Montclair Fitness

I just love this gym. I came here 2 months ago because of a torn posterior tibial tendon, realizing I had to do something to make up for the loss of my daily walks. I’ve gained so much more in terms of fitness than I probably ever have in my life — but I’ve gained more than that. I’ve found a fitness home. This place is filled with friendly, down to earth people — all focused on getting stronger and healthier. So many of them are in inspiration to me as I see them work through some pretty serious health challenges. David is the best — always there to show you which machines would be best for you, understanding the importance of starting slowly and constructing your workout routine based on whatever physical/​medical issues you have. He’s extremely knowledgeable about sports injuries and health in general. Kelli is friendly, gracious and supportive. This gym is clearly their baby and they care for it and the members that way. If you want razzle dazzle, where you can show off your latest spandex and admire your own posturing in mirrors, this is not the place for you. Its absence of mirrors and TVs is a huge relief — and the music is non-​intrusive and easy to listen to. It’s sparkly clean with windows all around looking out at trees instead of shopping malls. It has the right mix of cardio, weights and free weights. What a gem!

I tried Montclair Fitness for a while, but gave up in the end for a combination of reasons. First of all — and though this is a mundane reason, it was the single biggest one for me — the circuit training system it has in place (which, visiting all times of day, I never saw anyone actually use), has a really loud, jarring buzz going off every 60 seconds. Haven’t they ever heard of chimes or other less annoying sounds? Or perhaps drop the circuit training sounds completely, given that few if any customers use it?
For another thing, the music varies tremendously in terms of its nature and volume, sometimes
too loud for me to even use my personal player. Perhaps some folks like music playing while they work out (though given the advanced age of most customers there, I’m not sure they care). But keep it consistent at least.
Beyond that, I found the equipment ok, but kind of crammed together and, perhaps due to space considerations, no elliptical cross-​fitness machines.
Finally, though this wasn’t the most crucial consideration for me, the price is definitely on the high side. I found a similar gym on Piedmont Av for about 60 percent of the price and without the loud buzzing and other drawbacks of Montclair Fitness.

$ 70 a month? I realize that because of the limited market, that appears to be the going rate for gym memberships in Montclair, but I pay less than half that for a HUGE gym with actual freeweights, rows upon rows of cardio machines, and everything is brand new and state of the art.
This gym might be great to serve anyone over the age of 75, who appeared to be its main clientele. I went in to check it out, as I’m going to need a gym in the area, and the vibe couldn’t be described as anything but «sad». The weight machines looked ancient, and weren’t plentiful. The only free weights were dumbbells, which didn’t go very heavy. There were a couple cardio machines, but obviously no room for classes or exuberant training of any sort.
If I were looking for a gym for my grandparents, I’d absolutely recommend this gym. However, for someone who’s looking to get a solid sweat on, and build muscle, and cut fat efficiently, this is not the gym for me.

(wrote this review last july but never got posted for some reason).
Montclair Fitness might have a nice facility and good trainers, but after numerous tries I could not even make an appointment.
I first called in mid-​May to make an appointment with a personal trainer. David was with a client can I call at 10 am? Okay. Call at 10am. With a client again can you call at noon? Umm — okay. Got busy at work and couldn’t call until 2pm. He was then gone for the day. Normally I’d give up on a business after something like this but this place is conveniently located for me.
Try again the next day. With a client again, can you call later. Call later — had a conversation with David, learned David will be gone for 2 weeks on vacation, can I call when he gets back. Asked if I could make an appointment now for 2 consecutive days of weight lifting so that it is scheduled and he said don’t worry he’ll have something that week.
2 weeks later. Tueday ⁷⁄₁₆ call at 10 am he is with a client. Call at noon and he was not available. Try again on Wednesday 7/​17, and getting more than peeved at this point. Call at 9:30 am, with a client. Grrr. Call at noon and he’s available. Had one opening on Thursday but booked Friday. What? After all of this time waiting for 2 simple appointments I can’t get anything this week??? And I have to keep calling back like this? And I learn after all of this time that his morning appointments — which I made clear was the time I’m available to work out — are booked for months in advance? Clearly my business is not very important to this place. Should have taken it as a warning sign from the beginning. If someone doesn’t seem interested in your business BEFORE you are a client, the customer service is only going to to get worse.
Montclair Fitness — perhaps someone should take over scheduling for David, and offer to call your clients back instead of making them call back a half dozen times to make one appointment.

OK if you don’t mind no towel and no locks. But more importantly, no TVs and area for stretching.

I have been going here for a year now, and training with David. I used to belong to 24 hour fitness when I injured myself. David communicated with my physical therapist and knew exactly what to do to get me back to health. Now that we are on a regular routine, I make more progress in 2 weeks with David than I did in a year at 24 hour fitness, and without the creepy guys gawking!
The atmosphere here is fantastic. Everyone is smiling, the business is family owned and operated and very friendly. The place is super clean and well maintained. The beeping referred to by PictureGirl is actually a circuit training system, a fantastic way to get a well-​rounded workout.
You won’t go back to the chain gyms if you work out here! There is a small room for kids to play in while you work out. Granted, it’s not monitored so your kids need to be an appropriate age, but I see kids in there often.

Dave is one of the best trainers out there! He has set up a great atmosphere to work in and he has kept me and many others in high spirits during several workouts. I definitely recomend this gym to anyone looking to improve their mood and their body.

After more than 2 years at Montclair Fitness, it’s moved up in my estimation. No more just a great little neighborhood place, now it’s an oasis along the road home from work that makes me want to stop and work out. I’ve been through some lean time on the exercise circuit, with back issues, a bum knee, and severe tendinitis in my wrist, and Dave always helps me figure out how to keep fit while healing. It’s a gem of a place.

I really liked this local gym. The only reason I switched to the YMCA is because it’s more kid friendly and paying gym memberships at two places was going to be a little too hard. If I were single or just didn’t have my kid involved at the Y then I would recommend this place to anyone. It’s very clean which I love and has a friendly staff. I must say again. ITS CLEAN!!!

I may give this place 4 stars at some point. The jury is still out. I am considering joining this gym, because it is extremely close to my hovel. So, they gave me a 1 week free pass to see how I like it. They have resistance machines, free weights, treadmills and elliptical trainers. My main concern is that the elliptical trainer machines seem outdated. They are only capable of this knee hike motion and not more extended leg motion. My other concern is that there are no sign up sheets for the cardiovascular machines, so the regulars come in super early and bogart them for 45 minutes at a time. There is a buzzer that continually buzzes at regular intervals. Not sure of the purpose, because nothing happens except the buzzing…