Ellis Athletic Center

was a member for a year, left after they built a gym closer to home, but am going back after new gym was just okay.\r \r Ellis has a friendly staff, good location, and it's clean.\r \r The heavy equipment area is a little tight, but the members are quick to help or move out of the way.\r \r the class-room is always available for all users when class in not in session.\r \r plenty of aerobic equipment. Pros: great staff and well maintained equipment Cons: small more

As a retired fitness club owner it is really sad to see how exposed a person trying to create a community oriented service is by what amounts to ""Deadbeats"" that will skip out on a meal when the waitress isn't looking, file suit against a shopowner bc YOU are running in the store and fall then bash them online. \r I happen to be a member at EAC and it is exactly what it is advertised to be. A quaint affordable full service fitness center with a great staff/trainers/instructors and plenty of programs. Infact, they have something called PT4U that gives access to a Certified Trainer any time you want w/o charge. \r \r I found that many of these reviews are writen by people who have an ax to grind because they wanted to dictate the terms of how the center does its business. Meaning, ""I haven't been here so I should not have to pay! "" Or "" I know I signed a contract but now I changed my mind!"" Really people? As grown ups wouldn't it just be better to pay your bills just like the rest of us?? Hey, Try calling Toyota and say, "" I didn't drive my car last month so I'm not going to pay. As a small business charging nominal fees can they afford to chase ""Deadbeat"" members? Not really so the contract is all that they have, well that and the assumption that the person joining has an ioda of self respect or integrity. I know, a lot to ask. \r \r Finally, when NAMING NAMES in a review you should all be careful to have proof and not hearsay because before I sold my business I successfully litigated 3 casesjust like you.(anonomous or not) for DEFAMATION/LIBEL As far as expressing your negative opinion of an instructor that you did not like, manners, not law dictates that you leave their name out of it. Why someone would deliberately hurt a person that is just trying to make a living is beyond reason and you should be ashamed of yourself and I hope you are all no longer members as most people at EAC are family oriented and most of all KIND, as members we can do without you! Pros: NOT intimidating, Price, Basketball Court, Gym Rentals, Staff Cons: Could be bigger, No Pool more

very disappointing, not much equipment, staff was not friendly or helpful when asked questions. Staff was also unprofessional by talking about members and laughing. I wouldn't even really give it one star to be honest. more

The other day I attended a class conducted by Jill Maki. The class was horrendous! Obviously a newly trained instructor. When I bought my membership I expected top-notch trainers! I might as well go to local YMCA and it would be much cheaper. First the class was not very challenging and she rambled (very narcissistic)! Second I really do not want to look at a wanna-be. Instructors should be group fitness certified, she is not. I would not recommend this gym they have really gone down hill in the last 2 years. Unfortunately I am in a contract that will be difficult to get out of. Pros: in my area Cons: unqualified trainers more

boring atmosphere! The equipment did not operate properly. The instructors were in-experienced and gave conflicting training advise. Especially the new spinning instructors! Very disappointing! I will be pulling my membership. Cons: in experienced trainers and instructors more

I joined the Ellis Athletic Center shortly after they opened in 2005, and have had an outstanding experience. Contrary to another review of The Ellis Athletic Center, which I recently saw on Citysearch, I have found the staff to be nothing but helpful. While you have to sign up for a 12 month membership in order to receive a price break (off of daily and monthly membership passes), I have known the Ellis Athletic Center to be quite flexible in freezing and cancelling memberships under extenuating circumstances. \r \r Everyone from the owner and general manager, to group fitness instructors, personal trainers, and front desk staff seem to genuinely care about the well being of the members. The staff is highly professional and friendly, and the facility, unlike other fitness centers that I have joined in the past, is clean, unintimidating, and upbeat. As a member, I don't feel like I'm treated as a number. Some clubs want the members to sign up and never come in to work out. At Ellis, if you fall off track for a couple of weeks, you'll be called by one of the staff members to remind you to get back in. They actually want their members to use the facility, and take full advantage of the programs! \r \r I would recommend the Ellis Athletic to anyone in the Newtown Square area in a heartbeat, as it is the town's only full service fitness center, it has great programming and an outstanding staff, and its management genuinely cares about the clients. Pros: Great customer service, clean facility, great programs Cons: Tucked back in the Ellis Preserve Campus (I like this, but some may find it hard to locate) more

We were told we could cancel if needed when we joined. Well it turns out we needed a gym with a pool and called to cancel. Spoke to a nice lady on the phone and she said to send a letter requesting cancellation and they would just bill us until the end of the month. Well 5 months later and still getting charged! \r \r Well the owner, Tom Fenstermacher, informed us we could cancel but would be billed to the end of the 12 month agreement, no exceptions unless you move or become disabled. Is that really cancellation? You still have to pay for the year!\r \r I have been paying for two gym memberships over the last 5 months. Ellis received about $600 for 90 days of usage. We got shafted!\r \r I would predict they will not be around for the long term as customer service is king. Month to month is what LA fitness and the YMCA is doing and they are crushing these little clubs. We love the YMCA, good people.\r \r Ellis Athletic Center, LLC; FACTS Fitness, Inc; Berwind Property Group; BPG real estate Investors, Straw Party I, LP; BPG management Co\r Pros: small Cons: small, yearly contracts only, no exceptions more