Quick help: Urban Active...is it on the level? (Cincinnati: month to, house)

[HuskerDu]

My wife and I were considering signing up to the Urban Active location two blocks from our house in Norwood (they say Hyde Park... bwahaha). The terms are two years at $37 per month/per person with only a $29.99 sign on fee apiece. They told us over the phone that this is the cheapest it has been in over a year but we would have to sign up today (no hard sell voice...nice guy). The place looks great when we sit in the car looking into the windows at the Edwards exit after work and we learned they have a lap pool/sauna/steam room as well. Is anyone a member or have any experience with this chain either way?

It just seems like most gym chains are a scam dating back to Bally's and we don't want to get taken for a ride. Any advice?

[Cincy-Rise]

I saw a billboard advertising buy your first year, get the second free. This seems like the best deal in the long run?

I would never pay a signing bonus with a gym, this is probably the easiest thing to have waived.

[gman5431]

I agree you should have the signing bonus waived, for sure. Also, i would stay away from the long term contracts, this benefits no one except the gym. Usually you can get the first month free or something along a free trial. Also, buy the first year get second free would turn out to be a better deal. One other note - i have heard some weird stories and seen additional evidence on craigslist that some weird things go on in the suana and back room areas at that location.

G Man

[Mike Dunn]

I know the Hyde Park/Norwood location of Urban Active is very popular but not haven't talked with anyone about their contracts. Another gym in that general area is Fitworks. I know a lot of people that love that gym.

[Joe 4520832257]

HuskerDu,

Be sure to post your experiences if you join. We've been thinking about joining the exact same gym. Honestly, I'm just a little hesitant to spend $1,700+ for two years of a gym membership, although i guess that's typical these days.

[Ohiogirl81]

Another gym in that general area is Fitworks.

I loved Fitworks when I lived in Cincinnati. Best gym I've ever been to.

[gman5431]

Anyone who works or lives in Blue Ash can get a year long pass to the Blue Ash Rec Center for $150 or less. It has a gym area open and is going to be reopening additional areas this summer. Or if you know someone that lives there you could use their address i guess, its a great deal.

G Man

[HuskerDu]

Originally Posted by Joe 4520832257

HuskerDu,

Be sure to post your experiences if you join. We've been thinking about joining the exact same gym. Honestly, I'm just a little hesitant to spend $1,700+ for two years of a gym membership, although i guess that's typical these days.

We ended up going up there on Sunday and the hard sell we expected didn't happen. Sure the speil was regurgitated but our tour was informative and we really liked it. I would visit and just check it out if the location is close to you. They waived any processing fee and we both have the full membership for under $80 per month all together. I might sound like a lot but we just paid off a fairly expensive car so a treat was in order!

Just went for our first night tonight and it was nothing outlandish or intimidating.... plenty of different people and they were not all blonde stepford wives and post-college meatheads staring at themselves in mirrors. It's just a gym...but a really nice one with cable TV on the cross training machines and some spinning (I found out that means stationary cycling)/yoga/swimming classes you can take. Not bad at all.

[cincy0725]

I'm sorry I didn't see this post until now! My husband and I just signed up for memberships at LA Fitness in Oakley-- it is opening in April. Basically, they are doing the pre-sale stuff and we saw the flyers and dropped into the office the other day when we were over at the HP plaza. We got 34.99/month with unlimited classes and full access to everything. The facility is going to go in on Madison-- next to Target-- and it's something like 60,000 square feet! That was our selling point..... we hated having to wait for machines when we worked out at Urban Active. Oh, plus they don't have contracts....it's month to month!! Yayyy for that!

[Hartwell Girl]

Okay, this might be on the low end but has anyone considered using one of the City CRC buildings fitness rooms. Not all of them have one but the rates are usually about $10 a month and for that, I think its a great deal.