Reviews
I've been going to Champions for 10 years now, and have always found it super clean, quiet and a great place to get a good workout. The price is right, and Hank works really hard to keep a calm and clear interpersonal atmosphere there at all times. The classes they've added over the last couple of years have been great, and their teachers are excellent. I see other give bad reviews, and frankly don't understand it. Hank and Vanessa are kind and encouraging always. Perhaps those who give it poor reviews don't understand about rules...
I really enjoy the home town feel of this club. Its apparent, the owners are extremely dedicated to the members health - inside and out. Its easy to get to, too.
4 years ago, Champions was my gym, for 2 years, when I moved from NYC! The truth the truth, its an ok gym. Not the worse, not the greatest. Never had a problem with Hank and I lifted heavy heavy. The gym mostly stays clean, though yes the flooring could be a lot better. The floor definitely not made for a weight room. It really annoyed me, having to carry these floor pads around. The really bad news for me was since at the time I was at school from 7am-2pm, and then work 2:30pm-11pm, I would come to the gym at 5:30am. Which the hour wasn't bad, but at that time the workers would leave the side door, right next to the free weights area, opened! What I didn't realize at the moment, since I was mostly in the weight room, sweating with a t-shirts or a beater and the cold air coming in, it was a major problem with developing arthritis in my shoulders! It wasn't like I could ask the employees to please close the door because they were still coming in and out! Though, Champions may be cheaper than Kennedy, unless you get a state discount at Kennedy, I wouldn't go back to Champions unless it was my last choice! Where is there a Bally's Total Fitness when you need it. I was only paying $115/yr in NY with about 10 different places in NYC. They definitely need one here!
champions? Not on customer service! This place is one of the worst gyms I have ever been a member of! The owner Hank is Extremely Rude! Very small, and crowded and the hours are no good. The carpet is torn through the entire gym. If you want to have water with you while you workout in the group fitness room, FORGET it, you are not allowed to have water with you. If you want to bring in your own protein drinks, amino acid drink mixes, or any other drink mixes to supplement your workout, FORGET it, you're not allowed to have it in the gym. However, they will sell you their own products in which you can consume at their "Health" bar where they serve their own version of a "health" shake complete with a scoop of ice cream. Additionally, if you like to lift free weights, the weight room is very small with flooring not appropriate for those who like to lift heavy weights. I used the pads they provide to put on the floor and while lifting the 95lb dumbbells, worked to failure and had to drop the weight, bad idea! If you drop the weights you will be reprimanded, that's right! Today was the last straw; I was belittled in front of other members due to the use of the supplement drink I was using. NO MORE, I'm out, Kennedy membership costs are not much more with 4 locations, and tons more equipment, I can drink my supplements without harassment and hands down well worth the positive customer service they will provide. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY on champions!!
Huh... I was a member for a year and really liked this place. The locker rooms and workout areas were always clean. And the saunas were amazing. At the time they didn't have a lot of group classes, and you could work out in there - but it seemed like as my membership ended they were adding a lot of group classes (which I do not personally do). It's pretty small but clean, and I never had any issues getting a workout in or with any of their equipment. Always felt like everyone was there to work out and not yip-yap. It seemed like a well-maintained, clean, simple gym. My only complaint was the lack of weekend hours - open until 2pm on Saturday I think and not at all on Sunday. I really can't get to the gym during the week often (or at all) - I carpool and with family obligations it just doesn't happen. So I workout at my lunch hour at work or at home during the week, but I love going to the gym at least 1x on the weekend. Their rates are great so I could afford a membership even just going once on the weekend, but they are only open until like 2pm on Saturday and nothing on Sunday. Let's be real...if you work 40+ hours and have kids...some Saturday mornings you just don't feel like getting up early to get a workout and sauna in. It got to the point I just felt way to rushed. I prefer to workout in the evening anyways. If it was open until later on Saturday and/or open for a few hours on Sunday I would rejoin in a heart-beat. I never had any issues with Hank or Vanessa. Not sure if they're still there but they were fine and friendly. I feel bad because their staff call me with amazing promos to rejoin, but unless their weekend hours improve - even if it's only more hours on Saturday...I can't. l always had a water bottle with me and had no problems so not sure what the deal is. I joined a super cheap gym in Paso but really miss this gym in comparison. Open until 7pm on Saturday and/or a few hours on Sunday (when I am more rested finally) and we can talk!