"Stop by the pro results training desk and get your body composition measured today." Yes, LA Fitness. I heard you, I did that. (That phrase, piped in over the musak, is *super* annoying. I forgot my earbuds once and I wanted to kill myself.) Mike Berg changed my life. I arrived prouder than a peacock for my high school reunion. You have no idea how amazing it felt to turn heads looking the way I did. I was decidedly not fat. (See photos!) For that I thank you. It is with a heavy heart I write this review. Mike Berg was fired last week. I had the good fortune to meet Mike at the 20th St location (near Trader Joe's) when he was a sales person. He trained me for a few sessions and then I learned he was "sales". My heart sank when he dumped me. (Sales people don't train. That burned.) I continued to train with the big Gerard for months. (He no longer works for LA Fitness.) I drove over to the 7th ave location to seek advice from Mike. I wanted "A Plan". I did a happy dance when I learned Mike was training. So... I started driving west, past another LA Fitness, to train with Mike. I learned how to pick up the big weights. Me! Squats, dead lifts, weighted walking lunges. I had no idea what a 5'1" gal could do. All thanks to the coaching of this tall dude. My little book was filled with progress and I felt oh so proud. Outside of the gym Mike offered nutritional advice, as well as structured planning for my workouts on non-training days. He was there for me. And when I say that I really mean it. When I had my foot operated on Mike was telling me to get off the couch. (I didn't because I was a cry baby.) But when I was ready he was there for me. While sharing the dips and triceps machine with other gals we'd gossip about Mike. "Yeah, he's got me on this plan." "Really?? Tell me more." "Show me photos" "I want THAT!" Anyway, call Mike. @mikebergfitness I have no idea why LA Fitness has chosen to let such an inspirational coach go. Politics abound at this gym. I stopped coming here for little things. The "newness" wore off. I know this isn't an Equinox, but seriously, please keep the paper towels stocked and the showers cleaned. (Piles of hair creep me out!) Having to step thru trash in the parking lot reminded me of Walmart. If training could be offered on anything other than a year contract I'd consider LA Fitness. But no, it's not. Being locked in with the potential to have an uncertified trainer in front of me is terrifying. That being said, I would sign up in a heart be if I could have Cassandra as a trainer. She was a tad scary the one time she trained me. Heh. Late breaking news. I've just learned Cassandra is no longer employed at LA Fitness. Sorry kids. I've been a member of LA Fitness for three years. I can tell you this: There is a high turnover for trainers. Fact. Canceling A Membership I'm told it's easier in person. Must be done M-F, 9am-5pm with the Operations Manager, 3 days before your billing cycle ends. Once you do that you can continue to use the gym for thirty days. Canceling a training membership? Forget that. Just stick around and use what you agreed to. And no, you cannot bunch up sessions. If you signed up for a session once a week that means you can train once a week. You may not pay for the rest of the year and use them daily until they run out. That's freaking annoying. If you need to move good luck. I'm sure there's an LA Fitness near you with a trainer. Breaking a training contract is really difficult. Paying to break it does not make sense. You cannot transfer it. Just suck it up because you signed a contract. On the positive front: Take Gina's Spin class. She's scary good. You have NO idea. You think you're in shape until you take her class. The spin room is a stunning five deck arena and the air conditioning blasts out. (Sadly, not the music. I have no idea why they can't get the music to consistently work. This seems important to spin class.)

negative

I debated giving this place one star due to the terrible customer service we received throughout the entire meal, but the quality of the food made me up my rating to two stars. Everything we ate was really good, but the service was terrible. We could never get the waiters attention for anything we needed. Maybe it was because we were part of a big group, and the gratuity was included, but we had to flag someone down to order, we received the wrong dishes and drinks, charged us for a dessert for a birthday. Who does that?

negative

Went to see the 10:00pm showing on 11/24 of Hunger Games. On Groupon, they had a deal that was being advertised with a Hunger Games banner, and said, "Buy now and see The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 tonight!" I bought it... when I got there twenty minutes later the girl said my deal wasn't eligible for the Hunger Games. I asked her to show me where on my deal it said there were any exclusions as there were none. The place was empty. The entire reserved theater was available on the screen, and they turn down legit business. Went to Harkins on Shea instead.

negative

OH MY GOSH! This place is terrible, I've never ever had a hang nail, and I've been getting my toes does for years, my normal salon was booked, and this one was close to my house so I gave it a try..... WORST PLACE EVER!!!! I had a hang nail in both big toes and not to mention she cut to low. She was rude. DON'T GO HERE!!!!!
negative