Cardio Express

Windows so everyone in the mall shopping can see your butt while you’re running. Weird stuff.

For how little this gym is, it packs a punch. Let me start with the negatives. First off, it’s only 24 hours Monday to Thursday, and you get some odd hours on the weekends. It’s advertised as ²⁴⁄₇. There’s some problems with billing once and a while, which I can deal with. It’s no glamorous thing, no pool, no sauna. However. (This is where it gets good) This gym is always clean. ALWAYS. The equipment is pristine. That’s a huge factor for me in a land of sweat. When you walk in there’s always someone to say hi, or help you understand a machine, or even your first time tanning. Their machines hit a variety of muscle groups, there’s a room for floor activities, the free weights are 2 racks up to 60 lbs and the cardio equipment is enough for a small army.

Now they know my name again (most of the workers anyhow) and are pleasant and friendly most of the time when I walk in. Jaz is especially sweet. They also seem to have backed away from the group training classes that monopolized a lot of the equipment and the noisy trainers yelling at the top of their lungs. Thanks!

I, as well as many people I know who have been members of this gym have had my automatic withdrawals shut off without notice and racked up a lot of debt before being contacted. They do their banking with a place called Twin Oaks and will say there’s nothing they can do and ultimately blame it on them. They’re extremely unhelpful with customer concerns regarding accounts and I know numerous people who have tried ending their membership and were told by associates that they «already look like they’re going downhill» and try everything they can to keep you locked in to their trap. Do yourself a favor and go to a gym where employees actually care about you and where you won’t get stuck paying for something that you end up not liking. I got so much more fit in a shorter period of time using the Insanity workout DVDs…

I used to go to the Cardio Express in Tolland, which was really nice. I would give that one 4 stars. I switched because this one is much closer to my house.
This one is not as big, but there is a lot of equipment in one area. I was able to transfer my membership deal from Tolland (I pay $ 10 a month). I will admit, it is a little weird being in the mall. People do stare at you running on the treadmill while they walk by and do their shopping (your back is to the windows).