I first heard about this business from a "Lean Down Challenge" that popped up on my facebook. After showing interest (because I want to look my best in my wedding dress), one of their personal trainers contacted me and arranged an appointment. Once there, he explained to me the challenge was to lose 20 pounds or 5% fat in 6 weeks. He sold it to me as "most people", definitely over 50%, meet the goal as long as they work out at least 3 times a week and follow the food plan. After discussing my lifestyle, which is one that is already active and includes most food on the meal plan, he said I was a good candidate for the 5% fat loss goal. Of course, at the end of the presentation, he told me I would have to make 2 payments of $249.99 (one at week 3 and a second at week 5) to show my commitment. Once I reached my goal at 6 weeks, I would get that back. If I did not lose 5% fat, then that money would go towards a membership. In addition, I was given no time to think about it. If I wanted the deal, I had to decide then to sign up.
On my first day, the owner welcomed us and gave a prep talk. During this talk, he cut down the food list significantly to not include the carbohydrates you get from beans, quinoa, wheat grain and the like.... A Paleo diet. This was not included in the original presentation, but I did it. He also told us to guarantee our success, we should buy his amino acids supplements and time with personal trainers... it was not in my budget to do this. I stuck to the diet and worked out 3-5 times a week at his gym, and ran on days I couldn't. By the end I lost 3.5% body fat and 4 pounds... ending at 125.5lbs. After talking with others on the challenge, they too followed all recommendations and did not meet their goals. I was given the impression that only ~5% of people did. I was not expecting my money back since I did not reach my goal, but I was expecting it to go towards a membership. However, when the time came, I was told that in order to have my $500 dollars credited towards a membership, I had to sign a 6 or 12 month contract that required me to pay an addition $123 - $183 a month... the first payment being due on Monday. Again, I was not given any real time to think about it other than an hour. Since it is not in my budget/income ability to pay that price for an extended amount of time, I could not sign a contract. I, therefore, lost my entire $500. Nowhere in the original contract does it say signing an additional contract is required, and that forfeiting your money should you not sign one would be a possibility.
Besides the scam feeling around the whole experience, I was not impressed by the gym. It is dirty despite much work being done on the floor and mats seem never to be cleaned. There are no cleaning/wipedown supplies available for equipment after use. On the positive, the instructors are very nice, the workouts challenging and your fellow clients are friendly and down to earth. read more