When I first checked out this gym I was really intimidated. It has the high, industrial ceilings, and it just looks like a sea of machines. However, when I was looking to find a gym that was actually affordable (after being with LA Fitness for a year or two) I just went ahead with it. I've actually been really pleased with Catalyst. The parking is never really an issue, the treadmills are never full, and the machines are almost always available as well. It's not that there aren't any customers or clients working out, it just somehow works out that way that there's plenty of availability. It's pretty clean, too. My only complaint would be that the bathroom stalls need some serious updating in the ladies' locker room, and the tv channel selection in cardio is awful. Oh, also the few meat heads who insist on smashing weights around on the floor create a terrible echo you can hear through the whole gym. That seems to be an issue for just me, though. Overall a great deal for $10/month. read more

Very meh gym. Machines really need to be replaced. No one does anything about groups of kids that just sit around a single machine. I cancelled my membership after a friend told me that he received a new debit card and instead of notifying him about the unsuccessful payments, they sent him to collections. I also received a new card and after a full billing period, I didn't receive any kind of notification. So that tells me this is pretty standard for them. The only reason anyone goes to this gym is because there aren't any options in the Lancaster/Depew area. read more

I don't like any of the Catalyst locations. They are money, grabbing owners who evidently are now only catering to young people. When I first started going to Golf's Gym, they had a childcare center, a ton of classes, a women's workout room that was awesome and you felt super comfortable in. Now I wouldn't go there if I got a free membership. But they'll do just fine because the young people still continue to go and pay outrageous monthly fees. I feel sorry for the people that have been in silver sneakers for so many years, and relied on that gym. Very very sad. read more

I'm done. So, their policy now is to immediately send your account to collections of there is any problem with payment . I recently changed insurance and was paying with a heatlh spending account. I forgot to change my payment method because I have a two year old ( and a wife who recently underwent emergency eye surgery). They never contacted me about any problems with my account. Until today when I receive a threatening phone call from a debt collection agency apparently in India. I tried to call this location and was immediately hung up on. Theit voice mail box is always full. I'm settling up my bill. And cancelling my membership. And contacting the BBB. And maybe an attorney. read more

Gym is pretty good with a lot of equipment and work out options. Only issue is machine maintenance is slow if it gets done at all.

Staff is so friendly! Gym is spacious and has lots of equipment. I go either at 6am or sporadically and I've never had a problem with it being too busy or having to wait for equipment. Wish they had a sauna, only downside. read more

I have been happy with Catalyst facility but they were totally unprofessional in handling my son when he left for college. I called and put his account on freeze and then was surprised 4 months later with a letter from a collection agency. The staff told me there was nothing they could do about it because I could not remember the name of the person who said they would freeze it for me. This is not how you keep customers!! They will be losing my family's memberships because of how they handled this. read more

Have been going here for years, really like the way management has grown with the members and what members need. They used go have a bigger cardio area and less machines and weights. Past 2-3 years they flipped it taking out cardio but upgraded cardio equipment and also added more weights and machines! read more

When I signed up at Catalyst Fitness in 12/2024, I was able to "freeze" (put a hold) on my membership while I'm out of town attending college. I used their facilities on winter break in December 2024 and January 2025, then I put a "freeze" on my membership after winter break when I returned to college. I returned back to Buffalo for spring break in March 2025 and unfroze my membership and kept it active because I knew I was returning in May 2025 for the summer. Upon returning to school in September 2025, I emailed Catalyst to put a freeze on my account and I was informed that their policy had recently CHANGED and I was no longer allowed more than 1 freeze per year outside of medical or military absences. Given this information and the change to their policy, a membership and the costs wouldn't make sense and I wanted to cancel the membership. I was informed that I now needed to pay a $100 cancellation fee to cancel my membership even though the change was a result in the original enrollment terms I agreed to! Apparently, it's ok for them to change their contract with me without notice, but I am not able to cancel as a result of their change. I had received no mail or communication of this change to the terms and in fact, on my membership portal it still shows that freezing memberships are allowed. I will never return to Catalyst ever! I do not recommend them--their policies are not college student-friendly for those temporarily living out of the area. They are not transparent to policy changes, inflexible and have bad business practices. read more

Catalyst doesn't follow all NYS laws...with member transparency & extra fees. They are required to break down & make consumers aware of any state fees added. We aren't aware of these until we see a monthly increase on credit card/bank statements. They are not ethical, it makes one wonder what else they hide? read more

So, I was genuinely excited about joining this gym because it looked fairly new and had good equipment. Also, The people at the counter were nice and did a good job of explaining everything, but heres my issue. When I go to a new gym, I like to try it out first just in Case there is something I don't like about it. I genuinely don't think this would have happened here, but the Catalyst policy is this (which is not like any gym I've been to and I've been to a lot of gyms). You have to pay 20$ non refundable fee for a 1 day pass, However, they will allow you to add this fee to your initial gym payment If you sign up. That said, you have to do it in 7 days. If you sign up in 8 days, they will eat your money. That last part pissed me off. It's clearly a coercive way of pressuring you to sign up in a short time. The minute you try twisting my arm, I'm out. Just let me check out the gym. Don't try and box me in. I'll never go back. read more

This establishment is a SHIT SHOW. Extorting $50 from me even after I've moved away is outrageous. Without my consent, they assume the right to guess my new credit card's expiration date and charge it on their own accord? They've had the audacity to sign "me" up for an entire year of membership along with a $50 "service fee." It's unconscionable. Catalyst you guys cause me nothing but grief:(((((((((( Do better Amy read more

Terrible gym don't join it is very dirty and when you try to cancel after you pay the annual fee they tack on a ton of other fees and won't stop calling you! They want $120 to cancel! Go to LA fitness literally two minutes down the street it is so much better! read more

Been trying to find a gym that fit my needs, schedule and wallet and I think I just might have found it! Jennifer is a great personal trainer and for the most part the employees that greet you upon entry are pleasant. I love how they put smoothie samples out each day to lure you over to the smoothie bar also lol. Some of the equipment has needed maintenance for 2 weeks now but there is usually not much wait time to get onto any of the equipment so it's good for us. I'm glad it's not a huge gym but it's not too small either so you never feel like you're on top of someone or hovering. So far, so good. read more

We purchased a one year membership in advance at their Eggert rd location. 3 months later, they "temporarily" closed that location. It's still closed as of this review. We didn't receive any notification by text, phone call, or otherwise of the closing or any information that they had other locations available. We thought that we had been scammed until we received a phone call that they had renewed our membership without our consent, and we now owed back payment on the membership. I am upset about their unscrupulous practices. I told Michelle to cancel our membership and close the bill out. She initially pretended to be from a collection agency until I called the number back and answered with "welcome to Catalyst Fitness." I have filed a claim with the BBB where I found 16 previous complaints of unethical practices from this company. read more

I'm at the French road location excellent machines very friendly staff one problem people are taking the pins for the cable machines which is ridiculous. They should be replaced another thing everything should be oiled. Try to put a pin in or adjuster seeded or something gets very difficult. That's the only complain I have. read more

What is the point of paying for a gym membership when half of the cardio Machines are broken!!!! please fix your machines!!!! Thanks read more

Two reasons for the (2) stars. The first star is for the employees that work there - they're very friendly and helpful. The second star is because the price of the gym is tough to beat. Everything else at this catalyst location is NOT good. There is very limited space and not enough equipment at any "popular" time. However, the equipment available is about average. The biggest negative about this place is the lack of cleanliness - be it the machines, weights, locker room, etc... NOT GOOD. I would highly recommend any of the other catalyst gym locations; especially the Maple Road and French Road locations. I'm not sure why this location is so far off from their other locations. read more

To busly with young college kids and loud terrible music. Girls are inappropriately dressed. KNot a very relaxing facility to exercise at. Definitely not a relaxing atmosphere. read more

Small and crowded. There's a woman there that staff let claim multiple machines at once while she just stands around chatting. I nearly hurt myself on a malfunctioning machine and the staff seemed apathetic at best. Didn't even notice them put an out of commission sign on the machine, they just went right back to chit chatting with one another. Sucks because this gym is much closer to my house, but every time I go something happens that makes me regret ever going. read more

Very poor customer service. They continue to charge my nephew"s debit card for a membership He is a disabled army veteran. He has attempted to cancel with the manager Mike with no success. This is extremely unprofessional. He asks to speak to Amy Bueme the owner and that seems to be impossible. Maybe when they see this post they can reach out to my nephew and address this situation. What a terrible thing to somebody with a disability. I will not recommend this gym to anyone at this time. read more

love the gym, but the older bald guy and another staff member are always unnecessarily rude every single time i go there.

Nobody's here just how I like it! I can do all my workouts without interruption. Im gonna start coming early. It's way to lit at night. And hardly any machines open after 5pm. - read more

I was horrified at the terrible reviews, about a crumbling facility, spammy ads and outreach, billing issues. I think the billing and pricing is commensurate with the rest of the industry. An occasional fee in addition to the monthly (in this case annually). They are up front about it, contrary to other reviews. The facility isn't the Ritz, but machines aren't broken, the floor isn't uneven and cracked, and it's not over crowded. The TVs work. The price is average and the facility is average. That's what I paid for and that's what I wanted. The staff is nice and pleasant. Things are kept clean. Lots of hilarious guys trying to be heroes on the weights. There are various classes and such, similar to any other gym. I used to belong to the JCC up the road. I think Catalyst is a better value though a slightly worse experience. Again, that's what I paid for. I want to do my workout and GTFO of there. I'm not looking to be pampered. Catalyst is fine. No issues. Note - Don't keep valuables in your car. Got my change tray cleaned out. read more

Do not join catalyst if Mark is still the manager! He is very rude and doesn't care about his customers. He spends the whole time looking at him self in the mirror and thinking he's better than all his customers. read more

I think it might be time to rethink my gym membership. This store has to be the dirtiest gym I have ever been to. Paper towel roll on the flooded sick top. Hand dryers don't work. Soap bag on the sink top. That's just the bathroom. When it was Best Fitness it was ten times clearer. read more

Catalyst Fitness on Elmwood needs signage on how to wear a mask, not under the nose or around the neck. No one goes around checking on whether masks are worn, nor do they make sure weights, barbells, machines, or benches are sanitized after use. Many patrons do not wipe down equipment after themselves or put away their weights. That's always been a problem here, but now you can see immediately that they have not been wiped down. The staff does not monitor the situation. So, are things wiped down after each use? Definitely not! They need to put up signs that address the pandemic. I hesitate to return. read more

This gym is a joke. You cancel your membership after being harassed by another member, and they still proceed to charge your account for months after the cancelation. read more

I signed up my older teen child for a basic membership with no training, paid a $39 start up fee, and agreed to the monthly amount. I made it clear there would be no training apart from the initial session offered with membership. The staff did continue to attempt to sell training, which was against my express direction - strike #1. At no time were any other fees discussed. Imagine my surprise to discover there is a hidden fee in their contract for an additional annual 'enhancement' fee that *just so happened* to be the same amount as the start up fee - $39, but was charged the following month....almost as though it was meant to be slipped under the customer's radar. The manager told me the enhancement fee was because my child was under-aged, though according to their own policy they're not under-aged. I said, indeed they are not under-aged. Then the manager told me the 'enhancement' fee was for maintenance of the facility and its machines. I said, "Fine, then why hide the fee? It's an annual contract. It's an annual fee. Why not just charge $3 more per month, unless you are admitting it's an added charge, hidden dishonestly in the contract because you fear new customers won't pay it?" I was not given an answer - strike #2. It appears the enhancement fee is whatever excuse they can come up with if they get caught collecting it. There will be no 3rd strike, because we will not give Catalyst Fitness on Elmwood another opportunity to express its questionable business ethics with this family. Rather than expanding to a full family membership as we were considering, we will not be renewing even our single basic membership when the year's contract is up. Learn from this Catalyst - honesty and transparency would have been the far better policy. read more

Numerous encounters with front desk being rude. , I've noticed this especially with one of the girls who opens on the morning shift. Usually getting eye rolls when I walk up to order things. It's to the point where I don't order anything any more, hope it gets better. read more

I want to start off by saying I only chose this gym for the location... I worked out here for around 3 months. I have to say it is by far the WORST gym I have ever been too. There is multiple machines broken, barely any equipment, & the manager is very unprofessional. They keep fees from you and after you cancel they'll probably charge you and not refund you AFTER you've been done with them for a month. Most of the counter people were nice so I must say that. I would definitely not recommend this gym especially after how dismissive the manager was to 1 problem I had. Also, if you like them to continually call you after you say your not interested in their personal training , I guess this would be your place lol. I would not usually post a negative review for any place but I don't want others to get screwed over... read more

Great price for what you get. The gym is always clean, and it's not too busy most of the time. You get all the basic machines you would need for your workout. The best part about this gym? They have more squat racks than all the other gyms! That's extremely important since there's nothing worse than eating the whole fridge for leg day, then realizing all the squat racks are taken up because one guy is exercising his finger on the phone instead of squatting, and the other guys are taking 20 minute breaks between each rep because they want to put on a show with all the weights but can't perform. Another great thing is that they have a track running along the side of the gym, so you can do all the warrior stuff like pushing a giant tire around, and angrily toss the battle ropes around etc. read more

I've been a Catalyst Fitness member for about 14 months. I know it wasn't the best fitness club, but they have the equipment you need and the price point was very good. Fast forward to now. The club always has non functioning TVs and often has buckets catching water in the workout turf. The rubber mats have not been replaced since the opening, and they are horrific. Again, for the price point I did not care too much. This is why they are losing me as a member. Yearly they charge you an "enhancement fee" of $39.00. Are you kidding me!? Enhancement!? The club is getting dirtier and and more things are breaking. The only thing that was "enhanced" was their bank account with my money. No thanks. Too bad I am not able to support a local business because they're dropping the ball. read more

I've been a long time member here since it was "Best". Liked the gym and that's reason why as of date, I still maintain a membership. Never had ANY issue with ANY of the staff, even when it converted over into what it is now, "Catalyst". Most of the old staff are no longer, and have been replaced, which brings me to this review. I can't recall EVER taking the time out to write a negative review about anyone particular, but I feel that this needs to be brought to someone of whom is in position that feels that behavior of this sort could do more damage to the business than any good. One night, a group of four gentlemen came in seeking info on getting a membership. We watched, for approximately 30 minutes, these guys get ignored. Finally, someone brought it to his attention, that these guys needed help, though, he was seen totally ignoring them from start. Another woman approached the desk, and she too was ignored only to be looked passed to cash out someone even though he was told, BY the person of whom he attended, that the woman should be seen first because she has been waiting for some time. He blurted out something rather rude, and continued on to skipping her and cashed out the other male with an attitude. Today, the same thing-Attitude. The eye rolling. This is what people see, and have to deal with upon stepping foot into the gym. Talking to people and ignoring others, one can tell whom he favors as "friends", while he's constantly drinking what seems to be residue from the shake he made for members. I believe his name is Zack? I forget. Ask the other employees, and they'll probably point him out and agree. I feel bad for those that get ignored because of his ignorance and looking at it in a business aspect, that's 100's of dollars, per person and one has to figure, exactly how many already may have turned away? Other than that, the gym is NICE (a little congested now, but it's only because they are switching things up), LOVE the new equipment and turf. The owner is cool. She's funny and down to Earth. Always a good vibe (well, depends who is in control of the music lol). read more

Catalyst is the absolute worst gym i have ever visited. Have been to every location in the buffalo amherst vicinity and they all are garbage. Shady business where the cost will vary at each location for the exact same membership. Dont get sucked in by the bring a guest for free because they stopped that as well with NO Warning. My husband inquired as to why he was told he can bring a guest for free each time when he signed up and was told by the very rude owner that they just decided to do away with that because people were taking advantage of it. Whats to take advantage of? Its a perk of the membership...bring a guest any time you come and they can work out for free. You dont offer something and then renig and stop offering it and also raise the cost of membership with no warning. Also if you cancel your membership you will keep getting charged month after month even tho you have it in writing when you cancel. This is happening to so many people ive talked to. This gym is all about taking your money while giving the bare minimum of service and let me tell you the owner is so unprofessional and downright nasty to deal with. Do your research and know who you are dealing with. Catalyst elmwood, eggert, amherst are garbage. read more

I'm giving this gym three stars. I've watched this gym improved for three maybe four years now. I was a member since it was "Best Fitness", however, it needs many more improvements. It is very inconsistent. Every location has different equipment and perks (sauna, tanning beds, and hydro massage). The Elmwood location has become a super popular location. This is the one I attend more often, because It is close to my home. Which is great but as the gym's volume grows the gym itself is not. Also the equipment needs more frequent maintenance at the locations I have attended so far. Which include the Williamsville, Tonawanda, and Buffalo. I love this gym but I might be switching to a different one if I can find one that better fits my needs. read more

Shady business practices. I signed up for a 2 year membership with Best in September 2014. Catalyst took over in 2016, and my bank changed as well. Somehow Catalyst kept billing me, at my new bank account and AFTER my 2 years. No notice sent, or any communication about new contract guidelines. When I went in to cancel my membership, nobody could help me because a manager needs to do it (M-F 8-4...how convenient). I later called to cancel and was assured that I wouldn't be hit with any fees. Sure enough, $50 was billed to my account. I should really get my $40 in monthly fees back since September AND this bogus $50 fee but I can't bring myself to deal with their shady practices again. read more

Catalyst sells a membership that includes the ability to bring a guest at no charge. They recently instituted an obnoxious policy that requires guests to fill out a long form every time they come. I guess people were actually taking advantage of that feature. Pretty member-hostile. read more

I joined Catalyst for a trial membership for one month unbeknownst to me after telling them I no longer want to be a member they continue to bang my credit card then I tried to charge it back and they lied and said that I had been going to the gym I'll pursue this again tomorrow and take this matter to small claims court .I can I highly recommend that you pay cash if your foolish enough to join. read more