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Allstar Fitness - CLOSED
Category: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Gyms Gyms [Edit]
511 Olive Way(between 5th Ave & 6th Ave)
Seattle, WA 98101
Neighborhood: Downtown
(206) 292-0900
- Good for Kids:
- No
37 reviews for Allstar Fitness
37 reviews in English
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Review from Sherilyn t.
Honolulu, HI
3/8/2011
Month-to-month with no initiation fee with a corporate membership (worked downtown) for around 45/month. Not bad. It's a downtown gym-- meaning before work, lunchtime, and after work are peak hours. I always went during off hours and it was EMPTY. PERFECT!!!
CLEAN and NOT smelly. AND: they supply towels!!
Locker rooms are clean and spacious, amenities in bathroom include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hair dryers, razors, shaving cream, lotion and q-tips. Showers were hot. The sauna inside the locker room was clean. Nice sitting area in the locker room to watch TV after working out ahhhhhh
Appreciated the tiny women's only gym. Not much equipment but it was perfect while getting back in shape and gaining confidence to hit the main gym on the top floor.
Never attended any class, but used the studio space to do my own workouts! Bosu balls, medicine balls and other equipment are readily available in the spacious, cool studio with floor to ceiling mirrors, large windows over looking downtown and my favorite part: I could plug in my iPod into the sound system!!
4 stars because of hours. Gym closed at 9 on weekdays and 7 on weekends(?). Understandable due to clientele, but I would've liked at least another hour. -
Review from D. V.
Seattle, WA
7/17/2011
As most people are already commenting this gym has now been purchased by epicenter. Unfortunately this was not communicated to any of the current members. Instead I found out via an email offer from my own company. Still not even sure how the transition phase works.. Am I now an epicenter member?
Anyways the real reason for this review is to point out the sudden decline in experience. While I understand that some of these complaints might sound a bit like someone who was a bit pampered, let's be honest that was part of the appeal to the gym. Being miles ahead of other gyms in quality and service was the reason I originally joined. Now:
* Gym is suddenly cramped with an overabundance of machines. This is partially due to some major layout issues and changes to accommodate far too many machines for the space.
* Over half of the machines with televisions don't work. I find myself climbing up to on average 3 before one will actually power up.
* Cleanliness and care taking has taken a large plunge. Pretty shocking to suddenly see trash in the locker rooms and lack of any paper towels etc.
* Amount of people has drastically increased. I've never had a problem finding space in the weights or machine sections (except for post new years eve). Now during the weekdays I have to take what I can get.
* The weights area has become so crowded and weirdly reorganized making it awkward to even grab anything. People are literally trying not to hit eachother while they work out.
* Staff has lost any enthusiasm. I used to walk in have a quick friendly chat and felt welcomed. Now I walk in and get a "now you scan your own card" which is the extent of the entire interaction.
I could continue but I think you can see the trend. I might stick around for another week or so, but come Monday I'll be scoping out other gyms on my lunch breaks. -
Review from Danielle B.
Seattle, WA
8/4/2011
If they still had the old owners I'd give it a 5 star rating but since it's been sold it has totally gone down the drain. It's like a war zone went off over night. The place is filthy dirty (floors, walls, equipment, etc.) how much does it cost to get the carpets clean? It looks like someone had mud all over their hands and wiped them on the walls.
This gym used to be known for its upscale look and feel. it was always super clean, organized and professional looking. Now they've brought (or it seems like they have) all the old equipment from their other gym and just crammed it into every available space possible.
The "women's gym" is no longer just for women apparently since they've now put in the Pilates equipment in there(which you have to pay extra for) and men can come in and be trained/used the equipment whenever they see fit. speaking of the women's gym... there is no longer any free space to do free weights or lunges or stretch or basically move since they've awkwardly crammed in the Pilates equipment in there. they've also taken out some of the treadmills and weight machines to accommodate for the Pilates equipment.
I have not been upstairs to the main gym yet but from what I've heard it's the same deal up there.
If they would start on at least getting some cleaners in the joint I might have a difference in opinion but until then I'd say I'm getting ripped off on my membership now. -
Review from Brigham S.
Seattle, WA
7/20/2011
TOTAL WASTE OF TIME (It was sold to Epicenter). I was in there yesterday to join up. The lady I was talking to was trying the relationship sell on me. They do not have their act together and kept springing stupid fees on me. I stood up to walk out and they removed the "early termination fee".
Then they sprang the "Site Enhancement Fee". I walked out at that point and told them they do not have their act together.
They run the office on Windows XP and use paper contracts.
AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID
OH YEAH !! the bets part was when she tried to explain if I pay all these extra fees it will help me exercise more and I am not kidding.
I finally walked out in disgust and went straight to 24hr fitness for a no-nonsense sign up and they didn't have to SELL to me. That gym sells itself and it is unlikely the gym will be bought and passed on to some moron.
If you threaten to walk out they will modify the contract, but it IS paper, and I would not trust them to manage a lemonade stand, much less handle a 'non standard' contract.
Maybe they will get their act together and do reasonable pricing with a sheet you can just read and decide. I have no idea why they need sales people - that SELL SELL SELL anyways. -
Review from Holly A.
Seattle, WA
6/23/2011
As of the week of 2011-June-20, This Allstar Fitness location on Olive Way has been bought out by Epicenter Fitness.
Epicenter Fitness members started being able to use this Allstar Fitness location this week, while the original Epicenter Fitness on Third Avenue is set to close at the end of the week., providing just these few days to complete the transition between facilities.
Apparently, over the coming weeks, the signage and so on at the Olive Way Allstar Fitness will be switched over to the Epicenter Fitness business identity.
For whatever reason, there isn't any information about this buyout on the Allstar Fitness web site, but there is information about the buyout and move on the epicenterfitness . com web site.
I have not heard any word about whether Allstar Fitness members will continue to be able to use the Olive Way facility after the buyout, whether their memberships will be converted into Epicenter memberships, or whether the existing Allstar Fitness members will have to switch to using only the remaining Allstar Fitness locations after this location becomes Epicenter Fitness.
I will post a review of the Olive Way fitness center once I have been using it for a while and have developed a better sense of how everything will compare. Overall however, the Olive Way facility is much larger and very glitzy, although some of the equipment at the Third Avenue epicenter fitness seems better, and with greater selection. Hopefully the Epicenter Fitness owners will move some of the equipment from the Third Avenue gym over to the Olive Way gym. If the Epicenter Fitness owners do that, the overall move will be a significant facility improvement. -
Review from Meredith K.
Seattle, WA
12/3/2010 6 Check-ins Here
This Allstar has a totally different feel than the one in West Seattle where I usually go. It is mainly geared toward the downtown worker bee. Classes during the lunch hours are pretty slammed, but there are some goodies!
If you have to drive here and park, forget about it. It's a total pain in the ass. I work on First Hill, so I can walk down pretty easily, but I've also been known to pay the meter on occasion. Once the parking meters go to $4 an hour (thanks Mr. McGinn) I'm changing to a strict walk-only policy... no way am I going to fork over that kind of money just to go to the gym!
Mainly I go here because my acupuncturist is in the same building. I will admit that it's nice to have your own tv to watch while you're on the elliptical. Nothing like some Real Housewives of _(fill in the city)_ while you're having a zone-out-sweatfest.Listed in: Fitness stuff
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Review from Sarah M.
Seattle, WA
5/13/2011
I worked out here for a year. The convenience was there, but I never really gelled with gym.
One instructor stood out. George, who teaches a variety of cardio & strength classes at this gym and others around town is AMAZING. He seriously is one of the best fitness instructors in the city. His classes are always well attended and totally worth it. Your butt will be kicked. -
Review from Christabel F.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 10/28/2010
The steam room in the women's locker room has been broken for at least a year now. Probably longer.
Part of the reason I joined was for the women's only steam room and sauna. A year is FAR too long. Fix it already.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/14/2009
I haven't had anything but an awesome experience here. Every single staff member has been really… Read more »
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Review from Jonathan G.
Seattle, WA
6/29/2011
After a long time member of Allstar Fitness (5 years @ multiple locations) sad to say they sold out to Epicenter, and have tripled the number of members overnight -- without informing current members. Sad Day -- I'll be leaving this gym ASAP.
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Review from Michelle B.
Seattle, WA
11/30/2007
This is the gym that I am allowed to go to.
I would love to say that this is the gym I go to, but that would be a lie. I took a tour of this gym when I decided that it would be a good idea to work off all those Paseo sandwiches, Vivace lattes, and Top Pot apple fritters. But, let me tell you, all this eating does not leave you much time for working out.
The sign up process was as pleasant as dealing with a commissioned sales person can be in a situation like this. So, now I have a card, and I actually have gone a few times. Feel free to pat me on the back next time you see me.
The locker room is clean, has all sorts of things to help you get ready after your work-out (hair dryers, q-tips, a steam iron!) plus a dry sauna and a steam room.
The gym itself is in the Medical Dental building so you can definitely picture the whole place being converted into an orthodontist office at any moment. But, for the time being, there are plenty of cardio machines (with little tvs on 'em) nautilus type machines and free weights. I've never had to wait to use anything but, then again, this gym seems to specialize in signing up people who will never show up.
They offer plenty of cool classes that I am always planning on going to "next week" and the aerobics/yoga/spinning rooms look nice from the outside.
The only real problem with this gym is that there is no pool, cause ya know, I was going to take up lap swimming next week! And to get from the front desk to the workout area there is no elevator and it's kind of annoying to have to walk all the way up a flight of stairs before you work out.
Please, no PM's asking me to be your work out buddy. -
Review from Derek P.
Seattle, WA
2/12/2010
Last summer I joined Allstar Fitness along with two co-workers. Our motivation being an upcoming trip to Spain. Our point of contact for the new membership(s) was Simon. Awesome guy who was incredibly helpful, informative, and quick to respond to emails. The facility is a block away from work, is in awesome shape, has good machines, clean locker rooms, fresh towels, etc etc... Everything was great. I felt pretty good committing to a one year membership. So good that I even added dual club access for the W. Seattle Allstar Fitness for myself and my girlfriend.
When I had originally added the $10 / person add-on, I was told that I could remove the feature w/o affecting my contract. When my girlfriend and I moved from W. Seattle to Ballard, I requested that the W. Seattle gym add-on be removed. It wasn't so simple. I was told there was a $60 fee to make the change. Before making my case, I scrutinized the contract copy I had on hand and saw nothing about the fee. I pressed back defending my position. It wasn't the cost but the principle. Informing me that I could drop a add-on later then attempting to charge me is not cool. It took three billing cycles of getting charged to get the add-on removed. Back and forth via emails, phone calls to W. Seattle, and speaking with the front desk. Apparently all Allstar member accounts are handled by a single account manager. Or so I was told...
Billing issues have happened with both of my co-workers. It took four billing cycles for Allstar to figure out why one of my co-workers accounts was showing a late fee every month. Apparently the billing department charged an invalid card despite having the new card on file, then failed to properly bill for an entire month which resulted in late fees accumulating month after month. Is it really that difficult to run a auto payment billing system? You require proper credit card change forms, maybe instead of using paper carbon copy forms you should upgrade to an electronic system that updates records in real time.
Despite the fact that the gym itself is impeccable, I can not get over how poorly my own or co-workers accounts have been handled. I eventually got my account sorted out when I cited the fact that I wasn't surprised to see the BBB 'F' rating - http://bit.ly/93nqZs
I still pay my dues and go to the gym regularly. The latter only because I pay for the membership. When this contract is up I'm looking elsewhere. -
Review from Valerie F.
Seattle, WA
4/30/2008
I've been looking for a gym with a reasonable membership plan that offers classes in addition to the...gym...part.
Moving forward: This place is fantastic! Truly! The classes offered are diverse, the instructors are great, the facilities are incredibly clean and very well kept.
This location never seems to be crowded, either - there is always plenty of equipment available and space in class.
The locker rooms each have a sauna and steambath - very clean - and private showers. Amenities are included - shampoo, conditioner, bodywash and so forth - and dryers and hair irons are provided.
Did I mention the cleanliness? I've never seen a gym so well kept up. The equipment is functional and great!
Going to the gym can be intimidating if you already feel timid about your body and making the commitment to the gym - for women, this gym has a women's only workout area with the same cardio and strength training equipment throughout the rest of the gym - it's a nice room with lots of light and it certainly doesn't feel like you are being exiled or hidden away - another plus!
Anyway - I highly recommend this gym! The prices are reasonable and the facility is great and it offers everything you could need - including parking!! - oh, did I mention the climbing wall????
If anyone has any questions, let me know! I am not affiliated in any way with all star fitness or healthy living in general - I'm a beginner - and there you have it.
http://www.allstarfitn...
*PS, Allstar fitness, please have classes between 6am and noon! thanks.Listed in: Seattle - Downhill.
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Review from Amy M.
4/8/2009
I go to two different gyms (pathetic), Sound Mind and Body, and Allstar Fitness, and I like them for very different reasons. Allstar has an endless supply of clean towels, super clean locker rooms and a great steam room. I usually just run on the treadmills upstairs on the coed floor on the (south?) wall, and there are 9 flatscreens, so everyone can watch what they want. They have a nice stretching area. The only thing I don't like is that the upstairs makes me feel a little claustrophobic (very few windows--or so it seems).
Pretty normal people, definite plus. although, there is a woman who runs without using her arms, which, in terms of peoplewatching, is about as good as it gets (molly shannon, she puts you to shame). sorry for outing you, no arm using woman, if you are reading this, but it's really fantastic and keep on keeping on. -
Review from Lisa C.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 7/18/2010
Not sure what's going on at Allstar - almost all the trainers have left, the locker room isn't nearly as clean as it used to be, I don't feel like I recognize the staff anymore and frankly the parking situation blows.
We ultimately decided to leave Allstar because our trainer left, we hated the parking, I was sick of working out with those dudes who grunt and because we were tired of driving downtown to work out. When I said we were leaving they didn't even ask why... bummer. Hopefully they'll figure this situation out because it really is a great gym, but the people who made it great aren't there anymore.Listed in: My Wedding Vendors
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/30/2009
I still love my gym. And I love my trainer, Melissa - this girl helped me drop about 3 sizes in the… Read more »
Comment from Karen J. of Allstar Fitness 7/9/2009
Good news - we just started renting lockers, so no more… More » -
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Review from Eric P.
Seattle, WA
7/22/2010
I have to second Derek P.'s earlier review: the facilities and amenities are good, but the management of memberships and customer service is atrocious.
I initiated a cancellation process that would cancel, both, my membership and my wife's membership. I was asked to come into the office to fill out a form and then was called back a week later because of the need to add additional information to the form that was not collected initially.
I made it clear that the cancellation should apply to both accounts and was assured that, as the payer for both memberships, having my name on the form would cancel both accounts. Not so.
An additional monthly charge for my wife's membership appeared on my credit card. After multiple e-mails with a representative, the gist of the matter was that the form only had my name on it and not my wife's. To my chagrin, the in-person assurance that the cancellation would apply to both of us now carries no weight because the cancellation form only shows my name.
Despite the fact that my wife never attended the gym during our membership, they did not exercise basic decency and reasonable judgment and insisted that the membership charge would not be credited back. The form governed all.
I am not surprised when Derek P. brought up their BBB 'F' rating - http://bit.ly/93nqZs and other recent reviews are surfacing their poor business practices. They may have gained an additional $44 from me, but I hope they at least lose a couple of potential members as a result of the poor word of mouth. -
Review from Alisa G.
Seattle, WA
12/14/2010
Disclaimer -I haven't been a member here since I had to quit in April due to job change, it didn't make sense to continue being here since I was only it for the yoga classes at lunch. But I must say, I haven't found an instructor like Tim since I've left and I miss him so much! No one else will encourage you or motivate you more than him. He helped me lose and keep off 10 lbs. Karen P. and Ricardo are also fantastic!
I found the gym to always be clean, the classes an awesome deal, and the atmosphere nice and friendly. The yoga instructors there are amazing, and Tim has just about ruined me for anyone else. -
Review from Traci V.
San Francisco, CA
2/17/2010
Ok gym with bad business practices. When I signed up with Michelle I got the "corporate rate" of $33 a month to use only the executive downtown location. The next week my friend signed up and his "corporate rate" was $29 a month to use any of the loctions. That didn't bother me so much though since it was just a $3 difference and I never really saw myself using the other locations. Where they really lost me is when I was told I would get a free month for referring another friend which I never recieved. I called Tom, the guy who promised me the free month and he said it was up to accounting. Called accounting and they said it was up to Tom.
Also, if you are going to join this gym the downtown executive club is the only location that's worth it. the other ones, especially West Seattle seem really dirty and out dated. -
Review from Chelsea H.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 12/14/2010
My super awesome step-mom paid for a membership for me as a pre-wedding gift. My experience was especially great because I wasn't paying for it. Now that I have the chance to continue the membership and pay for it myself I'm gunna have to pass. I can't afford $65/month for a gym membership and I live on Capitol Hill and do not work downtown so it's a bit of an inconvenience to get there. If I worked downtown and could walk to the gym I might consider it more. I was also dissuaded by a few of the creepy guys that worked there (I almost always used the Women Only room).
On a positive note, the equipment is great and the classes that I took were fun!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/22/2010
My super awesome step-mom paid for a membership for me as a pre-wedding gift. My experience was… Read more »
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Review from Sarah S.
Seattle, WA
9/15/2008
All (5) stars for All Star! After months of walking by and staring into the Executive All Star Club, I finally sucked it up and went in to join. Well, I'll be honest: I went in with the intention of taking advantage of the 2-week trial, testing my commitment, and THEN signing up.
But after taking the tour, they GOT me because it happened to be the last day of their "no enrollment fee" special, and once I found out that the enrollment fees were something like $400, I simply HAD to join.
Here are the things I like:
1*. The facility is beautiful. Large and spacious, they have a big "women's only" workout room and you can quadruple that size for the rest of the cardio machines on the 3rd floor. There is a giant climbing wall, a lounge-type cafe/cafeteria, a boxing studio, a yoga studio, a spinning studio, and another large main studio where most of the classes take place.
2**. The classes are great. I never knew I enjoyed group exercise, but lord knows I'm never going to kick my own ass in the same way that those instructors do, so now I'm all about it. I've tested out a killer ab class, the Survivor Workout (I almost died), tried Nia (great for mellow days), and Kickboxing. So far, there have been people of all levels in each class, which is great.
The online class schedule and calendar is really neat- it will send the class and description straight to your Outlook calendar. You can sort it by type of class and plan your weekly schedule ahead of time, based on what type of workouts you'd like to have.
3***. Locker room is clean, the sauna and steam room are excellent, the private showers are always full of shamp, conditioner, and body wash. They also have razors, lotion, q-tips, cotton balls, hair dryers, curling irons, etc.
4****. Everyone (with the exception of the woman at the front desk at 8am who is so obviously NOT a morning person) has been really friendly. Instructors, managers, sales people. Super nice.
5*****. I like it so much, I actually GO. That definitely deserves at least half a star. Another half star because a couple of my friends have joined too and now we all go together. -
Review from Mike B.
Seattle, WA
8/7/2010
If you need a morning workout place, this is it. The place is empty in the mornings. 3-7 in the evening this place will get hammered, but if you're mornings are free this is a great gym.
Very clean facility with everything you could possibly need including kettle bells. They are also much more competitive in pricing, matching my old gym Meiko's. All you got to do is ask.
My biggest complaint is the lack of mirrors in the lifting area. I'm no meat head mirror checker, but it would be nice to watch form on back related lifts better. -
Review from Jeffrey H.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 7/6/2011
When Epicenter took over Allstar Exec, I was at first very dismayed by initial confusion, crap in the locker rooms, and the negative revamp of early morning fitness classes. Some things seemed to have settled down. Locker room cleanliness is good again. They heard the voices of members and kept the very popular George Sommerock as the sculpt aerobics instructor. I haven't heard great things about the AM spin instructor, but I haven't bothered trying him. The only puzzle is that Allstar Exec members have had no correspondence about how their memberships work with the existing Allstar branches or about anything else.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/27/2011
Although I know I need to give it a bit more time, I hate the Epicenter take over at Allstar Exec.… Read more »
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Review from Kate B.
Seattle, WA
1/12/2009
Like most people, I WAAAAY overate during the holiday and promptly made a resolution to lose that weight by hauling my butt to the gym, something I haven't done in nearly half a decade. I shopped around a while, but decided on Allstar after a tour of the Executive Club facility.
The place was amazing! Leather couches, lounges with flat-screen TVs, wood and glass everywhere - the place looked like someone took a Sheraton lobby and put a bunch of exercise machines in it. The locker rooms were clean and well-maintained, as were the extensive amount of workout equipment.
It's a little spendy, to be sure, but for about $10 a month more than the YMCA, you get access to a 3-story rock wall and their Municipal tower facility which has a pool with a 14th story view of downtown. How cool is that?
The trainer I got was a really cool guy, who didn't try to sell me anything at all, and I've only met polite members and staff - no meat market, or stinky weird hobos.
Did I also mention that everyone there is hot, or on their way to it? Even the old people, damn! -
Review from Soo O.
Lynnwood, WA
12/17/2009
The facilities at Allstar are fabulous! The steam rooms, private women's workout area, three classrooms/studios...
The only downside is that the classes don't have much a rotation during the times that are offered. Also, I had a membership there for FOUR months without getting my membership card!!
Everytime I checked in I would have to produce my ID and the slip of proof they had given me in the beginning. Maybe two weeks to even a month is acceptable... but pulling out both pieces of info 4 times a week for 4 mths? I'll pass. -
Review from Matt M.
Seattle, WA
8/15/2008
I work across the street from the Executive Club in downtown Seattle. The facilities are nice, modern, and well maintained. The locker rooms are very nice, but the lockers are quite small; I found it very difficult to hang my work clothes and store my gym bag without having to cram.
Some of the machines aren't hooked-up to TV and the tanning beds have yet to arrive, both were incentives to join, but neither have been fulfilled. The free-weight section is smaller than most gyms, but there are a ton of bikes, elliptical machines and treadmills.
Don't bring your own radio headset and expect to be able to listen to radio stations. The gym has their TVs transmitting on radio stations that block normal FM channels-- which has both positive and negative advantages.
The staff is usually nice, but I've run into a few jerks who have no idea what customer service is. There have also been a few times I've gone to get a towel but found no towels out on the counter or anyone behind the counter to help; this was frustrating not something I wanted to mess with at 6am.
Overall, the Executive club is more like...the mid-level manager club. It's definitely pricey, but for the location and modern appeal + new equipment, I feel that it's worth it. -
Review from Lynn M.
Seattle, WA
6/21/2011
I gave it 5 stars even though it's out of my budget, but it really is worth the cost. They have a private room for ladies that are not comfortable pumping iron with the guys and there really is always a machine.
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Review from Craig M.
Seattle, WA
3/31/2011
I really enjoy this place. There are other places that are cheaper (this is about $45 a month) but this place is definitely worth it. It's incredibly clean, the locker rooms are the best (seperate showers, ironing board, etc.), and the staff is friendly. I very rarerly have to wait to use the equipment. The people who also attend are friendly. If you have a question about a workout you see them doing, it's okay to ask. There isn't a lot of attitude and the atmosphere is relaxing. They also offer a number of classes. I know the gym runs two week trial sessions so check it out.
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Review from jerry s.
Oakland, CA
7/5/2008
What a F*ING nightmare. I thought this would be a great place to work out and it was convenient and pretty...sure great. Canceling my membership due to a work related move on the other hand has been nothing but hassle from day one. The staff are money hungry corporate zombies who are anything but helpful. They have charged my bank account a total of 4 times after my membership was canceled. Looks like I'm not the only one having problems with their financial department. I've already filed a complaint with the state attorney, and will have to switch bank accounts just so they don't charge me again. Please take my advice and stay away unless you want to be charged hundreds of dollars beyond what you expect to pay. Please feel free to contact me if you've experienced similar problems.
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Review from Jerry L.
10/2/2010
I come here for the convenience to where I work downtown. Trying to come down here if your driving in is a sonofabitch. The sculpting classes taught by George and Chee are great and the boxing class taught by Jake are the only reason I come to this gym. I'd give this place 5 stars if the parking wasn't so bad.
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Review from Leaf W.
Seattle, WA
1/30/2009
Well, I have worked here, and one can not help being bitter sometimes about one's former employer.I know things about this place that I don't like.
I think management and owner don't have their priority's straight. BUT-
If you need a gym, if you feel like running but don't want to do it in the rain or around your bedroom, if you feel like having weights in your living room would make you look silly, if you want some instruction or just some me time to watch the news channel while you "puff puff puff puff..."This is your gym. In Seattle, I have visited gyms, and there are two kinds. One kind is so dirty you think maybe cleaning might be an exercise class no one takes, and the other is so pricey you might run into Bill Gates (or, at least, his wife) This seems to fall into the middle. Its pretty clean. In fact, by gym standards its VERY clean. It has nice showers, a round the clock cleaning staff, fresh clean laundered towels, and great free products. And although it isent cheap, It is reasonable, especially since you consider 90% of classes are 100% free once you pay membership. The YMCA IS cheaper, but not as much as you expect. The best part is that you can get a free two week trial (okay, you do have to walk around with a dumb sales guy first) right off the bat. Try before you buy, they may even be able to offer you a deal. And the machines are good, modern, and well maintained. Just check it out. -
Review from Z A.
Seattle, WA
10/14/2010
A great gym! There is a good variety of cardio and weight equipment. It's not too crowded at the times I am there. The front desk staff is friendly. And the locker room amenities, towels, etc are top notch. It's clean and reasonably organized.
There is a long list of free classes I should probably be taking advantage of. I also have not experienced the complementary personal training session.
I would love to see later evening hours to accommodate people like me with evening commutes (currently 'til 9:00 during the week and 'til 8:00 on weekends). Also, a stair machine would round out their cardio equipment, and I would be the most active user of it :) -
Review from Kate M.
Santa Barbara, CA
6/26/2009
UPDATE:
Allstar has a new COO who saw my review and took the time to contact me. She and the manager worked to find a mutually satisfactory resolution to my concerns. I think everyone can agree it shouldn't take a Yelp review to get great customer service, and I'm optimistic that the management of Allstar will have more freedom to use their own discretion when addressing customer related issues in the future. Given the responsiveness of the team at Allstar, I am increasing my original rating to match their effort.
Original comments:
I most often went to the branch in the Municipal Tower on 5th and Columbia. I joined this particular gym because of the pool, which ended up often being busy, even at 8:30 pm. However, they do have a sauna and steam room which saved me money on spas over the winter. They close at 10 pm during the week and 8 pm on weekends. I was surprised to find myself working out as late as 9 pm some nights, and wishing the gym would stay open 'til 11. I would not rejoin because of their accounting department and harsh policies. For example, my credit card was stolen and the bank issued me a new one. Allstar was charging my card, and the card number changed when it was reissued. Allstar charged me $20 bucks for the inconvenience I caused them when they tried to charge a card that no longer existed. Trying to explain the situation or appeal to their humanity was thankless and off putting. A worse situation: I was on a year membership. I called the day it was supposed to end just to make sure they would stop debiting my account. The manager told me to put it in writing. It ended up looking to their accounting department like I was cancelling my membership, so they held me to their policy about giving 30 days notice prior to canceling, and went ahead and debited my account $54. The thing is, when I spoke to the manager he never told me that I would be charged for the month, so I stopped going to the gym, assuming the membership was over. Now I'm out the dues and a month of membership. I want to fight but feel hopeless after reading other people's experiences with Allstar in the past.
Allstar dues seem a little higher than average to me, and while I'm reasonable enough to accept that policies are policies, I feel badly that the manager didn't disclose the policy at the time I "cancelled", so I at least could have used the last month of my membership. -
Review from Laura L.
Updated - 10/29/2009
Still loving it. The parking situation however, totally sucks.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/20/2009
The kettlebells here are really helping me get those coveted bridal arms. Holller!!
Everthing a good… Read more »
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Review from Anna A.
Seattle, WA
9/29/2008
I've been a member of All Star for 4 years. I originally joined the Queen Anne location, which has since closed :-(
They offered a great deal on transferring membership to their other facilities, so I took it, though I was worried that the down town and municipal tower locations would be inconvenient. So far, it's been working out.
The best thing is that you can use all of the facilities. The muni tower has a pool! A lovely pool! It's clean and relatively big.
The downtown facility is clean and well arranged with really nice locker rooms!
Both facilities have nice equipment that's always in working condition. They post 30 minute limits on cardio equipment, but if no one is waiting, no one kicks you off in 30 minutes. The staff is friendly and the classes are varied and plentiful.
The clientele are of a wide age and fitness range, so the atmosphere is not intimidating and not meat-markety.
The towel service is excellent. Bath and workout towels are provided free of charge!
I use free weights, weight machines, treadmill, elliptical, step mill and the pool. I only take spin classes so far and they're great!
I still miss the QA facility, but the DT and SMT are great! -
Review from Danica K.
Seattle, WA
11/4/2009
If it wasn't for the super convenient location of Allstar (right across from my work) I doubt that I would go as much as I do.
Sadly the time when I have to go is the most crowded (4:45-6:00 PM) but it's only very recently gotten to be a problem. I think that if the women's locker room was a little bit larger it would be helpful.
There is a women's only workout area but I don't use it. However if you're that kind of girl then it's a good thing for you. There is also a spa but for those on a budget it doesn't make a difference since it's as expensive as any other spa in town. I don't plan on using it.
The women's restroom area has a ton of counter space and I've seen women really lay their beauty tools out and it doesn't get in anyone's way (even during the crowded times).
The towel people are super nice and I have some funny conversations with them quite a bit.
There's a lot of TVs around but there could be more wall fans than TVs I think. There's TVs on the cardio equipment... lotsa junk TV but how else would I watch half episodes of Bones and NCIS since I don't have cable? ;)
I've been going to Allstar since I moved to Seattle from Minneapolis - way back to the one that used to be on Queen Anne.
My one major issue is how bloody expensive personal training is.
I really wish that they could make that more affordable (and no, going with a friend and splitting the cost is not an option). That's why the 4 stars. -
Review from Tony S.
Seattle, WA
3/1/2009
although i have a lifetime membership at 24hour Fitness, I purchased a membership at Allstar because 24 was just so filthy, dirty and the men's room smelt of old ass!
allstar was clean, with fresh towel service, equipment was new and well maintained, class selection was extensive and the instructors were wonderful! also, up there on my list, the men's bathroom was spic and span clean.
the only thing i'd have to deduct points from them for would be that the sales people's attitude were standoffish and their hours of operation could've been later.
overall a good gym with extensive classes! -
Review from Tom A.
Seattle, WA
3/5/2009
Nice facility, all the right equipment and classes and a clean, spacious locker room with a great steam room. Love the fresh towels, razors and helpful staff. Just tried the newly added massage and found it to be better than average for sure. Even do reflexology!
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Review from Suzanne S.
Seattle, WA
7/14/2009
I have been a member for about 18 months. I came to AllStar from the WAC. I think it is a great facility. It is clean, well kept and has everything you need. I have gotten to know several of the staff members by name and they are great. Simon in membership, Annie at the front desk and Claudia with Facilities. I am very comfortable in the gym. It is the perfect balance of jocks and weekend warriors.
I have been working out with a personal trainer, Victor Robles, for about two months. I have worked with trainers at the WAC and other gyms and can honesty say, Victor is the best! He loves what he is doing and it come through in all aspects of his approach. He has his BS in Kinesiology. He is organized, professional and he knows about building muscle and making the most of every work out. He gives you the most for your time and is very inspiring. The best thing about him is, he changes it up every time. If you are looking for a fluffy workout , don't call Victor.
