True Fitness by Guting MRT Station: a good gym?

[TaipeiD]

Hello all, great to stumble on this forum. I'm wondering what is the going rate for gyms in Taipei City?

I was quoted the following at True Fitness by Guting station:
NT2188/month, NT1600 processing fee (presumably go to the cute girl), and NT2200 for 2 personal trainer sessions. I don't remember the exact numbers but its about right. The trainer sessions seem to be mandatory and they were firm about it.

So then there's this typhoon that hit the island, the sales person called, probably instructed by manager, and said that they are running a "typhoon special" which gives a better deal. It kind of reminded me of my first experience buying a car from the dealership. The funny part was he didn't say I must complete the contract on the same day but in 2 hours (presumably before the typhoon left the island).

Has anybody else been to the gym? is it a good deal?

Do you tolerate car dealership tactics, even tho you like the car?

[Hightop]

I think it is expensive. I have looked around that gym and it is not better than any other gym I have been to. Mandatory PT sessions are stupid. When you join a gym you should be shown around and introduced to the equipment for free. Also any bs fees like processing fee, weekend fee, towel hire fee etc etc should be eliminated. Having said that, if you are happy with the place and it is convenient for you, don't let a couple of hundred dollars a month stop you from joining.

[TaipeiD]

I think it is expensive. I have looked around that gym and it is not better than any other gym I have been to. Mandatory PT sessions are stupid. When you join a gym you should be shown around and introduced to the equipment for free. Also any bs fees like processing fee, weekend fee, towel hire fee etc etc should be eliminated. Having said that, if you are happy with the place and it is convenient for you, don't let a couple of hundred dollars a month stop you from joining.

I know, I'm not against owners making money. Just trying to figure out what is a fair price.

It's pretty average, about the same as all other gyms. For me its the location, but there is a small gym in my building so I don't need to go every day. From what I gathered, the price difference is pretty sizeable.

Which gym are you using and how much are you paying, if I may ask?

[Hightop]

When I arrived here in March I had a look around at all the big gyms I could find. California at Main Station offered a one year contract at 1800 a month with a processing fee and Being Sport at the Bus Station offered a 13 month contract at 1600 a month with no other fees and they have a nice pool. I went with Being Sport. If you are looking for a more personal experience you could check out Formosa Fitness' new set up, looks good.

[TaipeiD]

When I arrived here in March I had a look around at all the big gyms I could find. California at Main Station offered a one year contract at 1800 a month with a processing fee and Being Sport at the Bus Station offered a 13 month contract at 1600 a month with no other fees and they have a nice pool. I went with Being Sport. If you are looking for a more personal experience you could check out Formosa Fitness' new set up, looks good.

Thanks, good info !

I'll take a look when I come back to Taipei next month. I had a trial with a place that also offered massage services, but it's quite far from my routes. I'm not looking for trainer sessions or aerobics classes just yet.

[Formosa Fitness]

If you are looking for a more personal experience you could check out Formosa Fitness' new set up, looks good.

I'll take a look when I come back to Taipei next month. I had a trial with a place that also offered massage services, but it's quite far from my routes. I'm not looking for trainer sessions or aerobics classes just yet.

Thanks to Hightop for the plug. To TaipeiD, we don't offer aerobics classes. Not in the least. We offer fitness classes built around barbells, kettlebells, climbing ropes, etc. They're very intense and I make folks focus on good technique, etc.



We're five minutes away from GuTing station so if you're in the area, you should definitely check us out. What we offer is unique to Taiwan.

And BTW, our pricing is totally transparent. I don't offer "typhoon discounts" or waveable signup fees. Why on earth do people put up with that BS?

Let me know if you have any questions.

[TaipeiD]

Thanks to Hightop for the plug. To TaipeiD, we don't offer aerobics classes. Not in the least. We offer fitness classes built around barbells, kettlebells, climbing ropes, etc. They're very intense and I make folks focus on good technique, etc.

We're five minutes away from GuTing station so if you're in the area, you should definitely check us out. What we offer is unique to Taiwan.

And BTW, our pricing is totally transparent. I don't offer "typhoon discounts" or waveable signup fees. Why on earth do people put up with that BS?

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks, looks like a good layout. I may check it out.

I wasn't put off by their typhoon specials (atleast it was offered by a girl), but their prices are noticeably higher than comparable gyms across town. Why pay more when you can get it for less?

To be fair, it may be worth the money if I attend their free classes everyday but they look to be fully packed and may require a waiting period for an open spot. I think they are only hiking prices because there aren't any similar gyms nearby. But that is a major assumption on my part, as I don't know the owners bottomline...

[MJasper]

I can't stress enough, avoid any places that offer "typhoon discounts" ! it's a sure tip off for any place that is unreliable and dishonest !

Sounds like they try to rub you a raw deal. I've heard horror stories about car sellers, electronics, and even condo sales centers offering typhoon discounts to unsuspecting newcomers. The trick is to get you to sign a contract without reading it or any due course of review ! It's typical for sellers to draft up deals like this to lure unsuspecting people into bad terms. Signing up to a gym is more than just a purchase, it's a relationship. You should go somewhere you can trust and where they won't try to rip you off by any means possible. Watch out for hidden costs or customers complaints. If they put you on auto payment, beware of overcharging and make doubly sure when your term ends they stop charging your credit card or other methods of payments.

I've not been to True Fitness but if in fact they do this type of gimmick, I'd refuse to do business with them, or anybody else for that matter. From your postings, it sounds like you haven't signed up yet. Don't!

[TaipeiD]

Thanks, it's just a gym, not some cutthroat business. Like Hightop said, don't let a couple hundred dollars a month stir you away from a gym.

I don't think they have any ill intentions. Probably are under a lot of pressure from managers to sell memberships. You know how it is like to work for a taiwanese manager or boss. The long hours, little pay, and constant biytching about bottomlines not met.

It comes up to be USD $70 per month. Not a lot of money to fret about. A car payment cost atleast USD $199 / month. If they were trying to sell me a condo (at today's over-inflated prices), I'd just tell them to f' off.

[rtfm]

I went there about 6 months ago asking for membership and it was a ripoff, $2000NT+ too
so I ended up goin to the Government gym which is 50nt/hour and no contract