Pros/Cons to working at LA Fitness

ddavies919

So, I've had a couple of interviews at LA Fitness and I think I've just had to go through it one last time to reassure myself that it's not the place for me.

I immediately get a "dirty" feeling from them since they're corporate and all they care about is how much you can make them. Plus, I don't like feeling like a used car salesman; who likes that?!!!! I sure don't!

Anyway, just wondering if anyone out there has worked for or currently working for them and what your thoughts are.

Thanks in advance!

Deb

ChuckgM3

Can't say I've had any experience working there, but as a member, I'd recommend them as a gym over 24hr or Spectrum (which I've been a member of in the past)

At my gym you get the occasional sales pitch but for the most part it doesn't seem that bad. The equipment and facilities are much nicer than what you get at 24hr and the people are a little more knowledgeable. At Spectrum the equipment was incredible and the people really knew their stuff but it was expensive as hell and there was always pressure to spend much more on trainers and special programs.

What kind of job will you be doing there? Is it commission based?

ProTFitness

I have not but I know and have heard from people that have worked in the large corp gyms are just as you say. The bottom line theirs not yours. Do what makes you happy. I am an independant contractor and love it.Personal Training is so fullfilling. I do it for me. I make my own. I dont make it for them :-)

edorice

That's the feeling that you're going to get with any of the big gyms like Bally's, 24 Hour, or LA Fitness. I have a friend that has worked for both Bally's and 24.

ginnyroxx

interesting. that's my gym, i love it. but i don't work there. The GM of my home gym is super cool. He's helped a ton since I've joined. I didn't have all the money up front to sign up and they worked with me, allowing me to make payments on the day i picked & even waived a month of kids club so i could get going right away. recently, he changed my membership to all gyms at no cost so that i could do my zumba classes as often as i wanted to.

That's excellent customer service, IMHO.

binary_jester

Can't say I've had any experience working there, but as a member, I'd recommend them as a gym over 24hr or Spectrum (which I've been a member of in the past)

At my gym you get the occasional sales pitch but for the most part it doesn't seem that bad. The equipment and facilities are much nicer than what you get at 24hr and the people are a little more knowledgeable. At Spectrum the equipment was incredible and the people really knew their stuff but it was expensive as hell and there was always pressure to spend much more on trainers and special programs.

What kind of job will you be doing there? Is it commission based?

Off topic, but I walking into one of those places in my workout clothes and felt under-dressed. The Bally's in Phoenix was more like a meat-market.

ChuckgM3

Can't say I've had any experience working there, but as a member, I'd recommend them as a gym over 24hr or Spectrum (which I've been a member of in the past)

At my gym you get the occasional sales pitch but for the most part it doesn't seem that bad. The equipment and facilities are much nicer than what you get at 24hr and the people are a little more knowledgeable. At Spectrum the equipment was incredible and the people really knew their stuff but it was expensive as hell and there was always pressure to spend much more on trainers and special programs.

What kind of job will you be doing there? Is it commission based?

Off topic, but I walking into one of those places in my workout clothes and felt under-dressed. The Bally's in Phoenix was more like a meat-market.

You get a mixture of both here. Lots of people there serious to work out, and then lots of dudes in stretched out muscle shirts not really working out just walking around looking for girls to talk to.

Then there's usually a pretty good contingent of women in very small, very tight workout clothes on cardio machines... which is kinda nice because I just get on one behind them and the time seems to fly by

MariSama44

get ready to surrender your soul in any retail business..especially high-dollar retail. They want you to sellsellsell and do anything to make a dollar, even if it means lying to a customer. I've worked at many retail places and I think the key to being a good salesperson is being honest and open with the customer. when I worked at target I would never solicit their credit card, and I would often help customers find products even if I had to tell them to go to another store. Fair warning though, these companies will pick at you and maybe even get rid of you if you stay honest. I just refuse to on principle, but whatever you do is up to you. You don't HAVE to be turned into a mindless sales zombie by them if you dont CHOSE too, and who knows, maybe customers will appreciate your honesty. But be aware that it is grounds to lose your job.

ddavies919

Wow, thanks for all of the feedback guys! I guess I will just go through the interview process, it's good practice if nothing else. I have a few other good opportunities and am thankful to have this many as the economy is awful and I've been out of job now for almost 2 years! So, instead of burning any bridges, I'll suck it up and muddle through their corporate chit chat! Thanks again! I really appreciate it and your honesty!

TaneeisFitforLife

I work at a locally owned aerobic studio & as soon as I get certified as a personal trainer I'll be doing that on my own (& occasionally for the members at the studio)

I'm couldn't work for a big corporation ever again.

BullDozier

My wife currently worsk for LA Fitness as a group class instructor. I'm guessing your are interviewing for personal training jobs? I know those are two different animals, so her experience may not be matter to what you're looking for. Regardless, she loves it. As a class instructor, she's not pushed to sell anything, and she doesn't have anything to do with memberships. There have been occasional issues with it being a corporation, but those have more to do with back office stuff rather than instructing.

ddavies919

Well I just got back from my 2nd interview and it's for membership sales..............NO THANK YOU! The guy interviewing me even said it's sort of like a car salesman! I appreciate his honesty but I don't do well with number playing jobs and having to meet sales goals every day and be hounded constantly about "my numbers." Eeeewww!!!!

So, it was a good exercise to go through but I'll keep my fingers crossed for the other two interviews I have!

Thanks everyone and keep up the good work here on MFP! Feel free to add me!

Deb

harleyq562

Dont work there!
I work for LA fitness. They dont care how much experience you have in sales they still pay minimun wage. You get your comission but in order to get your comission you have to outright your salary. So if your comission is less then your salary you only get your salary. That means you worked hard getting leads and making phone calls for nothing. You know who gets your comission if you dont outright it your salary? Your General manager. And that suck!!. Im looking for another job right now.

Ps. The gym is fantastic! its just the people that run it are selfish!

harleyq562

Dont work there!
I work for LA fitness. They dont care how much experience you have in sales they still pay minimun wage. You get your comission but in order to get your comission you have to outright your salary. So if your comission is less then your salary you only get your salary. That means you worked hard getting leads and making phone calls for nothing. You know who gets your comission if you dont outright it your salary? Your General manager. And that suck!!. Im looking for another job right now.

Ps. The gym is fantastic! its just the people that run it are selfish!