Bally Total Fitness

Bally Total Fitness Centers proclaim that they are the largest, most experienced health club chain in North America. Bally does have many positive attributes including the ability to use clubs in other locations. Bally has been in business for many years and because of this there is a track record of customer concerns and praise.

According to their website they now have approximately 400 conveniently located clubs serving close to 3.5 million members. Bally's allows their members to use the facilities at almost all of their clubs. But be aware that some clubs are considered specialty clubs and need a higher priced membership. I have found this to be particularly limiting in Chicago and probably applies to locations in other large cities.

Bally has locations in 70 U.S. cities, South Korea, China and the Bahamas. If you plan to use a club while traveling be sure that you check their membership requirements along with their scheduled hours and available equipment.

Most Bally Total Fitness centers are equipped with a walking track, a pool, and childcare. Their exercise equipment varies by site and there may be separate facilities for women to work out in. Generally, I've found the pool to be small but sufficient for my needs. If you are a strong lap swimmer it may not be long enough. I greatly enjoyed the water aerobics class that I was able to take there. As with most of the classes I have taken the instructors were knowledgeable and made the exercise fun!

Upon your membership Bally will give you an individualized program, measure your metabolic rate and body fat content. You can then move forward on your own or pay additional fees for their personal trainers. Most of the classes are included in the basic membership. It will depend on your location as to what is offered and when. Keep in mind that their offerings do change so be sure to join for a variety of reasons and not just for the one class or piece of equipment.

Visit their website and you can print discounts and learn about a 30 day trial membership. Bally also has a zip code search where you can check the locations. I travel regularly between Colorado and Illinois so I have entered the appropriate zips and discovered that there are clubs in both areas for me to visit. This will be one important piece in my deciding which club to join.

According to Consumeraffairs.com complaints have centered on canceling the membership. Bally requires that you complete an automatic debit form. Each month your dues are removed from your bank account. In searching the internet for complaints I discovered that the majority of these were a few years old or older. In Oregon Bally was penalized and required to revamp their membership contract.

I attempted to cancel a membership in 2006 and found that I could not get through on the 800 number listed on the website. The Bally near my home was torn down and I just never got to one of the other locations in order to cancel in person. I found ten dollars every month just disappearing. Unfortunately my bank could not help and in the end I just closed my bank account (which I was doing anyway).

Since that time I have moved and am reconsidering joining. The club near me is close by and because I was a member I can rejoin at the very low rate of ten dollars a month. The best deal around. My club is not particularly lavish and could use some updating. But it has the items that I need. Stay tuned for more updates as I research other health clubs. Please send your comments and questions to me!