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24 Hour Fitness

Robert of Berkeley, CA August 31, 2008

Robert of Berkeley CA (08/31/08)
I have been a member of 24 hour fitness since 1992. The original agreement stipulated access to all clubs. I was happy with the membership & was excited to hear that they opened a new club in Millbrae in Dec of 2007. When I tried to access the club I was told that it was a Super Sport Club & that I had to upgrade my membership if I wanted to workout there. I told them my membership agreement stipulated all clubs, but the club manager still insisted that I would have to upgrade to workout there.

There is nothing that is distinguishable about this Super Club from the other clubs other than the name. I think it is attempt to force older members into more expensive memberships by phasing out the old clubs & old members by attrition. I sent emails made phone calls to the coporate office & was largely ignored until I contacted a local TV station to look into it for me.

Months went by without resolution. The station did air a story about the Moraga club closing & being replaced by a Super Sport Club & how members from the old club were denied access to the new club unless they upgraded thier memberships. Those members have brought thier case to the Contra Costa Distict Attorneys Office & is still pending.

After the airing of that story the TV station called me & told me they would no longer persue the case on my behalf. I thought it quite strange that they would drop the story so suddenly, until I saw a commercial for 24 hour fitness airing on the channel. It occured to me that 24 hour fitness represents major advertising revenue for the TV networks & the station did not want to jeopardize that relationship with bad press.

I work in Millbrae & have to drive San Mateo to a club I do currently have access to. However 24 hour fitness has opened another Super Sport club nearby in San Mateo. I think it's just a matter of time before they close the old San Mateo club & try to force those members to more expensive memberships to access the new Super Sport club.

Amy of Palo Alto, CA May 27, 2008

Amy of Palo Alto CA (05/27/08)
Individuals who purchased lifetime membership packages will no longer be able to use the Mountain View facility unless they pay a one time upgrade cost and additional monthly fees. At the time I purchased my lifetime membership I was told that it included all facilities. Now I need to upgrade to the Super-Sport level to use the facility. Basically, the company is upgrading to elimate lifetime members. It has every appearance of a company scam.

In order to use the Mountain View facilitiy I will need to pay an additional 80 dollars for a one time upgrade and then pay an additional 25 dollars a monthy. This is in addition to the lifetime membership fees. The company talks about lifetime membership and their paperwork says prepaid membership.

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