Gold’s Gym

Their website does not show the membership/​monthly fees. The staff on the phone won’t tell you either. They say you have to go in to the gym to find out. When you do go in, they give you a one-​week pass and say you must use it before they can tell you the fees. No businesses operate like that! I can only imagine what happens next… After reading other Unilocal reviews, it seems like things only get worse!!!

The gym & equipment were just like any other gym. The lady’s working were very rude. They do not have towels, shampoo, or conditioner. They charge 10 $ for a shitty little towel. My normal gym has towels so I did not think I needed to bring one. So had to pay 15 $ to go in and 10 $ for towel
I left my shampoo and conditioner and expected they put it in lost and found but the lady told me they threw it away. Pissed !!

Great gym but probably one of the worst golds gym franchises I’ve ever been to. Owner is horrible never available. The pricing is ridiculous but since it’s probably the best gym on the Watsonville area that’s probably the only reason it’s still standing, forgot to mention how many hurdles you have to jump before you can cancel your account and try to rape your Checkings account I’m the process. If you haven’t don’t sign up your money is better in your pocket check out the Golds in Gilroy really great place or even In-​shape in Salinas worth the drive if your really a gym rat

I signed up for a 7 day pass today and I really like the place. It’s a clean open space with new equipment. There is an indoor pool and a women’s only area, classes, saunas, and it’s not stuffy like I’ve found other gyms to be. As of now with a year contract it’s apparently 39 $ a month with a year contract. Also, once a year there is a fee of 25 $ that they use towards new equipment and general up to date-​ness.
I plan on getting a membership come summertime. :)

Excellent facility, really solid option for a Gold’s Gym! Full sized pool, hot tub, ladies and men’s room saunas, huge free weight bench & exercise machine selection, very cool separate cardio loft as well!

Please be aware that Golds Gym in Watsonville uses a very untrustworthy company for their «debt collection» called Aldous and Associates. This company represents themselves as a law firm but they are actually a debt collection company that Golds Gym utilizes to go after their customers if they are unhappy about contract cancellation. Please see my review on Golds from May 2015. I am following up now to inform you that after the owner, Martina, was unable to amicably cancel my contract despite numerous written submissions to do so, and after continued fraudulent debits from my personal bank account despite me canceling their authorization to do so she presumably got angry that my bank opened a claim on them for debiting my account after I removed authorization for them to do this, reversed their debits and blocked them, so she referred my account to Aldous and Associates. This company has now violated 3 TCPA (telephone consumer protection act) rights of mine and engages in harassment, misrepresentation, and threats to collect fees for Golds Gym Watsonville. If any of you have been referred to Aldous and Associates by Martina or her staff and have therefore experienced the unlawful harassment and threats that Aldous and Associates uses to try to collect money for Golds Gym call Lemberg Law at 855.301.5100; they will represent you for free against Aldous and Associates and Golds Gym as they specialize in consumer rights law.

I’ve been a Gold’s member now for about 3 months and felt they deserved another chance. It’s clean, well-​maintained and everyone is friendly. The hours are great.
I’m very happy with the pool and haven’t used anything else or taken any classes. I would say the best deal would be for busy moms who like to take lots of classes because the membership (except for training and I do believe they offer one free one) is all-​inclusive.
So…please disregard my snarky comments. I think it’s a pretty nice place.

It’s ok, it’s really crowded!

Turns out they are building a Gold’s Gym in my neck of the woods! Since I was treated so awful don’t think I’ll be signing up thanks to the rude Watsonville staff member.

When I signed up for Golds gym, I let the person know that I would be moving soon. They told me not to worry that if I move there is no cancelation fee. I called to cancel few weeks ago, they told me to email the owner to cancel to her personal email. When I did she said it would be $ 100 fee to cancel my membership. I let Martina know thats not what I was told when I signed up, but I was told it was the only way to cancel. BE CAREFUL when you sign up. Dont be fooled by the front staff that there is no cancel fee if you move so you will sign up.

Liars ! Ripoffs ! Con artists… These Punks try and scam you out of $ you’ve already paid every time you pay your bill… I’m not bitching about once but several times these guys pull the same B. S…today was the last straw, they can kiss our butts goodbye forever after disrespecting my sweet tempered wife ! I’d rather run up and down my stairs all day long and finish it off by stepping in cow poop before walking into this dump again!!! Thank God my wife stopped me from going down to talk with the guy who ran his mouth at her trying to bully more money from her, because I’d be in jail right now and he’d be in urgent care. …GO ANYWHERE ELSE !!!
YOU CAN’T GIVE ZERO RATINGS !!!

Really nice facility but expensive! Big enrollment fee and monthly fees.
Liked the equipment and that they have a pool and jacoozi and saunas in the locker room.
Just not sure about the price.
Also, they have the hugest fan in the weight room I’ve ever seen! It’s literally the size of the whole ceiling! Crazy!

I’ve been to a few Gold’s in my time, since the 80s. I met Rachel McGlish and Arnold Schwarzenegger at the one in San Jose. It holds a special place in my heart. But on Westridge Dr they are charging more than twice as much as Golds members enjoy anywhere else in Cali, obviously because there are so few options in the area. Plus to join you are required to pay a large initialization fee; another chunky admin fee; AND an annual fee!
Watsonville is an inexpensive area with lower overhead; L.A. is an expensive area but the Gold’s there seem to comply with the franchise protocol. That is the appeal of a franchise. Another appeal typically is the ability to go to any other franchise location; however here they claim you can only use another facility up to 14 times a year at each owner’s discretion.
The reps at the gym were very nice, professional etc. The gym itself was ok, nothing great but clean. The equipment seemed modern and in good condition but limited. You have to go outside to the pool house, and to a small women-​only room. The elliptical area is on a make-​shift second floor with NO VENTILATION (on top of the mens and womens locker rooms).
They also had a lot of signs up, which at first seemed thoughtful but then it gets a little anal.
I also was not comfortable with their parking, where only a handful of spaces are visible from the gym and the remainder are on a basically deserted and dark lot although it seems like an ok area, and the parking lot is clean.
If they were just requiring a monthly fee I might have joined. But with the high sign-​up fee and the lack of ventilation on the ellipticals it just doesn’t make sense for me.

I think this is a great gym. It is very clean the equipment is really well kept. And the staff is very friendly.

Finally left!
Felt awful doing it and now wish I would have done it sooner.
So my year membership was up and I asked to be put on a month-​to-​month status because I was in the process of buying a home and might need to relocate.
They said sure, except I would need to pay something like a $ 179 registration fee, $ 39 processing fee then $ 50/​month…
umm what?
I have been a member for 5 years, you have all my information and credit card on file– what exactly do I have to register for? and processing fee of $ 39 to push a button to charge said credit card on file-​are you kidding me?
The manager, Martina, was SO rude and is what promoted me to leave.
She realized that the front office staff continue to let me work out (had to idea my membership expired the week earlier) and no one had told me it was expired until she checked me in, and made it out to by my fault?!
She made me stand there infront of everyone else checking in lecturing VERY loudly that I just can’t keep coming for free– uh yea. Which is why 1) someone should have told me it expired and 2) let me pay monthly like I wanted.
You would think they would value loyal members for 5 years who only go in 4x a week for 30 – 45 min, don’t crowd their weight room nor workout classes, dirty their pools or use their hot water for showers/​sauna = basically paying them way too much money for how much I get back.
But nope.
Now I’m at Body Zone in Watsonville and no their equipment isn’t as up to date as Golds, but at least it works all the time! and the staff there actually greet you.
Should have made the move a loooong time ago.

I have reviewed this business a couple times before. I was hoping for an improvement as would be the logical step when a business does not make its customers happy but that has not been the case.
My last review pointed out their illogical and amateurish business move last winter. That was corrected. Thank you Golds! Although the wood room is not always open, I can see the efforts in trying to keep it open more regularly between classes.
Before my real review, be wary! My vehicle was burglarized in their parking lot a few days ago. The gym has surveillance cameras monitoring their parking lot and offered NO help about the situation. This happened during the day time! That parking lot IS NOT SAFE fyi but I wont Unilocal them on this since its out of their control.
REVIEW: customer service. In the past I have Unilocaled about their scarce customer service but this time they went from scarce to rude.
Me: I walk in «Hey sorry, I forgot my card, can you pull me up on your computer?»
Michael: (with an annoyed look) «You know, you have to bring your card with you every time?»
Me: «Yea, I forgot it in the rush of things.»
Michael: Sigh… click click, click-​click-​click, «you know its mandatory for you to bring your card»
Meanwhile people start to stare and gawk at our interaction.
Me: (a bit pissed from the chore this is becoming and his rude tone) «Yea I know, I usually bring it with me but I just forgot it this time»
Michael: (angry stare) «This is the second time you forget your card!»
Me: (raised voice) «I know, I didn’t forget it on purpose!»
Michael: (angry stare) «Please let this be the last time»
Me: (Jumps over the counter and punches him right in the button… snaps back into reality) Walks away and condescendingly says «…Yea.»
The guy cut me no slack. He was annoyed he had to type in my name to pull me up! OH MAN! Give me a break! If he dislikes his job THAT much why is he there?! I’m not asking for a smile or a hand shake, just don’t BUST MY BALLS!

Just do your own thing and don’t complain like a trick

Have been a member for a couple of years, but enough is enough.
Found the main gym floor to be very intimidating, so used the womens only section, and the pool for the most part.
Women frequently just sitting on machines having conversations or texting and not working out. The treadmills incline functions usually not working, and not repaired, leaving only 1 of 4 machines capable of it. The spacing between some of the weights machines is too close — making it impossible for those who are at the gym to loose weight to even get to them.
The group classes are incredibly full and very noisy.
There is not enough parking during rush times, and some people use 2 spaces for their large vehicles in compact sections.
But the thing that really got me was that once I decided to discontinue my gym membership, even though I had been well out of the contracted period and was month-​to-​month, was that they consider your discontinuation a «30 day notice», meaning that they will make you pay for yet another month, when you’ve already stated that you want to quit. What am I paying another month’s membership for? I’m not going to be there using the services, I’ve QUIT.
To add insult to injury, the last payment transaction started 3 days earlier than usual (I’m assuming due to Christmas), and apparently was declined, even though the money was available. So they added an additional $ 19.50 fee and tried again on the correct day. This time the payment went through even though it made my account overdrawn. So I called Golds, who told me what the $ 19.50 was from, and to call ABC to find out what I can from them. ABC didn’t tell me anything, just referred me back to Golds…
Beware hidden charges folks, and if you’re going to quit, I suggest you cancel a month before you need to.

I’ve been going to Gold’s since about 2005. I’ve tried other gyms but I ultimately decide to stick with Gold’s. It’s the best Watsonville has to offer. I’ve been to the gym at 5am, after 5pm and am currently go in the afternoon. The best times to go are before 7am or from about 1−2pm.
The Good:
Staff: Most of the staff is friendly and accommodating.
Equipment: Equipment is good. Good variety of weights and machines. Lots of treadmills and ellipticals. I wish they had kettlebells and more stairmasters.
Cleanliness: The gym is pretty clean. There are staff members who are constantly cleaning and straightening up and it makes a huge difference.
Members: Most of the regulars are nice and say hello, especially the 5am crowd.
Pool: The pool is usually clean and fairly deserted.
Showers: Remodeled showers with more space. The showers look much cleaner and I love how they put new showerheads with adjustable spray.
The Bad:
Parking: If you go during rush hours (7−9am or 4:30−8pm) then be prepared to walk from ½ a mile away. People are also assholes and take up 2 compact spaces all of the time. I’ve also had people park so close to me that I can’t even get into my car.
Group Classes: I’m not a fan of group classes. The gym gets so fucking loud it’s ridiculous. You can’t even hear your own music at full volume because the cycle and zumba classes put the music up so high.
Members: People don’t re-​rack their weights and they leave their mats and other equipment all over the place. Patrons here also seem to use the space as their own personal gym and do really annoying things like have loud, obnoxious phone conversations and crank up their mp3 players at full volume. The younger crowd is generally rude and the bodybuilding guys are really into themselves.
Pool: The hot tub is very relaxing but can get grimy.

I cannot wait to cut ties with Gold’s.
Update June 7, 2012: What was mainly an issue with how CORPORATE Gold’s and FRANCHISE Gold’s interact has now become an issue with Watsonville Gold’s management/​owner (?) Martina.
In the middle of TRYING to get my money back, the franchise rep spoke with Martina who told her that I wanted a membership for $ 28, and that no one gets it for that price, and*she* offered me a $ 34 a month membership, that I got angry and would not accept that.
Problem is: That is all a LIE. I NEVER spoke with Martina. A front desk person contacted her and said that Martina said she would waive the enrollment fee and apply the $ 39 to a monthly no contract fee. I was not angry, and thanked the front desk girl for her help, and left with Martina’s phone number. I never called her, I choose to email Gold’s corporate.
It is DISGUSTING how Gold’s corp, and now Gold’s Watsonville, has conducted themselves. The franchise manager had the gall, after allllll this, to tell me this morning that it was not their problem, that they were stepping in on my behalf, essentially doing me a favor, since I had done this through the Watsonville branch. I did not, and this has been clear from day one, my bank statement is billed to Gold’s Corp TEXAS. Not Gold’s Watsonville.
They also have the gall to say on my answering machine that if I cannot provide a confirmation number, then they can’t do anything for me. I have BEEN SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOPS every time I talk to someone «I have my confirmation number, does that help? Can I give that to you?»
UNREAL this has been.
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I found out that through my AAA membership I could get a really good discount; $ 39 enrollment (instead of $ 100) and $ 28.80/month with no contract (vs. $ 39/​month no contract) This sounded like a great deal so I went ahead and followed the instructions online. Watsonville showed up as a selectable option.
I paid $ 39 and went in two days later to activate my membership, I had my monthly dues, id and AAA card just in case. I also had printed out a SEVEN day pass for the Watsonville location for my husband to try it out, if he decided to join he would be paying full price.
First off, they wouldn’t honor the seven day pass, they only give out three day passes. We were told to go ahead and workout and at the end to come back to the front desk to finish up the paperwork, since they weren’t sure how to process this type of membership.
I had a pretty good workout, just using the weight room, which was a little worn down but clean. The lack of decent squat racks was a bummer.
I was happy and feeling good, only to find out that they won’t honor the membership/​discount I signed up for online… Uh, what? I wasn’t trying to scam anyone, and had Watsonville not been one of the options no one would have heard a peep from me. But they were an option, and the process at no time gave any indication that I could be paying for a membership I couldn’t use.
Apparently this information came from the manager, so I felt fine emailing Gold’s corporate about this. Too bad I NEVER heard back from them.
I then posted on their FaceBook wall, since it seemed someone at Gold’s corporate was keeping up on that. Sure enough, they apologized and gave me a number to call.
I called, was told to speak with the franchise director, who was not in her office. She said on her answering machine to give her THREE business days to get back to me. Left a message on Thursday May 30^th in the morning. Nothing.
I called back on Monday the 4^th, got a hold of her that time, and apologized since she did *technically* have another day to get back to me. She was minimally polite, said she needed to speak with the manager of Gold’s Watsonville, who was not in so she left her a message, and said she would call me back THAT day either way. (And guess what? As of today, Wednesday June 6^th, NOTHING.)
I ended up calling AAA on Tuesday the 5^th, since I hadn’t heard back from anyone at Gold’s. They were wonderful as usual and are trying to help me.
This morning I decided, f this, I don’t want to be involved with such an unethical business. Now it has become a total fiasco trying to get my $ 39 back. Call corporate, speak with THE SAME LADY WHO DID NOT RETURN MY CALLS, she tells me to go online and «cancel» the membership I never received, I go online, it says to contact the Gold’s I am a member with. UGH. I am not a member anywhere, they WOULD NOT LET ME BE. So now I wait to speak with the manager at Gold’s Watsonville and HOPE that this can be resolved in a timely manner.
Now I have to go and FAX in my confirmation paper, that they should already have, so they can send it to their billing dept, and HOPE that they refund my money in a timely manner.
And after speaking with AAA I have been informed that due to NUMEROUS complaints, they will be severing ties with Gold’s Gym as of June 31^st. Too late for me…