Everything is perfect staff are amazing kids club rocks the indoor and outdoor pool are perfect

Hi, I asked for a feedback form in the Club, but there didn't seem to be one. I joined the Club for the pool, having no idea how difficult it can be to get a swimming lane. No pool from 4pm-8pm as the swim team has it, mornings are tough as I constantly get kicked out of a lane due to classes, today 3 lanes were taken to do deep water aerobics for 3 people. I just learned if its not at least 10 people in the class I can refuse to move from my lane. I will refuse to move in the future. On Monday the pool is always filthy, mold everywhere, whatever the cleaning maintenance is on the pool, its not working. I joined in Oct 2025 and there hasn't been a Monday w/o mold yet. I own a pool myself and realize it is constant maintenance, but overnight that pool needs to be shocked, especially after a weekend. Then we have a patron that swims no less that 4 hours, so that is a lane no one else can use for a long duration of time. If people are waiting on a lane one person should not be permitted to swim most of the day. Everyone is trying to squeeze into 11am-2pm timeframe between morning classes and evening swim team. I surveyed Health Unlimited in Mt Airy initially, they require pool patrons to sign up for a lane, that way you aren't arriving and waiting or not getting to swim. Thursdays are the best days as there are no morning pool classes, thus everyone isn't trying to squeeze into a few hours. Currently unless something changes with the pool I won't be renewing my membership in October and I am sad about that as I really do want to come and swim. read more

I usually don't write reviews, I am a first responder for Baltimore city and I don't get to train on a regular schedule, I bought the membership so that no matter where I am I can train because it's 24hrs, but I am highly disappointed, there was no staff for the entire hr I was there, the door to the gym was open, the gym lights cut off, the sauna was off and wide open and the bathrooms were absolutely filthy. The Merritt on Boston street, in White Marsh and on Joppa are where I will be training. read more

After over 9 years of 1 to 2 hours a day 5 to 7 days a week I canceled my family plan for Merritt Eldersburg Md yesterday 2-07-26. I attempted to use the stair climber in the lower gym only to discover a man on using one of the treadmills had a camera man making I guess social media content!! Yes, a camera man with a camera not a phone!! So, in the process of attempting to go around this circus I has to literally push the camera man out of my way to get around them. I proceeded to the upstairs stair climber for about 20 minutes come back to the down's stairs open floor to discover a second individual getting filmed by another camera man. Camera man with tripods cameras etc.. After the second violation of gym policy i proceeded to the manager and was told management has allowed the filming at the gym on a Saturday morning!!! One of the reasons I have been a member of Merritt for so long has been there no camera equipment policy. I have a 15-year-old daughter and would not like to see here on some social media content platform!!!! Merritt has been a sanctuary a place where I can just lose the stresses of the day for a simple 1 to 2 hours. Now it seems Merritt Management staff is ok with the gym becoming Pl#net Fi@ness. I go to a gym for peace and a good work out not to be in someone's social media content. Not to mention working out around annoying camera people. It seems the corruption has finally infected Merritt in Eldersburg. It was a good run, but we all know where this leads. Merritt you are in breach of your own contract you might want to change your gym rules to fit the new direction you seem intended to go. Aaron P former gym member 2/08/2026... read more

In my humble opinion, this is the BEST fitness club in Carroll County. I joined about five years ago. Prior to joining, I checked out other clubs nearby and Merritt does not compare. Three levels, childcare, indoor/outdoor pool, top-notch trainers, and energetic classes. It is open 24 hours (one section of the club). I LOVE the sauna and steam room in the locker room. But what I love most? My trainer, Heidi. She has become such an important part of my life - not only in my fitness journey but being a cheerleader when life gets hard. I highly recommend Merritt Eldersburg location!!! read more

Wonderful gym where you are treat great and everyone wants to help you very happy to be part of this gym

I love so much about this place but also really struggle with how to effectively to utilize my membership as a working mom. The pros: The changing rooms are luxurious! The indoor and outdoor pools are immaculate. The women's gym, kids club, and membership appreciation events can foster cool community. Also, if you join at the right time, you might find a solid promotion to offset costs. Challenges: There are few fitness activities parents can do alongside their children (not separate from them). Children are not allowed on machines beside their parents until they are 11, sadly. Also, the "open 24 hours" language is confusing. Many amenities at the gym close 8:30-9:00 pm (early) and members are limited to using the 24 hour gym (which honestly gives high school weight room vibes). read more

I've been a Merritt member since 2004 and I've never been as embarrassed and disgusted as I was today. While I was in the sauna, someone stole my black underwear that were hanging on the shower door next to my towel, washrag and toiletries. Witnesses saw it too, so it was confirmed it was there. The rest of my personal belongings were left, along with my cell phone. But they took my clean underwear. That's disgusting, embarrassing and is a reflection of the type of members that you have at this location. I will not be back and I'm strongly considering canceling. read more

This has been my gym for 3 years now. Amazing classes and everyone who works here is so nice. Plus they have a incredible pool during the summer! Doesn't get any bigger then that! read more

Over the years I have had memberships to every gym facility within about a 20 mile radius of Merritt's Eldersburg location. Merritt costs the most of any of the ones I have tried and it's not close. That's the bad news. Now that this is out of the way... Merritt excels in every category, for people of all genders, ages and fitness levels. It has abundant programs, equipment and classes for everyone. There is a basketball court, three pools, a steam room and a sauna. There is towel service and complimentary coffee. Hours are generous, sanitation is immaculate and staffers seem to enjoy their jobs and it shows. You pay a lot, but you get even more. read more

Be very careful with automatic credit card payments, because they ripped my family off for $234. When COVID hit, members were allowed to suspend their monthly dues, no problem. At the end of the suspension period, I contacted them to cancel memberships, as several in my family are at risk and they talked me into extending at no charge. BIG MISTAKE! They took my dues for December and won't return the money because I didn't give them 10 days notice. They must be desperate for money. read more

My daughters danced here and had a wonderful experience; unfortunately, management did not recognize the gem that they had in MDA director Maia DeBaugh and the Merritt Dance Academy. They utterly ignored the dance families during the Covid lockdown and waited until the last minute to tell families that they were removing Ms. Maia from leadership of MDA. Additionally, they strung her along for 6 months before finally letting her go. They also treated my oldest daughter, who worked there for 3 years, terribly during the lockdown, with no communication whatsoever, no word about her summer employment status, even when they began to re-open. This organization does not understand how to treat its employees, and they don't understand the value of their customers either. Merritt will NEVER get another penny from me and I do not recommend. read more

We have recently joined this club again. A lot of the concerns we had many years ago have been clearly addressed over the years. The atmosphere is very welcoming, and the staff continues to be super friendly. We just signed up for more personal training, but I did not get the pushy vibe we got many years ago. This staff clearly enjoys what they do, and wants to help people look and feel better. The kids zone / daycare / whatever you want to call it... Way more elaborate than we remember. They follow the hours they promise, and they really try to make the transition easy on the kids. There is a "big kid" room too, with video games, air hockey, pool (billiards), etc. The facility continues to be super clean. There is now an app to keep you motivated too. You earn rewards for just showing up, and then taking free classes, purchasing product it services, etc. We are really very happy with our experience this time around, and very happy to see the major improvements. Yes, it's still pricey... But I can truly see the value for what we are paying for now (way more than I can include here). read more

Oh goodness, where to begin. I decided to go check out another club using my ESN pass, and went here. The building is just about brand new. I literally was floored when I saw the outside pool set up. That's got to be the best thing in the world when it's open, no lie. Then I walked in. The place is pretty beautiful, with a nice layout. It's a three level gym. The lowest level has the locker rooms, Kid Zone, and various rooms for kids to work out in, such as a kid friendly weight room and dance studio. The locker rooms are clean and obviously maintained well. There is also a womens only gym, which is actually really nice. The main level has all of the weight machines. There's plenty of them, and they're all clean and not falling apart. They also have a large basketball court. The upper level has cardio machines, and group ex class rooms, as well as a dance studio. Again, I can't stress enough how nice this gym is. I was floored. I've been to many Merritt locations and was never really impressed, but now I am. Is it worth the drive out to go to a gym? Yea, it totally is. read more

I've been a member for 3 years and this is a wonderful facility! The staff are always helpful & friendly and the place is always clean. I really appreciate that there is a more secluded area within the gym where I can workout and not feel self conscious. (women's gym) The summer camp is amazing! My kids have gone for the past 2 summers and they love it. Many different programs to choose from and swimming every day in the cool outdoor pool. I think this location also does a great job with planning special events for members and non-members such as crab feasts, pool parties and fitness contests. read more

Merritt has everything you need to stay fit, equipment, classes, basketball gym, racquetball, specialty rooms, and pools for families, lap swimming, aquatic classes, lessons, and swim team. The best part of Merritt (I belong to the Eldersburg location) is the staff. They are friendly and helpful, learning your name and encouraging you in your workout. They even notice the team gear you are wearing and react to it in a fun way whether its their chosen team or you are the rival. As a result I see every age group and many families coming together to stay active. During the COVID crisis they have gone out of their way to have outdoor activities, social distancing, and keeping the place clean to enable us to stay safe, but stay in shape as well. It is worth every penny you pay. read more

High cost membership for what you get. Pool is nice but too many kids. Equipment decently clean but not that up to date.

I loved MAC in Eldersburg. The gym has so much to offer & has fantastic trainers/instructors. The facilities were the best! The pools are awesome, although the lane-sharing for lap swimming got old when four ppl had to each share a lane. the steam room was great--it had it's issues, but MAC always fixed them as quickly as possible. The yoga classes were varied and so great--Bob is an awesome instructor! The staff always had a smile, the towels were always in abundance, the other members were often very nice, and the showers were always clean. The cost of the monthly membership was reasonable compared to what I've paid at other national full-service gyms. There is an outdoor pool area for children--but it's really more like a waterpark! So much fun on hot summer days and a great place to enjoy with friends. This a fantastic facility and other gyms should take note. read more

The people who I have dealt with at this gym have been friendly..But as far as ownership they have been ripping me off..I froze my account in early November once I saw the numbers for COVID were rising back up. I was told that my account would not be charged for that month and we will revisit it unfreezing it in March. Well I still got charged for November.. Then after That notice a 20 dollar charge. I called to see what that was and was told it was a "COVID-19" fee for cleaning and blah blah blah.. when in all reality that's a bunch of BS and ownership is trying to still receive revenue from the business loss due COVID and the number of freezes and cancellations they have probably had.. I called to get if squared away 3 weeks ago and still haven't received my money back from being charged in November nor the "COVID" fees.. I feel bad for the manager Jordan who is trying her best to be helpful but ownership screwed her because managers have to deal with the plethora of complaints from members for bs fees that were delegated down to their management to be tell people it's a COVID fee for cleaning.. this ownership is pulling a fast one on their members so they can stay afloat. read more

I left Merritt to try some of the other gyms. Yesterday I went back for the 3rd time to rejoin Merritt Athletic Club in Eldersburg. The other gyms did not compare. Merritt is cleaner, has better programs, classes, etc. The staff are much nicer than I encountered at the other gyms. I love the "women's only" work out room also! I will be staying with Merritt. It is the best around- and I travel from Reisterstown! M. Bright read more

Excellent, friendly service. We were visiting from out of state, and dropped in for a class. From the front desk to the instructor, staff was exceptionally accommodating. Clean facilities and great amenities. read more

Merritt Athletic Club Eldersburg, MD has gone progressively down hill in overall quality of service to its members at large. I have been a member ever since the building was just an elevator shaft. All I see when I am there is an overwhelming push to Private Trainer services and classes. It is disgusting to have to continuously search for equipment and space to do my daily exercise programs. I have not and will not sign up for a private trainer and I hate the gym space taken up by the trainers and their program participants. I am not talking about the programmed exercise classes. I am talking about the continuous training session pushes that I see going on. There is the wasting time of hunting for equipment. It's a just drop the equipment where ever you are and move on. No putting away of equipment is enforced or even suggested. Merritt does not have an employee assigned to put away equipment. "Everything has a place and a place for everything" does not apply to Merritt. Just grab your monthly credit card money and go. I obviously do not like Merritt anymore. I just go there because of the convenience. I have mentioned numerous times my disgust to no avail, so I have just decided to type this post. IF there was a ONE LIFE FITNESS in Eldersburg, I WOULD BE THERE IN A HEARTBEAT. One Life Fitness is excellent!!!! but the only "nearby" locations are in Frederick and Annapolis plus their membership is way les than Merritt's. read more

It was really fun and I especially liked the whirlpool, but there is one absolutely obnoxious thing about it. Sorry. You need to be 13 or older, or take a swim test, to go down the water slide into shallow 3 foot water. Im 12 and Sadly, i cant back float, so I didn't take the test. ON WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD I NEED TO ABLE TO BACK FOLAT WHILE GOING DOWN THE SLIDE?!? Sorry but Its ridiculous!!! read more

It's a big gym but the layout is not great and the machines are redundant and a little out of date. It's overpriced for what you get. The pool is often closed due to "unbalanced PH Levels" and the swim teams hog the lanes. read more

Just wanted everyone to know that on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6:00, Nancy the lifeguard is taking her time while lifeguarding to provide an aqua training class for anyone interested. During this workout, you will use muscles you did not even know existed. We use water weights and noodles to move in the water. The best class that Merritt has to offer and it is FREE with your membership. Nancy is knowledgeable and willing to do this for us over and above her daily responsibilities. Merritt has a way of wanting you to come to the gym and then charge an additional fee for many of it's classes, but Nancy has determined that this class is important to us as members and is doing it for us! It is a fantastic work-out - come join us from 6-7 on Tuesday and Thursday - you will not be disappointed!!!!!!! Nancy is what makes Merritt a good place to workout. read more

Worse gym I've ever been to. Yes it's newer, yes it has newer equipment. The layout is awful. Cardio on a whole different level than weights. Nothing is organized. Towels are rough and stained. Staff is most unfriendly and rude I've ever witnessed. Trainers wouldn't help you even if you paid them. Management is out of shape people who have no business being in the business. Cost is extremely high. Locker room stinks most of the time. So happy that Gold's Gym is opening in Eldersburg so we have a real gym to go to. Would NEVER recommend MAC Eldersburg to anyone. read more

So glad to be back at a real gym! Those other places may offer unbelievable deals, but that saying 'you get what you pay for' is true. I love my group fitness classes, especially JAMIE in BodyPump @ Eldersburg!!!! She's the absolute best instructor ever! The workout equipment is great too. The individual TV's on the treadmills and elliptical's only work if you are working! It really pushes me to give my all, especially if I want to see the end of my show!!! Looking forward to many great workout sessions...THANKS!!! read more

The manager, Joe Schiavone, is the most helpful and energetic person I've ever met! I am on crutches, and when I'm on my way in, he rushes to open the door for me and always greets me with a smile. Then he runs ahead of me to open the door at the physical therapy office and later helps me outside! Everything else about the club is great, too! It's clean, beautiful, and has tons of equipment and employees who are happy to show you how to use it (I know because my sons have asked for advice). The pools are terrific, too. The warm indoor pool is perfect for physical therapy, the large indoor pool is great for laps, and my grandchildren LOVE the outdoor section. read more

I loved the club in various locations but when I went to cancel (due to relocation) I was given the run around. I couldn't do it over the phone which is terrible and then when I came in the manager wasn't around. So I came back (this is the third attempt) and apparently didn't given 10 days notice so I was billed for a full month I never used. I calmly explained the situation to the manager. He looked like a deer in the headlights. Then I called and emailed the accounting department and she basically told me tough luck. I will NOT reccomend Merritt because of this. It is sad because I used to tell every I knew to go there. read more

Saw a shirt in Kohls that said this is my happy place. I thought I have to wear this to MERRITT which truly is MY HAPPY PLACE. The friendliness of the staff makes me smile the minute I walk in. My five classes a week [mostly in the pool] not only provide great exercise but have allowed me to meet many truly new nice people who have become caring friends. Thank you Merritt.[ read more

Trying to cancel my wife has been a terrible experience, she has notified the accounting dpt February 16 , received a email confirmation that the cancellation was being processed. Come to find out this morning that our bank account has been charged for the month of March, We call up the location and are being told that she needs to go there in person. This is not the first occurrence , we had the same issue a couple of years ago. This is so inconvenient. I am expecting the same level of service at cancellation time as the time when I signup. This is an disguised Technic to grab another month subscription and there is no excuse in this day and age where there is plenty means to do so. read more

The Merritt Athletic Club in Eldersburg offers the most family-friendlyexperience I've seen. With tons of programs for my daughter, a kid zonewhere she can play while I workout, and a huge outside activity pool, youcan't go wrong with this choice. The staff has always been friendly, andeven know me by name. I enjoy the group fitness classes and cardioequipment. When you're there, you see how other members are also enjoyingthemselves. This place is a joy to visit! read more

I have been a member of Merritt Athletic Club, in Eldersburg MD for about 2 years. April of 2012 I began a protein diet. I also began to exercise regularly at Merritt. I mostly attend the group fitness classes. Some of my favorites are Body Pump, Body Attack, Body Combat, Zumba and Cycling. I attend classes at least 5 times a week. I mix up my training so I get the most benefit from it. Body attack with Lisa Agius is a very challenging class. I love it. The interval training keeps you moving and before you know it the hour is up! Zumba with Homero Bayarena is a fun and energetic class to get your body moving. He has a great personality and even if you can't dance it doesn't matter! My absolute favorite class is Body Combat. I like it so much I am getting certified to teach it myself. Alycia Wepasnick is an excellent and motivating instructor. Terry Chappell, the group fitness manager, also teaches Body combat and has been instrumental in helping me to get started on my way to Body Combat certification. All the instructors are always friendly and helpful with any questions I have. They are always prepared and teach excellent classes while motivating me and making it fun. When working on the equipment, there is always someone available to help if I have any questions. Dave Kimmel, the member service manager is also very helpful and easy to approach. My daughter and I used the pool often in the summer. So I owe a big THANK YOU to Merritt because with their help and motivation I lost 80 pds and am keeping it off. Michelle Cuff read more