Women’s Premier Fitness

So I thought a women’s gym would be the best place to be around like minded individuals focused on fitness. My issue isn’t with the gym it’s self because There are plenty of machines though I wish there where a lot more classes at varies times. Also it is quite pricey for a yearly membership, I know people who pay a lot less monthly. I just find SOME staff to be rude at times. Maybe it’s my natural hair that just doesn’t set well them. (Get the picture?) *sips tea* but my money’s green like everyone else’s so I’ll becoming until I find an alternative… I emphasize SOME of because most of the classes are good classes.

I am so happy I found this place. Not only has it helped me with my fitness and weight-​loss, I have also made some wonderful friends. I was never a gym person but it’s different here. I love that different generations are represented, and I love and appreciate the support that all the members give each other, along with the instructors and staff. It just makes me feel good to be there.

I’ve been at Women’s Premier Fitness for almost 4 years now and I can honestly say that if I had to move I would cry about losing this gym. It has changed owners since I first joined and the changes have been many and great. I started coming when my youngest daughter was 3 months old and now 4 years in and 37 years old I feel like I am in the best shape of my life. Not only am I stronger and fitter, but I have made amazing friends and been encouraged by an extremely open & welcoming group of women. I wasn’t sure if I would really like an all women’s gym. This place is so different from what you would imagine. Everyone is kind, friendly & encouraging. When trying new classes I never felt intimidated or dumb. I’m thankful for that because this gym has such an excellent class schedule with awesome instructors and I have found that this is the best way to lose weight, gain strength and see results. I’m also part of the small group training series, Les Mills GRIT, and it is extremely effective and worth it. It has a team feeling and we cheer each other on to keep going and achieve our goals.
The facility itself is comfortable, clean, and frankly the nicest looking gym I’ve seen. The locker room is gorgeous. I think I shower here more than at home because it is so nice and convenient, with towel service, robes, slippers, & toiletries all included in the membership fee. Tons of great equipment, including barres, TRX, & more.
And the childcare — an amazing group of ladies that are consistently there (which makes a big difference for little ones) that are kind and loving. There is tons to do and my kids are always happy when I pick them up.
The instructors are excellent — they know what they’re doing, they’re encouraging, fun, and they always give options for people at different fitness levels so everyone can participate.
I love this place and the people that go here. It is a family that supports is members and fosters an incredible, healthy environment.

I have to start my review by saying, never meant to join this gym! I went in to talk to the manager (not the same one complained about in the 2011 review), about something totally unrelated to a membership. As we sat and chatted, she asked me if I had ever worked out at the facility. I sheepishly told her «no» (and in my head thought «why would she do business with me if I don’t do business with her»). I explained that I don’t like «Women’s gyms» and explained my perception of this particular one — let’s just say it wasn’t flattering.
Risa, the manager, was so nice and said she really thought once I tried the facility I may have a different opinion of both the gym and its members. She offered me a free month to disprove my theory about this place being just another’s women’s gym with a bunch of cliquish (not sure that is a real word) women.
Before I share my resulting opinion, I want to provide an overview of the actual facility. In fairness, I am a degreed Exercise Physiologist and certified personal trainer. I have been in a lot of health clubs and taken/​taught more group fitness classes than I can remember.
So here goes:
Facilities/​Amenities: upon entering the gym you are greeted by a person and the smell of coffee. There are couches and comfy chairs where member tend to congregate after a class to share stories about kids, grandkids, what’s happening with their businesses etc. They talk about races they are training for, charities they are supporting and so on.
Past the entry you will find an open gym with every piece of cardio, nautilus –type equipment you could want or need. They offer TRX in its own room, Yoga classes, tanning, equipment for those who prefer free weights, some of the latest and greatest functional training tools and more classes than any one person could possibly need.
The locker rooms are some of the best I have ever seen. Real wood lockers — with electronic locks, shower stalls made of marble, toiletries, hair-​dryers, flat irons, robes, slippers, towels ALL PROVIDED and included in membership.
Classes: first and foremost this is a Les Mills certified facility. Les Mills is known in the industry for their innovative classes, dedication to researching the most effective and efficient way to optimize cardiovascular health, muscle endurance etc. Women’s Premier offers all the Les Mills classes!!! They offer the latest classes that only require 30 minutes of your time, but give you the workout of an hour!
Zumba is a category of its own at this gym. The teachers here have such a passion for Zumba. One instructor just retired after 7 years and her flock was devastated. Another instructor has been teaching here 4 times a week for 7 years. She ONLY teaches at WPF and her following is amazing. Her energy and dedication to her Zumba classes goes beyond «just an instructor». Every holiday gets its own themed Zumba class, members often hop up on stage to co-​teach (b/​c they love it so much) and the energy in each class makes the time fly by.
Staff/​Trainers/​Instructors: I have yet to meet an «unfriendly person. In a day and time where customer service feels more like «dis-​service» WPF goes above and beyond. Everyone greets you with a smile and a hello. Instructors make new members feel welcome in an often-​intimidating environment (who lies to be the new girl in class?).
The instructors are all highly credentialed in their respective fields. They each carry one of the top four certifications offered (not some fly by night internet certification). Each of them is dedicated to their profession and this is evidenced in both their classes and the time they take to educate their clients.
Charity: I don’t think there has ever been a time when I have not been aware of WPF collecting for something — Toys for Tots, MUST ministries, one of their own employees heading off to Europe on a Mission trip, Race for the Cure etc. This is a community of Women who give back and give back big.
I will end this long review by saying I was WRONG about Women’s Premier Fitness. I don’t love admitting when I am wrong — but in this case I am happy to admit it. I was welcomed into this gym with open arms and have thoroughly enjoyed becoming a part of the «community» of women at this facility.

I joined this gym for the location convenience and I liked what I saw on the tour. I also have some friends that work out at this place.
Within two days of joining, I was running hard on the treadmill while the custodian mopped the adjacent hallway with highly pungent, perfumed, chemical cleaners. I had to stop and tell her she had to stop and get it away from me and that I couldn’t breathe.

When I was asked if I wanted to speak to the same sales manager that had been so quick to show me around and sell me a membership, he was too busy to come over and speak to me.
After that visit, I developed a crazy headache and it progressed to a sinus infection and a doctor visit and antibiotics. (I had not ben sick in well over a year before that) I called the gym (while sick and I barely had a voice) and told them I couldn’t workout there with all their chemical cleaners. They said they would «work with me».
When I was well enough to go back, 5 days later, I walked in and the smell of those same cleaners hit me. I got on the treadmill for 5 minutes and had to get off and immediately asked to terminate my contract, since it was the last day of the 7 days GA law allows for cancelation.

I was told that they could not return my funds to my credit card, but instead had to cut me a check. If I would have had hindsight, i would have demanded they reverse the charges. It took me forever to get that money back. They manager kept telling me it was coming, but it didn’t. Weeks later, I finally called and said i would be filling suit for my money if i didn’t have it ASAP. He had plenty of reasons to offer and was always very nice about it if I was able to get him on the line. I did finally get a check, but I shouldn’t have had to go through all that. I don’t believe for a minute that they would have «worked with me» if i continued to become ill and it was past the 7 day cancellation mark. They would continue to use the same chemicals and in the same way and at the same times, and I would have been SOL.
It’s great for a gym to be clean. It’s awful to breathe in chemical cleaners when your attempting to run as hard as you can. It’s sickening actually. I ended up joining a popular gym down the road.