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Rain Fitness
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
159 Western Ave W
Ste 355
(between W 1st Ave & John St)
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 283-7246
159 Western Ave W
Ste 355
(between W 1st Ave & John St)
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 283-7246
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 5:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 8:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- No
28 reviews for Rain Fitness
I love this gym.
The staff is super nice and helpful, so are the trainers. The equipment is new and works properly and quietly. They have so many machines that even during busy times you never have to wait for a machine. Downstairs, across from the locker rooms, there is a great room with some weight machines, dumbbells, and a lot of space to stretch out and work with fitness balls. The music they play is outdated and a little cheesy, so bring your ipod! The locker rooms are very clean, so are the showers. The whole place has so much bright light and pretty views of the sound.
Rain also offers a lot of classes, some are free, some are not. They have free spinning, aerobics, and yoga. The pilates, boot-camp, and specialty classes have fees.
I had no problems joining like it sounds like others did. I read the fine print on the contract and everything seemed to be in order. They waived the initial fees (generally about $260) and I joined by just paying my first and last month.
The towel service is not free, so bring your own.
They don't have a scale, which is weird. I am still trying to figure that one out.
@@UPDATE@@ I am sorry to be so late in this update. I was MAD and spent time (typing emails-DANG my worst skill!) to reach the GM.. He apologized- classy. I have not had time to take him up on a free class - that which I had a coupon for- and that's tough as I just joined a great gym near me. I upped it to a 3 because the GM was so clearly concerned and tried to make it right. @@@@
I called today and was quized so inquisitionally by manager because he didnt know which benefit I had attended where Rain Fitness was spoken of with such high regard.
I ended up hanging up on him.. I wanted to come take a yoga class and consider joining the gym!!!!! He used call return and discussed it some more on my voicemail. He concluded with " I hope other places didn't get phone calls like this one. " Sorry I tried Rain Fitness first. Sorry I made that choice because of your sponsoring a great event and from a couple of good Yelp reviews. UMM well, a couple did and they were happy to know I had heard of them and they gave me class info etc.
I likely got him on a bad day or something.
UPDATE*** I spoke with owner ( well, emailed bcak and forth - he was thoughtful and offered me a free week at one of his gyms.. well, I don't wish to go to this one and the other is far away for me.) I appreciate the intent to 'make it right'. I recall in detail the rudeness of the manager who called me back with an unctuous voice. You gotta laugh, but that message was stuck on my voicemail for a few weeks.. UGH
I did call back and try to explain.. he assured me that they do not want me to be a member of their club.
EEKK
Ok.
I love this place. I love the people who work there, I love the view, I love the look of the place, I love the showers.
Most of all, I LOVE the yoga class on Tue/Thur taught by Jenniferlyn. It has completely recommitted me to yoga and I've started practicing 5 days a week.
The best part for me is that I got pretty much everything I look for in a gym, and I only pay $45 a month! There was only a $60 processing fee to join. Parking is a steal - $25/year gets you space in the lot across the street. But do be careful crossing Western Ave.!
One more thing I love - the clientele. Seems like people in their 20's and 30's who are professional, down to earth, and genuinely there to better themselves. I've belonged to many gyms that were awful meat markets, and this place spares you from all of that.
Awesome, awesome, awesome gym. Join.
I joined Rain in March of 2006 and ended my membership a year later. The place is beautiful with high ceilings and a modern look. But that's about it.
Cons
-It's extremely hot in the summer. I wouldn't go because I knew it would be just as hot inside as it was outside.
-You have to cancel your membership in person! Ug! They won't take in writing by certified mail.
-Customer service sucks donkey balls.
-I think I got scabies from this place not being cleaned thoroughly. Yes, SCABIES!!!
-The owner Glen dates his customers. Ew. He and my roommate went on a few dates. That was weird.
I will never go here again and you shouldn't even start!
I looked at several gyms near where I work and this one was the most appealing. It's in a historic building overlooking Elliott Bay, has old wood floors, tall ceilings, and large windows that let in lots of light. The equipment seems to be pretty new and in good working order. I like how there is enough equipment for people to work on but it isn't so packed in there that you feel claustrophobic.
When I first started I signed up for some personal training sessions so that I learned how to use the equipment correctly and what muscle groups to focus on. When I couldn't afford it anymore I told my trainer and the manager so, my trainer was like "no problem." The manager decided that it would be a good idea to have someone call me almost every day with personal training promotions. It got so annoying re-explaining that I was broke, I finally went in there and told them to stop calling me. That worked, they haven't bothered me again about it.
As for my personal trainer, Dan, he was nice enough and seemed to know what he was talking about. He was just so... disconnected. He was totally indifferent to my progress and was very monotone about everything. His weekends I guess consisted of "taking a bunch of naps," which is a little alarming to me since he is a young attractive guy. I should have been braver about trying some different trainers out, but I figured since I wasn't planning on working with one for too long anyway, it didn't matter much.
When Glen first showed me around the gym, he really made a point to tell me how clean the place was and look at how many cleaning stations we have. But when I didn't my personal training sessions, they discouraged me from cleaning the equipment after I used it. And I saw other trainers doing the same thing. Gross!
I will continue to go here because it's the closest place to my work, I like the bright openness, and $35 isn't bad. I really cannot say what their showers are like because I come to work and use our private showers. I also will say again, the view is awesome! They could seriously use some better management. The gym for me is not a sales pitch arena, so stop pushing your crap on me! If I want it I will ask.
I really gave Rain a chance, so now you don't have to. Here's my list of Pros & Cons.
PRO:
+decent equipment
+moderate traffic, but it's busy right after work like most places
CON:
-personal trainers (to be fair i'd say about 60% SUCK) so be careful and don't be afraid to try a few people.
-parking
-no towel service
-lockers
-showers
-music loops in an insane way (same 90s songs day in and day out; f--ing scary)
-mgmt
It's funny, I recently quit and had no problems whatsoever. I had read about the horrible experiences everyone had, so I went in 2 months before I plan to move. I went in Sept. 20 - Glen was there and processed my request easily. I won't be billed again and I have access to the gym through Oct. 31st since you pay the last month dues upfront.
I do agree with others that they have a very unfriendly staff. It's like they were trained by the Abercrombie training manual - ignore your customers, look at them surly, and act like you're better than them.
It's a decent gym, but more expensive than others and it's just an average gym. I could understand paying a premium if there were sport courts and swimming pools, or a track, but it's just cardio and weight equipment.
I really like Rain. I've been a member since I moved here from NYC in 2007. I'm not a huge gym person, I tend to do most of my workouts outside - I run, bike, swim, etc. but Rain is the perfect supplement and membership won't break the bank.
The gym is clean and friendly. The spin classes are amazing, especially Laura's classes. I've taken a bunch of Annie's classes as well and they're great! The price of the membership is worth it for Jennifer Lynn's Sunday yoga class alone.
Then there is the view... you can't beat taking a yoga class or running on the treadmill while overlooking Eliot Bay, you don't get a view like that in NYC and you pay about three times as much!
If you are not a chain gym type person and you don't want to pay the more expensive membership fees of a WAC or SAC, this is a great option!
I joined Rain in about March of '08, and have gone 2-3 times a week since July or so. Most of my time has been spent with a personal trainer (it's the only way I'll show up!)
PRO
Really cool space. I love the converted loft feel, and the view of Puget Sound is excellent.
Price. I think I pay $35 a month, which seems like a great deal to me.
My trainer. He is all business, and is very motivated to help me with my goals.
The equipment. They have plenty of machines for aerobics and weightlifting, plus a good selection of free weights.
It's simple. I don't like cluttered, fancy, snooty places. Rain seems focused on what matters.
CON
Oh god, the music. I'm only there 2-3 times a week, but it's true that you hear the same songs over and over. I pity the employees.
It gets crowded after work, so I make sure not to go then. Doesn't seem like it's too bad, though.
Parking might be a problem for some... be sure to check that out.
My reaction to some comments I've read here:
They have a towel service, but it's $2 or $3. I wish this was included, but at least they offer it.
I don't even know who "Glen" is. The manager guy I know is Erik, and he is always nice and helpful.
Yes, they do seem to focus on the bottom line... but nothing they've said or done seems unreasonable to me. They're a small business in a tight economy, etc.
I haven't reached the end of my contract, yet, but I will be sure to give them advance notice when I do. I don't expect problems.
So full disclosure I'm still a member at Rain. That said, after my most recent interaction with them I really have to warn people about joining this place. As for what happened, I received a coupon in the mail that advertised "$0 joining fee" and $35 / month dues. As such as an existing member I called them to see if I could take advantage of the promotion and they said yes, but I needed to come in and see a manager to transition my account. Fine no big deal, but so when I walk in and present the coupon to Glen (the owner who is referenced in other reviews) he informs me that he's fine to cancel my account and restart me under the new plan, but there's a $59.99 "processing fee" that tied to starting up the new account. Politely I referenced the coupon which I showed him AGAIN that clearly stated that there were $0 joining fees and he rebutted that the $59.99 wasn't a joining fee, but a processing fee tied to starting up the account. After which I expressed to him that I felt that this was extremely deceiving, but Glen calmly explained that it wasn't deceiving and that RAIN's attorney's stood behind the ad.
So we can talk about what I think about Glen or what I think about this promotion, but all you really need to know is this. Do you really want to join a club that puts out intentionally deceptive advertisements? Because it would have been very simple for them to say "Join now and pay only $59.99 (normally $250 )", but instead they want to lure you in with "$0 joining fees" and quietly attempt to sneak a $60 charge onto your credit card. Which causes one to wonder what sort of customer service they'll receive later. So this is very much a buyer beware comment about this gym.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/25/2006
I've been going to Rain for a few years now and on a whole its a good gym. A couple of things you… Read more »
When I think of a gym, I generally think of a place where I will torture myself publicly for about an hour and limp home in hopes that I haven't been noticed by anyone I know. I enter the gym armed with my iPod and make no eye contact to maintain my bubble of anonymity; like Wonder Woman in her plane, I imagine that my cellulite is invisible to all.
This is why I find Jonathan B's comment about Rain to be curious. In my year at Rain, I have never experienced attitude or pomposity from anyone at that gym, staff or otherwise. I tend to my business in the gym and imagine that others are doing the same. I did take a Boot Camp class last summer which was excellent, and everyone in the class was quite friendly and some even socialized outside of class.
The staff has always been friendly and helpful and more than willing to answer my questions. I especially loved the instructor for my boot camp class, Chris, who is all around excellent and encourages you to push yourself within reasonable limits. Josh, the personal trainer, has taken time out of his own personal workouts to show me the correct way to perform an exercise. I can't really imagine anyone being more helpful than the folks at Rain.
I do wish the hours were until 11 on weeknights and 9 or 10 on weekends; I often work late and have to hustle to get in for some time on the treadmill. But I know the staff wants to have a life, too, so I don't hold it against them. : )
1 star for the facilities only: For cleanliness & its overall offering machine-wise. In fact I would have gone higher but I simply cannot because...
Customer service was a big fat ZERO and that puts a dirty taste in my mouth every time I think of my Rain experience. I do have to admit that the staff there are great. It's management simply sucks ass.
**Sorry for the long-winded rant**
My wife was not having the best of pregnancies early on( morning sickness ALL day and Gestational Diabetes) and the last thing she wanted to do was jump in her car and drive from Phinney Ridge/Greenwood (We moved from QA with a couple of months left on our 1 yr commitment and had to keep the membership because it was less than the required distance away to get out) to "workout" as she would much rather go for a walk in the neighborhood. I can't remember now but we were paying either $35 or $40 each which is very cheap for a gym. But don't try and go in to negotiate a couple's rate. Management acts like it's a privilege to be members there.
A good friend of ours and a member(of less time than us) was also preggers and not in the mood to go workout had told us she was able to get a temporary suspension of her membership and had to only pay something like $5 during her pregnancy. Great!... we thought. So, one evening I went in to work out I approached Glen and explained the situation... Glen: "Sorry, we can't do that BUT if you bring a doctor's note we will consider it." What the fuck is that? A doctor's note?? Ooohhh... I still get pissed off thinking about this. Hear that? That's me cursing at my laptop at the moment and pounding on the keys as I type these words!!! MOTHER FUCKER! sorry about the language but damn...
Yeah we could have asked our doctor to write a little note for the big oaf but it's all about principle at this point. But what's the deal with the inconsistency with treating members? Besides, he would have only "considered" to do something after producing a letter.
Fast forward a few months and now we were moving to Columbia City and there was no way we were going to continue membership there. By this time our 1 yr commitment was fulfilled and now on a month-to-month deal. HA! We called to cancel membership and were told we had to come in to cancel. WTF?!?!? My wife drives over from Columbia City... kid in hand... to cancel. Staff working front-desk: "Sorry but BOTH have to be here to cancel. FUCK!
Oooookay. Now we both go in to cancel: Person at front-desk: "Oh, um, sorry , er, the form that you need to complete can only be accessed by Glen or Blah Blah Blah." Come back at such and such time. WHAT??!!
We did... and this "form" when Blah Blah Blah was there was located in a drawer under the front counter that front-desk guy could have accessed. "Oh, only Glen and I can process membership cancellations" says Blah Blah Blah. Fine... they should instruct staff to pull it out and have one complete and sign it and then give to Glen or Blah Blah Blah to process at a later time.
To make matters worse... they explained that because they require 30 days notice and because it was the middle of the month the auto-withdrawal was going to happen and because we already paid for the last month when we signed up our membership that we were not going to use was going to last another 2 months. Ri-fucking-diculous!
Stay AWAY and.... "run to the light Carol Ann, run as fast as you can!"
Funny... those with positive reviews haven't tried to quit yet. All the negative reviews are all related to Glen. For an owner he does take the drooling meathead cake. One time, I showed up for class which I found was cancelled. As I turned to leave he said, "You should stay...you look like you can really use the cardio" I was shocked! Uhm.. news flash Flabby...YOU - OWN - A - GYM and you look like that?!
When I signed with another gym -- I was told there was a WA state law that if you move more than 50 miles away, they have to let you out of the contract.
So glad my year's commitment is over. Just in case...
I came to Rain after my disappointing 15 minute stint with the 24-hour fitness a couple blocks away. Rain is a definite improvement from that facility and has added (or will be adding) some more things to make it better, namely Crossfit.
They are starting up Crossfit classes in February and will hopefully be bringing in more equipment to allow members to do a lot of the CF exercises that aren't possible with regular gym equipment. They've already brought in two C2 rowing machines.
For non-Crossfitters, there are plenty of your typical gym machines and equipment. The staff is friendly and there is plenty of room in the place. The GF sometimes complains that the cardio machines are too crowded, so that might be one of the negatives. They could still use another squat rack and some more barbell collars. Other than that though, this has turned out to be a decent gym. I would say 3.5 stars, maybe four if they pick up more equipment after the CF classes get going.
I really quite like this gym.
My boyfriend and I joined about 3 weeks ago, and have really enjoyed it. It suits my workout routine, which is 1/2 cardio, 1/2 machines.
Things I like:
- Staff. Not overbearing, but helpful. Just yesterday a new staff member helped me with the hardest friggin machine I've ever used (for shoulders) and was not condescending but very nice. She signed us up for an "orientation", which is free, to get a feel for all of the equipment.
- elliptical/cardio machines. At Xplore Fitness, I almost went out of my head because there were squeeky machines. Thank god, Rain has new machines with a good variety.
- the view of Myrtle Edwards Park/Beach.
- the quiet downstairs room with machines, mats, free weights (although limited), and exercise balls. Seriously, this is like their tucked away hideout space- perfect for shy people like me.
- I don't drive, but they have 3 parking lots! Some are only available during off hours, but still- bonus!
Things I didn't really like:
- the special rate at signup. Apparently, you can only get that rate if you sign up the first time you come in. Otherwise, you pay about $10 more a month, plus the $100 signup fee. Right now, it's $34. I like to think about my decisions.
- towel service? nonexistent.
- kickboxing class seems uninviting and hardcore- people are seen outside the room wrapping their hands up... yikes!
-TV's are limited and hard to read (when you've got bad eyes... like me!)
All in all though, it motivates me to get my butt into shape and look like some of the hard bodies walking around in there.... *jealous*
I have not worked out at Rain in about a year or so...but if you ever want to meet a bigger bunch of pompous folk come here. I am not even talking about the patrons, simply the staff.
The owner Glen was one of the rudest, out of shape, know it alls I have ever met. After dealing with this guy I can't believe Rain is even open.
The parking is brutal, and having a parking lot available a 1/4 mile away means nothing.horendous
I will say the equipment was top notch with beautiful views, but the vibe in that place reeked of ego. Never again.
They don't offer childcare, and don't plan on offering childcare, so if you have a kid you're SOL.
Lame. Especially since my kid is the reason I need to work out!
I joined 24 hour, even though it's not as "cool" and doesn't offer as many classes. But, I need the flexibility to work out on my lunch, or on the weekends or after work when I would be bringing my daughter.
I'm sad to see the reviews about the rude employees and managers, because that has definitely not been my experience.
I've been a member for about eight months now, and I feel like a part of their family. Ryan, the morning desk guy, learned my name within a week and now we're planning a group trip to climb Mount Rainier this summer. Annie, my trainer, is absolutely amazing. She gets me to work hard and keeps me laughing the whole time. And Glen somehow knew it was my birthday last week and gave me a t-shirt.
So, staff aside (because most of you won't interact much with them): Rain is one of the best facilities I've seen in Seattle. I toured a bunch of gyms before I signed up with them and it's the only one that doesn't feel like a sardine can the minute you walk in. You never have the feeling that you should be wearing a Haz-Mat suit or rubber gloves before you touch any of the equipment because they keep it so clean. The cardio machines look out over the water and the whole space has the open feel of a trendy, remodeled warehouse. I admit that I'm not much for lifting weights, but there are two weight rooms, one of which is almost always empty so you can grunt and strain and go red in the face without worrying about anyone seeing you.
I'm not sure if they give impromptu tours or not, but they can make an appointment with you the day you call and have someone show you around. A word to the wise: he'll offer you a rate that you can "only get if you sign up today," but if you give them your address, you'll start receiving postcards in the mail saying that you can join for 35 bucks a month (which, to my chagrin, is five dollars less than the rate I was offered). Not too shabby, if you ask me.
One more thing (and then I'll stop writing, I promise!): they're opening a new location in South Lake Union, and from what I hear from the staff members, it's going to be even better than the Queen Anne location. Picture cardio machines with iPod docks and DVD players. Yeah. Now tell me you don't want to be a member.
I've probably been a member at at least eight gyms and toured many more than that and while I'm still new to Rain, I think its my favorite. - this is saying a lot because when it comes to gyms I've very picky.
The people are friendly and it doesn't feel like a meat-market. I will have to agree with Karinna A. - the staff are some of the nicest and friendly folks I've met, they have gone out of their way to remember me and make me feel welcome as a new member.
The class selections are varied, the gym is very clean as are all the machines, and there is plenty of space to feel relaxed and not packed in like a sweaty sardine. The cardio machines overlook the water (which I find a peaceful plus) and the prices are reasonable. I've always loved going to the gym, but now I really really love it.
Also: the gym does get busy at the peak hours 5:30 - 7:00 but there are always cardio machines available - no one is ever waiting their turn to use a machine. Free weight selection is limited and they have no rowing machine :( but no gym ever does.
I am all for giving praise when praise is deserved, but my time at Rain left me very dissapointed. Even though the gym itself is nice, the staff leaves something to be desired. In particular, the owner. I was a member for two years and in that time, the owner showed that he did not care about his members~ only trying to squeeze every last penny out of them. Trying to quit the gym was a joke. I moved out of Seattle and met the "over 25 mile" requirement to cancel my active membership. Ha! The owner made every attempt to keep every cent, without regard to my longtime loyalty to his club, or the fact that I had three friends join. Personal training was another issue. My trainer no-showed three times.
If you are looking for a gym where you can get ripped off, check out Rain.
If you are looking for a nice place to work out, where the staff is curteous and friendly, I recommend the many other gyms in Seattle. There are some great ones! At least my friends and I can share our Rain horror stories and laugh now. Looks like I wasn't the only one who got the 1-star treatment there.
Jonathan B Was right on about his description of the staff. AND the parking lot. If the owner isn't bad enough, the fear of being struck by a car trying to cross the street should send you running in the opposite direction.
Sorry Rain. You just weren't worth the hassle.
Where the young professionals of Queen Anne and Belltown come to get fit. Rain is more than a gym, it's a place workout without feeling rushed, stared at, hit upon.
The staff is friendly and treats you like a friend... not a customer. Plenty of classes in everything from boxing to yoga to abs. The staff at rain doesn't just want to SEE you get in shape... they want to HELP you get in shape.
Wow reading the reviews left by others about the difficulties quitting and dealing with Glen totally struck a note with me.
Glen will only allow you to quit the club by coming in in person (they say they have no fax and email is not acceptable notice in writing) so I went in 3 separate times and totally got the run-around (only Glen can do it, I don't know how to fill out the form, etc). By the time I made it over to meet Glen I thought I was lucky, just making the 30 day notice and since you pay the last month up front...I thought sweet I was in the clear.
Well, Glenn informs me that since auto-enrollemnt occurs on the 1st of the month, you have to quit MORE that 30 days in advance because he claims he cant quit the auto-billing thing less than a few weeks in advance (um, yeah). So he forced me to sign a cancel membership form form that gave the club 60 DAYS NOTICE...I argued with him that my contract says I only need to give 30 days notice and he basically stuck to his new made up rule that you have to give 30 days notice from the time of the auto-billing, which equals 60 days notice.
So my credit card actually got upgraded and the number changed so Rain could not bill me for my second to last month that they were forcing me to stay on for...so they had the nerve to call me for my new cc number to set up one last auto-bill and I refused to give it to them- since they had my last month up front I said "let's just call it even and I will just stay on one more month instead of the two you were forcing me to stay on as". Well, Glen sent me a notice on 2/4 in the afternoon that said if I don't pay my bill by 2/5 I will be charged a $20 late fee. Nice way to treat someone who belonged to your gym for 2 years!
The overall gym is very nice; however, this issue must be addressed!
Just a warning for those who sweat a lot (leave puddles) like me.
I have always sweat when I worked out, but I always clean up after myself (no complaints in over 18 years of working out - till now), but the owner of Rain has asked me to bring 2 towels that I place on the floor while I work out and make sure that all the sweat is completely off the floors when I leave. He wants to protect the 100yr old hardwood.
The big problem is, he was unwilling to help in any way. I suggested rubber mats on the floor, but he said that would kill the aesthetic. I suggested more fans: nothing. I suggested he supply more cleaning supplies: NOPE! I suggested he let me store some towels there that I switch out each week: NOPE!
I think he picked the wrong space for a gym. If one has to be afraid to sweat in a gym, or fear that one's clean-up may be insufficient, this makes being in the gym very uncomfortable. Can't imagine what my laundry is going to look like!
The facilities at Rain are nice. The equipment is state-of-the-art and always in working order. There's never too big a crowd. The trainers and instructors seem knowledgeable and are friendly. My only big complaint is that it, a GYM called, RAIN is so averse to excessive moisture. Gyms are for working hard and getting sweaty, not being dainty.
I joined Rain almost a year ago. I loved the low/no pressure sales approach and I found the gym to be clean and the facilites to be well maintained. I took the Boot Camp class and loved it.
BUT then I started travelling for work a lot and wasn't able to go anymore. So I called to cancel my membership and was told that I had an annual membership and could not cancel for another three months. I didn't have my contract in front of me (I was on the road), so I said ok and just noted it on my calendar. Then I found my contract weeks later and saw that I had a monthly membership and that all I had to do was give 30-day written notice! So I called them again and was told that yes, I actually DO have a monthly membership but that I would have to go in to cancel it! WTF?!? I explained that I was not available to do that and that I had tried to cancel it weeks ago and that their own contract said all that was required was 30-day written notice. They told me I had to write a letter - not an email, a letter (and they claim they don't have a fax machine so you have to send it by mail). So I did. Then I get a written notice and calls about past due dues and threatening to refer the debt to collection! So I call them again and they insist that I still owe them even though I tried to cancel months ago but didn't because they misinformed me.
AND just so you all know - although they have resolved some of the complaints lodged against them, they have an UNSATISFACTORY record with the Better Business Bureau. (They have had 5 complaints in the last 3 years (now 6 including mine) and have "resolved" 2.)
My advice - stay away. They lied to get me to make me keep my membership, did not adhere to their own contract and threatened me with sending debts to collection. Their official BBB business record is spotty at best and I would say not improving based on my experience.
Do not join this gym!
First and foremost I agree with all the other reviewers, their customer service is abysmal.
I had issues with the gym before that I outlined below, but here is the catalyst that sparked this review:
They have 2 locations-one in Queen Anne and one in SLU. When I signed up this was part of the sales pitch. I joined at the QA location, but when I went to go work out at the SLU location, I was told my membership is only good for one location.
When I called the Queen Anne gym to verify, the girl who answered seemed very nervous and told me that she would have someone call me back. Soon thereafter I got a call from Glen the owner. I nicely explained to him that I live in QA and work in SLU and I would love to use both gyms. He told me I would have to pay $10 more. To this I replied I already pay almost $10 more than my colleagues at UW (they pay $34 and I pay $42/month). He then told me that my colleagues that pay less have a different membership and can only use that one gym. (Umm hello, I pay more and can only use one gym). He continued and said, if I want the two gym membership I will have to pay $49/month. I then told him that I didn't understand the rationale for keeping members tied to one gym. It's not like you can work out at both gyms at once and both locations are always pretty empty even at peak times. We then went back and forth about how his business is a poor model because it's not customer focused. Glen the owner then told me that they are "in the business for making money and would not let me strong arm him into letting me use both gyms." That was the end of our conversation.
A smart business person would have negotiated and that I pay $2 more a month--this way I end up paying $10 more than the UW employee rate. He would then be getting $44/month from me. I would be happy, use machines that are not being use (Glen you may want to look up "social proof") and continue to recommend the gym. He fought with me over $5 a month!!
My other issues with Rain Fitness:
The trainers wear jeans!! This is so bizarre to me. It's like a lifeguard not wearing swimming trunks. How are you supposed to show me how to properly work out if you are not even properly dressed for the job?
There are only 2 small water fountains in the giant warehouse of a gym that barely dribble warm water.
There are no mirrors in front of the free weights downstairs. How are you supposed to check your form??
There is no parking. They have two lots you can use, but the hours they are available make them useless. You also have to put a sticker on the back window of your car and not one of the static-cling type ones--the pull out an exacto-knife and solvent to remove type.
If you read through all this, thank you! If you skimmed it, here's the summary: Do not join this gym!!!
My main reason I started working out at Rain is the proximity to where I now live after being a content member at Gold's. Overall, it's been a positive experience. My humble thoughts in order of importance.
Pros: I love my trainer, Katie, who's helped me lose the lethal combination of college plus office-ass weight and as far as I'm concerned she hangs the moon! She's very supportive and flexible. I told her I hate to run so she only makes me run a teeny bit. They offer diverse classes every day of the week and have pretty good instructors like Annie. There's also a lot of cardio equipment. It's also clean and has a great view.
Cons: The hours are a little shorter than what I'm used to, but it's pretty empy on the weekends. One of my pet peeves is the mirrors. They have these smaller round mirrors that I questioned during my initial tour and the salesperson told me it was a "boutique gym" and they didn't want to be like the big box gyms - still doesn't make sense to me. So instead of having a vast wall of mirror we are congregating around these small mirrors to get a peek out at our form. The parking is also restrictive so it's tricky and not particularly convenient.
BLEH!
I got pregnant about 4 months after I became a member and continued to workout until the summer came and the gym started to really heat up. Because of health issues my doctor advised me against working out strenuously, especially in such a hot environment. SO, I followed all of Rain's rules and got a doctor's note and wrote a letter myself and mailed it in. I hadn't heard back for a while, so I called and spoke with what I believe was the billing department.
AND, here's the good part, the lady told me that they would need more information from my doctor!! As far as I'm concerned it's none of their business what my personal health history is. They had a note from my doctor specifically saying I could no longer use any of the equipment at the gym, and it still wasn't good enough for them. They definitely don't care about customer service. They finally ended up cancelling my 12 month contract in the 11th month. Great.
I set up an appointment to meet Glen, the manager, so he could show me around the facilities. I was pretty much ready to sign up by just going there because I wanted a gym close to work that was reasonably priced. But when I got there and asked for Glen at the front desk he was not there...I guess he had been there earlier in the day but that did me no good now. Then when I asked if anyone else was around that could show me the place or if I could look around myself the receptionist just said, "um, no I'm sorry". I basically said that they weren't getting my business and walked out. I'm very upset about this. I was looking forward to taking classes at lunch and after work. You'd think they would want some new business considering there was no one I could see using the equipment at noon on a Wednesday. It also took up 20 minutes of my lunch going there and back. I could have found better things to do with my time.
