★ 1

TL;DR: Please be wary of a $200 cancellation fee and arguably deceptive/predatory/aggressive tactics from this gym.

The process for signing up for the gym membership was unnecessarily confusing and I didn't understand it at the time, but now I think I know why PH does it this way. I attempted to cancel my membership after several months and was told that I would need to pay a $200 cancellation fee to do so -- a fee that had not been communicated to me at any time during sign up. This is after I've already paid $150 in up-front fees, and ~$30 monthly, totaling >$300 in membership fees from May to October. Does $500 for less than 6 months of membership (sparingly used at that) sound like a good deal to you?

The PH owner, Hunter, pointed to some obscure fine-print language in the contract (excerpt attached) to show why I am obligated to pay the cancellation fee. I expressed that (1) I disagreed with the plain meaning of said contract language; (2) I considered the cancellation fee and surrounding circumstances to be a predatory business practice; and (3), if left with no other recourse, I would exercise my (very limited) consumer rights by leaving a review on Google/Yelp among other things (such as reporting to BBB and disputing the cancellation fee in Michigan small claims). Hunter responded by threatening me with a libel suit. How dare I exercise my rights as a consumer! But I refuse to be intimidated or fall prey to corporate bullying.

I don't even pretend to care about the $200 at this point; I do care about the GH community falling victim to the same trap. I am speaking up on principle -- so that other GH locals do not repeat my mistakes.I sincerely warn all GH locals against PH's arguably predatory membership/cancellation practices, and I hope you will thoroughly consider the implications of signing any contract with them. If you look at the other Google reviews, you'll see several other ex-PH members voicing similarly negative experiences regarding cancellation/fine print of the contract -- and I'm sure the total number is far greater than the vocal minority leaving reviews on the internet (especially considering that PH has shown its willingness to threaten defamation a lawsuit against a dissatisfied customer to keep them from speaking up).

I think everyone can agree, from a consumer's perspective: (1) "hidden" cancellation fees are unfair and deceptive and (2) a corporate entity threatening a local consumer with a libel suit as part of a good-faith contract dispute is grossly over-the-top and aggressive. I encourage PH to rethink its approach.

Please draw your own conclusions. This review reflects my personal experience and opinions based on the events as I understood them. It is intended for informational purposes only. I have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of my statements, and nothing in this review is meant to be false, misleading, or defamatory.

Source: Google

★ 5

Best gym I’ve been too been going consistently for about 2 months now it’s the perfect amount of space and friendly people

Source: Google

★ 5

Came to Michigan to visit family, was able to get a week pass for $35 which is pretty cheap compared to VA and the rest of this area. It’s a cute little gym, very homey. The owner is super nice as well. It had all the equipment I needed for my workouts plus a stretching room.

Source: Google

★ 5

Came to grand haven for a water polo tournament and wanted to get a pump in, simple to get a day pass and cheap to get. Nice variety of equipment.

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★ 5

If you’re looking for a gym geared towards bodybuilding then look no further! Great space with great equipment and a friendly owner.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Great gym. Good environment with just the right amount of oversight. Shout out to.their trainer, Brandon, always putting the client first

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★ 3

Super crowded if your above 6ft don’t go gyms made for short people. The cables for chest flies is hanging past my chest weights seemed a little off to me I bench 225 for 5 reps then proceeded to bench 255 for reps🤔 could be the best day I’ve had but 🤷‍♂️ Seems a little odd

Source: Google

★ 5

gain

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★ 5

The other members are so nice and helpful! The employees and Owner are awesome and helpful as well! Very happy with this gym!

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

This gym is awesome. Great equiptment for crossfit, heavy lifting, many things that other gyms lack Powerhouse has. Positive, encouraging environment around the clock. The owner is a very personable family man. I love going to Powerhouse, the membership is worth every dollar.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great gym. Good for lifting.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 4

It's got what you need to get right, personal trainers and all

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★ 5

Best gym in Grand Haven!

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

Excellent gym! I was a member at the gym for ~2 years and loved everything about it. The equipment was well maintained and new equipment and weights were added regularly. The owner, Hunter, and all the other staff are friendly and helpful. The gym has a wide assortment of equipment, but was exceptionally strong in the free weights department. There are trainers onsite and most gym regular are friendly and willing to help any newcomers.

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 4

Showers could use a good scrubbing but they have good equipment and it isn't too busy. Moderate pricing.

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★ 5

Best gym around

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★ 5

Awesome, made some friends. Was a member there when the old owner was there. And when Hunter took it over he did a very good job making some much needed changes. And for me to cancel my membership because I joined the Army, they said if I ever came back on leave I was more than welcome!

Source: Google

★ 5

Best gym around! Been there 3 years and I don't plan on going anywhere else.

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★ 5

There is more than enough weight training equipment for people of all levels. I can train with someone who lifts 3 times as much as I do with no problem. I also love how open the training area is and that the gym is available 24 hrs a day.

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★ 4

Kinda small but great equipment.

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★ 5

LOVE powerhouse! I have been lifting here for over 2 years and will never go anywhere else! Great owner, great staff and great co lifters!

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★ 5

I have worked out at Powerhouse both with the previous and now new owner. I like that it is a focused, but friendly, environment. I am able to get in a great workout doing whatever I'm in the mood for that day, between classes, cardio machines, and weights. 5 stars!

Source: Google

★ 5

Joining Powerhouse Gym was the best decision I could have made for myself! The price is great, the facility is clean, and the staff is welcoming. I enjoy the variety of classes offered... and the quality of the equipment available.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Great gym. Hunter is great and very friendly. Just wish the daycare hours were later for people who don't get out of work until later in the evening.

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★ 5

Been here about 3 years now and by far my favorite gym in town. Wide range of weights and equipment. Very friendly atmosphere, you could ask anyone for a spot or for lifting advice. The new owner, Hunter, is doing a great job of taking over and changing things up. Stop in and see for yourself!

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

Powerhouse gym is a great place to workout and make some serious gainz. Great friendly environment.

Source: Google

★ 5

Reasonably priced, diverse equipment, classes offered. Nothing but a good experience personally so far.

Source: Google

★ 5

Powerhouse Gym is a great value for maintaining your health in Grand Haven. Other gyms may have a few extras, like a pool, but this is all I need to get a good workout. Love the flexibility of time, and the owner, Hunter, is very personal, and cares about his customers

Source: Google

★ 5

I love going to powerhouse to workout. It's not one of those "pick me up" kind of gyms. People are there to really workout and everyone I've met are very friendly. It is a very clean gym and I never have to wait for a treadmill. 👍

Source: Google

★ 1

I was signed up for an automatic renewing membership, that I specifically asked to not be signed up for. The lady assured me at the time I joined that it would be a one time payment. Now I'm being harassed by a third party bill collector for membership dues that I should not have to pay.

Source: Google

★ 5

My girlfriend and I were driving through on a Saturday night and stopped in Grand Rapids to visit family. We needed a place to workout in the morning before our ferry left at 1015. Powerhouse gym was the only place I called in the entire area that was willing to work with me on a getting a day pass, since they are not normally staffed on Sundays. Their customer service was great. The gym equipment was dated, but that doesn't matter to me. It all weighs the same. Has all the equipment I needed and kept clean.

The only downsides were that it felt a little cramped, which luckily we went there during a non-rush time, and we had to rent a towel for 75 cents. Seems a little unnecessary to me, but oh well.

If I am ever in the area again, I will definitely be working out here again.

Source: Google

★ 1

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★ 5

I'm from the east side of the state, and all the gyms like this have disappeared. They have been overran by the garbage Planet Fitness model where you CAN'T lift and are nearly forced to stay out of shape. This is not a pick up joint or a health spa for ladies to come stand around with their makeup on and guys to lean around on equipment making sad attempts to pick them up . . . No, my friends, this is a real gym where people come to lift weights and melt fat on the cardio machines or in the classes they offer. I pay a little more for a month to month membership, and I LOVE the flexibility, because my job moves me around regularly. I had to cancel my membership a few months ago due to work, and no questions were asked. I just started it back up on the same plan.

As a side note, they DON'T just randomly charge you for stuff like some have accused. I get a regular monthly bill, no surprises. I also enjoy the convenience of being able to take a snack/drink after hours and have my account charged.

Keep up the good work!

Source: Google

★ 1

The only thing I established was they are good at suckering money out of you. Beware the hidden charges and fine print with their contracts, because they certainly won't be honest about it. Also, never give them your credit card info. They can and will charge it without your permission.

Source: Google

★ 5

Honestly I love this gym and I've gone to several gyms in GH all my life. . . Norton Pines, the YMCA, all offered more than I would use and cost a huge amount. I don't have kids, never used the pool, raquet ball courts, ect. Powerhouse offers a good variety of cardio machines and a surplus of free weights. There's almost always a cardio machine available. The side room where classes are held, is also open for anyone to use when classes are not in session. As a female I love that when I lift weights, so I've got some privacy. I think it's great!

Source: Google

★ 2

I really really tried to like this gym, I went for six months and I just couldn't do it anymore. The equipment is outdated, memberships are oversold and the gym so crowded that it's nearly impossible to use the equipment you'd like to use when you'd like to use it.

The douche factor is on slam here; lots of stare-downs and judgments at Powerhouse. Definitely not a judgment free zone! If there weren't so many meatheads hogging the equipment 50% of the time and blocking it while drinking their protein drinks the other 50% of the time I probably could have made it through til my contract expired. As it is, I'll just ride it out as a learning experience and join another gym that doesn't make me feel like crap about myself.

Source: Google

★ 1

Tried to cancel membership after one (1) visit but no emails were returned, phone calls were put on hold forever. They failed to refund my initial payment and when I blocked my credit card they sent my account to a collection agency even after written notification of my displeasure.

Crowded, unclean, outdated. Find a different gym.

Source: Google

★ 1

Beware of the fine print in the contract you sign. Read it carefully, or you may weep later.

Source: Google

★ 3

I stopped in for a class while on vacation. I'm a member at another powerhouse gym so I was annoyed that I had to pay a $6 fee but the staff were really friendly. The childcare was huge, lots of fun, clean, nice toys and I felt comfortable leaving my kids in their care. However, I was disappointed in the equipment. It was terribly dated and the classroom was carpeted....yes, carpeted!!! Mirrors were wavy and so far from where I stood I could hardly see myself to check my form. I had to go from memory. The instructor for the class was so friendly and had some pretty enviable muscles going for her ;) which is motivating. But unfortunately, I'd look for another gym if I lived there. I just couldn't get by on a daily basis with the equipment and that carpeted floor!! There's a lot to say about the care and quality of the childcare and I did get a good workout so I give my 3 stars to that.

Source: Google