Metro Fitness

If you’re looking for a local gym with all the necessities, Metro Fitness is a great solution. I’ve been a member at Metro Fitness for over two years. This place features everything I look for in a gym. Membership is affordable, location is great, gym is clean, and management is helpful. Specifically, Josh Tripp has been very attentive and helpful both times I’ve emailed him with questions/​concerns. Keep up the great work Metro Fitness!

Typical gym, has all of the necessities. The week j went it wasn’t the tidiest but it was very busy so that was understandable. Friendly staff!

Metro Fitness is one of my favorite gyms in LA! I moved back to Los Feliz 2 years ago from west side. So I had to find a new gym and new everything. It’s never a fun thing to have to do.
But when I was checking out gyms I stumbled across Metro Fitness. I had a check list of what I wanted to get out of a place. They had it all and more.
— new equipment
— classes (yoga, boxing, spin, Ext.)
— great locker rooms
— friendly staff
— very affordable

Three stars for the overall clean and well managed gym. Loss of two stars because the trainers are brotastic instead of helpful and friendly. Aside from the cool blonde rocker dude I’ve never seen any of these dudes smile except for when they crack open the old chicken and broccoli Tupperware lunch. Which by the way they are eating literally in every inch of the gym. Dudes, I didn’t come to work out so I can watch you eat. Isn’t there a break room to make and slurp your muscle shake?
I was bench pressing one day and because I’m old and fat I was having a hard time. Seeing hat I was struggling, the two trainer dudes on either side of me helped by turning away or grimacing. Thanks guys! Love the tips?
The young dudes who work the desk are cool, thanks for being friendly.
Overall a good value.

Recently there seems to have been a drop in the cleanliness of the equipment. They are also requiring people to bring their own towels or there will be a 5 dollar charge!
I’ve never been to a gym that didn’t provide towels. Have they cut back on cleaning staff and that’s why they want people to bring their own towels? It would be much better if Metro could provide towels, a service that is considered standard for gyms everywhere.

This review is for Chris, one of the gym’s excellent personal trainers. I’ve been working out with Chris since mid-​November, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. From the very first text to schedule our initial appointment (which he responded to within minutes), Chris has been communicative, courteous, perfectly punctual, and remarkably flexible in scheduling for all eight of our sessions. I mention this first because I’ve heard lots of horror stories from friends who have worked with flaky trainers who were chronically late, perpetually re-​scheduling and generally a pain-​in-​the-​ass to work with. Chris is the opposite of that. He’s always waiting for me, ready to go as I sheepishly roll in 5 minutes late to our early morning sessions.
Also noteworthy is Chris’s extensive knowledge of kinesiology, his talent in building fun and effective routines and his balanced approach to pushing and motivating his clients. Each workout with Chris has been different and challenging. He is flexible when I ask for a specific focus, but he can take the lead when I show up still half-​asleep. He pushes me with weights outside of my comfort zone and encourages me through grueling sets, but ultimately knows when to back off.
I’m thrilled to be seeing and feeling results in just over a month as it motivates me to want to put in more hours at the gym. And thanks to Chris’s guidance, I’m increasingly feeling more comfortable working out on my own – something that has always scared me in the past. Working out with Chris is one of the best investments I’ve made in myself in a long while. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete looking to build muscle to improve your sport, or a novice like me who wants a great introduction to weight lifting, I highly recommend giving Chris a try.

Good location and some good equipment. Some stuff is broken for longer than should be and the locker room could use some upgrades (no soap in the showers?!)

I’m a member here because it’s close to home, not because it’s good. If there was an alternative I’d jump on it.
And then today they send me this and now I don’t care how close to home it is:
«Attention Metro Fitness Members This Wednesday, November 4^th, Metro Fitness will be closed from 5am to 4pm to allow a film crew to shoot some footage. The gym will reopen at 4pm with regular class schedule and remain open for regular hours. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you in advance for your understanding. ~Josh»
No, Josh, I do not understand. You can’t close your gym because of a movie shoot. A gym is not a restaurant or a café. Members pay a monthly fee. Is Josh going to pro-​rate my membership? Should I rework my daily schedule (for the privilege of keeping I pay money) around Josh’s side-​business?

I’m in my third year as a member. The gym is clean and spacious, with an attached studio for various classes: spinning, kickboxing, yoga, Zumba, etc. The classes I’ve taken are tough and challenging, as they should be, but seem designed for both beginners and more experienced participants. I’ve left Ralph’s spinning classes feeling high on endorphins. The classes are free and so are the highs.
I go mostly in the afternoon or early evening. There is rarely a wait for free weights or machines. The cardio-​room is equipped with stationary bikes, treadmills, elliptical machines and stairclimbers and, in my experience, they always are available. Sometimes equipment breaks down but I’ve never noticed excessive repair periods. Paper towels and a spray bottle are provided and members are encouraged to wipe down machines after use.
There is a sauna, and the changing area is roomy and well kept. I don’t shower there, so can’t comment on that. There are lockers but I haven’t used them.
I noticed some Unilocal reviewer’s comments on the temperature. I find the gym cool when I enter and warm when I leave — because I’ve been working out. The studio is not air conditioned, but that’s ideal for intense, driving workouts. Ultimately, I suppose, it depends on each individual’s heat tolerance and comfort zone.
A parking lot is available, along with a valet a peak times. Street parking is plentiful and seems safe — at least, I’ve had no problems.
The staff is friendly or neutral. Most members are like me, in that they’re focused and are there to workout. There’s interaction but it doesn’t distract, it isn’t intrusive.
One negative is that the dumbbells aren’t often racked properly. Spaces are designated now with numbers — 10, 15, 20, 25 pounds, etc — and that’s helped. But people still rack weights where they see an open space, regardless of the designation. Some days it feels like I’ve had a workout just moving dumbbells back to their proper places.
It’s a small thing, however, and doesn’t meaningfully detract from a gym that has a lot to offer.

Its a clean gym with decent equipment. Valet parking is nice. Staff can be unfriendly and at times arrogant, and the prices are WAY too high for what you get. Went from $ 40/​mo to $ 70 in under a year. For $ 30 more you could join Equinox.

highway robbery.
i originally signed up with a groupon back in 2013. i liked that the gym was small and close to home. i stayed and paid for a year’s membership and i paid additional money monthly for personal training. during that time my personal trainer quit and came back 3 times. and management turned over once.
when management turned over, i was made to sign up for a new auto deducting pay plan they implemented for personal training. the manager took my credit card, put the number into their system and began charging my card automatically every month for PT training. however, my trainer quit two days after they initiated this auto enroll plan, and this time he did not come back.
it then took me about 4 months to get management to stop billing my credit card each month for personal training sessions that i was not receiving. it took another month to get a partial refund. that refund came with hostile email from metro fitness management.
now as i write this review it’s about 8 months since i’ve stepped foot inside metro fitness and they are trying to charge my credit card again! now i’m receiving robo calls and emails from a 3^rd party collections firm on behalf of metro fitness.
my other complaints with this gym are the ones most people complain about at every gym: it’s dirty, a lot of the equipment is cheap and breaks down a lot. the showers are filthy.
i haven’t been there in a long time now, but i imagine these typical issues are still existent. they were complaints i had throughout the year plus that i worked out there.
i’ve worked out in a lot of gyms over the years, from high end equinox to neighborhood mom & pop shops like bodybuilder’s gym and everything in between. this is the only bad review i’ve left on a gym.

I liked the time I spent with the gym. It’s a nice facility for the price, the classes are neat, and it was really convenient in terms of location. However, when I went to cancel because I was not longer living in the area, my whole experience as a member was soured.
Because I know it is important to follow whatever terms/​rules are set for cancellation of things like gym memberships, I’d kept my copy of the contract I’d signed when I’d joined. I was on a month-​to-​month membership at this point, having fulfilled my 6 month contract. It said that you had to send a note indicating you wanted to cancel along with your gym entry card (one of those little keychain cards). I put together a short, typed note explaining I needed to cancel and took quick photos of the front and back of my card before sticking it in all in an envelope. I addressed it and dropped it in a mailbox near my house as I was driving to work. I should’ve walked it over to the gym, though I thought I was following the instructions they provided in the contract perfectly so it wouldn’t be an issue.
This was in February. Fast forward to July. I notice a charge to my bank account from the gym’s accounting company (ASF finance). My membership was clearly never cancelled. Great. I contacted ASF, they said they’d cancel moving forward (I’m still waiting to see if that has actually happened– if you google ‘ASF financial’, you’ll be met with a boatload of scam complaints). I’d emailed the gym directly, too, to make sure everyone knew I was canceling. The gym rep was apologetic, and said I was now all set. He then asked if I’d sent my cancellation and card via certified mail, because then he could refund me my back payments. Certified mail. For a letter I sent. From my neighborhood. To a gym in my neighborhood.
I told him no, but I did take pictures of my gym card the day I sent it out so that I’d still know my account number in case I needed in the future for any reason, and that the picture is date stamped. And I never received a response.
Maybe I have high standards for business practices, but I think the right thing to do would have been to look at whether I’d used the facilities in the months since I said I’d cancelled, asked to see my pictures of my card, and decided that is enough evidence to refund the money they’d taken from my account. That’s not what happened. I may be moving back to the area in the future, and I would’ve totally considered re-​joining the gym (and recommended it to friends), but now an otherwise positive experience has been completely sullied by shady business practices. Yuck.

The worst customer service I have ever experienced. Don’t sign with this gym unless you want to be trapped. They will never let u cancel. I have tried to cancel for the last year and the company kept giving me the run around. I eventually had to call my bank and they said it’s typical with this fitness company! I never write bad reviews but I gave this company many chances and trusted they would help me cancel my membership. I asked for follows up on when the cancellation would be effective. If they are going to be charging me the least they could do is let me know I have a membership I am paying for so I could use it. Not even that!!! Awful!
In response to josh T
From one JT to another I appreciate your effort. I am not a crazy angry person who likes bad mouthing companies at my own fault. Two people at your office gave me the email that I first sent it to. I also called and left a message about my cancellation. I didn’t get an email saying not delivered which is strange to me.
I actually spoke to you personally a month ago and you were nicer and more helpful than your manager who never responded to any email. Apparently even at the correct email address and even from you.
I have an email here that you sent the both of us, in which he never responded. And after speaking to you I was shocked to still get charged this month.
Jihanne,
I understand your frustration, but the address you sent the cancellation notice was the wrong email address. We had no notice to reply/​respond to. All of the representatives in the gym know to hand out Carlos’ business card which has his correct email address. I, as the GM of Metro Fitness, was never called or emailed to try to help you out. I spoke to you today, and as promised I am responding promptly.
I have included Carlos in this reply, and he will respond to you within 2 – 3 business days with confirmation and what, if anything, we can do for you.
Carlos, please include me in the reply to Jihanne,
Thank you,
Josh
On Tue, May 26, 2015 at 10:02 AM, Jihanne
After this email no response and still no cancellation. Which surprised and made me so dissapointed and finally write this review.
That is when I called so upset today actually asking to speak with you because at least you responded to me. Finally I got a response from your manager and he told me he would refund 3 months. You are saying 2. Which is better than nothing but my bank already offered me that without your help. Maybe you are already aware that banks can only refund 2 months and stop charges.
I really should have called my bank earlier but I trusted your company clearly more than I should have.
I can go through step by step how many times I called! Sorry but I hope in the future Metro Fitness treats their clients better. Also I know gyms that send monthly newsletters out to their clients that would be nice so people know when they r being charged.

It took me more than a decade to get back to the gym. However, I’m glad I waited because Metro Fitness is the right place for me. It is a local gym but it has everthing you need when it comes to fitness — free weights, machine, classes and personal trainers.
My personal trainer, Dave, has been invaluable in every sense of the word. Not only has he helped me build core strength but he has taught me good form how to lift weights and offered excellent advice on healthy eating and active living. Additionally, he’s patient and meets you where you are at when it comes to getting into shape.
Again, I highly recommend Metro Fitness to anyone looking for a gym to call home.

When I started at Metro Fitness, I had just come from a personal trainer only situation. During that time, I found out I had broken my clavicle at some point in time, and it was causing me significant weakness and pain, not to mention range of motion troubles.
Eight months later training with Dave Ryer, and I haven’t had the shoulder pain in probably 5 months. The only pain I have is the soreness from Dave kicking my ass repeatedly. He’s great at taking it up a notch while listening if I feel like it’s too far.
The facilities are clean, but no-​frills. If you’re looking for a spa-​like atmosphere, this is more a place to sweat and really work hard.
Side note– the Sunday afternoon kickboxing class is some serious awesome.

The management at the gym responded to my review below saying they were «happy and excited» to have a public forum in which to address my concerns.
That’s interesting, Josh, since when I voiced my concerns privately in an email, you not only did nothing, you OUTRIGHT LIED to me and said you were not able to turn up the A/​C because you would be fined by LA DWP.
Also, your note back to me makes it sound like I am a crazy person who held on to one, singular isolated incident. I assure you, and anyone else reading this review, it was not just hot in there when the A/​C was allegedly broken. It’s hot in there all the time. Unless it’s, like, under 75 degrees outside, and then it’s bearable.
And no, I do not need it to be «super cold» to work out, I need it to be humane. I suspect other patrons, while not voicing their concerns, are also uncomfortable because most people seem to angle fans directly onto themselves in the cardio room because it is so hot. BTW, this only adds to the problem because then the fans aren’t serving the whole room, just one person.
My complaints over the course of two years did nothing to help, so the only thing I can do is to stop paying a membership fee and let people know what sub-​par service you are trying to charge for.
***************************************************************
It took me almost a year to get fed up enough to quit, but I finally did. Not only do their heat problems persist, but the place has gotten filthy. The stretching area downstairs where the mats are is gross — there are dust balls and hair balls in the corners, and if you wipe the mat down with a paper towel, it will be covered with dirt by the time you’re done. At one point a few weeks ago, I looked around and there were at least 5 Out of Order signs on various pieces of cardio equipment and weight machines. To top it off, they have raised their rates to literally DOUBLE what I am currently paying, so $ 70/​month. I don’t know who they think they are, and they really have some nerve charging so much for such inferior service. I would pay $ 120/​month at Equinox before I would ever consider paying $ 70/​month at Metro Fitness.
I wish I could give less than one star. They are awful.

This is a balanced neighborhood gym that has just the right amount of space to move around. Talented staff and trainers and excellent management that you can see (Josh) is working hard to provide great customer service and make improvements. Friendly valet that do their best to get members situated.
My favorite Trainer Stephanie is knowledgeable and awesome; she challenges in personal training sessions and her Classes: TUESday Abs, Wednesday 8p. m Cardio– Kickboxing and Thursday Kickboxing! WHEW! Super Friendly but know she has a mean roundhouse kick.
Crazy goodness workout frenzy! COVENIENT Classes that start super early in the morning and p. m late classes that start at 8p. m for us working stiffs; it can’t get better than that… Spin class, kickboxing, abs class, Boot Camp, Zumba anyone?, pilates, yoga, Tai Chi for goodness sake!, Insanity Class too! And then, there’s Spin WITH boot camp, and cardio kickboxing! WELL equipped workout area with free-​weights, equipment that I don’t know what they are called and cardio equipment, including TRX.
Enjoying this local gym.

Pros
— Not too crowded.
— cool staff
— organized weights
— big parking lot (free)
Cons:
— Closes at 10PM on Fridays !!! :s
— 2 smith machines, 1squat rack
— «cross fit» area locked because is just for Personal trainers which is always empty. Come on just leave it open for all members !!

Ok, so after posting my previous review, a representative from Metro Fitness responded and we sorted out the whole thing within a week-​ish. I’m still not sure how they missed my emails/​certified letter, but all right.
Here’s a lesson I learned the hard way (and now you get to learn the easy way): There’s a $ 299 «initiation fee» in the membership contract. I only got about $ 200 back from my original $ 549 (I used a couple months, I guess), so that’s definitely something to consider before signing that dotted line when your time comes.
In the end, I got to use this gym for a solid month that wound up costing me around $ 345. I make great life decisions.

Great local gym without the corporate vibe. This gym sits on Glendale Blvd in Atwater Village. There’s a big parking lot with free valet during busy hours along with a ton of street parking. There are good classes including spin, abs, zumba and more. There is also a sauna in the women’s locker room! Other than that, there aren’t a ton of frills (no free towels, typical machines, etc), but that allows for a low cost! I’ve never had a problem getting an elliptical or treadmill. The staff is always friendly.
They ofter offer groupons for trial memberships, which I definitely recommend. If you sign up for a contact or pre-​paid year after buying the groupon, you get discounted prices!