06/14/09

Don't waste your money

by Hatethisgym1

What a joke. The managers change regularly and they never follow through with promises made.

I tried to cancel the membership and 3 months later they are still billing me. This place is a rip off. Don't bother. It will only be more of a hassle than it's worth.

• Cons: Staff is rude, trying to sell you everyday

01/31/09

Avoid this gym

by TheFitnessGuru

This gym has terrible service, unreliable instructors and defective equipment. I went to one class where the teacher was late, one where the stereo system was broken and one that never occurred at all with no reason given. Save your money and go elsewhere.

01/28/09

Terrible customer service. Refund problems.

by alonzoquijana

I have been trying to get refund from this gym for four months! The contract says I am due a refund (tried the gym and cancelled within the 10-day trial period); the membership advisor promised a refund in writing; I have been reassured repeatedly that I am due a refund by the Miami staff, who tell me it is a problem with the New York corporate office. Well the NY people have never once returned a phone call. 12 calls to date. The head of accounting is never there or -- as one receptionist told me -- "overwhelmed." Worse, whoever answers the phone (some snippy, rude, attitude guy) in New York told me to stop calling -- "we'll get to your refund when we can. Nothing I can do." So, if you are considering joining, just keep in mind thee people are not to be trusted with your money or credit card money. Great gym if you are a masochistic bill collector, but not so good for everyone else. Avoid.

• Pros: New facility. Clean (for now).
• Cons: Worst customer service ever. Billing. Refund problems. Attitude from staff.

12/21/08

Not worth the hype

by DillonD

This gym opening was delayed almost a year. Well, even after all that time, they still didn't get it right. The gym is so dark and loud. Wasn't sure if I was supposed to exercise or dance. The classrooms are way too small to be useful. Very poor planning went into this space. It's too bad, as I was really looking forward to it. Instead, i canncelled my membership after one week, as did many others.

• Pros: lots of equipment (if you can see to find it)
• Cons: Parking, lighting, cost...

11/29/08

Great design, hot members, good deal on membership!

by JorgeVillanueva

Great design! The architect did a great job. Very modern, club-like. Especially like the dark areas toward the back of the first floor work area. Provides a lot of privacy. It's like working out a a seriously cool club with pool access! Also, good equipment (brushed steel is nice touch) and hot members They all look like they workout 5X a week!.

Good deal on membership. No initiation and only $980 a year which is way cheaper than Equinox. Not sure about private trainers (not part of membership package and I'm a little reluctant to try w/o a free trial since I've been burned before in Miami w/incompetent trainers).

Bad news is that parking is pricey. $5 for 2 hrs plus tip. Valet only.

• Pros: Hot members, price, cool factor
• Cons: parking

10/22/08

NEW GANSEVOORT SOUTH GYM - Too dark

by sarah99912

Just wanted to comment about the other review on the Gansevoort gym (on 23rd and Collins). The other review was written on 10/26/07 and the gym didn't actually open until 10/20/08. So whoever wrote that review is obviously an insider talking about what the gym was supposed to be like. Now that it's actually open, most of what they promised it true. Except the spa isn't open yet. And the pool isn't open either.

Overall, the Gansevoort gym is very spacious, modern and nicely decorated. The equipment is brand new and top-of-the-line. The studios for the classes are rather small and cramped. The biggest disappointment was that the gym is so darn dark and depressing. There is no natural light. I guess they're going for that "nightclub" look, so if you like working out during the middle of the day in a place that looks like a nightclub, then this is your gym. The bathrooms are the worst - it is almost comical how dark it is in there. You can barely see the toilet! Also, beware that parking is not free. Even with validation, it costs $5 for 3 hours or $30 for a monthly pass. That definitely adds up, especially when you're already paying a rather costly monthly membership.

Overall, I think some people will love this gym and others won't. It just depends what you're looking for.

• Pros: spacious, new equipment with private TV's (though it's hard to hear over the house music that's always blaring), great trainers
• Cons: expensive, have to pay for parking, really dark in the gym

05/23/08

HORRIBLE GYM TO GET REIMBURSED

by berct

I will NEVER recommend to join this gym - it took them as of today since 2/24/08 to get reimbursed $85 for a memberhsip cancelation not counting so many phone calls to get this fixed.....THEY ARE NOT DELIVERING WHAT THEY DO PROMESS!!!!

Nathalie Tokarenko and Zac Ordin have been very difficult to deal with - lack of profesionalism, lack of follow up for something so simple and basic in customer service. Refund was finally done today on 5/28/08 - If you need your money back you may want to call David Barton in New York DIRECLTY!!!!!

Just amazing and really nothing fancy about this gym!

10/26/07

The NEW David Barton Gym at 23rd and Collins is BEYOND AWESOME

by hoffbalancej

The New Gansevoort Hotel/Condo and Spa is where the new gym is at and is no longer at the Delano - which was about 1/7th of the size at only a few thousand square feet. This is their new flagship for South Beach and I think it is likely the nicest gym in the United States:

- 45,000 Square Feet (18,000 feet larger than any gym on the beach )

- 10,000 Square Foot Spa with Ocean Views

- 15,000 Square Feet of free weights, LOTS of cardio machines with touch screen TVs, great music, DJs spinning in the evening

- 5 dedicated group training studios (Yoga - 9 types, Pilates, Spin, Group Weights, Assolutely Abulous classes, etc.)

- Open very early to very late

- Bumble and Bumble products in gorgeous Moroccan-themed locker rooms

- Aromatherapy Steam Rooms, Sauna, Upscale and Clean Showers - all North African theme

- Full Access to the Main Pool and Spa pool at the Gansevoort and full ocean access - it's like getting a serious place to work out, but also getting an ocean club membership...this is what really separates it.

- Designed by Studio Sofield who did several hundred Gucci boutiques

- Valet Parking with 1400 on-site spaces (no need to wait 20 minutes for your car)

- Intense, focused, personal training available at all times

For the same or less than other typically high-end gyms like SCLA and Equinox, all you need to do is walk in to the lobby of a DB Gym and you'll be sold instantly - they are that nice. Can't think of one bad thing to say or one reason to join another gym.

• Pros: Decor, classes, cleanliness, personal training, lots of space, gorgeous, location
• Cons: Worth it, but on the mid-high price level. You are paying for a bmw, but getting a rolls.

03/22/07

Relatively Low Compared to Others in Town

by brianzordo

After paying for a day pass at nearly all the gyms and health clubs in Miami Beach and being greeted by front desk staff, trainers and the like, I have to weigh in on David Barton. As a facility, this is one of the worst in town. The layout made me feel as though I was in a basement without any windows and the equipment was limited at best compared to others. Also, unless you are truly a tourist, this is not a location that I want to frequent as the complications of valet parking and fighting the tourist crowds is just not pleasant. Overall from cardio to weight equipment to how comfortable I was working out there, this ranks on the bottom of the South Beach list on a point by point basis. This is better than your average hotel stay gym but it is not a commercially compettitive experience.

• Pros: If you are a tourist the Delano is cool
• Cons: everything else that a great commercial gym offers

10/31/06

great workout

by vegornot

This gym is the best part of the entire hotel. While the rest of the hotel is deteriorating,the gym remains a great place to work out. Serious. The staff is very professional. Too bad they have to move temporarily for renovations. Its got a cool feeling and all the employees (of the gym, not the hotel)make you feel at home. They're all super friendly and all know their stuff. You know its a serious place.

• Pros: professional, serious