TotallyOz Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 I hate going into most places that start with one number and will vary it down according to how hard they want to sell you. Every California Wow in Thailand is this way. They start out with crazy prices and go down the more times you get up to leave. I started out with a number in mind today which was 13,000 baht for a 3 year Red VIP for all gyms, towel service and one free guest each visit. I thought that was a fair price and a Thai friend paid less than that a few months ago. They started out at 38,000 and then to 24,000 and then to 19,999 and then to 15,999. Each time, I told them what I would pay is 13,000. He got up to talk to the manager a few times and finally said 15,999 was OK with credit card. I told them 13,000 with credit card. They went back and forth and said no. I said OK. Thanks and started to leave. The manager came over and said OK. OK. Special for you! I also made them write into the contract each item I was to get. I had them write all classes, all yoga, free towels for me and guest, 3 years prepaid, all clubs in Thailand, etc. etc. You leave a place like this exhausted. It took 25 minutes before they agreed to the price I told them the first 30 seconds I walked in. Quote
Guest thaiworthy Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 Michael, thank you for this information. I am moving to Bangkok next year and one of the first things I need to do is join a gym. Now I know what to expect and what is reasonable to pay. Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 25, 2011 Author Posted July 25, 2011 It all depends on where you are located in Bangkok. IMHO, Fitness First is the best gyms around. They are clean and they have great classes and the place is easy to work out in. California Wow is crazy and loud from the moment you walk in. I hate going there but they do have the Les Mills classes I like at the right times. I had bought myself and about 10 other boys lifetime memberships 3 years ago. The lifetime membership expires next month and costs 2,999 baht each year. LOL So, I was going to need to renew or get a new membership later. I decided to go ahead and renew. The reason is Cal Wow is in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. Another great gym is the Cascade Club. Much more expensive than the other clubs but fabulous. I currently go there but they don't have the classes I want during the day time. Other than that, it is an amazing place. If I were you sir, I would wait till you get situation and then go to each gym and ask for 3 days (they all gave it to me) and test them. See if they are busy the time you go. See if you like the atmosphere. Etc. Quote
kokopelli Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 Thanks for info Michael. My membership at CalWow ran out and I must renew or maybe try Tonys. Has anyone have any info on Tonys located on Third Rd at Pattaya Tai? I see they have added a new addition. Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 26, 2011 Author Posted July 26, 2011 I used Tony's for a long time and I like it. They have a big pool (not always the cleanest in the world). They have decent showers, towel service, etc. The work out equipment is nice and they have a lot of it. They don't keep it as updated as they should but I have not seen the new annex. I got a few guys memberships at Tony's as it was cheaper than Cal Wow. They are all happy with Tony's and I think you can use any of their places. One other to think about is the place at the end of 2nd Road. All the way down is a place called Fairtex. Great facility. IMHO, Cal Wow was the right choice for me. But, it all depends on what you want. My friends who do Muay Thai love Fairtex. Quote
Guest buckeroo2 Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 Thanks for info Michael. My membership at CalWow ran out and I must renew or maybe try Tonys. Has anyone have any info on Tonys located on Third Rd at Pattaya Tai? I see they have added a new addition. I have a lifetime membership at Tony's and I am also a member at California WOW in Pattaya. I used to prefer Tony's - but I went at night - about 9:00 PM and they always had the air con turned off as they had few people working out at that time. If I said something they would turn on the A/C but I would be done with my workout by the time the place cooled down. A few weeks ago I stopped by to check out the facility which is located directly across the street from the main facility on 3rd RD. It was the only time I stopped and the place was like an oven and it was mid afternoon. They had lots of machines/equipment and if hot and humid is OK you might find this a match. At WOW I bought a 3 year membership - I think I paid 19,000 baht. My renewal rate is 1,000 each year. I have renewed twice with no problem. I know a guy in my condo who bought the same package the day after me and he paid 15,000 with identical terms. At Tony's I had a private trainer - 10,000 baht for 30 1 hour sessios. At WOW they wanted in excess of 2,000 baht for each 1 hour session. They rationalized this price by telling me how far superior and professional their P.T.'s are trained. I pointed out to them that 2 of their tariners worked at Tony's the week before and I could have used their same services for 300 baht a session. Anyway, WOW works out better for me since I no longer use a P.T. . I have visited Fairfax but it is just too far out of my way to be a consideration. I would make excuses about how inconvenient it was to get there and blow it off as a regular destination. I need motivation and gym location is a big factor for me. Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 26, 2011 Author Posted July 26, 2011 At Tony's I had a private trainer - 10,000 baht for 30 1 hour sessios. At WOW they wanted in excess of 2,000 baht for each 1 hour session. They rationalized this price by telling me how far superior and professional their P.T.'s are trained. I pointed out to them that 2 of their tariners worked at Tony's the week before and I could have used their same services for 300 baht a session. Anyway, WOW works out better for me since I no longer use a P.T. . Yes, 2,000 per session is crazy. I remember buying packages of 30 or 40 and it averaged out to 600 or 700 a session which I thought was OK. Currently in Bangkok, the Cascade Club I am paying 1,000 per session and am OK with that. One American Trainer charges 1500 per session and I wish I had used him but I thought 500 more was too much. I was wrong. I have watched him the 3 months I have been here and he is great. He would have been worth the money to me. 300 an hour is a great price and I would do that every day if that were the price. I love personal trainers if only to know I have an appointment and I feel guilty being late. I broke my shoulder a few weeks back and told my trainer I needed to hold off a month till the doctor gave me the go ahead to work out with him again. I was going with him every day at 10am. Needless to say, my workouts then went to 11 and then 2 and then 3. Yesterday, the boys and I hit the gym after 4. Oh, well, some of us need the motivation and for me it is a trainer. And, the cuter the better. In NYC, I was paying 100 up for an hour for a trainer and I picked him out when I went to the gym and watched for a few days and picked the youngest, cutest Latino in the place. Smooth, 6 pack, 19 year old. He was adorable and made workouts fun. I have yet to replace him in my life. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 I reckon a more accurate title, given Michael's narrative, would be " . . . the Deflation of Prices!" Well done, Michael! Quote
kokopelli Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 At CalWow they offered 15,000 for one year after some haggling. I wasn't interested in a membership at this time so just left. I hate that type of business haggling. Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 28, 2011 Author Posted July 28, 2011 At CalWow they offered 15,000 for one year after some haggling. I wasn't interested in a membership at this time so just left. I hate that type of business haggling. Yes, me too. That is why I got it in Bangkok. FYI: they gave to a Thai friend of mine just a few weeks back for 11,000. They lie more than a used car salesman. Just an FYI, I told them I was most interested in the Silom and Paragon clubs. I asked if there were any plans to shut those locations down. The main manager said NO. Today at my gym, not Cal Wow, the manager told me it was reported the Silom branch was closing in September. LOL Not sure until it happens, but his trainers also work there too. IMHO, they need to close Silom, too many degenerates there wanting sex in the showers. I hate it when they just give it away for free. Quote
