I joined Anytime because I was fairly dissatisfied with Global Fitness in stow.
At that gym, I paid $45 a month... This included classes, free WiFi access, and a few guest passes.
At this gym, I'm paying $40 a month. While there are no included classes, it is a much cleaner facility with much newer equipment. It's a very small gym, and may lack the equipment needed for more advanced weightlifters. This may not be a problem if you don't mind substituting dumbbells in your workouts.
In cases where I need a real bench press, to use a trap bar etc. I go to the location in Devens or the location in Acton. You can use the Max Rack in Maynard for barbell workouts, but it's just not the same as a traditional bench press or barbell rack setup - you don't get the same work out for your stabilizer muscles.
The reason for my 3 star review comes from an experience with one of the owners. They're nice people, but it would be nice if they were more receptive, responsive, and welcoming of guest feedback. During one conversation, I suggested that they make their WiFi network available to guests - really a rather easy thing to accomplish that two locations in the area (Devens and Acton) provide. When I made this suggestion, I got "I'll consider it" in a very curt tone.
On another occasion, I brought my boyfriend to the gym and introduced him to the same owner after we completed our workout... she IMMEDIATELY asked if he was a member, then if he was thinking of joining... then said today he could work out "as our guest", but afterward he'd need to sign in each time and pay $10.
Come on! You're getting almost the same money out of me as Global Fitness without their employee and instructor overhead!
She could have at least asked him how he was doing, made a little small talk... something other than an immediate sales pitch and an approach that made us feel as if we had done something wrong. The whole interaction felt very "used car salesman".
seeing the guest register sitting on the table, I guess I assumed that bringing guests off hours wasn't a problem. I didn't see a sign anywhere stating that people should pay.
I've read about the Billerica location, where one reviewer stated that they brought in guests without the expectation from staff of paying for that guest. Planet fitness offers free guest passes as well, for a fraction of the price of this Anytime location.
I'm happy that I have access to the other Anytime locations, each one has something different to offer - which can be a challenge as much as a benefit. I think the brand would benefit from stronger franchise standards, so customer's expectations are standard across their network of gyms. This would also make things easier on owners.
Update 1/21/2013
Based on my feedback, they actually have opened their WiFi to members - One more star for that! read more
