Bay Club World Health

I visited Bay Club World Health on Good Friday, as my regular gym was closed. I went with a friend who is a member, which (according to the website) allows me to pay a drop-​in fee of $ 10:
«…can pay a drop in fee of $ 20-​$ 25 (depending on location), or a guest fee of just $ 10 if they are accompanied by a member.»
The friendly, pleasant receptionist told me the fee is $ 20. I said that it’s supposed to be $ 10 since I was accompanied by my friend, who is a member. The receptionist told me that since this is «an executive location» that the fee is $ 20. Funny – the website doesn’t mention that (but I suspect it will now). I reluctantly gave World Health the only $ 20 they’ll ever see from me.
I got changed and went to an empty squat rack. As soon as I set foot in it, a World Health «Personal Trainer» appeared with a client and said, «Are you using this?» I said, «Yeah, just starting» and before I could even say, «Do you want to work in?» he barked, «We were here first!» I looked at him… he stared at me. I said, «Are you serious?» He said, «Yep. Sorry.» I said, «I’m having a great first experience at your gym» and walked across the floor.
I walked back to the PT, looked at his name tag, and said, «I just need to get your name.» He looked at me and said, «Try it.» This must be the «executive» experience that everyone raves about.
Again, I walked away but this time the PT chased after me and was suddenly very polite and welcoming. He asked me if I wanted to work in. I agreed. Instead of pulling the alpha male garbage, it would have been nice if he had treated me with respect *before* wondering why I made sure to check his name tag.
I then watched as his first-​timer client was given half-​assed guidance from this Personal Trainer. Her form needed help and she wasn’t getting any useful assistance from him; all he was doing was counting her reps aloud. On her rests, I worked in and offered her advice, talked about her form, the movement, cues to watch for, actually demonstrated the squat with the barbell, talked through the movement and basically gave her free personal training while her overpaid Personal Trainer looked on, occasionally chiming in with, «Yeah» and «That’s right.» After she was done with her squats, I gave her some encouragement and tips, and fortunately didn’t have to interact with the PT again.
I continued with my workout and during my rests I took note of some of the other PTs. One barely-​interested PT was working deadlifts with a client who had poor, injury-​prone form that went uncorrected. Another PT has a compulsion to yell, «Wooooowee!» every 10 – 30 seconds (literally) when he’s just walking across the floor. Another PT and his client oddly crowded my space during my deadlifts.
Considering the overcharging on the drop-​in rate, the rude and domineering PT, and the PT incompetence and annoyances, I cannot imagine what would ever compel me to return to World Health. What bitterly primed this whole experience was that before going to this gym, I tried to do a drop-​in at the Richmond location and never even got past their own front desk fleecing. I won’t give them a third chance.
On the upside, I had a good conversation with another gym visitor who was checking it out. We ended up talking about my regular gym and when I told him its membership price, his eyes widened and he said he would check it out. I gave him a pass for a free drop-​in.

I have been a member of WHC for a long time, and have to take a minute to rave about Bay Club in particular, all staff from front desk to maintenance staff are friendly and helpful. Denise the GM of Bay Club is amazing, there isn’t a day that he would simply walk by you, every single time I see him he makes sure to say hello and to ask how are things. Coming to the gym can be hard some days lack of motivation etc… Once you are here you feel like you are part of a family, everyone knows your name, this is why I love coming to work out at the Bay Club.
I have also worked with an amazing trainer at the Bay Club who kicked my behind and got me some amazing results, having sessions that I did has made me mentally strong as well, and I recommend every single person work with a trainer if you lack motivation it will get you in a habit of coming to the gym and then you’ll become hooked. You will not be disappointed with WHC Bay Club. The facility is clean, friendly and full of energy. I highly recommend this health club to everyone.

I have no complaints about the Bay World Health Club. I have been a member of WHC for about 4 years. Having first taken out a membership in their 5^th Avenue location then when it closed, I moved to the Bay WHC. Most of the staff are friendly, in particular the front desk staff are great, a nice greeting when one comes in for a workout is a great way to start. As for the trainers, they are a mixed bag, much like the rest of humanity, but generally quite pleasant or entirely neutral. I have come to really enjoy the spin classes and have occasionally joined other fitness classes, but found they weren’t for me. Though I’m not one who needs pristine premises to workout in, I find the club clean and the locker room bright and comfortable. About a year ago the locker rooms were given a needed facelift and they are much improved. Towels are always available and the amenities are always stocked. As far as availability of weights and equipment goes, I have rarely been disappointed and if there is one apparatus that isn’t available when I am ready for it, there are lots of others that can work well.
I use a gear tote and their laundry service as well since I don’t want clean and available gym strip to be an impediment to getting some exercise. Their laundry service has always been reliable. Compared to other gyms downtown that I have investigated their pricing seems to be in the ballpark and the convenience, for me, is excellent. And with my Bay WHC membership I can use any other WHC in the city — though I haven’t.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this WHC location.
Others have faulted the sales people, I can understand their frustration with this side of this and other similar health clubs, they’re all similar in their organization; ask questions, read the fine print. Once you get past the sales, you’ll be golden.
I have had many gym memberships over the years and often there has been some effort to confuse and hide the real pricing. This tactic has always struck me as somewhat counter-​productive for the club, aimed at short term gain for the sales person and — as can be seen in some reviews — bad for the club. Clubs should monitor this better. Having said that, the person who first sold me my membership at WHC was excellent; friendly and forthright.

The staff are very friendly. While they are a bit pushy with personal training sessions, if you say no they’ll leave you alone.
There is plenty of equipment ranging from free weights to cardio to machines and it is all pretty new. The steam room is amazing and a great bonus after a tough workout.
The hours are generally pretty good. They close early on Saturday although I’m there right when it opens so there’s no issues for me. Only downside would be that it’s closed on Sundays.
The price is also fairly reasonable. Both the nearby YMCA and 5^th Avenue Fitness are considerably more expensive.
If you’re looking for a convenient gym with friendly staff, good equipment and lots of amenities for a reasonable price, this is definitely it.

I have gone back and forth trying to find a personal trainer for years. A decade. I was introduced to Paul Anthony at World Health and it has been fantastic. He allows me to develop slowly, has innovative techniques and is all around fun to work with. Recently I injured my back at work and Paul was understanding to the changes in my sessions. With a busy cleaning company that I run it is not always easy to be consistent with and he allows me to keep a very flexible training schedule. The atmosphere is Alive and positive and there is always a lot of happy for healthy people around. The staff and management seem to work great together and the other trainers are always observant and are happy a well. It is great having a place to work out with a lot of positive reinforcement with a big choice like personal training. They also do financing for the year to help with the payments. I know I will get the results I want this year because having support allows anyone to succeed. Also the cleaners are fantastic and I know cleaning. Lol

In full disclaimer: I have not worked out a World Health Club. Instead, I came in to active my 10-​day trial membership and had such a terrible experience that I never want to go back.
First, on to the positive. This is a beautiful facility right downtown so it’s incredibly convienent if you work in the core. There are numerous weight machines, free weights, cardio machines, and even a more isometric-​toning area. There are tons of personal trainers and a few group classes to meet your fitness needs. There is also a pool, but it’s only open in the summer.
Ok, on to the negative. I love to work out and I consider myself a fairly healthy person. I do not appreciate when the sales people try to pressure me into a membership by making me feel a) inadequate or b) unhealthy. One of the sales people literally berated me to find out when I would be working out and then called me a procrastinator for not signing up in that instance. Unlike most people, I don’t get a reimbursement for gym memberships, so all of this comes out of my pocket. Therefore, I’m looking for a facility that is great value, convenient, and a place where I want to spend my time. I do not want to frequent such a hostile place as I don’t feel like that should be a part of anyone’s work-​out.
Now, not all of the salesmen where that aggressive, but I figured that that level of attitude is not something I need or want. I tried to call the one back (who was actually nice) but kept getting his voicemail. Safe to say, if you want a beautiful, gym in a convenient location then this is a good spot, as long as you don’t mind super aggressive trainers and sales people.

Worst sales reps I’ve ever dealt with. Complete descrption of a sleazy sales man.
Here’s a text my freind gets from the sales guy Tanner after texting him were not interested it’s overpriced compared to Anytime Fitness or Talisman: «Really you guys are that cheap hey. You both get corporate memberships I gotta say I have never seen an XXX and XXX inquiry turn down World Health. Have fun with the kiddos and smelly at Talisman all the best with your fitness my freinds. Cheers»
Gym looked decent but we just wanted to try it out for a week first before commiting. I can’t belive they would allow their sales poeople to say that. NEVER EVER recommended World Health. WOW

Disappointed in management– buyer be cautioned! While my membership was REPRESENTED AS NO CONTRACT MEMBERSHIP by the staff, it really is a contract for a minimum of one year and will cost you $ 150 to get out (before the year is over). Lesson learned: complete due diligence before you sign. Don’t sign in the moment. While the gym has everything you need, it is pricey and the amenities do not justify the $ 40 bi-​weekly price. A number of new gyms are opening downtown and I would recommend taking a good look at those before signing at WHC. Also, read the fine print. If it doesn’t expressly say «No Contract,» it isn’t.

If you need a gym downtown, and you like doing your own thing, you will find this facility has everything you need to do the job. This gym’s main focus is the one in one, very pricey personal training. The group exercise and spin class are fairly sparsely scheduled. They have group personal training, but you really have to be accommodating for this to work out to everyone’s benefit. Being dropped from a trainer’s roster early on in a weight loss challenge really left by better half bitter.
The membership is pricier here than at other WHCs. Although it boasts being an executive club, the amenities are just not there to justify this label. If this location is super convenient for you, or you have $ 70/​hr to drop on a trainer it’s worth it. However, at $ 210 a week I can recommend many bootcamps that will kick your butt just as much, for a quarter of the price.

They recently just unveiled the renovated change rooms, which were MUCH needed! The women change rooms are no longer stuffy and hot because the showers, sauna and washroom are all separated by doors like other World Health Clubs. They’ve finally gotten rid of the ugly beige metal lockers and installed the updated wooden lockers, the only downfall is there aren’t as many lockers as before. Still I much prefer this over what the change rooms and showers used to look like. Plus, it no longer smells «interesting» when entering the change area.
The location still can’t be beat for the getaway lunch workout, so now the experience seems a bit more complete.

Love this place! Perfect location. lots of space and machines.

I started a year ago with World Health. Started out fine but then I fell away and didn’t use it. I had signed up for a year so continued paying, When the year was up I called and let them know I would not continue. The person on the phone said okay and took my info. and said sorry I was leaving. 2 weeks later they took another pmt. I figured okay i didn’t call soon enough. Now two weeks later another pmt. Now I call and they say oh you have to come in. Apparently my fault I didn’t remember the contract I signed a year ago said you had to come in not phone, WHY DIDN’T THEY SAY THAT THE FIRST TIME I PHONED INSTEAD OF TAKING MY INFO. AND SAYING OKAY!!! WELL NOW I AM OUT $ 128 BUCKS! YES I WILL GO OVER NOW AND REST ASSURED I WILL NEVER NEVER EVER GO BACK TO WORLD HEALTH CLUB AGAIN!!! I ALSO SUGGEST THAT NOBODY EVER USE THEM OR IF YOU DO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GO DIRECTLY TO THEIR CLUB AND GET WRITTEN PROOF OF EVERYTHING YOU SAY AND THEY SAY. IT IS VERY SAD THAT THEY WOULD RIP PEOPLE OFF WITH NO REGRET… LESSON LEARNED.

A while back, I was looking to find a decent gym but wasn’t having much luck. I happened to sign up for a «contest» to win a world health club membership, and I was called up and informed that I had won a few weeks pass to the location of my choice. Little did I know it was a selling gimmick.
The gym itself was pretty nice, although the elevators going to it sucked. There was a smoothie bar, a weight room, lots of cardio machines with TVs and a workout schedule. I was really excited for the opportunity to check it out, but they neglected to tell me that I needed a lock for the locker rooms. The rooms were alright, nothing special, and I had to take my valuables with me. I did like the layout of the facility.
Honestly, the reason why I’m giving World Health Club two stars isn’t because of the quality of the facilities: I would have bought a membership if it wasn’t for the incredibly overbearing sales tactics of the man who brought me in. He never once told me about the different packages, but instead introduced me to one of the highest priced packages and got very closed lipped when I asked if there was anything more reasonable. I didn’t feel like I needed a whole huge package of personal training, but he wouldn’t listen. I hate overbearing sales people, so I took my business elsewhere.
Here is what I learned from a friend, later (who is a member at a location outside of downtown): for about 50 – 60 dollars a month, you can get the basic package which lets you use all of the facilities and drop-​in on the classes, and for 5 a month extra you can visit any World Health Club location in Calgary. That easily would have sold me.