★ 1

Before I dive into the reasoning for such a low-starred review, I want to be fair and mention that there are MANY amazing aspects of Downings as a gym - especially regarding the quality of equipment, flexibility of hours, kindness of employees and staff, incredible community of experience lifters, and ample knowledge available for lifters of any level to further their journey in powerlifting, bodybuilding, strong-man, or lifestyle improvement. I have met many amazing friends through this gym, many of which were always willing to answer my lifting-related questions and help me feel comfortable and connected to going to this gym. I have also had the pleasure of speaking with their many amazing employees that have always been helpful in providing aid to anything I may need. With this, there are truly no other gyms (from my own experience) in Corvallis that have such a wide variety of quality powerlifting and bodybuilding equipment as well as such a rich history in bodybuilding and lifting culture in general. The walls are painted with photos of famous lifters, as well as bodybuilders and powerlifters that have at one point in time called Downings home, and it was always such an inspiration for me to look around and see such accomplished individuals that motivated me to work harder to reach success like theirs.

Unfortunately, all of these incredible people and qualities are unjustly overshadowed by management that lacks compassion and care for their members. I have never seen a gym ban so many individuals, with little or sometimes no warning, and with reasons that are often unfair if they are given a reason at all. After witnessing my 4th friend be banned from this gym with minimal or completely unreasonable justifications, I made the decision to terminate my membership and request a conversation with the owners to speak about the situation and clear up some details that they possibly were unaware of as truthfully I believed this instance was a major misunderstanding. During this conversation, I was verbatim told that the owner did not care, and could ban whoever they wanted and owed no one an explanation and that I would be next. After that experience, I of course went through with terminating my membership.

I will mention that (to my inexperienced legal knowledge) the owners were within their full right to ban myself and other members for little to no reason as they are a private business and hold the right to refuse service to whomever they choose. I will also mention that 3 out of the 4 friends I have seen banned, I have only been given the story from their perspective, and that does make me biased as I could absolutely be missing key information that justifies the owners reactions to removing them. Though, with myself and my most recent friend example, I am positive this reaction was completely unfair and even in my attempts to raise a conversation I was denied and threatened to be removed from the premises for trespassing after challenging the owners decision. Though illegal or not, seeing a pattern in these business practices and lack of compassion towards members has led me to seek other gyms.

I will miss the amazing people I have met during my 3 years lifting at Downings. I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication the employees have shown towards the business. I do also want to thank the owners for building such an incredible establishment that provided me with quality equipment and opportunities to advance in my lifting career for the past 3 years.

It is so unfortunate that all of these amazing features are overshadowed by the owner’s lack of care for its members.

Source: Google

★ 1

There was a sign “no sport bras” on one of the doors and I never came back. This town is too conservative for me

Source: Google

★ 5

Originally from the Corvallis area, back in town visiting family. I recently turned pro and was looking for a solid gym to train at. I checked out Downing’s gym, incredible people, had the equipment I needed for a back session! Peter, the owner was great and genuine. Thanks for having me and I will be back!

Source: Google

★ 5

Golden era vibe.

Source: Google

★ 1

The price is advertised for a month-long membership that includes 24-hour access to the facility.

This gym also advertises a discount for students, veterans and first responders.

As I signed up I was charged full price without being asked if I fell into any of the above categories, which I do.

I was told I would receive a welcome email when I began my membership. I did not receive it. I called multiple times about this and been assured that I would receive it and have not.

I came into the gym again today to ask for those services that I paid for and was promised.

The staff member working the desk named Kyle told me that Pete said I was weird and was concerned about giving me 24-hour access to the gym.

They refuse to give me Pete's phone number to figure this out. They told me that he will call me back later.

There are many times that I would have liked to be able to access the gym for my late night workouts and have not been able to.

When I asked for help setting up Geo key, the application used to access the facility 24 hours a day, I was refused.

The employee then asked me what I wanted and I responded not to be discriminated against. Whether or not I am weird should not have any bearing on my ability to make use of the services I paid for.

The gym members that interacted with me during my exercise sessions have been kind and helpful.

I'm still waiting on a welcome email, help setting up my 24-hour pass, and a call from the owner.

I'm very interested to learn how being weird ought preclude me from developing the exercise routine that will aid in my recovery.

Source: Google

★ 1

Are consistently inconsistent when it comes to their hours they say they lock the doors at ten when they really lock at nine and the system they use for people to come in after hours is temperamental at best. They said that they would send me an email, that would lead me to an app, the day I signed up so I can use their “24/7” gym after ten. But half a month later I still haven’t gotten one even though I check my email every day for it. When they are feeling generous enough to honor their hours and I get in before they lock the doors I have to open the doors for people who’ve gotten the app but it just doesn’t work.

Source: Google

★ 3

Source: Google

★ 5

Without a doubt the best gym in corvallis. Very welcoming to beginners however clearly a Performance gym be lifting experienced bodybuilders. No matter your experience level you'll find something to do here in a comfortable environment. Lots of equipment and a championship mindset.

Source: Google

★ 1

Billing Issues:
Was an unwilling member for 5 months after my contract ended. Verbally canceled over the phone due to my location changing at month 5. Still billed every month. Drove down to Corvallis to cancel in person.. signed a cancellation form, stilled billed every month. Had a phone conversation with the owner that he would cancel and refund. (something about their system changing). Can you guess, just got billed this month. Just had to place a stop payment with my bank because being friendly and trying to do it the right way just leaves me with less money for a gym im not using.

Gym Issues:
Old cables and machines that aren't serviced well,
cables stick, complaints about outdated equipment are met with responses about lifting heavier free weights. (I can incline bench their heaviest dumbbells, how is this relevant to cable maintenance) (this was back in 2022, not sure if anything changed)

Owner:
Owner is actually kind of rude if you dont regularly go in and will give you quips about being consistent. The question is, how does he know I was consistent if we were going at different times.

(hard to actually find this guy in the gym if you need to cancel, and his employees cant cancel for you, dont forget to mention his business email and personal cell phone are hidden so he can avoid dealing with issues, had to convince an employee to give me his number so we could actually resolve the issue)

Guy also likes to give unsolicited powerlifting advice even if your trying to bodybuild or do some other form of working out.

Save your money, go to physique in Albany, Samfit in Corvallis, Planet fitness actually has better machines to be honest.

Source: Google

★ 5

Hands down the best gym I’ve been to, great equipment and no BS

Source: Google

★ 1

Went here during college. The rudest employees I have ever dealt with. All you can do is chuckle about it and be thankful you don’t work in a job you hate to be at every day like they do :)

Source: Google

★ 5

This is the best gym in Corvallis. The options are numerous, free weights, cable weights, isometric space, strength & performance training, and aerobic machines. They have some of the most unique equipment around, specialized in very specific muscle growth. The walls are mirrored to view and improve lifting movements. Lockers and showers are available. Peter, the owner, has hired approachable staff that also lift. Kyle, Owen, Payton, and Jake (howdy). If you have a VW that needs moved, ask these cats, they will come and lift it out of the way. Again, a GOOD gym, run by GOOD people. Make 'em strong.

Source: Google

★ 5

Downings gym has been extremely welcoming of us training in 2023. Thank you we are grateful. A special thank you from Wisebear Protection Self Defense

Source: Google

★ 5

Great gym!

Source: Google

★ 1

Source: Google

★ 2

My son was enjoying his new membership till my bike was stolen from inside the building. How it was handled was awful. They should be ashamed of themselves. Only reason they got 2 stars was for the actual workout experience. Beyond that needs a lot of work. Training on customer service and how to deal with things in right mannor should be priority when owning a business.
UPDATE: the owner has contacted my son, he watched the security cameras. My son is no longer banned ( which made no sense to begin with) and they are helping get the bike back. Fingers crossed they do

Source: Google

★ 5

This building is to the brim with some of the strongest people i have ever met. Learned alot, tons of great people.

Source: Google

★ 5

Downing's is the best gym I have ever been to. Amazing staff and supportive atmosphere. Great gym for serious lifters.

Source: Google

★ 5

I enjoyed working out at Downing...This gym is nice for a privately owned gym...
Very clean; equipment in good shape. This gym does not cater to the yuppies. It's a gym for weight training..it was a 6 out of 10. I would say it's def geared more towards a meat & potatoe body building "Conan barbarian" type.
The Staff kept the gym sprayed down with disinfectant; attentive to all patrons. The gym needs color and to be updated but other then that it was a nice place to go .. sept-nov 2021.

Source: Google

★ 1

This is a long rant, just sharing my experience!

I’ll start by saying the gym itself is not that bad, in terms of what they have available, but the equipment that has seats are tore up on a lot of them so things look a little rough.

I started a membership in February of 2021, only to cancel before the 30 day mark in March 2021. I checked out Planet Fitness and saw that their prices, equipment and extra services were 10x better. I signed up for Planet Fitness and was able to get a refund for part of the Downing’s Gym membership since I canceled early enough.

I then got an email from Downing’s in April saying I would be charged on the 15th. I called the gym 5 days before the day I would be charged and was told they will cancel it and I should not be charged (although I should not have been anyways based on the original cancellation date). I later saw that I was charged in April. I called and they said that they can refund me and that it was definitely cancelled moving forward.

Fast forward to May. I got an email saying I would be charged on the 15th, so I called today (5/10/2021) asking for talk to a manager. The person on the phone said that he was in the bathroom and he could call back. I said I would call back myself.

I called back and was hung up on, not once, but twice. I called from a friends phone and they answered, in which I was able to talk to the manager then. I shared with him my emails and charges that I should not have been charged for, along with the upcoming charge that I should not have. The manager said that he has already canceled it and I asked to make sure cause I was told that the month before. He then got into an argumentative tone with me and literally said, “ we’re all humans and we make mistakes, I’m sure you’ve made mistakes too”. He continued to be rude during our conversation.

Long story short, this place has poor customer service. If you sign up and want to cancel, good luck! I suggest you place a stop payment with your bank because you’ll continue to be charged and have to deal with a manger who is unprofessional and rude to say the least.

Source: Google

★ 5

Awesome gym

Source: Google

★ 4

Probably the best gym in Corvallis. They hired a skeezy guy that disrespected women at the gym, but I told the owner and he fired the guy. As long as you're there to work out and get gains it's a great place.

Source: Google

★ 5

Fantastic gym. Everybody is courteous, and serious about lifting. Downing's is one of the best gyms I've ever been a part of.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Good gym. Good lifting atmosphere.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Hands down the best gym in town. If you are someone who is looking for a playground, this is not for you. They have a wide variety of fitness equipment, old school. People here are so amazing, friendly staff, everyone are serious gym-goers. And my favorite part, There are no LUNK ALARMS! Grunt all you might, just make sure you’re being RESPECTFUL though.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

No contracts, no hidden fees. Excellent if you're serious about lifting or fitness. Everybody here is nice and has the attitude of wanting to help you. Never had a bad experience here. Thank you to the staff for being helpful and courteous for the past five years I've been going here!

Source: Google

★ 5

Being going to downings for over 3 years now. The staff is alway friendly and welcoming, it is comfortable to work out at and i never feel like i have to fight for time to use equipment. A great gym

Source: Google

★ 5

Great atmosphere! There are more people in this gym with great lifting form than any other gym I've been too. This is also the only gym around with a ton of platforms and hammer strength equipment. This place is awesome! Owners and staff are cool as well.

Source: Google

★ 5

Super friendly. Laid back. No pressure. Perfect.

Source: Google

★ 5

Clean, friendly service, good equipment selection. Classic Iron Gym!

Source: Google

★ 5

The staff are super friendly and helpful, and the patrons are also personable.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Awesome gym. Lots of good quality equipment, friendly staff, serious gym-going patrons. Always clean, and good price for 3-month memberships, student or not.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

This is a lifter's gym. Has great classes for weightlifters to take it to the next level. Cater's to lifters that are serious, not really an executive gym. Members are usually serious lifter there to lift. Not afraid of providing areas for core lifting exercises like other gyms. Good prices for members. Wish they offered 24 hour service.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I notice there are no full reviews so I'll give it a go;

Other than the gyms at the local universities which offer exclusive access to students and faculty, Downing's is the only real gym in Corvallis. Downing's is closer to a hardcore gym like Metroflex than to a "fitness center" like Planet Fitness; offering two sets of dumbbells that go up to 150 pounds, powerlifting platforms which can be utilized for various Olympic lifts, 3 dedicated squat racks, 4 benches for bench press, about 10 benches for dumbbell work, and various cable apparatuses and machines. There are, in addition, many cardio machines. There are full locker rooms, as well, for your convenience. The staff are friendly and make you feel like you're more than just a mark.

That's what I like about Downing's. If I had to pin down several things for improvement (in my opinion) they'd be the following; the equipment isn't the newest. Several pieces of machinery have visible wear and tear in the form of rips in upholstery or sweat stains from many years of use. Some of the cable machines aren't lubed very well and can squeak terribly when in use with certain attachments. It'd also be nice if there was another full cable station, as during peak hours, it can be extremely difficult to get cable work in if you need or want to. However, I understand that gear is limited due to floor space.

In conclusion, Downing's is a full service, (just about) fully stocked gym that will cater to anyone, regardless of skill level; powerlifters, bodybuilders, physique competitors, average joes all come here. And while it's not the most up to date or the most fully loaded, Downing's Gym is still a great place to work out.

Source: Google

★ 5

Best gym in Corvallis.

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent people, Pete is a great guy, the atmosphere isn't intimidating even as a non powerlifter, I needed a place to get into shape, and I feel comfortable here.

Source: Google