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Extreme Fitness
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Trainers Active Life Fitness & Instruction Gyms Trainers, Gyms [Edit]
267 Richmond St WToronto, ON M5V 3M6
Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Downtown Core
(416) 591-1315
- Good for Kids:
- No
11 reviews for Extreme Fitness
11 reviews in English
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Review from Vivek S.
1/27/2012
The "Extreme" in this gym's monikker couldn't be more apt. You'll be extremely frustrated dealing with the sales department of this club, who will undertake extreme measures to sign you up. This is unfortunate because this otherwise decent facility is marred by a unnecessarily aggressive sales culture.
The good: This is a spacious, clean, and aesthetically pleasing club. My very first experience he was after a gut-busting meal at Khao San Road when I happened to walk by and my bulging stomach (almost audibly) suggested I take a quick tour. First thought? Wow. It made my home gym seem like a dump, and by comparison the change rooms at extreme are positively spa-like. We're talking steam room, dry sauna, cold room(?!), lots of couches and seating, a tanning booth, full size lockers, a TV for some reason -- the works. And it isn't ass-to-ass in there (sorry for the visual). The workout area is on two-floors making it larger than a lot of city health-clubs. They have a spinning room, yoga studio, a personal training room, lots and lots and lots of machines.
The bad: Lots and lots and lots of machines. For a gym this size, I thought the free-weights section was a little limited. I was disappointed that there was a room full of equipment that you could only use if you hire one of their personal trainers. I also thought the juice bar and lounge (a seating area at the entrance of the gym with a monstrous projection screen TV) were unnecessary. They seem to want to create an environment where you can chill when you're not working out but in my opinion it's a waste of valuable real estate.
The ugly: Dealing with sales. After my tour, I expected nothing less than to sit down with someone and get pitched on a membership. That's fair. And to be honest, I was pretty impressed with what I saw. The sales rep was friendly, though he did pull his share of "let me call my manager to see what I can do for YOU". Whatever, no sweat. He followed up a few days later and let my try the facility before I made up my mind. This is where things got pear-shaped. For starters, the management asked that I sign up for a full membership before I work out, noting that I could cancel anyway. What? I refused. They asked to hold my credit card while I exercised, and again, I refused. I left my drivers' licence and worked out for 1.5 hours. The facility was fine. For my purposes the equipment was A-OK. When I returned I got the hard sell again. I was offered an incredible rate, and they were willing to absorb the penalty to get out of my existing contract with a competitor. But they kept insisting I sign right then continually emphasizing that I could always cancel within 10 days anyway if I wanted to change my mind. Major alarm bells were going off, and it took me a while to extricate myself from this conversation.
Ultimately, even though many aspects of this facility was objectively better than what I am used to, and they matched the price of their competitors, there was something about the entire process that rubbed me the wrong way. My decision to stick with my home gym was ultimately the outcome of a one-man referendum on whether I should reward sales practices such as these, and truly I could not.
Obligatory Title Pun: It'll take MORE THAN WORDS to get me sign up here.
Menu Readability: The juice bar never seemed to be staffed anyway.
Need to mention: I was not a paying member here, but I did get to try the facility and staff on a free trial. Believe me, it was sufficient.
What this place teaches me about myself: When in doubt, trust the Yelp reviews.Listed in: Uno Dos, Where to burn fat in Toronto
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Review from Eric W.
Toronto, ON
8/15/2011
Its taken me 4 months to get them to cancel my membership all the time, they charged me double what they said it would be, and had written in my contract.
pushy sales people, low service, classes that are just so-so, full of juiced up coke heads and silicone, my year here was a nightmare, made worse by constant phone calls to try to sell me training, and other things. I had to call my credit card company to cancel the card number, and actually had to lawyer up for them to take me seriously.
be VERY weary. gyms are not all created equall. -
Review from Grainne M.
Toronto, ON
8/28/2010
Just couldn't join this gym, despite the proximity and a corporate discount.
First, the positive things:
-It's clean
-It's pretty spacious
-They have a range of cardio machine brands-mix of Life Fitness, Precor and Cybex. I like Precor ellipticals best but prefer Life Fitness treadmills so this is good for me.
I'm stuggling to think of anything else that I liked. I wandered in because I'd been inundated with flyers in my post box from them but one actually looked promising-2 months at $10/month. No obligation. No long term contract. Sounded good! Obviously I expected it was too good to be true though.
I happened to be passing one day so decided to pop in. The girl at the desk said she knew nothing about such offers so I'd have to speak to the membership guy. He walked out all fake smiles and joviality. He decided that I was Australian after I'd uttered a couple of words-obviously wrong and didn't bother just asking me where I was from. I asked him about the offer and he basically refused to tell me about it, mumbling something about it only being for the first 2 months of a 12 month contract.
We had to go on a tour of the gym then. He took the elevator up one floor because he had hurt his back training. In the gym.
Good lot of cardio machines and it didn't seem that busy but was a Saturday lunchtime so hard to judge. Some weight machines but scant free weights. Saw a room for personal training which had the kettlebells and balls....for use with the personal trainers. The changing room was nice. The thing he seemed most proud of in the whole gym was the lounge and juice bar. Honestly, in my opinion, this is the most pointless waste of space imaginable. I want to go to the gym, do my workout and leave. i can sit on my ass undoing my good work by drinking hundreds of calories at home or somewhere else.
I was then brought to the office. He took my details-scrawled down on a scrap of paper-and then started pushing me to join there and then. I was repeatedly asked WHY I wouldn't join then. I said I had to think about it. But why not? And on.... I had to invent somewhere I had to be to escape. I said I'd prefer to try the gym first, but he'd only allow me a pass for sometime he was on duty. I sprinted out the door.
At home later, after my fictitious important thing to do, I started Googling. Turns out blog.to wrote about these tactics a couple of years ago and got 258 comments from dissatisfied people (http://www.blogto.com/...). One of the big gripes was an inability to contact managers and/or head office. I tried emailing the marketing division twice and got no reply. I also checked the Better Business Bureau-they get a big fat F. (http://www.bbb.org/kit...)
At the moment I'm doing a week's free trial at Goodlife. Not half as fancy but has everything I want and they weren't at all as aggressive. 99% certain I'll be joining there. Wouldn't touch this place.Listed in: Health and fitness (TO)
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Review from Lindsay S.
Toronto, ON
7/28/2010
I got a phone call, telling me I 'won' a 10 day membership. (haha!)
but i was interested in trying out the facility so i booked my appointment with the very pushy sales guy, who'd already left me 5 voice mail messages over the past 4 days.
I was curious, so I took the bait.
When I arrived, the bimbo working at the front desk was busy texting, before looking up at me, 2 minutes later.
She didn't know who I was, nor who I was there to see, even after typing something the computer system (with her claw-like nails) ... then I remember the sales' guy's name, so she disappeared to a glassed in office where I could see her her leaning over some heavily tattooed guy's desk.
When she came back to reception, she informed me he'd be right with me. Just have a seat and wait.
I waited for 20 minutes at the front, even though I had intentionally booked my appointment for 11am during a weekday with hopes they'd be less busy.
During my time in the waiting area, I saw 2 members come in, and want to cancel. They were put in the waiting area, too.
BAD SIGN!
When the sales guy came and got me, he took me back to his desk, where I saw Facebook up on his computer screen.
UGHH!!!
He told me he'd be happy to 'activate' my 10 day pass to try out the facility. Just that I'd need to show him a piece of ID.
He asked me lots of generic questions about my goals, which he scribbled down on some badly photocopied form.
I never signed a thing.
(Makes me wonder about insurance)
Anyways, after 20 minutes of blabbing about my 'goals', he took me around the club.
Thank god it was a short & sweet tour.
I instantly noticed a large number of personal trainers & gym staff hanging out with each other, chatting & looking bored, all slumped over.
The women's change room was large & clean.
NOTE: It was around noon time on a Wednesday, and wasn't busy yet.
They do have a stand up tanning bed in the change room - it accepts Toonies. I thought the sign was funny enough to remember.
Sauna, cold sauna & steam room.
Features I'd personally never ever use.
Lots of mirror & counter space.
So, I finally had my workout.
Limited free weights, under 30lbs.
- Lots of guys sitting on machines, reading newspapers, talking on there cell phone, checking there iphones .... creepy.
**I personally get skeezed out when I see cell phones being used in the weight area.
Being an athletic female, with a background in bodybuilding, I know there's a niche market for 'hidden' photos of 'muscle' women.
I wish all gyms followed the no cell phone rule, and took it seriously.
NOTE: My current gym is very good about it (I'm a current member of GoodLife)
Only 4 benches in the free weight area ... and a crap load of machines.
If you're into machines, you'll LOVE this gym.
They're all Life Fitness machines.
They only have a few hammer strength machines.
Now for the weird stuff -
- No medicine balls for public use.
They're for use with personal trainers only.
Same applies for foam rollers, and kettledrums. They won't let you use them!
- They only had ONE ez-curl bar, which was in use ...
- At one point, during my workout, I noticed a BOSTON TERRIER (YES, a DOG!) by the Personal Training desk. Just gross, and I'm a BIG dog lover.
I was able to use the empty mirrored studio (it was dark & cool) for skipping, which was nice.
They have a large spinning studio on the 3rd floor, surrounded by windows. You can only imagine what a sweat pit that room is, even when it's empty.
They have a crap load of fancy cardio equipment.
TV's on all of the cardio stuffs -- TV's attached to a machine doesn't excited me, but if you're into doing hours of cardio, this is your joint!
IF, you want to pay $79 MONTH!
!!!!!!
After my workout, sales guy sat down with me (after making me wait for too long, once again!) and showed me the price. $79/mth.
holy crap that's expensive. I told him that the equipment I actually use during every workout (kettles, foam rollers) are things I don't have access to!
HE gave me some run-around bullshit about how Extreme Fitness is an 'upper class' facility ... again, never addressing my actual concerns about not having access to equipment I can use at GoodLife!
I asked him about my 10 day pass (the real reason I came in) and he told me I'd have to give him my credit card number for 'insurance purposes' ..even though I'd just worked out. I wonder what happened to liability THEN!
He'd just have to 'technically' start me on a membership, and I could simply cancel is after 10 days.
YEAH RiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiGHT!
When he knew I wasn't biting his bait; that's when my favourite sales line was spewed out: He told me that you can only achieve 'professional results with a professional facility', one that only Extreme Fitness can offer vs GoodLife.
Then my question to you, Mr Sales Guy, why is half of your staff overweight? -
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
10/27/2008
I was a member at this gym two years ago when it opened and it was pretty great for the first six months.
TVs in the machines, decent amount of people even in the busiest time, and everyone seemed pretty friendly. Then, six months into my first year, I wanted out. It was way over crowded, none of the TVs ever worked, there wasn't enough equipment and they were regularly taking groups through to buy memberships, like it was Canada's Wonderland.
I got out of y contract, signed the paperwork and wouldn't you know it, they're still charging me.
Go figure. -
Review from Dean L.
Toronto, ON
4/13/2009
In the city Extreme Fitness is one of the Better Places to Workout....But they are far from Being Perfect!
Here is my 5 Star Rating for some general Categories:
Group Classes ****
Great beginner-advanced yoga classes, but the yoga room is starting to smell like "Feet" so bring your own Mat. Do try the Wed. Boxing Class, and All the Spin Classes Rock.
Equipment ****
Complete selection of Machines, Free Weights and Cardio equipment. Could use more medicine balls, Kettle Balls. Most of the TV's work.
Cleanliness ***
Proceed with caution. Even if you can't see it, how clean can a Changeroom/Shower be, that services hundreds of people a day?
Trainers?
I have No need for a personal trainer so can't comment...But I suspect Trainers are like Mechanics, they tell you more work is needed than actually is!
Customer Service *
Could use some work. Impersonal and most of the time Self-absorbed people at the front desk. Trying to get a towel or your card back can sometimes be a hassle. I can't wait until these people can be replaced by Hot Robots.
Overall I give it 3 Stars. Its as good as a Group Membership gym can be. -
Review from Rosemary H.
Toronto, ON
1/15/2009
If you want a state-of-the-art gym experience, go to Extreme Fitness' brand new Yonge and Dundas location, which offers a large number of new cardio machines, a hot yoga studio, and wet, dry and cold saunas.
At Bloor and Yonge location, in the process of renovation, is its polar opposite. In its current condition, nothing could persuade me to actually take a shower there. For the time being, however, it is a serviceable - and very busy - gym.
Most recommended: Hatha yoga classes offered by Helen (Mondays) and Nancy (Wednesdays). Consummate professionals both, imagine how great the experience will be once you can have sauna after class. -
Review from Julia C.
Toronto, ON
1/15/2010
Getting past the false advertising and mass inserts in the mail, the gym itself isn't too bad. It's clean, tidy and it has a vast amount of weight machines. However, I've found that the biggest problem at this gym is its people. If you can deal with pushy people and incompetence then this is the right gym for you!! The pushy trainers kept trying to sell me training sessions despite my informing them numerous times that I was not interested and also failed to show up to the assessment on two separate occasions (yes, that's a great way to market yourself as a reliable trainer). The incompetence alone is enough for one to want to slam their head against a brick wall. After numerous billing issues and screw ups with regards to my membership privileges, I wasn't even compensated for the errors. Unfortunately, my sorry self is stuck with my membership for at least another 6 months.
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Review from Roy A.
Toronto, ON
7/19/2009
Crap. They have misleading pricing/advertising, aggressive sales tactics and their staff are very condescending.
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Review from Pluggy S.
Toronto, ON
4/17/2009
I have been a member of Extreme for 11 years. I started at the Thornhill location which was the original Extreme - before the massive expansion and "sell out" ;) I recently started to go to the Richmond St club and I have to say it is by far my fav. Very clean, equipment always works and people dont bother you. In fact for a downtown "hip" gym in a very trendy area, I find the the people for most part to be great. The shower room is very clean and supplies are always kept up. Anyway AVOID Thornhill which is a freaking disaster (people and place) and try Richmond!!!
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Review from Zainab K.
Toronto, ON
7/23/2011
Dear Mr. Elahmar, I'd like to tell you about my experience at your gym (Yonge and Dundas). I went as a guest with a friend last week. I was surprised. I liked it so much I even though about switching over - instructors and classes and the energy was all impressive. I pay more than 200$+ for my current fitness routine (Dynamic Condition Center for strength training + Turning Point Fitness for Pilates - both these places are amazing and you guys can learn a thing or two from them) so the convenience and affordability of Extreme Fitness appealed for me. Sometime during the week I was a Eaton Center and a friendly guy from Extreme Fitness was handing out 10-day trial pass, I asked him if they were any conditions attached and he said no, it was a trial memebership with no commitments and there was a month to month membership as well - I asked this because I was go away temporarily from Toronto and I didn't want to sign a long term contract. I thought this is great - before completely switching over or signing on to a monthly contract I could completely make sure that the gym is right for me. So I checked the schedule and I saw a yoga dance class on Sunday. I walked in at 11:40 and was immediately led to some one from the membership department. He said he'd have to keep my ID till I came back to fill out membership forms - I said I wasn't comfortanle handing off my ID and he said "We are a 'private' gym and it is the safety of our members" - I'm 5'4 120 pounds female so yea whatever. I told him I had a class in 15 minutes and asked him how long would this filling out forms take me - he says 20 minutes - not wanting to hand in my ID I say its ok OK and that I don't mind being late for the class lets get it over it. so i want into their office space - he says almost immediately to activate this membership you need to RIGHT NOW SIGN ON TO A 12 MONTH COMMITMENT. I said the person who gave this card said I could try out the gym for ten days and decide after (I mean it is afterall called a FREE TRIAL MEMBERSHIP). He says this is our policy and then asks me why I'm hesitant to commit to 12 MONTHS OF PAYMENTS - I mean other the fact I am away for a few months ,it is after all a YEAR LONG COMMITMENT - I think I'm completely reasonable to be hesitant and not be happy to be forced into a year long commitment when I had been told this is a 10 day free trial. He says in the MOST OBNOXIOUS TONE " Well you are not planning to switch over till later why do you want to try out our gym" - YOU KNOW WHAT IF I HAD LIKED ThE GYM I WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN HAPPY TO FORK OVER 125$ for the month to month plan and switch long term when I would be back in Toronto. I told him I got a free trial membership pass and I was excited to try it out - and he then proceed to say again in THE MOST OBNOXIOUS TONE " Well you tried it with your friend, isn't that enough for you". He then says "this is it", nods towards to the door (basically telling me to get out). Here I am, all dressed in my yoga, I've walked a kilometer on a Saturday hot morning, to try out the gym and the class and I am treated like SHIT. Today you've not only lost one potential customer, but many many others - I will make sure that everyone I know about my horrible experience. I will make sure I post this everywhere and anywhere so people like me are not fooled. Zainab
