| Tue | 05:00 am -11:00 pm |
| Wed | 05:00 am -11:00 pm |
| Thu | 05:00 am -11:00 pm |
| Fri | 05:00 am -10:00 pm |
| Sat | 07:00 am -06:00 pm |
| Sun | 07:00 am -06:00 pm |
I signed up in the spring of 2019 for 6 months of personal training. Of those 6 months I actually was trained for 5 months (my PT was involved in an accident and was out of service). Following the conclusion of my training I informed my coach that I was done and had no intentions of continuing. My coach did not inform me of the loops you have to jump through in order to cancel your membership and so I found out a month or so later that Retro had continued to bill me. After an email back and forth the manager informed me that he would then cancel my account. Low and behold I checked my account today and found that the club has billed me for 6 additional months of PT (I didn't attend a single session); at $160 a month that amounts to $960. How is this legal?
Gym is great and cleanly, and staff are friendly. That said, it is IMPOSSIBLE to cancel your membership. I moved away 5 months ago and sent them a letter canceling membership as their policies state. Fast-forward 5 months and I've called, emailed, sent certified mail and they've still billed me a total of $140 since I canceled my membership. DO NOT SIGN-UP HERE if you think you may ever have to cancel your membership.
Everything always broken. No space. One floor hot the other comfortable. Never an available bench. No dumbells under 25lbs avail during peak hours. Noone answers the phone. They make canceling your membership practically impossible. So aggravating. I want out!
Let's try for attempt/call #7 to get my account cancelled. After sending the certified letter, confirmed receipt, called 2 more times AFTER the confirmed date to ensure receipt (they said we'll call you once we find it but it's noted on your account), and then 3 more times because I hadn't heard from anyone and twice this week because I received 3 emails and 2 calls for past due bill.
Update: called TWO MORE TIMES. STILL WILL NOT CANCEL AND THIS IS FROM BOTH ABC FINANCIAL AND RETRO FITNESS. This is the worst experience with customer service. This makes absolutely no sense.
Let's try for attempt/call #7 to get my account cancelled. After sending the certified letter, confirmed receipt, called 2 more times AFTER the confirmed date to ensure receipt (they said we'll call you once we find it but it's noted on your account), and then 3 more times because I hadn't heard from anyone and twice this week because I received 3 emails and 2 calls for past due bill.
Update: called TWO MORE TIMES. STILL WILL NOT CANCEL AND THIS IS FROM BOTH ABC FINANCIAL AND RETRO FITNESS. This is the worst experience with customer service. This makes absolutely no sense.
Would give 0 stars if I could. They make it IMPOSSIBLE to cancel your membership. I jumped through all the hoops to get it done and now they don't answer or return any of my calls to confirm cancellation. When I actually did go to their gym most of the machines were broken. DO NOT USE THIS GYM and if you do DO NOT SIGN A LONG TERM CONTRACT. Go month to month if you can even if it costs extra. You will thank me later.
** Update (March 2019)**
Third time this year there is nobody to open the gym in the morning. Beyond irresponsible having patrons (who mostly walk here) stand outside without even some prior notice (ie. Email) that the gym will not open until "x time due to x reason." Prrtty clear staffing and management issue. (Note photo)
**Update (January 2019)**
Gym continues to lack standard upkeep and maintenance (ex. machines go broken for weeks, cables are not balanced properly on either floor). Staff do not clean, sit behind desk (note sleeping photo). Debating on if I will begin to document the garbage (empty bottles, band aids, used paper towels) that are stashed around the facility for weeks on end without being cleaned up.
Amazing how you pay ~$35/patron annually but since its opening I have never seen a new piece of equipment.
*Original post*
I have been a member since it opened (4 years or so back). In comparison to other Retro gyms this one is sub par.
1. Dirty. -its like nobody cleans up, dusts, wipes down mirrors, etc.
2. Staff is non existent. -In almost all gyms staff is walking around cleaning up. Staff here only stands behind the counter, talking to one another.
3. Broken equipment. -Commonly equipment goes broken/ not in proper working condition (not lubricated properly) for weeks.
4. Crowded. It's a small gym with 3 levels but the free weight section is small and typically very crowded.
Overall, if you are looking for a cheap gym and don't care or can ignore the above then this place is fine otherwise spend the extra few dollars and look somewhere else. This gym is my weekend/ traveling gym so I make due but there's no way I could work out here 6 days a week.
Gym is a good value and someone is always cleaning it during the time that I am there. It can get a little packed there, but people are generally courteous to share the equipment. People complain about the contract, but it's standard for most gyms. The only gym with a easy cancellation is Planet Fitness and they won't have close to the amount of equipment that Retro Fitness has. Always be aware what you're signing up for (standard for everything).
Retro Hoboken has been a great experience so far. The staff has always been very nice and equipment is in great shape. I've been training with Mike Lanza almost every day and I couldn't ask for anything better. Makes you feel like you've known him for years and genuinely cares about you improving. If anyone wants a trainer, there's no better one than Mike
Everything fine for the most part. Free weights get mobbed often and early. Layout can feel cramped on some floors.
DO NOT COME PLANNING TO DEADLIFT. You have to put it in the rack, so no lifting from the floor. So sacrifice ROM, or plan to stand on some weights.
I had my first personal training experience with Mike Lanza this past week and it was amazing! He is a great motivator and pushes me to my limits while still having a safe and rewarding workout. Mike is a very friendly and optimistic man who I will continue using in the future! I definitely recommend him if you are looking for a good trainer!!
Great gym all around. Plenty of machines and ample space to work out. Staff is really nice as well. I've worked with the personal trainer Mike Lanza for a couple of weeks now and it's been nothing but a great experience.
I visited this Retro Fitness as a member of another Retro Fitness location and the staff was welcoming, informative, and highly professional. I was somewhat jealous as they have better equipment than my Retro Fitness and the staff made my smoothie better than at my home gym lol. I'm excited to start working out here during the work after my job lets out
Location is ok. Better to avoid the peak time
Location is ok. Better to avoid the peak time
Great location but no parking! Always machines open and very friendly staff just wish there was parking.
Great location but no parking! Always machines open and very friendly staff just wish there was parking.
Absolutely the worst management team and associates I have ever dealt with. I was scammed into paying an outrageous sign up fee and pushed into shady sales tactics. I had to pay for classes for over a year when this was not even my home gym. I was hung up on multiple times and given the run around. After visiting over 10 different Retro gyms in NJ this one and the one in Jersey City, I would absolutely avoid at all costs. The staff at both locations especially are terrible and clueless. My items have been stolen at both locations as well. I am doing whoever is reading this a favor by letting you know to avoid these 2 locations like hell.
Absolutely the worst management team and associates I have ever dealt with. I was scammed into paying an outrageous sign up fee and pushed into shady sales tactics. I had to pay for classes for over a year when this was not even my home gym. I was hung up on multiple times and given the run around. After visiting over 10 different Retro gyms in NJ this one and the one in Jersey City, I would absolutely avoid at all costs. The staff at both locations especially are terrible and clueless. My items have been stolen at both locations as well. I am doing whoever is reading this a favor by letting you know to avoid these 2 locations like hell.
I have been a member for the past few months. Conveniently located in Hoboken with enough equipments even during peak hours. The trainers are very helpful. They also have massage and tanning services additionally.
I have been a member for the past few months. Conveniently located in Hoboken with enough equipments even during peak hours. The trainers are very helpful. They also have massage and tanning services additionally.
I love it here . The staff are always friendly and helpful. They have a great assortment of suppz to try and protein for pre or post workout. Always a great experience.
I love it here . The staff are always friendly and helpful. They have a great assortment of suppz to try and protein for pre or post workout. Always a great experience.
Sick Yoga experience. Say goodbye to bad chakras amirite?
Newly renovated space looks amazing. Very friendly staff that makes you feel welcomed as soon as you step through the door. Cleanliness is a HUGE plus. The smoothies are an extremely tasty post workout treat.
Newly renovated space looks amazing. Very friendly staff that makes you feel welcomed as soon as you step through the door. Cleanliness is a HUGE plus. The smoothies are an extremely tasty post workout treat.
One of the better gyms in Hoboken. Can be very busy at times.
DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS GYM. It is impossible to get out of a contract, and when in a contract and request you do not want to auto renew, they make it impossible to unsubscribe. This is why the gym is so cheap, they make their money off of scamming people into contracts and not allowing them to get out. AVOID. Not worth saving the 20-40 bucks a month.
The bathrooms are absolutely disgusting. It's crazy packed (as expected) during peak hours (5-8pm). Many machines will stay broken for months. On the plus side, the front staff is friendly.
The only positive thing about retro is that you can visit ANY of their gyms for the same cost. However, if you live in an area without a car (like Hoboken), it sucks being limited to just this gym.
I'll probably be signing up with NYSC or another gym soon. It's frustrating and gross in the shower if you're trying to workout before work...
Decent place but it's always crowded and they lack a lot of good equipment. In 4 stories of gym there are only 2 squat racks and 2 bench presses. There aren't 2.5lb plates. It's ok if you want casual exercise but not for serious lifting
Absolutely horrible chain. They told me there was no contracts upon signing up. I recall ensuring to ask specifically due to my curiosity in attending other gyms in the area. When I tried to cancel they told me I was unable to opt out of my agreement until 2019. I pleaded some way to get out of the agreement and they said I could not unless I had a medical disability or was moving. They stated "You can cancel your card, but then we'll send you to a collections agency and your credit will get destroyed". What kind of horrible business is retro fitness running.
I normally don't write reviews, but seeing I'm paying this business every month in perpetuity, why not? I can't even get a human on the phone to find out what they are billing me for ($100+ this month alone), so I'm documenting here.
Pros: Good deal/quality for a gym in Hoboken.
Cons: part of the deal is Retro Fitness will charge you forever. No matter what you do. They are like the Terminator. They never stop.
I enjoyed this gym 1 time when I lived in Hoboken. I had to move to Manhattan suddenly. They wouldn't let me cancel my membership because there is a Retro Fitness near my new apartment.
This location near my new apartment does not live up to the same standard. Specifically - it is unclean - reminds me of what it would be like to work out in the subway. The bathroom looks and smells like a Penn Station bathroom.
I have begrudgingly been paying $37.27 a month for a gym I do not use. This month they hit me with the usual $37.27 PLUS bonus $74.90 "mystery" fee (see image). The charge on my statement directs me to a phone number. The phone number has a recording directing me to my gym location. I try to call the gym location (at 1pm on a non-holiday Tuesday - they should be available) - no human available.
I would honestly just like to speak to someone so I could pay the rest of the contract off and have them stop hitting me with mystery charges.
Their own recording says "A recent unrecognized charge is probably your club's annual fee" but I have not been a member for 12 months.
SUMMARY: My advice would be to sign up for a better gym. You will end up paying for it anyway in "recent unrecognized charges," and the frustration at lack of customer service isn't worth it.
I have been a member since it opened (3 years or so back). In comparison to other Retro gyms this one is sub par.
1. Dirty. -its like nobody cleans up, dusts, wipes down mirrors, etc.
2. Staff is non existent. -In almost all gyms staff is walking around cleaning up. Staff here only stands behind the counter, talking to one another.
3. Broken equipment. -Commonly equipment goes broken/ not in proper working condition (not lubricated properly) for weeks.
4. Crowded. It's a small gym with 3 levels but the free weight section is small and typically very crowded.
Overall, if you are looking for a cheap gym and don't care or can ignore the above then this place is fine otherwise spend the extra few dollars and look somewhere else. This gym is my weekend/ traveling gym so I make due but there's no way I could work out here 6 days a week.
love the staff. definitely small and definitely crowded. the weekends are fine though
Great value for the membership pricing. Gym itself is plenty big enough for most people's needs but don't expect an LA Fitness type experience.
I needed to have a personal training in a close proximity to where I live, and Retro was close to it and offered personal training sessions. I moved to Hoboken from the LA area where I had excellent experience with a personal trainer for almost 3 years.
They used high pressure sales tactics and convinced me to buy a year of personal training sessions of approximately 40$ per 30 min session. Their contracts are extremely binding and restrictive and absolutely not cancelable under any condition. Read it carefully before signing it - you have 72 hours to cancel. The gym is located in an old house above ACE. It can be crowded but not significantly. The equipment is standard. The staff on reception is friendly, young and cheerful. Personal trainers is a different story. They work hard, really hard - my trainer told me that he was working from 8 am to 8 pm (ie every 30 min). They don't remember your name, your condition, your aims and don't record exercises you are supposed to do. They cancel on a short notice, don't arrive or double book you. The reception tends to blame their constantly changing management on it, but it looks like a combination of bad management and unprofessional behavior. All together, I had 4 training sessions from 8+4 (for 1 and 1/2 month) in the contract. I was offered 4 complementary sessions though, but never got it for above mentioned reasons. It makes you feel unwelcome and uncouraged, which is an opposite to a personal training objectives. When you want to cancel, the manager can be rude. She won't reply to your phone calls or emails. She will be in the gym at elusive hours from something like 11 am to 5 pm, ie exactly when you are working or getting your training. My suggestion is, first to look for another place which is fair and honors its agreements and customers (which is difficult to find on Wash street in Hoboken). If you have to train there from whatever reason, you need to read the contract very carefully, resist to their pressure to sign the contract on Saturday and immediately - do it during the week, do not sign annual contract, do not give them your bank account or debit card, only credit card, and do not deal with their personal trainers.
I normally don't write reviews, but seeing I'm paying this business every month in perpetuity, why not? I can't even get a human on the phone to find out what they are billing me for ($100+ this month alone), so I'm documenting here.
Pros: Good deal/quality for a gym in Hoboken.
Cons: part of the deal is Retro Fitness will charge you forever. No matter what you do. They are like the Terminator. They never stop.
I enjoyed this gym 1 time when I lived in Hoboken. I had to move to Manhattan suddenly. They wouldn't let me cancel my membership because there is a Retro Fitness near my new apartment.
This location near my new apartment does not live up to the same standard. Specifically - it is unclean - reminds me of what it would be like to work out in the subway. The bathroom looks and smells like a Penn Station bathroom.
I have begrudgingly been paying $37.27 a month for a gym I do not use. This month they hit me with the usual $37.27 PLUS bonus $74.90 "mystery" fee (see image). The charge on my statement directs me to a phone number. The phone number has a recording directing me to my gym location. I try to call the gym location (at 1pm on a non-holiday Tuesday - they should be available) - no human available.
I would honestly just like to speak to someone so I could pay the rest of the contract off and have them stop hitting me with mystery charges.
Their own recording says "A recent unrecognized charge is probably your club's annual fee" but I have not been a member for 12 months.
SUMMARY: My advice would be to sign up for a better gym. You will end up paying for it anyway in "recent unrecognized charges," and the frustration at lack of customer service isn't worth it.
