Did Anytime Fitness in Oak Forest Miss Its Mark?

I am no expert, I want to state that right upfront. Being an Oak Forester though, gives me a little bit of credibility when it comes to, well, Oak Forest. So I am going to say it, I think Anytime Fitness missed its mark. It opened its doors this year at the west corner unit of the Oak Forest Commons which sat empty for years after Hollywood Video went belly up. I was curious to say the least when the unit finally started to show signs of a new business going in. As the new shiny work out machines and high tech tread mills started to fill up the seemingly small unit I watched through the big plate glass windows.

The Anytime Fitness in Oak Forest, touted as a 24 hours gym on their website, is modern, clean and inviting. It has been over 5 months since Anytime Fitness opened and still the treadmills remain empty. So what is stopping Oak Foresters from pumping some iron and gearing up for their next 5K at this new business? It doesn't take someone with a big fancy business degree to tell you what is wrong with this work out place, it just takes an Oak Forester and I just happen to be one. Here is why we don't like it.

THE PRICE: With Oak Forest Park District, Planet Fitness and Charter Fitness all within minutes of the Anytime Fitness location, price is important and Anytime Fitness is the most expensive out of all of them. Not to mention we have miles of free trails, minutes from our door steps. Oak Foresters hate to pay too much.

THE LACK OF INFORMATION: Information about the prices and fees can only be found out at the club. There is no place to find prices online. Oak Foresters like clearly listed prices that can be found online.

THE FEES: There is a sign up fee and another fee for the FOB, although the exact amount is vague until you actually sign up. Oak Foresters hate fees, especially hidden fees.

THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS: If you do your homework and look for the reviews on this company, it seems they are not likely to let you out of your contract and will keep your FOB deposit. Oak Foresters are smart and always check reviews before committing to a contract.

THE SIZE: It is small compared to Planet Fitness and Charter Fitness. Oak Foresters like big dressing rooms so we don't have to make eye contact while we are changing into our workout shorts.

THE BIG WINDOWS: I know there are probably some people out there, that like to be viewed as they flex their muscles, but that big plate glass window that allows everyone that pulls into the Food For Less parking lot to see anyone on a tread mill, is definitely a deterrent. Oak Foresters feel a little funny about strangers seeing us sweat and a lot funny about neighbors seeing us sweat.

THE CREEPY FACTOR: It is creepy to exercise at a place that is unstaffed. And the fact there is actually nobody in there many times of the day, is super high on the creepy meter. Now I get that you have to be a member to gain entry to the club, but what is stopping a Jeffrey Dahmer type from getting a membership. Oak Foresters do not like it when a Jeffrey Dahmer type walks into our workout place, we are the only ones there and we are on that thigh machine. You know the one. And BTWs, we hate that thigh machine too.

Now, I could be wrong about one or two, or all of these points. But I don't think so, because I am an Oak Forester and we hate to be wrong.

You can find Melanie Gangolfon facebook.