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1.9/5
44 reviews
Shapes Fitness Centres Reviews - Winnipeg

Description

Shapes was founded in 1994 and is a Winnipeg owned and operated chain of health clubs. Shapes offer many services and facilities including over 180 group fitness classes weekly, extensive free weight area, professional assessments, personal trainers, largest selection of fitness equipment in the city, state of the art rock climbing walls, child activity center with works on-site, accredited instructors, locker room attendants, massage therapists, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and sun tanning. For more information, check out their link at www.shapes.ca/
    Address: 2535 McPhillips Street
    Winnipeg, Manitoba
    Phone: 989.5280

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    0.7/5
    Credibility

    Quality of Staff

    The Facility

    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    August 29, 2016

    The credibility of this company is so low that I could not justify giving anything but the lowest ratings for all of the columns, although I would have rated the facility higher if I weren't so angry at feeling cheated.

    I signed a year membership at Shapes and the girl that signed me up went through great detail going through the process with me: with the exception of telling me that while my contract with Shapes was 1 year the payments to shapes would continue forever after that year commitment had expired until I went in and physically signed paperwork at the facility to cancel it 30 DAYS LATER. While admittedly, you should never sign contracts that you don't read though yourself, their policy is scummy and they train their employees to go through the policy seemingly in a detailed and trustful manner and purposefully leave that fact out. I am quite sure by reading numerous "Shapes is Evil" messages online that I wouldn't be alone by saying that the girl I had did not make an error by not telling me this important detail of my contract but instead has been trained to exclude this information.

    I can't even imagine how much Shapes rakes in by people signing a contract that they trusted was being was being thoroughly explained to them when they entered into that agreement.

    I wish I had reviewed Shapes prior to joining.

    Disgraceful...lowest form of business

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    0.5/5
    Credibility

    Quality of Staff

    The Facility

    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    July 10, 2016

    A few years ago I tried to cancel my long standing membership at shapes. I had that membership for probably about 5 years all through university and afterwards. I went through hell trying to cancel my membership - harrassment and threats to send collection agencies after me...you know, the usual tactics and this is how they treated one of their "valued members" so since then I've been joining for three months at a time when I want to (because I do like the classes) and I pay in full up front because I will NEVER so bi-weekly installments where I have to give 30 days notice to cancel. So, I went in today to sign up for 3 months and she told me that there was a "new law and the government changed the rules and they can't accept payment in full for memberships anymore"! This is a laughable new low for an already sketchy organization. So I walked out...I even asked about this "new" legislation and where i could find a copy and of course she didn't have a clue. Just thought I would warn people that you no longer have any other options with shapes. You will have to give your banking information and go through hell trying to cancel your memberships

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    0.5/5
    Credibility

    Quality of Staff

    The Facility

    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    July 01, 2016

    It's just a scam, DO NOT GET A CONTRACT, I have been with them for 8 month and all they have been doing is over charging and taking my money, I had a call from them on Friday saying I have an out standing balance of $103 and when I went on Monday to pay it it was $250, and when you call their head office they do not answer the phone, I also called cause I moved out of Winnipeg and I was trying to stop the contract they said no I have to pay it off! I went to the one on Nairin, very bad customer service, if you have anyway of getting out of the contract let me know so I can cancel mine call me at 204-970-0343

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    0.8/5
    Credibility

    Quality of Staff

    The Facility

    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    Anonymous
    November 27, 2015

    I was very wary about purchasing a Shapes membership as I've read many poor reviews online. I went to the Henderson Shapes and asked the lady at the desk for a copy of the contract to look over. She refused to give me one as she said they are only for people purchasing memberships. I told her that I understood, I was very serious about purchasing a membership, however I would not sign my name to anything that I did not have time to read first. She assured me that she would go over any questions I had while signing the contract. Again, I told her I appreciated that, however wished to read the contract on my own first so I did not feel pressured to sign anything until I had time to read every word in detail. The girl got quite offended and snippy and asked if I was accusing her of running a shady business. I replied no, but it seemed odd that they would not allow potential clients to first read the contract if they weren't trying to cover something up. I left and did not become a member at that time.

    At home, I found a copy of the contract online and read it in detail.
    When I was ready, I went to Nairn Shapes to sign up, knowing full well that I was locked in no matter what for 1 year, after which time I would have to end my contract in writing. I was fine with this.
    In the office, while signing the contract I noticed one clause stating that no matter what the salesperson tells you, the contract is always right (clearly management encouraged sellers to say whatever is necessary to get a sale and then covers their butt). The girls offered me an unlimited hot yoga deal for an additional $20. I specifically asked her if it was good for all Shapes locations as a different location was closer to my house, to which she replied yes, so I got it.

    This evening, I got a babysitter and went to Henderson to use my Shapes hot yoga pass and was told that I did not have one. I replied (to the same snooty lady from my first visit) that I did, I had purchased the $20 pass. She informed me that was for the Nairn location only. I said no, I CLEARLY had asked and had been told that it was for all locations, as Henderson is the most convenient location for me. Her reply was "well, the girl must have just wanted to make a sale, you should have bought it from me (which I purposely hadn't because she was so rude last time)". I asked if the pass could be changed to yoga at the Henderson location as it was closer for me, and again was told no, because I could only change my contract for 7 days, and it was day 8. If I wanted hot yoga at Henderson, I would need to pay an extra $29.99 bi weekly. I was told to contact the infamous head office. We all know how that will go.

    I am furious. I worked so hard to be informed about the contract and to not get scammed, and I still did.
    BE AWARE THAT IF YOU CHOOSE TO SIGN UP WITH SHAPES, THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO SCAM CUSTOMERS FOR SALES AND WILL SAY YES TO ANY QUESTION YOU ASK TO GET A SALE.

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    0.8/5
    Credibility

    Quality of Staff

    The Facility

    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    Anonymous
    September 10, 2015

    Baaaad fitness place!!!! My friend had missed one payment, which resulted to a balance of almost 50 owing. He wasnt allowed to enter the gym til that was paid off which is frustrating because he had been paying for the last 5 months after that missed payment.... So basically he was paying over 150 total for not using the gym because he had the 50 to pay first. Does that make sense? I know he has the overdue, but couldnt they talk to him to pay it another payment or something, or even better, stopped taking the biweekly payments until he paid that 50??? I mean why take money out when he can't even work out because of $50? What a HUGE waste of 150.. Down the drain. So frustrating, he cant even cancel until the two more payments and the overdue.... Hes never going back to this gym. It stinks and unclean and the staff are rude btw.

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    1.3/5
    Credibility

    Quality of Staff

    The Facility

    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    June 05, 2015

    The lies that I was told just to get me to sign. I was told that after I join they could switch my payment to my pay period. They didn't pull money for the first 2 months so when I went in they cancelled my trainer and said I was a delinquent and owed money, I showed them my statement and said it isn't me you didn't take the money out. So the women Christina who enrolled me said if you pay in advance they won't pull the money out. Bull because they did. They said this is what you will be paying a month for membership, that didn't include the trainer that she said it did and more money was pulled then I expected. I admit I should watch my balance more and for that I missed payment and it went to Citadel Credit in which I though well they won't be pulling since I was sent there, I was wrong. For $110 the company harassed me and had my moms number and harassed her and told her what I owe. I went in and said I want to pay the whole thing off what do I owe all together, they gave me a price I paid for it, then I see they are still taking 31.74 out bi-weekly so I phoned, oh that is for trainer. I said what do I owe for that because I asked what I owe so you won't be taking money out of my account anymore, another hundred and something. I recommend you pay up front for everything if you are going to join and don't believe anything the person who signs you up says. Read your contract and keep everything that you sign if you decide to join. Working out is suppose to relieve stress not cause it. The gym was nice but the people themselves suck. Trainer was good though. They can't help they work for an industry where they lie to get you.

    Updated On: July 27, 2015

    I had to update seeing all the comments with pretty much the same as me and the ones that say yes I recommend the gym either got really lucky or they are Shapes employees scamming you in. I really don't recommend Shapes at all. Save your money and headaches.

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    1.0/5
    Credibility

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    The Facility

    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    Anonymous
    May 15, 2015

    I have used the Pembina location for 3 years now and it is incredible how much the level of service has deteriorated. Obviously there is some pretty irresponsible managment running this place. The front desk employees are straight up rude and make customers feel like it is a burden for them to have to waste their breathe talking to you. I had to tear my own credit card receipt off of their payment machine and staple it to my 30 day notice of cancellation as the front desk employee refused to finish helping me. Then, she turned to me and said "you're done" with a bunch of attitude in her voice.

    Also, when my credit card bounced back due to expiration, they failed to contact me (after I phoned their head office twice trying to get them the new information and never got a call back), and then sent a collection agency after me (probably damaging my credit rating) after my payment was past due for 1 day.

    When I went into the gym to pay in person, they had no record that I had an overdue payment and therefore would not let me settle my account balance.

    I have never experienced such disorganization with a company, as well as an organization who treats their customers like they are dirt. NEVER EVER GET A GYM MEMBERSHIP FROM THIS PLACE. I am not alone with my issues with Shapes. I have multiple friends who have also been financially damaged by their poor level of service.

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    0.5/5
    Credibility

    Quality of Staff

    The Facility

    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    Anonymous
    March 31, 2015

    Shapes is a total scam! I would not recommend this gym to anyone - the manager lies at the Pembina location just to get you to sign up and then the paperwork says details that she doesn't tell you and you only have 7 days to change your mind if you go down there and put it in writing and they don't tell you that so they scam you out of your money!!! BUYER BEWARE!!!! SHAPES = SCAM!!!!!! Manager lies!!!! They will get citadel to harrass you at work constantly until you pay even if they lie and are trying to steal your money. Close your bank account so they can't steal it. LIARS and THIEVES!! l JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR CON ARTISTS!

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    1.5/5
    Credibility

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    The Facility

    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    February 12, 2015

    Shapes is a total and complete scam! If you sign up for a specific period of time, Shapes continues to charge you after that period is up unless you physically go down and cancel. When the staff goes over the contract with you it's interesting how they strategically miss telling you that part. When I called head office to dispute the money taken from my account that I was unaware of for the past 11/5 years (aka stealing) they said too bad. It's in the contract. Should I have read it more closely? Absolutely. I unfortunately trusted the employees of this disgusting facility and then got reprimanded for not reading it on my own. Why don't you give us time to read it before pushing us to sign the contract? Why "go over" the contract with us if you are strategically leaving out such important information? At least own the fact that you are a malicious company that scams people out of their hard earned money. I think Shapes forgot what it's like to make an HONEST living. "It's in the contract" falls short as an excuse for the misleading information provided by their employees. Shapes/head office did absolutely nothing to help me and on top of it told me I still had to come down to cancel in person when I live over an hour out of the city. With enough arguing I was finally told I could mail in a letter. Again, why wouldn't you say that in the first place?? Did anyone at Shapes think to send their clients a letter or email stating their initial contract term was ending? It's interesting how they used to send you coupons in the mail or reminders to renew your membership when it came to term, yet no one thought to point out such a major change in their contract, especially to repeat customers. Completely evil business and even worse people who back up such immoral standards. Karma's a bitch.

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    2.5/5
    Credibility

    Quality of Staff

    The Facility

    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    May 13, 2014

    I signed up for my first gym membership at shapes because I like that they had a women's only section at the time. They were very happy about getting my papers done and even pushing for the fitness trainer. I met with her once and she wasn't even helpful. looking back on the experience she was just showing me some machines on a whim. Afterwards I couldn't schedule her because she had no slots.. then she left and I wasn't substituted or anything. talk about waste of time and money. As this being my first membership the person helping me was telling me that my student membership would end in 6 months and at that time to just stop showing up basically. So that's what I did. I ended finding out they were taking out money for my membership and when I inquired at the front desk. The staff didn't even give me the time basically saying she can't do anything. She just brushed me off. I inquired by email to the headquarters and they were no help either. They couldn't find my existing membership and they had no idea who helped me make my membership.

    I also had a friend who also experienced getting cheated 300 dollars from shapes. She wasn't happy. Neither of us got our money back.

    I've also been told by a former employee of shapes that all they do is pressure the membership even if they have to blurr the lines with their clients. Terrible.

    I will never recommend anyone to Shapes as all they want is your money. There is no customer service. I now go to Goodlife Fitness where the staff are so happy and welcoming. The personal trainer i had when i joined Goodlife actually made a proper schedule and showed me full body workouts, scheduling and diet/supplement tips. I definitely reached my fitness goals there. He even contacted me through mobile to discuss times we could train that would work for my schedule.

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