Ex-Gander Mt. space = WorkOut World

Crossroads Shopping is now 100 percent occupied again. here's some form my story that will be in print Monday:

A new health club chain opening in Rochester is eyeing the local Boomer Bulge.

With the huge numbers of Baby Boomers creating a demographic bulge along with sedentary lifestyles creating more “bulges,” Steven Borghi wants that crowd to be comfortable in his WorkOut World or W.O.W. health club.

“We are a little bit different kind of health club. Our primary market is the Baby Boomers,” he said after rolling into Rochester in a giant green logo-festooned bus.

W.O.W. is based in New England and has more than 30 clubs nationally.

Borghi is revamping the 24,000 square foot former Gander Mountain store, which closed moved last year, at Crossroads Shopping Center for his first Minnesota club. The hope is to open in late summer or early fall.

Expect “a sea of equipment” as well as locker rooms with showers, an aerobic studio for classes, juice and a daycare area, he says.

Cardio equipment planned for the club includes 50 treadmills, 25 stationary bike, 30 cross trainers and 10 steppers. Each machine has its own plasma TV.

“We say if you have to wait for a piece of equipment, we’ll buy another one,” said Borghi as he described how he plans to fill the now-empty space.

Comments

[jsubed]

"Expect “a sea of equipment” as well as locker rooms with shows"

Wow sounds he's planning more than a workout place...Heh

[BornHeare]

Not to be negative, but why would I and 15,000 other folks give up my $10 per month membership at Mayo's DAHLC and join this? (Same for Rochester Y, Northgate, RAC members?)

And, yes, I am a Boomer.

[Sarah]

Most people would rather not see their Mayo colleagues nude in the locker room or grunting on the weight machine.

[Alan]

I wonder if locating it next door to a pizza joint was a deliberate or accidental bit of marketing genius?

[PLVulture]

You suppose that was supposed to read, "locker rooms with SHOWERS"?? I think locker room "shows" could be found about 10 miles down the road from there on Hwy 63 at the intersection of I-90! :)

[amm]

BornHeare,

I can understand your point but this is one point about Rochester that frustrates me. As much as Mayo dominates downtown, there are a lot of us who live and work here who are NOT Mayo Employees. We don't have the benefits you do...if this place can provide services better than than the RAC (too much money for me) and Northgate (They kept screwing up my membership fee ACH) then I might try them.

[Danielle]

As a NW resident YMCA is too far away and the RAC is too expensive. Now the old Rainbow foods up here would make a great big workout center and would open up a whole new market!

[baileyjoe]

Please beware that Work Out World will tell you anything to get their numbers up there. i went there the other day and the guy reminded me of a used cars salesman. He even put down the other gyms in town. NOT A good place. The add that just came out he is saying is 2 different deals.. Hmm doesnt look like it to me

[boyd]

Just look at their little baby bus...just out to sign up a bunch of people to get their money.

[Susie]

I talked with them on the phone and also went in. The ad in the Community Connection said O down and 19.99 a month. I was told that was two different offers. They put down the other fitness centers in town and have even gone so far as to go to one and put advertisements on the cars while the members are working out. They just are out to get your money, pretty sweet talkers. Seems they ask what you like to do when you work out and how about that? They like to do the same thing!

[cabbey]

http://work-out-world.pissedconsumer.com/

I think that url says it all. But the comments on it are not any more flattering.

[Watch Out World WOW]

I went to WOW tonight to check out the cheap memberships I saw advertised. Was told the gym would be open in October, yet there are no finished walls or equipment. hmm. Sales person then sat us down and said the enrollment fee is normally $499.00 however they are running a special of 299.00 then he crossed that out and wrote $0 but said that was only for the first few hundred members then crossed that out and wrote $49 which again was for the first few hundred then crossed that out and wrote $99 per person. I think the membership was 19.99/month/person. They also have a 18 month agreement which he claims is not a contract.. Told him I would think about it and he said he would get me his card. He walks away 30 seconds later another guy comes over and starts pressuring us to join. Told them I thought Northgate was a better deal and the guy starts trash talking Northgate.. DO NOT GO TO WOW. They use high pressure sale, are unprofessional, and have many complaints on the internet as stated in the previous post. Oh one more thing the sales people are not from Rochester. I wonder if and when this gym might open. Maybe it will be like the Rochester Fire. Collect eveyone's money and run..

I will not support this business in Rochester.. Good Luck.

[Mike]

Have they really trash talked the RAC, which won a service award that's only given out every 4 to 5 years amongst over 10,000 clubs? ha ha ha ha ha!!!

[Mike]

Okay, can we please stop being so negative, especially because these people are not from Rochester. Who cares!! They are salesmen, so they try to sell memberships..That is what they do. You will see that anywhere else you go. Try to have an open mind people. It really could benefit a lot of people that can't afford other options. If they screw up, then be negative, but not to start. Sound good everyone?

[PLEASE READ]

PLEASE READ!
This is a SCAM! I am from CT where they just last year opened up Friendly Fitness (Owned by Steve Borghi - the guy in the red shirt- he also owns WOW). The scum bag in the white shirt SCAMMED ME. He told me that I am signing up for a no-contract $19.99/month membership. He even wrote "month-to-month" on my contract. HE LIED. The new manager doesnt acknowledge this and says that all their plans are "month-to-month" but still a contract (?????)Now im stuck with a 2 year contract or a $100 early termination fee!!!! they NEVER told me about the contract or the termination fee. He will say WHATEVER you want to sign you up and take your CREDIT CARD number. Of course he is no longer a manager in CT... they now opened a new gym in MN with the money they scammed out of people and they will do the same to you!!! They used the same tactics as "Watch Out World OUt World" user mentioned above... saying that this is "a special deal for the first few people". They are out to get as many people to join as possible, even if it means lying and misinforming. I have reported them to BBB and Im going to file a compliant with the State Attorney and to anyone else who listens. I actually called the owner to resolve the issue and he told me that his managers are doing the "right" thing and that he cant help me. He basically sent me to hell and that he could care less about his customers. We are putting money in his pocket!!!! you can read some reviews here for CT:
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Friendly.Fitness.LLC.860-956-8700
or google for other states
Stop this FRAUD from getting fat pockets!!!!!!!
P.S. TWO of my friends were also scammed the same way and are also in the process of reporting them.

[Megan]

I'm really scared now after reading these comments!! My mom, sister and I are all signed up. My sis and I thought things might be fishy when we saw nothing in the building! The day we signed up I ended up writing a check for $277.00 for the first and last months fee. I was leary, but did it anyway and now I realize we should have listened to our guts! Is there anyway to get our money back you think??

[downtownemployee]

I am personnal aware of dealings in Rhode Island and New Hampshire similar to this. Begin building a health club, offering pre-opening specials. Sell as many specials as possible. Complete the club with low-quality equipment. Open with a full list of classes which quickly diminish. Fold shortly afterward.

Please be careful. Perhaps you should wait to join...

[bill]

Probably ought to go to the BBB

[Response]

MEGAN,
I think you have 3 days to cancel according to their contract.

[Sue]

So much negativity and they havent even opened! I was so excited to see a fitness center that offered me the hours, classes and a price I could actually afford. Have you all been to any of the local clubs lately? Sales people are the same everywhere. I joined Work Out World about a month ago. Signed up with a guy who has lived in Rochester for several years and met another lady who use to work at Northgate. Go in check them out and make an educated decision for yourself.

[PT]

Hey- what's up with all the trash talk about a place that's not even open yet? Hmmmm....one seems to think some of this trash talk might be from the competition - maybe the same ones that had a hand in holding up the building permit! Yes, I am affiliated with WOW and I am from Rochester! How about that!

Lets - see we have the cheapest non exclusive prices in town, newer and cleaner equipment then most and a great offering of options for the price - not to mention - some really great personal trainers (yes I am one and no I don't work directly for WOW - I'm subcontracted and I still think its the best deal in town). We don't trash talk other clubs, we simply speak the truth and I've never said anything that is not true or is mean. I wouldn't do that as I train with all sorts of people. I happen to frequent other clubs also being a personal trainer so I know what's out there.

Have you been by WOW lately? Hmmm...seems once we FINALLY got the permit, construction has been actually rockin! We are just as excited to open as are the members waiting to work out!

Also, those of you talking about other WOWs - this is a franchise and not all WOWs are owned by the same owner - best becareful if you are looking at other records.

You know what, take a step back and look at what it has to offer and its here to HELP people be healthy and live a long life. Isn't that what Med City is about? All this negativity - perhaps you all need to try it out and work off some of that stress and bad vibes!

Any members - can't wait to see you there when I'm training!

[Watch Out]

I DO NOT WORK in the health club industry... I understand this club is not open for normal business, but they are sure open to sell sell sell memberships. As a potential customer looking at this gym I was disgusted with the high sales pressures, Confusing price structures, signing an agreement not contract (what is the difference?) and the trash talk of other clubs in the area by the sales reps. I would love to see a nice gym for a reasonable rate. If this club is the cheapest in the area, then what with the high pressure sales tactics?

[anonymoustoo]

Those that feel that they were "presurred" into something they didn't want need to contact the State Attorney Generals Office, if they can't get satisfaction from WOW.
I would also suggest reading some of the other comments about WOW in various places.
Good Luck

[Bailey]

I went to Wow a month or so ago and signed up but ended up cancelling within my 3 days. Because they just bs you and tell you anything to get your money. They did put down northgate which is a great guy. The so called owner told me a totally different story then what they told my mom over the phone. They have so many so called sales who knows which one is really true. The one I called them on was one i got in the mail. Saying 0 down and 19.99 a month. He said they were 2 different deals and we should know that because they are in different colors. Well hello being the average customer that i am. That to me is saying its just bolding and making a more attractive add. I live fair close to WOW and can see that not much is going on over there. So how are they to be open at the end of OCT...

[magpie]

“We say if you have to wait for a piece of equipment, we’ll buy another one,” said Borghi as he described how he plans to fill the now-empty space.

Hmm.... they told me they lease the equipment. The original posting states they own it. What's the deal?