Fitness First Reviews 

Probably the worst gym I have ever experienced. Equipment continually breaks and then takes months to get fixed. The sauna never works, the drinking fountain is always broke, and the iron and hair dryers are never working. I have called and emailed to register my complaints yet still haven't had a reply. The company clearly don't care about their customers and simply look at you as a cash cow. They continue to charge full price memberships, yet don't provide the full service that they advertise. If you enjoy paying sizeable monthly payments for not a lot in return this is the gym for you!

There wouldn't be too many gyms where personal trainers can get away with swearing at customers and having physical confrontations with customers. What would be intolerable at other gyms is accepted practice at FF St Leonards. The personal trainers act like they own the gym. They order other people around and give them grief if they dare used the 'good equipment'.
I found out that the personal trainers at Fitness First aren't employees. They have to pay lots of money to buy a franchise and pay lots of money for rent - just to be there. They actually have no authority to order other people to do anything, but Fitness First would lose money if they banned them for their bad behaviour. (and we know FF loves money more than customers).
The personal trainers are incentivised to get clients to pay for more sessions rather than to help them achieve their weight loss or muscle gain goals.
If you are new to the gym, don't sign up for personal training until you meet a few people at the gym and ask them to tell you which personal trainers get results and which one don't.

I was a member at Cottons for almost 5 years. Over the summer I had to leave the UK abruptly due to serious family illness.
At first I froze my membership, which the member services manager Laura was happy to help me with. A few months after I couldn’t return and needed to cancel. I tried to contact Laura or any manager there by multiple emails, phone messages with the front desk and the website contact form. I was never responded to and had to resort to messaging head office on the Facebook page and Twitter.

Really poor service (and HEARTLESS since that manager knew my situation) from Fitness First Cottons. Just so you know, if one of your parents is dying and you need to cancel your gym membership, FF Cottons does not care. Just adds to my experiences that ‘gym people’ are THE WORST.

Great place to work, very nice customers. They have a range of equipment but don't have consistency in all of their gyms. Love working here only reason for the 4 is that it can sometimes be difficult to create the perfect workout plan for my customers due to their inconsistencies in equipment. Personal recommendation is either St Leonards FF or North Sydney Elisabeth St FF.

Trained at Anytime when I was a teen, only difference is that anytime is more readily available and is available ANYTIME.

FF have great locations everywhere so that is also a credit to them.

Thanks,

-Cal_2000

UPDATE:
I just want to reiterate that FF is a fine establishment to train at and I back them all the way!

Good equipment and amenities, but...
* They’ll try to turn every interaction into a sale.
* Question EVERYTHING. They’ll only tell you the good stuff. They will NOT volunteer any fine print (and it seems everything’s subject to fine print).

Great facilities and well air-conditioned! Unfortunately the staff I dealt with were uninformed and unwilling to help. It seems to me that they're running a scam here to line their own pockets!

I'm a member at the Leyton Mills club and I was shopping on Oxford Circus after work and decided to train here as I was on borrowed time. I assumed I'd have to pay an additional charge as my membership is £38 per month and they charge £45.

I spoke to the lady on the front desk who was unsure and so she called the manager. The manager then had to speak to the membership manager to confirm whether or not I could train today.

Jermaine explained that I could pay an additional £10 to use the gym that day. I decided this was not worth it until he mentioned an offer in the app.

The offer states that you can "Train for free across any DW Fitness First club across the country- simply show this deal to staff"

I presented this offer, only to be told that I needed to book in first. This was not stated in the T&Cs, so I was not aware of this.

He explained that this was for health and safety reasons and that without being booked in, I could not be accounted for in case there was a serious incident.

Given that today is "bring a friend Friday"( I have never had to book a friend in advance btw) many people were also signing into a piece of paper and not being logged in this booking "system" he mentioned.

The entire incident was bizarre and I do not understand why I would not have to book in advance if I had paid the £10, surely I still wouldn't have been "logged in the system"?

I think this man was trying to make an unsolicited tip, I will update this as soon as I've heard from their customer service department because I am truly baffled!

Jermaine also mentioned that if he had viewed this offer he would not be aware that he'd have to book in. He told me that "they" need to update it. Who are the mysterious "they" I do hope they're more helpful! 🤔

I usually have great experiences with FF, what a let down!

have been a member for over 10 years and cancelled after my freeze ended due to having a baby. Got slugged a $72 cancellation fee for some bs 28 notice period??? I have been out of contract for 10 years. Ridiculous. It doesn't take them 28 days to cancel a membership so why would I have to give them this notice period and get slammed a fee for a membership I no longer use. So shonky!

Gym itself was very nice, unfortunately I have had to relocate for the past 6 months So i put the membership on hold for £5 a month which was fine. I thought I would be coming back and that would be fine but life changes and so I won't be back for another 6 months, I called requesting to cancel my membership with the plan to I rejoin when I do return as I was a big fan of the gym. Alas this cannot happen it seems, I have been asked to pay the full month fee in order to cancel and prove why I am moving. I have been told to email and call and I will get responses... neither. Whilst before I was very happy and planning to come back before this has changed my opinion as a little human compassion can go a long way when dealing with customers. Cancelling should not be this difficult, I am sure some genius in a boardroom got many pats on the back for thinking of this policy but ultimately you will lose long term customers like myself who otherwise were very happy with the service and would make the gym more money in the long run. Membership no 524013865

I travel and find their facilities aren’t always of a consistent standard, but overall really convenient, friendly staff

Told have to pay for the 28 day cooling off period even if I showed up with a medical certificate, physically impossible to do gym! Guess they will still ask a dead person to pay for the 28 cooling off period!

Limited payment deals, and no opt out cancellation fee. Yes I signed a contract. They rush me through the sign in process, “you get this ...” “you get that ...” advise me of the positive things verbally and fail to advise the risk of early termination and paying out the full contract. I cannot terminate. I may have returned to you fitness first, as I have in the past, but never again. Take your $400 and it will be the last cent you ever get from me. There are too many gyms with reasonable termination terms.

Have been with Fitness First for over 5 years and wanted to cancel because I'm a bit tired of overcrowded clubs and wanted a change.
I have been told that I need to pay the day after I cancel and then in 2 weeks I pay again for not using the gym?!? I thought all the useless fees for not using the gym came at the start of the membership not the end...?

Seems like a huge rip off and I'm not sure they can provide the contract I signed back in 2012 that agreed to this.

That is such a poor way to reward loyal customers.

Seriously...over 5 decades of being a good loyal member and get treated just like another number.

With the plethora of various gyms in Sydney now (including a lot of 24/7 ones) I will be joining another gym and NOT be recommending FinanceFirst to any of my friends or work acquaintances.

I tried to get my boyfriend to join fitness first again he was a member for a few years and then quit due to their rude staff and operating hours and joined anytime fitness. I take personal training classes at flinders and wanted to go to QV as it was nearer. A woman very rudely said he can't come in if he's been there before. I wanted to explain he had come to try the club and discuss rejoining but after that attitude that woman gave us I have decided he is right and I will be cancelling my membership too which is a shame as the flinders staff are alright.

Good equipment at the QV gym in Melbourne CBD. However, there is a lady who works there who is very very rude. Always chasing people out of the gym when it is nearing closing time. I understand she is trying to notify them but she does it with a very bad attitude, and one time, a young lady came in to wait for her friend to leave together, but she asked her to wait and stand outside the gym in the freezing cold and rain because she is "closing up". Why not let her wait inside where it's warm since her friend is obviously on their way out too?

Rania at Fitness First Rockdale is absolutely an amazing PT she's down to earth & lovable it’s the first time I’ve ever enjoyed training in a gym. Time passes quickly and the sessions are varied. Rania also provides a rounded service, focusing on nutrition as well as exercise so that I achieve my goals quicker. I’m definitely seeing a difference in just 1 month. If you need a PT Rania is definitely the person to see.

Despite cancellation of my membership, with full explanation and a supporting medical document , and as per the FF clause, the amount was still deducted from my account. Always paid my fees , this time sadly the 6 months fees went wasted since I couldn't attend any class during the whole period due to medical reasons following which I felt compelled to cancel my membership. Spoke to a staff at the reception about the cancellation and even confirmed with FF customer service for which I was clearly told that all payments are waived off with effect from the date of cancellation. Still saw a debit . Seriously ??????? Wrote back an email to FF only to receive a lame explanation that a debit has already been made before the call which isn't the case.
On calling the cust serv to resolve the issue, my call was kept on hold for such a long period and disconnected. Sent an email to the St.Leo FF gym and never got a response ever. How frustrating! That is how FF treats its customers. Don't know if I will ever return to FF again after such a sour experience unless I see a good gesture of refunding the amount made without further explanation.

I am on a 12 months contract, it has been 14 months and I want to cancel.
I have been told that I had a 28 days notice period.
That is a total rip-off! Customers should not be locked after the expiry of the contract. That is such a poor way to reward loyal customers.
I was thinking to join back a gym in 6 months and it will never be Fitness First again. This kind of commercial practice are disgusting and should be reported to Fair Trade Australia

Fitness First can be more vigilant and responsible in explaining to the customer on the 28 day cancellation process as they expect us to pay one more time the fortnight payment $59! It's just a waste of money and when enquired, they are advising that legally they have mentioned everything in their agreement. It's ridiculous when people write pages on agreement and expect every joiner to go through the whole document and waste our time rather they can explain at the stages and by the looks of it they intentionally avoid advising the cancellation process and not to bring it to the attention of the customers. I am definitely not recommending FF to any of my network as there are heaps of other gyms available with better options and affordable prices.

I had been very satisfied and happy with the work out in the fitness first. But when I needed to cancel the membership, I discovered that there is unfair term in the terms and condition.
It is that customers must give 28 days notice when they wish to cancel even if the contract is expired. According to the legislation, businesses should explain the key term to customers. But in reality, the fitness first does not fulfill the provision.
Also, 2 month before the expired date, the fitness center should give the written notice to the customers, but fitness first does not comply with the provision as well.

Through the experience, I would not recommend the first fitness to people for exercise.

FF is fabulous! I have just joined and love the facilities (clean, easy), classes (so many, great variety and fun instructors) and staff (friendly, helpful). I think it is great value and am very happy so far :)

Note: I am based in Melbourne and have 7 clubs near my home/work, so this helps!