Jacob Sharf
May 1, 2018 15:00
*UPDATE: Reunited with the gentleman mentioned below, and we had a friendly exchange about what went down. I really respected his respect, understood his perspective better, and was glad to talk about it. He showed great character, and we shook hands. I had a great rest of training that day. I want to add that the energy and cleanliness in general has clearly improved since days past, and I think it important to put that on the record, too. Good job, NYSC. I see you. Keep up the good work!
I started my membership at this location, but find myself only going here when I have to. I'll prefer to extend my commute to better run locations, as the extra time traveling is worth the better workout. Here's why: as a respectful and avid gym-goer, I'm pretty disappointed with the etiquette prevalent at this location. Other members are one thing; them you can't much control- but when the personal trainers themselves don't clean up after themselves, or after their clients, it is a loud sign of laziness, and selfishness, quite frankly. Put your weights away. Pick up after your clients. Respect the gym. This is our home. Unfortunately, this location is fairly congested, so a little mess goes a long way. Thus a big mess goes a very big way. Sometimes, it gets borderline dangerous the way dumbbells are scattered.
This, however, prompted my writing this review: the other day, I was working in the TRX area, when I was told by a personal trainer that the entire athletic area is off limits during [insert timeframe here]. Sure it was a little annoying, but I understood he's a PT, and he's about to run a group training session, and he needs the space. As an independent personal trainer myself, I understood and respected his demand. I can always find other exercises to do. What's bothersome is when I take note that during his whole session (only three clients showed up), he not once utilized the small space I was working out in. Not even close, quite frankly. It was so clear that we all could've respectfully continued our own workouts, and it was so clear that he blatantly just didn't want to deal with anyone else, that his request for the space seemed like just a power trip. He was hardly paying attention to the clients he was working with anyway, and 90% of the time leaning on equipment like he was bored out of his mind, so all in all, his personality just snowballed into one big mass of a turn off. Then...moments later...another PT came over with a client during the first PT's "private session" and took up more space than I did. If "camaraderie" outranks logic, I don't wanna be right. Perhaps I sound ranty, or like I may be a drama queen, but I'm a really considerate and rational guy. It honestly is an amalgamation of months of putting up with a sub-par ambience, and sub-adequate, spacey training staff.
For the record, the managers, cleaning crew, and front desk folk are awesome, and the steam room and other amenities I am very grateful for. That said, I will always hit up another location before this one if I'm able.
For a clean gym floor, and a productive environment, I'd recommend a different location. Love the franchise, don't love City Hall.
Best,
Jacob