Ashburn. I belong to the Golds in Alexandria and was hoping to get in here for free– sadly, I had to pay $ 10 as they ‘only have agreements with the ones in Herndon/​local area.’ Whatever, I mainly went to kill some time to allow rush hour traffic to let up.
The place is nice– it’s very large with super high ceilings, nice bathrooms and locker rooms, tons of cardio equipment, and generally nice staff (the few I encountered). However, the cons would really limit my coming here again:
First– it was a Tuesday afternoon and it was PACKED. Yes I understand it was ‘gym rush hour’ around 5pm, but I seriously had to dodge people like frogger walking around. The few squat racks they have are in a tight space and people stalk you snag the rack once you’re done. They have a lot of free weights but not a lot of free space to do anything like db lunges. I like they have a women-​only section with a couple cardio and weight machines, but no squat rack. Come on ladies, lift heavy stuff! Last, it was ridiculously hot and humid outside and while it wasn’t like that inside, airflow was limited– they could benefit from a few fans. I did not see/​find any cleaning supplies to wipe down machines when I was done… so the look of the place was clean but who knows?
Overall, it got the job done– killed time, got in a decent workout, and it was generally clean. One water fountain in the whole place (that I could find), no paper towel dispensers with cleaning sprays or wipes to wipe down equipment, and super super packed during peak hours. I doubt I would come here again.

I’ve been going to this Gold’s Gym since before it moved to this brand new location. The facility is great, modern and comfortable. I go about 3 – 5 times a week for different classes, weights and the treadmills in the Cardio Cinema. This gym is the new GOLDS GYM image and not what it was in the 90’s. Meaning it has something for everyone and isn’t just for body builders.
Ex:
–Closed door Women’s Only Section
–Small no harness usable Rock Wall
–Large Laps Pool (25m) I think?
–Large Jacuzzi hot tub
–Sauna in men and women’s bathroom
–Showers with enclosed changing section
–LOTS of Treadmills w/​personal TV Screens
–Large Flat Screen TV’s (sound off)(Plug-Ins)
–Smoothie & Shakes Bar
–Large Cardio Cinema (Good sound, vented)
–2 Tanning Options (Lay down/​Standup)
–Tons of Equipment & Weights Section
–Full Basketball Court (Balls Included)
–Personal Trainers (Extra Fee)
–LOTS of Classes (Yoga, Body Pump, Zumba, Body Combat, Body Step, etc.)
–Large Locker rooms (hair dryers too)
–Dual fireplace w/​seating section
–Huge Kids Section (Interactive Games, basketball, etc) (Extra/​month, inexpensive)
–Purchase Clothing/​Bars/​Drinks area
Here’s what anyone really needs to know about this gym:
Customer Service:
Pro–
Everyone is very hospitable and greets you as you enter. Staff is helpful at answering questions.
Improve– If you have a concern ask for a manager not an employee, only. I would recommend that Golds have a complaint form that management reviews weekly and monthly.
Equipment:
Pro– They have almost everything you can think of, which is why they are always busy. Not just after New Years.
Improve–
1 treadmill in the cardio cinema doesn’t always work, at times and it has in the past taken a couple weeks before the issue is addressed. Their tanning beds are pretty good, but the bulbs seem to need changing and aren’t changed regularly enough.
Classes:
Pro–
The instructors are great and really keep you going through the end of the class. If you want to lose weight and do it in a month go to Body Pump 2x a week and Body Combat once/​week and Guts and Butts once/​week. I lost 15lbs doing that and keeping under 1800cal/​day of course. Either-​way the classes are full and large for a reason.
Improve:
Classes fill up really fast and I get there late sometimes or right as it begins and there’s no room. I’m that case you can find me in the back corner where they store equipment. The only way to improve this is to take some classes each week that are most popular and transfer them to the basketball court, as they have done for the Saturday morning Body Combat Class.
Membership:
Pro:
All Inclusive except for Tanning ($ 15/​mo) & Childcare (about $ 15−20/mo but I’m not completely sure). I recommend trying to get a deal at the beginning of the new year, as most gyms offer that. I got my membership before they opened this new location and on a 1year contract. Though I honesty have no idea what they change now for new members.
Improve:
Guests are allowed and can come in Free once or twice but otherwise according to their rules must pay a small fee. Chances are though no one will notice or bother you if you swipe your badge and you are with someone else. I remember wishing that I was told about the yearly fee of about $ 35/​member. This fee though may not be for all guests and I can say that I know other gyms like Fitness Evolution charge the same yearly fee. These may be fees for having lower contracted prices.
In Conclusion:
I had thought about changing gyms for cost purposes only to Fitness Evolution last year but location had a lot to do with my choice. It may sound silly, but actually getting to the gym is the hardest part of all and having a gym that has everything you can think of just a mile down the road is gonna be a big factor in many people deciding to actually go or not go regularly. I recommend going to this gym but I recommend also comparing others and being honest with your personal goals and personal habits. No one want to pay for something they don’t use, right?
I hope this has been a helpful review for you!

Depending on where I am in my life I either go to the gym on a fairly regular basis or I decide to be a fatty and hibernate for a few months. Gold’s has been my gym for almost two years now and they never fail to get me motivated to get back into shape.
Golds by far has some of the best class schedules I have ever seen. I can find a class to take at literally ANY TIME. I can cycle, do yoga or pilates, or try my hand at kickboxing-​combat cardio workout. I can make a fool out of myself doing zumba or trip over my toes during step class. But hey! At least I’m there and I’m doing it!
They also have a cardio cinema, with no lights and great sound (so I can still hear the dialogue when I run). There are even a few expresso bikes which is a computerized bike that you actually have to steer and changes according to the screen you are riding on. I have fallen in love with expresso bikes…
There is a great kids center for all those mommies and daddies, there is a small rock wall, plenty of free weights, machines and treadmills/​cardio machines galore.
Every time I go to this gym I see some sort of cleaning going on, they do a wonderful job but I’m a tad of a germ freak and like to clean of my weights BEFORE I use them. I also bring my own mat during yoga but they do offer a whole bunch.
The locker room is also clean and tidy, never seen a mess and I can always grab a locker without any issue. The sauna is nice to sit and sweat in (especially during the cold winter months). All in all, great gym!
The only complaint I’ve heard is canceling– I haven’t had to yet but all gyms are a pain in the butt when trying to cancel, they WANT your money! I’ve been a gym member to several places and canceling is always an issue.