The Rush fitness center (Oak Ridge, Farragut: sales, home, unemployed)

[aaronncas]

my husband and I are concidering joining, what's your opinion?! Any one know much about the oak ridge location?!

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by aaronncas

my husband and I are concidering joining, what's your opinion?! Any one know much about the oak ridge location?!

We've belonged for 5 years. They're ok. My teens especially love going there. I use the Alcoa location and don't know about Oak Ridge. They are very, very big on selling training sessions. Ugh on the sales pitches. It's a bit of a meat market but not too bad. Their billing office has trouble keeping things straight and for that reason my husband wants to quit. When the youngest leaves home I would guess that we will switch to a competitor in Alcoa that is affiliated with the hospital. The people working in Alcoa are pretty nice overall. The equipment stays in pretty good shape. I would recommend.

[Indychic]

My husband and I are members. Well...Hehe...My husband's a member! I haven't had a lot of time to go -- and when I do get a spare moment -- I enjoy sleeping. So to answer this question, I've asked him how he likes the gym! He thinks it's great. He was looking for some personal training, so this gym was a fun fit. He enjoys the hot tub, the machines, and mostly the training. They have some classes that I might do (ummm...easy/beginners step) if I ever make my way to the gym.

They are big on the hard sell - which I don't like. But, if you're looking for a "fun/active" gym environment...they seem to do a good job.

[Pimpy]

Originally Posted by aaronncas

my husband and I are concidering joining, what's your opinion?! Any one know much about the oak ridge location?!

I work out there when I'm in town visiting family. Though nothing in OR will ever compare to The Lifters' Club, which closed when the owner passed away in 2003, The Rush is much better than its crosstown rival, National Fitness.

The weight room is well laid out and the equipment is nice and new. They have all the amenities like a pool, sauna, etc. I've heard it gets pretty crowded during the afternoon rush, but if you go at an off-peak time you shouldn't have to wait for equipment.

I always make it clear that I live out of town whenever I go, so I haven't personally been subjected to their sales tactics, but my first job out of college was in the health club business so I know how slick and dirty it is. My guess is that they will try to charge you an activation fee as well as a higher monthly fee than they have to. Haggle with them on everything and be prepared to walk away. They will chase you out the door to offer you a better deal before letting a sale slip through their hands.

Also, if they make new members sign long-term contracts, which most health clubs do, READ ALL THE FINE PRINT AND KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SIGNING. Most people don't, which is why there are so many horror stories out there about health club contracts.

[mannerofspeakin]

I am a current member of The Rush. Love it. THe Oak Ridge location is very good as are all the other ones. They do get busy at the peak times (6:00 am to 8:00 am and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm). However so do every other facility in town. I was a member of Court South for a couple years and I think it is not as good as The Rush. The Rush has more locations as well. THe new one in South Knox is very nice. Could always look at the new places that are opening iup like Snap fitness and 24 fitness (I think that is the name), they are store front workout places that have 24 access with no staff. I think safety might be an issue for those places but have never been a member.

[lochmoigh]

Originally Posted by SmokyMtnGal

We've belonged for 5 years. They're ok. My teens especially love going there. I use the Alcoa location and don't know about Oak Ridge. They are very, very big on selling training sessions. Ugh on the sales pitches. It's a bit of a meat market but not too bad. Their billing office has trouble keeping things straight and for that reason my husband wants to quit. When the youngest leaves home I would guess that we will switch to a competitor in Alcoa that is affiliated with the hospital. The people working in Alcoa are pretty nice overall. The equipment stays in pretty good shape. I would recommend.

Agree whole heartedly about the billing. The facilities are very nice though. never was approached about the trainging, but I can see where it happens.

[TNboundRN]

Do they have a spin class? You guys might call it something different. Stationary Bicycling in a group with music.

[pappysmom]

Use to go to the Oak Ridge Rush twice a week (while I was unemployed) and even though they don't have as many machines as the Farragut one does ~ it's still pretty good selection.

They do have spin classes ~ I just checked their site therush247.com and they have a virtual tour that shows the spin room (online calander doesn't show any classes ~ but you can get a calander at the front desk).

[TNboundRN]

That virtual tour was awesome. Love the rock wall.

[TXboomerang]

I used the one in Farragut, so I can't really comment on the one in Oak Ridge.

Once you get past the Chucky Cheese color scheme, they have good equipment and tons of ammenities. I guess all locations could vary, but the maintenance was not very good in Farragut, although most people probably don't notice that much. The guide rods on the machines are rarely, if ever, lubed. I used to take a can of silicon lubricant spray in my gym bag and do it myself on the machines I used. Honestly though, most gyms have their cleaning crew wipe the equipment down and outside of that the only care that happens is when it breaks.

So overall a good chain of gyms and pretty much the best the east TN area has to offer from what I saw when I was there. Funny thing is their business model is almost to the "t" like 24HR Fitness. My guess is that whoever started the "Rush" was a former 24HR Fitness employee who found a sweet spot in the country where the biggest chains like 24HR/Bally's/LA Fitness don't go, meaning no real competition. Not a bad idea.