Hello,
I am writing to you because it seems as if I am not the only one with such a terrible experience. People who want to join a gym should not have to deal with this kind of business - getting bullied into binding contracts, salesmen who follow you to the bank, and a corporate office that is rude and just doesn't care.

2006 - Went into Mieko's Fitness for a simple lookaround
I've been into other gyms before, but this was by far the worst with pushy, intimidating salesmen. 3 of them vs little me. I sat at a desk while they stood over me.
After over an hour of forceful discussions, I tried to back off by telling them NO. They wouldn't take that as answer so I told them I had to go to the bank.
THE MOST AGGRESSIVE SALESMAN OF THE GROUP ASKED FOR A RIDE TO THE BANK FOR PERSONAL BUSINESS AND HE FOLLOWED ME TO THE LAKE CITY BANK OF AMERICA, WATCHING ME AND NOT DOING ANY BANKING BUSINESS OF HIS OWN!
Basically was forced to sign unwanted contracts including physical training sessions. They wouldn't take NO for an answer. I'm 4'11", the guys were over 6' easy, I was intimidated. I tried to get the cheapest version and just get out but they sat me down and 'jokingly' refused to let me go unless I signed up for their best plan in addition to 'mandatory' physical training to help me learn the machines properly. (I've been working out for years but they still told me it was necessary)

2006 - A couple months later I called and tried to cancel. Guy on the phone said he's take care of it, very nonchalantly.

2007 - Realized that they were still pulling money out of my account, every month. Tried to cancel. They told me it was impossible unless I paid in full for the physical training I never wanted, nor received. This was well over a thousand dollars.

2008 - My husband called their corporate office and was finally informed that I needed a certified letter of cancellation. Sent 7/15/08.

2008 - Called again to check the status, was told it was cancellation pending.

2010 - Called today to try cancelling and complaining. Was notified that my account was now in collections for non-payment although they are still pulling money out of my bank account (at about half of what they used to take out). Said the cancellation didn't go through and they 'tried' to contact me by sending it to my address over 4 years old. If I hadn't even called I wouldn't have known that my account was delinquent, my credit has been dinged, I still owe them thousands of dollars, and I ONLY WENT INTO THEIR GYM THAT VERY FIRST DAY. The lady on the phone was, excuse me, a bitch and refused to speak about it with me because it was 'out of their hands and with collections.' I was polite and didn't raise my voice and yet she treated me with disrespect.

I work out at home now with the best results in my life. I will never go to a gym again because of this terrible experience. This needs to stop. I've checked their Yelp ratings and people are complaining about the same thing. I have paid over $2K in dues, every month, and I now owe another couple of thousand. For what? Going to the gym once for the worst experience of my life and paying for it for 4 years????

Tara Lee