Central Penn Fitness Center

450 Powers Ave # 103, Harrisburg, PA 17109, USA

Address:	450 Powers Ave # 103, Harrisburg, PA 17109, USA
Phone:	+1 717-564-4171
Rating:	2.1
Working:	5AM–11PM 5AM–11PM 5AM–11PM 5AM–11PM 5AM–10:30PM 7AM–7PM 7AM–6PM

Location

Photos 13

Reviews 4

Paul Baughman

If you want a safe gym where the staff (lifeguards and managers) enforce the rules to protect their members DO NOT join this gym. If you care about your health DO NOT go to this gym. See pics. If you do not want bait and switch marketing, hidden fees and dishonest managers do not go here. Now for the LONG explanation: Ive been a member on and off since coming to Harrisburg in 1998. I was impressed with how clean the natatorium (pool area) was along with the general design (it has a lot of glass that lets in natural light). Unfortunately the gym has slowly and steadily declined over the years. The doors to the pool area are broken. As such when someone walks in or out they will not close. The once pristine pool now has stains around the edges and I have had to pick band aids and other debris out of the pool more and more often while swimming my daily laps. In an effort to keep the place open they have resorted to renting the pool out to local high schools. It used to be just one, but now I think there are 5 or 6 different teams in there (not counting masters who only ever took up two or three lanes). The coaches are rude and open the doors to the outside. I asked them often and nicely to close the doors to no avail. Finally I just shut them myself (which lasted till I got back in the pool and they opened the doors again. During the summer I dont mind but in the middle of winter?!?!? I was trying to swim with frigid 30 degree air blowing over the lanes. Now imagine you are in front of a TEAM of teenagers and three fully dressed coaches in a swimsuit, soaking wet and freezing from the winter air blowing in trying to get them to FOLLOW THE RULES while the lifeguard sits over in the corner and DOES NOTHING TO ENFORCE THE RULES. I have heart problems, that is why I work out. Last year I sat down with the fellow who runs the pool and discussed my concerns. At his urging, I wrote a long letter (email) as he told me to do explaining how cold air and effects wet bodies and how it IS NOT SAFE OR HEALTHY (not to mention being against the rules) to have the doors to the outside open in the middle of winter AT NIGHT. Last week on a cool fall night when I was there the same guy was sitting down there acting as lifeguard and... the doors were wide open AND NOW THEY HAVE A HUGE FAN BLOWING THE AIR INTO THE NAUTITORIUM! I felt like a fool for trusting him. Their pricing is interesting... they advertise $24.99 ($45.99 I think if you want access to the pool) a month but make sure you read the fine print. They will charge you $58 a year for "equipment fees" to keep the rates low! I didnt even notice the charge on my card till I looked after hearing guys in the locker room discussing how shady it was that the gym charged them twice that month (once for $24.99 and again for the equipment fee). They finally fixed the roof which has been leaking for the past 5 years and gave it a new coat of paint and some new furniture; but it will take more than cosmetic changes to make this gym great again. The people running this place need to build the trust back up they have lost by failing to keep their word and make their gym a safe and pleasant place to maintain your health. Update: the roof still leaks.

Rodica Mihalis

I didnt even had a chance to experience the facilities and instructors, as the experience at the front desk was so bad! The gentleman at the front desk, who refused to tell me his name, but after "investigations," I discovered it was Larry, was so unwelcoming, and on such a power trip, made this one of the worst experiences I ever had. He requested ALL my personal information: license, insurance cards, etc. But refused to state HIS name! When I dared speak (with an accent) and question what he had explained to me as being inaccurate, he TOLD me he was going to place me on a LIST and I will NEVER be able to set foot in that Aqua Club. He refused to put me in touch with a Manager or the Owner, but being a woman of action, found him anyway. The owner, a retired physician, CALLED me, but his only goal seemed to be to not be held responsible of "bait and switch," as a result of the way Larry, the mystery man, explained the fees schedule. MY concern was that I had been treated in a condescending way. Dare I say, the word "bigot" came to my mind. Not sure if because I have an European accent, I am an older woman, I am not 20- years old? or Larry was in a bad mood? The owners follow-up call didnt make me feel any better and regretfully I must say that as a result of this overall experience I will never use either this Club, the P.T. the OIP or anything slightly connected to this facility or which PROFITS it. I will continue to do my aqua P.T.exercise at Hetricks Chiropractic in Middletown, where I am treated as a person and there is no Larry to make me feel like a nonperson.

victoria land

Although they offer a very affordable price we found this gym to be lacking in several ways. We signed up primarily for the classes. The schedule is not varied and caters to retired people or folks who dont work till 5pm. The class schedule rarely changes. The yoga and pilates studio was next to the Zumba class and vibrated from the loud music during class - not helpful when you are trying to relax! Management never seemed to care, even after several people complained and asked for the class time to be shifted so it wouldnt conflict with the "loud" classes. I guess their business model is quantity of members not quality - as in offering a good experience. Also found the cardio equipment to be lacking - only about 8 treadmills with 1 or 2 usually out of order and the others often full. There are tons of elliptical machines but no one using them...so why not buy more good treadmills. The new spin bikes were really nice but once again the spin studio is tucked away in a dark, dismal little room. Not very inspiring. We cancelled our membership and have gone else where.

John Broody

If you have a child who wants to learn to swim but is afraid of water skip this place entirely. My son is 5 and water is his biggest fear. Hes made great progress, but the staffs behavior today was deplorable. Keep in mind this class is for children who never swam before. One of the instructors, whom was a blonde woman angrily said "I dont know what to do with him" five feet away from my wife. Venting frustration in front of a paying customer without talking to them directly is a big mistake....especially if you could hear them. Then the lifeguard assumed that he had a learning disability because hes afraid and not at the same point as other students. Since when does fear equal a disability? It was extremely judgmental,very rude and presumptuous. We will not be coming back and encouraging our friends with children to find another facility that is a little more patient and less judgmental. I didnt expect my child to fully learn to swim, but at least get used to the water with a CARING pool staff. Very rude people!