I was a member of this Goodlife Club in Toronto, they have a restaurant at that location, and I got to say the management there was poor, somehow people who manage that place doesnt have any knowledge about alcohol law because I've seen people taking alcohol out of the restraurant and consume at the fitness club area any play squash, ok, I give them the benefit of doubt, they migh be licensed in other areas other than the restaurant, but I ddidn't see any servers in the club monitoring these drinks, I have a 10 year old son that I went to the club with, and the last thing I want is him getting alcohol from other members without any supervision restaurant staff while I'm working out, also I didn't think drinking and fitness goes together and I don't think this kind of environment is a good influence on my son, so we joined another gym instead. I wonder if any of those people are certified to serve alcohol...and food as a matter of fact because apparently they change the menu to like a sandwich menu instead of a restaurant menu, and have the servers making sandwiches while pouring beer, how bizzard!!!

I am a relatively healthy 20-something year old who has never been to the gym before joining Goodlife Fitness. I decided that joining a gym would build my self-confidence and allow me to pursue a more active lifestyle. That said, when I was offered a "free" consultation to discuss my current health and general well-being after signing up for a regular membership, I was very excited.

The consultation was sales appointment in disguise, where the fitness manager did several measurements and basic cardio tests to see how fit I was physically. I found the sales tactics used were VERY aggressive. I told the salesperson I would like some time to think about the financial commitment to purchase the sessions ($2100 in total), and she kept pushing the sale. In the end, I agreed after receiving confirmation that I could cancel AT ANY TIME should my financial circumstances change, and I'm only liable for the sessions that I have used.

I thought about the transaction overnight, and muled over it with friends and family, who agreed, given my physical shape and day-to-day habits, while a personal trainer would be "nice", it was not an absolute necessity.

With the downturn of the economy and at the brink of losing my current job, I am now looking to cut whatever expenses I could to save up more cash as a cushion for the coming 3 months. Since I purchased the personal training sessions on the premise that I could cancel should my financial situation change (and I quote: "We are not going to make you pay for it if you lose your job. You only pay for what you use."), I discussed my options with the trainer, and was told that I must provide record of employment and prove that I have lost my job. That said, until I physically lose my job, $250 will still be withdrawn from my account every month, and I am committed to the sessions until they are all used up.

I called the customer service line as advertised on Goodlife, and was told by the rep there that I had 10 days to advise on a cancellation after the day of the sale. This, of course, was not communicated to me when the salesperson said "You can cancel at anytime". She must've forgotten to tell me "anytime over the next 10 days". I have been trying to contact the fitness manager there since learning of my financial uncertainties, and have not had a call back despite leaving several messages.

I felt like I've been lied to and deceived. The salesperson's verbal promises were empty and misleading. Because of my lack of experience in joining a gym, I feel like I have been taken advantage of. After reading other postings on this forum, this is just yet another incident where Goodlife is no more than a gym that could care less about its members, but what's inside their bank account.

In all fairness, I do like the personal trainer and find that she has been as accommodating and sympathetic as she possibly could given "corporate policies". I am just upset at the salesperson/fitness manager - and specifically, her tactics used to make the sale.

My only word of caution: whatever they promise you verbally, make sure you have it in writing.

As a recent employee of Goodlife Fitness I must tell all of you out there to beware. Money and greed, sales goals and suspicious business practices fuel this company. When you start at a new job or position it is hard to realise these facts until youve gained more experience with the company and the way they work. After working over forty hour weeks for almost two consecutive years at this company it was my time to move on to a higher level of education and better my own practices, also to better the environment for my clients too. Goodlfe took this as an attack on them that I would even think of leaving my "valuable" position to move towards a new prospective goal in my life. After giving my two weeks notice in a professional manner I was asked to leave two days later as the management would feel more "comfortable" if I just left. Even thouh it was with pay in lieu of, they denied me a letter of recommendation and went as far as sending me a threatening letter stating that if I were to contact any of my clientelle, members of Goodlife, staff and or associates I would be sued and legal proceedings taken against me. This is outrageuous coming from a company that supposedly has "core values" and apparently cares!
One quick story I must share with the public has to do with their sales team office. (the people who have nothing to do with a gym or workout facility yet are there at the front to let you know you are out of shape and its time to sign up) As if they really know who you are from a two minute meeting that I must remind you they are trained for consistently, using the same compliment strategies and uneducated fitness assessment guesses on everyone.
Regardless one fateful day I had to visit the sales team room, as one and only one of them was also my client and I had to see how her personal cardio workouts had gone on the previous weekend. The agenda for the day on their dry erase marker board stated and I quote: "Even a bum with a bank account can get a membership: lets get them in!"
Since my club was located downtown and frequented by quite a variety of people, as well surrounded by three mens homeless shelters and methadone clinics. My client who worked in this office advised me that they were instructed not to let people know of fees associated with cancelling memberships or the unability to afford one. If per say, a "bum" would sign up they would tell them they had a"special deal" for them and they didnt have to pay a startup fee! (they did this with everyone) They would then mislead them into thinking their membership was now paid for and as long as they got a bank account number no matter if there was money or not they would begin extracting it for their own greedy uses. I was very shocked at this and saddened to see quite a few actual homeless people be seduced into this trap. When they came back to let Goodlife know they couldnt pay for their membership as they didnt realise there would be all these associated fees. (they also set you up with towel service an extra 5 -6$ a month without your knowledge, you have to let them know you dont want it or they will just sign you up for it) Anyways after they came back in they would be treated poorly, left with no options from their so called "club" and left to deal with the banks and collections agencies. As if these people havent gone through enough in their lives lets destroy it a little more for a dollar. I am so happy and feel entirely free to be away from this horribly run company. I know there are many others out there like me and probably many more horrific situations. In a world where advertising and money rules all, beware what you get yourself into. Goodlife is not what it seems. It should be called Moneylife, as thats what really matters to them.

Anonymous.

Ps. I realise I left you all without a tip or piece of advice. Check out your other options, smaller gyms do usually practice better business ethics, as they cannot hide behind a huge corporate name. Check out your local trainers who work out of their homes or come to you, check out a more private studio (usually their rates are very competitive with the market if not cheaper because you may not have to pay any overhead or membership fees) Their prices will also be very upfront and no extra associated fees will pop up in the future. Good luck to you all and train hard, whatever you do.

I have never been to a club so poorly managed. The manager, some BeeJay Duff, quite the unsual name, maybe it's for her reputation! Very unhelpful... The mens changing rooms are filthy, the floor is constantly dirty and the washroom area has a yellow floor from leaking urinals. They never seemed to be cleaned and are a getting worse by the day, it's a health hazard.. The sauna is constantly broken and has a pool of sweat sitting in the middle of the floor.
I've mentioned my complaints to the management and they don't seem to care, too busy flirting with other staff members.
Goodlife Fitness is a club that is only interested in taking your money and giving you nothing in return!! Stay clear and join another club!

I worked as a personal trainer at the uptown centre Goodlife were I was terminated without cause effective immediately. I was fired for no reaso because the Fitness Manager didnt like the fact that all staff came to me for help and guidance and I was kept in the loop of the club. A fitness manager that works out at a different club and wears there clothing around the Goodlife gym as advertising when he is of duty. Goodlife has no repect or integrity through there hole company. It is all about the money and nothing to the clients needs or goals. A few months ago I was even asked by the clubs General Manager to apply for the Fitness Managers position and the District Manager interviewed me and was excited and moved my name forward for another interiew. Duringthe time for few interviews I filled in as an Acting Fitness Manager before I found out the new guy was coming. Even when the new Fitness Manager arrived he asked me to be the Assistant Fitness Manager and help do everyday business. Then I was fired for no cause does that make sense.

Just because the Fitness Manager could not get past that I had a good repour with all the staff and all the trainers would come to me with questions and concerns. He was never in the loop and reacted like a big child. It is terrible that a company like this gives the pwer to one manager to fire someone with no cause and no answers. You contact the so called people department and they give you absolutelu No Answers either, they just wish you the best.

Patchell-Evans gives all new memebers a free book and the book is nothing but lies and false advertising. He may have had a dream years ago but that is all it was a dream of becoming rich on a career where people will try anything to be fit and healthy. It is a dsigrace and very upsetting. Stay clear of GoodLife Fitness the management sucks and they only care about your money. They take your money every month but never use any of that money to clean there filthy gym or fix equipment on a regular basis. That is very disturbing that you take 2000 members monthly fees but you cannot clean your club, always run out of soap and paper towel and it takes months to fix broken equipment. I am sure that wasn't in the book or in Patches dream in the late 1970's. I am sure his managers love the bonsuses they receive for hitting there numbers. GoodLife is all about new members and hitting numbers and not unahappy memebers or old memebrs. Bonuses are giving only pased on sales not happiness very disturbing in the health industry.

The club is a joke!