Former employees say New York Sports Club has mishandled customer memberships for years by KristinStoller
Anton Klusener
On March 31, Town Sports CEO Patrick Walsh sent an email to members saying the company would issue account credits and address all membership-related concerns once the gyms opened. He also offered members a membership to Town Sports’ Elite clubs, which are higher-end clubs that can cost upward of $100 per month at their current membership rate, through the end of 2020.
“As a veteran in the fitness industry, I’ll say this: No gym companies, between all the branches, none of them is going to get an A-plus, 100% ethical,” says Jonathan, a former Town Sports employee who asked to only be referred to by his first name. “That’s just the nature of the beast.” However, at Town Sports, he said there was “maybe a little too much” unethical behavior going on.
Meanwhile, membership growth at traditional gyms like New York Sports Club has been trailing the upstarts. Between 2013 and 2017, membership at boutique studios cumulatively grew by 121%, while it grew only 15% at traditional gyms, according to the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association.
[upper management] turned a blind eye to,” says one former employee, a senior manager who worked at Town Sports in New York City for more than three years. Town Sports Vice President Messina denies that he did so However, Messina says the block was put in place to curb member abuse of gift cards. He says members would enroll using gift cards instead of credit cards, thus avoiding future fees. Town Sports banned the use of gift cards in its clubs in 2018. Messina says there was no incentive to use gift cards to re-sign up former members, as employees are not paid commission for reinstating former members.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former NYC Mayor Bloomberg is developing mobile apps to help New York state trace coronavirus cases
Read more »
New York Times: Top administration officials have pushed intelligence agencies to link coronavirus to Chinese labsTop Trump administration officials have pushed intelligence agencies to link coronavirus to Chinese labs, the New York Times reports
Read more »
New York City ends 24-hour subway system to disinfect trains and buses over nightNew York City is suspending 24-hour subway service to disinfect subway cars during the coronavirus crisis, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday.
Read more »
New York City to temporarily suspend overnight subway service due to coronavirus concernsJUST IN: NYC will suspend overnight subway service from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. beginning May 6 for overnight cleaning, officials say
Read more »
MTA to Shut New York City Subway Between 1 a.m to 5 a.m. During Coronavirus PandemicThe Metropolitan Transit Authority says it will close the New York City subway system each night from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. to allow for trains cars to be cleaned.
Read more »