Do you care about service? There's the sale, and then there's the service. If you just need a…read moredumbbell or mat or something simple, then this review probably won't be of much value. If you are making a larger purchase or something with moving parts that MAY have an issue - I encourage you to read.
If there is an issue - when do you expect the issue to be examined? Not necessarily resolved, but at least examined. A few days? Weeks? Month?
Who do you expect to drive the issue to resolution? You or The Fitness Outlet (TFO)?
Do you expect to constantly call for updates? Or do you expect TFO to constantly keep you updated?
I try to limit this review to bare facts. No hyperbolic statements. Decide for yourself whether this is the type of service you want.
01/02/2026. Notified TFO of an issue with a brand-new elliptical trainer purchased from them.
NO RESPONSE.
01/20/206. Sent e-mail, which stated, "Any updates?"
NO RESPONSE.
01/28/206. Sent e-mail, which stated, "Any updates?"
NO RESPONSE.
02/03/2026. Called TFO to discuss matter.
02/03/2026. Sent e-mail, which stated, "Confirming that we just got off the phone and you will follow up on 2/4."
02/04/2026. TFO emailed me that Advanced Pro Fitness (APF) would contact me to arrange for service appt.
02/04/2026 - 02/05. Communications back and forth with APF for a 02/06 appt.
02/06/2026. APF arrived and I had many issues with them before they even got to my door - like parking on my neighbor's property. But this is not a review of APF. They left with the matter UNRESOLVED and I notified TFO on that same day - 02/06. There was discussion of a part replacement and APF would get back to me.
03/03/206. Sent e-mail to TFO, which stated, "It's just under a month since the service visit - what is the status? Why aren't you affirmatively keeping me up to date - as opposed to me always having to seek out an update?"
03/06/2026. Called TFO to discuss matter.
03/06/2026. Sent e-mail to TFO, which stated, "Confirming our phone call today. You will reach out to Advanced Pro Fitness and then get back to me."
03/06/2026. TFO emailed APF and me as CC for update
NO RESPONSE.
03/13/2026. Sent e-mail, which stated, "Richard,
How are you driving this issue to resolution?
There have been various calls, emails, visits, and other actions, but at the end of the day - the issue remains unresolved. Worst, I do not see you pro-actively and affirmatively owning the issue and driving it to resolution. How are you making failure an impossible outcome?
There are various dates, but there are two that are indisputable.
1) I brough this issue to you 01/02/2026.
2) As of this writing, seventy (70) days later, the issue remains unresolved.
Should this be the expectation of The Fitness Outlet customers?"
03/13/2026. Emailed owner of TFO for assistance.
03/13/2026. TFO emailed APF for update.
03/13/2026 (Friday). TFO owner e-mailed me back and stated, in part, "I will personally follow up with you Monday."
03/16/2026. APF sent email to TFO with as CC stating that the issue is "closed out." On same day, TFO replied back with a few questions. There was also a brief phone discussion between TFO and myself.
03/16/2026 (Monday). TFO owner did NOT "personally follow up with [me] Monday," as he stated in his 3/13 email.
03/20/206. A technician from Mercury Fitness came out and was about as unhelpful as the rest. There is a very SUBTLE vibration on the left as compared to the right. The issue is both sides do not feel the same. I cannot imagine how one can determine whether the left side is different than the right side by standing on the floor and putting two fingers on the left pole as I work out. How one can tell the DIFFERENCE between the left and the right by exclusively touching the left? But again, this review isn't about the techs - it's about how TFO serviced their customer.
03/20/2026. Sent a lengthy email to TFO and owner expressing my disappointment with how they have been servicing his issue.
03/24/2026. Sent e-mail to TFO owner regarding his statement that he would personally follow up with me.
NO RESPONSE. NO RESPONSE EVER after owner's 3/13 e-mail.
03/25/2026. Rich from TFO came to house to examine the trainer himself. Besides tracking dirt into my house, and having an injured leg, he was unable to take the same steps to duplicate my workout. He left the house with the matter UNRESOLVED.
03/25/2026. On same day of TFO's visit, emailed back with further disappointment.
04/03/2026. Received text from Fitness Machine Technicians (FMT) to schedule service appt for 4/22.
04/22/2026. FMT arrived and did observe an issue but did not resolve it. He said the issue MIGHT be the floor but took no steps to confirm nor deny his theory. He said he would follow up and NEVER has.
05/27/2026 (day of writing). Patiently waited for a response from TFO and receiving nothing but SILENCE.
The matter remains unresolved.