RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center

Great equipment; always clean; nice and friendly staff. They even have a glute-ham raise (even though everyone just uses it for weird situps).However, cost may be an issue depending on your job at RWJ. I did not get a discount while some others get to use the facilities for literally one-tenth of what I was paying. The initiation fee is quite high - almost $300 and that's only if you sign on the first day you walk in. If you don't, it's another $200! The initial sales pitch to get me to join was 2 hours. And if you leave the gym, they want you to write them a letter and proof that you moved; otherwise, they charge you extra termination fees! According to the staff, the cost is justified in the nurse visits, which I admit I did not use and probably has more value to others.Another problem is that despite the huge amount of space, there are only 2 power racks. Strangely, there is only one calf machine, and it is a rotary calf machine. There is this whole series of machines that use some sort of pneumatic piston for resistance - they are pretty inferior to standard machines. Raising the resistance to 600 or whatever the max is on the leg press takes almost a minute. I guess if they were the last weight machines on earth, they'd be pretty useful, but there's gotta be something better...OH YEAH, ACTUAL WEIGHTS.Also, although most trainers know what they are doing and are respectful to everyone, a couple of them would interrupt my training periodically to tell me to wear a lifting belt or I was going to die (currently still alive), decrease the weight because there are too many plates on the bar and that I'm scaring her clients (fear helps elevate heart rate, which helps burn calories), or tell me to stop deadlifting 15 minutes after signing up, which was contingent on hearing a "yes" to my question "can I do deadlifts here." To be fair, you can usually use the Olympic platform to deadlift or do Olympic lifts (there's only one though) and I think those staff have since left.

I love the gym. There is great equipment and always clean. Its a real good deal for law enforcement and firefighters The problem I had was that I had stuff stolen out my locker and no one cared about it. They just basically told me it was my fault.

Please read ; K Lacerda review as well as "A Google User" and "Lindsay Zdep. The sales person talked my ear off for an hour and half. Telling me things like "Body Mass Index" (BMI) testing. When I asked questions she knew nothing, like do they use a dunk tank to calculate BMI? because if they use calipers and electro resistivity it can be very misleading. 2 weeks after going to RWJ, I asked the front desk what the temp at the gym and that I normally don't sweat this much just from doing push-ups. Reply, I don't know. Question: Do you circulate fresh air through the ventilation system, it seems rather stuffy in here? Reply, I don't know. Question: Can we have a fan on the floor for those that do high cardio work-outs? No, it's a tripping hazard.So let me get this straight, you don't know anything about the gym that you are employed at and I'm paying a $1,000 dollars a year as a customer and the best you can do is, "I don't know."I've been working out for most of my life, since I was 10 years old. (I'm 50) I compete in triathlons, foot races, Spartan races and rock climb, ski, as well as backpack recreationally. Which brings me to the next problem. I keep receiving phone messages from RWJ to meet with their nursing staff and training staff. This is a sales tactic to brow beat you into paying more for additional classes and support.On a good note, if you are overweight, have thousands of dollars to spend and need someone to hold your hand and walk you through every exercise because you never left the couch, then this is the perfect gym for you.P.S. RWJ staff, if a customer is talking to you, it's a good idea to engage them in the conversation instead of walking away and acting like you are doing something on the computer. Or better yet, make excuses like, maybe you have high blood pressure or take some clothes off if your hot. Hmmm, I have sweat dripping off of me from doing push-ups and I'm wearing shorts and a T-shirt in December. I'm already wearing the least amount of clothes possible. In all of my years, I have never worked up a sweat in any other gym from doing just push-ups. Poor excuse of an answer.

This gym sucks! I'm moving to the area in a month and a good friend of mine said I needed to take this class because I love MMA and Body Combat and that the people teaching it is a husband/wife teaching team and there was NO ONE THERE!!!!! After driving 1 hour and a half to come here on Friday, August 14 for the class at 9:15, I finally get there for class and NO INSTRUCTOR was there to give the class!!! Also, the front desk people have no idea what's going on! This place is very impressive at first glance, but the minute you start asking people questions and need guidance, no one there could care less. SO PISSED OFF at them for wasting my time. I will not be back!!!

A previous reviewer is totally incorrect. It's Absolutely NOT $1,000 A YEAR to belong to the RWJohnson gyms. Joining all of them at once is a one-time fee, and much less than $1,000 to pay EVER.The truth is, this is one of the very best bargains in my life. Monthly fees are very reasonable. I have used weight loss doctors in the past. NOT ONE of those doctors helped me finally reach my goals like RWJ Fitness & Wellness Centers have.The nurse and trainer have taken a real interest in my progress. I've lost over eighty pounds since joining this gym and maintained them. Classes are strong and intense. Facilities are cleaner than competitors. All the RWJohnson gyms are well-designed and organized.I've been very impressed and hope the gyms continue to be maintained as they are now. Thank you to all who make the RWJohnson gyms specially great. I enjoy them for as much as I have time.

I love this gym. I've been a member off and on for over 10 years. The month to month contract lets me drop out some times and then come back at my original rate without paying the initiation fee.Regarding the nurses' appointments... you get a free assessment every 12 weeks I think... I like to do this so I see progress. They do basic measurements, body fat and blood pressure. Just a nice little perk that's included in your membership.Regarding personal training -- you get a free assessment again every 12 weeks I think... They will do a functional movement screen and then at a separate appointment, tell you the results and give you a personalized workout program. Of course they try to sell you a training package but you can always say "NO" and just use the program they give you or not. I actually did sign up for some personal training packages and my trainer was WONDERFUL! Sure, it's expensive, but it was an investment in my health and worth every penny.I love the variety of classes... I've never walked in and had a class too full to join except spin classes right after work. And, yes, the parking is tough because it's a popular gym! I find that if I go around 6 in the morning, parking is fine, no waiting in line for any equipment... Just don't go with the masses immediately after work.The shower and locker room facilities are nice and clean. I don't use the pool area much now but when I have in the past, I always felt they were clean and well-maintained.I also like the free seminars that are offered like nutrition classes, stress management, women's health.Yes, it's pricey but for me, given the services they offer, it's worth it.

I have been a member for a good 6 months now. Pretty nice facility, but the fees are very high compared to other gyms and the sales pitch is high pressure, as others have mentioned. The classes are okay but are only offered during peak user time, are tough to make if you don't get out of work at 5:00 sharp, and fill up fast. The only reason I joined was for the pool. If you've ever swam competitively, those tiny 12-yard pools in some other gyms (like Gold's or NY Fitness) do nothing and are impossible to get a work out. You push off one end and you're already at the other. This facility has a full competition size 25-yard pool. If it were not for that, I would have joined elsewhere and saved $20 to $30/month.

I have been a member for years on and off with the frequency with which I actually go. I like doing a combination of activities and have tried all different types of classes from the the dance ones, to the hard core fitness, to yoga, to even the ones in the pool. My suggestion is try different classes with different instructors to find the best fit. Even if you aren't keen on the specific instructor in the class you can find ways to make the class work for you.I like the improvements they have made to the layout of the floor. the floor space used to be crammed to the corner, but you can be more creative about floor space. Myself and a friend have even used the corner by the rowing machines to do floor activities. and the more open floor plan allows trainers to spreadout and not chew up the same floor space.Pool tends to make me itchy with the high level of chlorine but I just deal with it. I'm just happy to have the regular pool the therapy pool and the hot tub. Don't be intimidated by older people in the pool classes, you can always make the activities harder or easier for your need.Thought I'd put in a word about childcare. Don't expect it to be an organized class for your child, but I've had my children there since they were 6 months old and the same staff sticks around and cares for the kids. Older children may be bored but my 5 and 3 year old still enjoy going and seeing the same kids and staff month after month. I appreciate that the fee was rolled into the monthly membership as I had to pay additional for the service years ago. I also found out childcare could be used while going to the spa which was well worth it to me when you need that extra sanity and don't have someone to watch the kids. Just let the staff know where you are.Parking is always an issue but hey I figure if I'm going to workout then the few extra feet I have to walk is really not that big of a deal. If you can time getting in 10 minutes after the hour when people have just finished classes parking can be easier to find.

I moved here from Hamilton Fitness down the road and glad that I did. This place has so many exercise machines and fitness classes. The best part is that it isn't pretentious at all. The focus is on being healthy and fit. The lock room is clean and there are plenty of amenities (like the sauna - it feels like you're at a spa). The only thing I wish was that the pool was bigger. It can get crowded very quickly, especially on the weekends.

I LOVE the classes at this gym. Vin and Charlie are probably my favorite instructors because they are dancers, but there are over 200 classes a week and there is definitely something for everyone.I'm in my late twenties and used to dance when I was younger, and HANDS DOWN, Vin is the BEST Zumba instructor I've EVER taken - I've seen instructors in the area and NO ONE can move like her. Well worth it if you take her Zumba class...Also, I never feel "uncomfortable" here (for those of you who know what I mean); it's definitely a friendlier gym than some of the others I've been a part of over the years. Hands down, one of if not the best gym in the area.