California WOW - really good deal at the ladies-only gym! - Ajarn Forum

Hailfromtheshire · 3rd August 2008, 08:40

Just thought I should post on my experience last night. Everyone has always said that California is an expensive, and cheap-quality place to workout. That may be true, but last night at the ladies-only Suk 31 location, I was very surprised and happy to find three of my fave cardio machines from the states in htere, as well as a new one I've been seeing a lot lately that might become a quick favorite. Effective machines for burning calories and losing weight. Well, anyway, i got a great deal - all clubs, all aerobics studios incl. yoga and pilates - for three years, i got it for 14,000 baht. Since I don't have a credit card, I have to pay in one lump sum up front, but other than that, I felt it was an awesome deal - esp since I've been checking out and researching gyms for the past two weeks. It even beat the deal i almost took for a uni gym for 500/month.

btw, i didn't even try bargaining with them, i basically just sat there and asked questions about some promotions i had seen. They even dropped the price TWICE after I agreed to the deal! Pretty nice. Thought I'd share the good deal in case anyone was looking to join and had been put off by these forums like I had. Good luck!

aging one · 3rd August 2008, 08:43

Now they have you, and you will be listening to a sales pitch to upgrade your membership each and everytime you visit the gym.

Intrepid · 3rd August 2008, 08:48

Ha... a shill

Tommyk · 3rd August 2008, 08:58

I was hoping for something more "juicer" - an all girls gym and all, sigh.

Chang · 3rd August 2008, 09:11

I enquired about California Wow last year and was offered lifetime membership for ThB 20,000. Just a ThB 100 per annum subscription from year two.

Either they were going to be packed solid with tens of thousands of people paying ThB 100 or they were going to go bust. I went elsewhere.

My_Kow_Lope · 3rd August 2008, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chang

I enquired about California Wow last year and was offered lifetime membership for ThB 20,000.

They already offered a similar lifetime deal in Korea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chang

or they were going to go bust.

They went bust in Seoul around 3-4 months ago.....and lots of people lost lots of $$$$$$$ (including some of my friends)

They were still taking membership fees on the last day of opening.......whilst at the same time most of the furniture was being moved out. They claimed they were doing renovations.

Chang · 3rd August 2008, 14:38

^
Yes the only thing I wondered California Wow here is, given that they are deliberately taking business from Fitness First, whether they would put Fitness First out of business before going bust themselves.

chuck_s · 4th August 2008, 13:39

California Wow, has never been a lady's only gym, most refer them as being the "GAY GYM".

Capricious · 5th August 2008, 02:13

California WoW is highway robbery imo. Some of the shadiest business practices can be found at that place. I commend you for having the fortitude to deal with them. You will certainly be receiving both physical and mental workouts during your time as a member

Ben Braddock · 5th August 2008, 04:09

So what would be a good gym in Bangkok? I don't need flash but a reasonably comfortable and well-equipped place to work out.

Dave Leo · 5th August 2008, 10:39

Most condos have a decent enough gym... the great thing is you don't have to be part of the conformist hi-so merchandising, commuter-shopping experience that is CW. I really vowed to keep quiet on this thread but just the mention of this fawning, preening conveyor belt of image obsessed money-proles is enough to draw blood to the temples. What an utterly pretentious and overpriced load of bollix this place is... maybe afterwards it's time to go home and watch another episode from your Sex in the City boxset before daddy calls asking if you need any more peppermint tea sending over. Then it's to bed with Harry Potter and lights out before another day back on the interminable treadmill of life. California Wow = no big deal.

aging one · 5th August 2008, 10:41

The wife sued California Wow for putting 3 years charges on her card. They finally settled before it went to court. Got some free towels out of the deal

Dave Leo · 5th August 2008, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hailfromtheshire

Everyone has always said that California is an expensive, and cheap-quality place to workout.

Paradoxically speaking... most people seem to be telling us it's a rip-off.