California Wow Lifetime Membership....

[Heng]

I know the whole business model of fitness centers is that most people are just too lazy to keep on working out.... but say if you don't fall into that category and have a life time membership, is there any other way for them to get rid of you or at the very least up your annual membership fees? I'm on one of those X,000 Baht lifetime deals with California and you pay another 800 Baht or so per year for several years now... it just seems like too good a deal relatively speaking that not that they don't even plan to account for inflation say 20 years from now. The contract is a rather flimsy one that doesn't even really have a 'legal' level of detail.

Has anyone with one of these lifetime deals encountered any issues with California Wow, even after say 7-8 years? 10 years? Do they try to find a way to charge you for something extra?

Not a California Wow ad by the way... for the record, Fitness First and True Fitness are the better experience (or maybe it's just that 80% of the clientele aren't senior citizen/retirees but instead fit office ladies), but there aren't too many options now that I spend most of time in Pattaya.

[Soutpeel]

There was a rumour about that Cal WOW was going down the toilet..so may not have to worry about 7-8 years down the line...

[WebBangkok]

I have had mine fore nearly 3 years, no problems as of yet.

I mean even if I stoped going from today I still got a great deal as there lifetime membership is the same price as some clubs1 or 2 year memberships.

The only think I can see them doing is maybe put up the annual fee that you have to pay every year, its sometime like 100 or 200 baht per year. But I paid for 10 year (not that I knew I did at the time).

I will report back in 7 years

Ever since I joined people were saying its going out of business and it would be a miracle if it lasts longer then 2 months etc, but people being saying that for years and its still here.

[Heng]

Yeah I've heard the same for several years as well. I guess that's one clear difference off the bat though, our 'annual fees' are 800 Baht or so per year. I've always looked at it from the point of view that it's been well worth it so far as well.

[Ijustwannateach]

Hey, Heng- despite shady and pushy sales tactics, which can be annoying until they realise you won't respond to them- I've never had a contractual issue with CW over 7 years now. They will stick to the letter of what they've promised.

The risk is really what others have mentioned- if they go out of business completely and the 'CW' name evaporates- then the whole contract will be worthless. But the longer they hold on and you get a few more years out of it, then you still come out ahead.

It remains to be seen how much longer this can be, considering the egregious lack of maintenance on bathroom areas, water systems, and even the supposedly key training equipment. They have to spend a lot of money on electricity, though they seem to up the temperature another notch every week. I imagine that when their new clients are finally not enough to cover those bills, especially when it's hard to get new clients when they look at the shoddy unmaintained facilities- that's when the whole pyramid will collapse.

[vtjforyou]

Price of lifetime membership at cwow is few months at your own country, so why do people keep thinking about useless things?

[ricklev]

I get annoyed just thinking about the place! But it's close, it's cheap, and they started off with really good equipment. But it's so annoying!

[WebBangkok]

I have been going to the Pinklao one and its all in pretty good condition. They also have a nice little pool on the rooftop.

Also the girls there are phenomenal.

I been to the Ekkamai one which really needs work and also the one at Silom.

Even if they closed tomorrow I got my money's worth, but I think they will be around for awhile.

You just have to be able to say no when they try sell you personal training packages and shit like that. They gave me a free Pilates session, wanted me to buy 10 hours but the whole thing feels like a femanine work out for me.

I did the kick fit for 40 hours, it was really good as my trainer is a Muay Thai fighter which made it good, but he is gone now so for the last 2 years I just been going alone.

[Ohyesuare]

A lot of people lose the lifetime membership when they don't renew on time. You aren't reminded so if you miss the day there goes your membership.

[Ijustwannateach]

^Also, though a few years ago they accepted advanced deposits on the years, they are now refusing them. You can only pay for the next year 30 days ahead of the cutoff (according to Asok branch, anyway).

[Heng]

A lot of people lose the lifetime membership when they don't renew on time. You aren't reminded so if you miss the day there goes your membership.

Now I hadn't heard of that. Sounds pretty strict. You've known people who have lost their memberships over paying the annual dues late?

[Heng]

You just have to be able to say no when they try sell you personal training packages and shit like that.

Yeah, no issues there. When they used to ask me... in total I think twice... 'what are you goals...blah blah blah' my answer was 'it's none of your business what my goals are.' Sorted.

[Heng]

Hey, Heng- despite shady and pushy sales tactics, which can be annoying until they realise you won't respond to them- I've never had a contractual issue with CW over 7 years now. They will stick to the letter of what they've promised.

The risk is really what others have mentioned- if they go out of business completely and the 'CW' name evaporates- then the whole contract will be worthless. But the longer they hold on and you get a few more years out of it, then you still come out ahead.

It remains to be seen how much longer this can be, considering the egregious lack of maintenance on bathroom areas, water systems, and even the supposedly key training equipment. They have to spend a lot of money on electricity, though they seem to up the temperature another notch every week. I imagine that when their new clients are finally not enough to cover those bills, especially when it's hard to get new clients when they look at the shoddy unmaintained facilities- that's when the whole pyramid will collapse.

Yeah, I get the same pyramid feeling... especially when it seem like the sales folks are looking more depressed/stressed than they usually do.

[Heng]

Price of lifetime membership at cwow is few months at your own country, so why do people keep thinking about useless things?

Yeah, or even a week's worth of gasoline but then I still like to know what the figures are anyway. I find it helps to keep the numbers solidly in the black when you know where everything goes.

[scorecard]

Hey, Heng- despite shady and pushy sales tactics, which can be annoying until they realise you won't respond to them- I've never had a contractual issue with CW over 7 years now. They will stick to the letter of what they've promised.

The risk is really what others have mentioned- if they go out of business completely and the 'CW' name evaporates- then the whole contract will be worthless. But the longer they hold on and you get a few more years out of it, then you still come out ahead.

It remains to be seen how much longer this can be, considering the egregious lack of maintenance on bathroom areas, water systems, and even the supposedly key training equipment. They have to spend a lot of money on electricity, though they seem to up the temperature another notch every week. I imagine that when their new clients are finally not enough to cover those bills, especially when it's hard to get new clients when they look at the shoddy unmaintained facilities- that's when the whole pyramid will collapse.

This type of business model is pretty risky for the business owner and the customer.

It depends on the owner being able to keep signing up new people to maintain enough cash flow to keep afloat, especially to be able to pay the rent and wages. (Wonder is this connects to the numerous comments about equipment, showers, etc., never repaired.)

for the customer the risk is related to how much paid you initially paid for the lifetime membership.

[bonobo]

I have been a member for 5 years, and I have never had a problem. The only catch is that they don't remind you to renew. If you forget, you lose your membership. I just have it ingrained in my mind that I have to renew each March.

I joined in Pinklao, and I still like that the best. Changwattana is much smaller, but fewer people use it. The doors to the female and male locker rooms are adjacent, though, so you can create quite a stir if you are a little absent-minded (and I am speaking from experience.)

But I have been using Asoke since the floods arrived. CaliWow Pinklao just re-opened, but the road is still flooded and impassable to small cars.

[frankxxxxxxxxxx]

Wondering how can someone be so retarded to post something as just above...

[farang000999]

what part of it? nobody enjoys running on a treadmill or any of these machines. they destroy your joints. and weight lifting with all the circus freaks milling about is also boring and bad for your joints. the reality is that gyms really are not even good for your health. weight lifting causes more harm than good unless being done under a knowledgeable physical therapist with very small amounts of weights used and perfect form... what 99% of the people in the joint are doing is motivated by aesthetics, trying to get all the girls wet with their bulging muscles. and yes my point is relevant. the reason why Cali offers low prices is because most will sign up and stop coming.

[Soboringtochooseaname]

555...

And is running in the street better than on a treadmill ?! Ok, I understand that you prefer to stay home and drink your beer to improve your fat belly, and it's your choice, i respect.

Whatever people who do not know gyms say, it's always better to go to gym than only watching soccer on TV.

Also, some still prefer to pay to give fum to their willy, but not me, I prefer to be fit to get it free...

ps: nobody enjoys running on a machine ? You must know a lot ! But i actuallly i ONLY enjoy running on a machine than in dirty streets or overcrowded parks where it is hot like hell. I hate outdoor activities and don't think that I am the only one in the world...

[Heng]

Yeah, I'm not much for running outdoors here either. Way too polluted in the areas where I live. The only time I run outdoors is when I'm at my Texas place, but even then that doesn't work too well during say Cedar season.

I do think they are missing out on a huge chunk of the straight market if what folks are saying is true. Surely it's not by design? We usually work out in the morning when there are maybe 20 people in the whole place, so it's a non-issue for me.

[bonobo]

what part of it? nobody enjoys running on a treadmill or any of these machines. they destroy your joints. and weight lifting with all the circus freaks milling about is also boring and bad for your joints. the reality is that gyms really are not even good for your health. weight lifting causes more harm than good unless being done under a knowledgeable physical therapist with very small amounts of weights used and perfect form... what 99% of the people in the joint are doing is motivated by aesthetics, trying to get all the girls wet with their bulging muscles. and yes my point is relevant. the reason why Cali offers low prices is because most will sign up and stop coming.

I don't think you have spent much time at a Caliwow here if you think that they are full of "all the circus freaks." Caliwow is not the home of too many die-hard gym rats. The vast majority of men and pretty much all the women I have seen there are of normal to light stature. Only a small percentage are ripped, and most of them not obsessively so. A typical bench press I see might be 65 or 95 pounds with only a few getting into a what might be a normal range for a more normal weight-lifting crowd.

Most of the people who could be classified as die-hard gym rats are the women who religiously use the aerobics, spinning, and yoga classes. And no, I would not classify any of them as "circus freaks."

The equipment at Caliwow is quite good, better than at some hardcore gyms I have used in the US. The bad things about the place, in my opinion, is that many of the trainers do not seem to have the knowledge to help out newbies, the place can be crowded, and gym etiquette among the patrons is usually lacking. But the price is right and the equipment good.

[bonobo]

Yeah, I'm not much for running outdoors here either. Way too polluted in the areas where I live. The only time I run outdoors is when I'm at my Texas place, but even then that doesn't work too well during say Cedar season.

I do think they are missing out on a huge chunk of the straight market if what folks are saying is true. Surely it's not by design? We usually work out in the morning when there are maybe 20 people in the whole place, so it's a non-issue for me.

Straight or gay, the market is those who want to be fit, not sexual orientation. The place is not a hook-up joint.

One of my work-out friends is a Thai celeb who the Thai rumor mill has that he is gay. When we talk, we talk about exercise techniques, weight-lifting form, and lately, flood info. We are friendly because we both have in interest in fitness, not because there is a sexual connection.

[Ijustwannateach]

Most of the guys I've met at CW have been straight, actually.... a lot of them have had some foreign experience (like an exchange program in school) or would like to spend more time abroad and want to practice their English.

And to be honest, there are a whooooooole lot of places for gay people to enjoy socialising here. Like, out in public- at a restaurant- walking down the street. I find that those who are really into gym cruising are heavy muscle queens, and that's not everybody's scene.

Of course, some ostensibly 'straight' guys might be projecting about something here.... I think that many 'straight' guys spend a lot more time thinking about gay guys in the gym than gay guys do...

[Heng]

Yeah, I'm not much for running outdoors here either. Way too polluted in the areas where I live. The only time I run outdoors is when I'm at my Texas place, but even then that doesn't work too well during say Cedar season.

I do think they are missing out on a huge chunk of the straight market if what folks are saying is true. Surely it's not by design? We usually work out in the morning when there are maybe 20 people in the whole place, so it's a non-issue for me.

Straight or gay, the market is those who want to be fit, not sexual orientation. The place is not a hook-up joint.

One of my work-out friends is a Thai celeb who the Thai rumor mill has that he is gay. When we talk, we talk about exercise techniques, weight-lifting form, and lately, flood info. We are friendly because we both have in interest in fitness, not because there is a sexual connection.

Wasn't talking hookups or sexual connections. I was talking about increasing the membership base and REVENUE from their point of view business wise. They could simply give out memberships to say 20-30 Kingston Tech or Super Model Spa (this would be for the Pattaya branch) type women -weeded out with the appropriate criteria of course- with the stipulation that they must show up to work out at least 90 times per year and 2 hours per workout session to maintain their membership. There's virtually no overhead in that type of promotion and it would likely increase the number of signups if they are indeed missing out on the straight market.

No one wants a crowded club, but I don't want them to go out of business either.

[Berkshire]

what part of it? nobody enjoys running on a treadmill or any of these machines. they destroy your joints.

Wow, where did you possibly come up with that? Lots of folks use the treadmill precisely because it puts less stress on the joints. Running on hard concrete and uneven pavement--not to mention potholes, car exhaust, and other pollutants--is far worse.

[frankxxxxxxxxxx]

Yes treadmill is really the solution to avoid injuries.

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[danmarnj]

Why do these threads get so off-topic and degenerate into a pissing match,when the OP only wants a knowledgeable answer to his question. There are also interested parties that would like the answer to hear from people familiar with the OP's question without the editorializing and the lame flames

[jayjayjayjay]

^Also, though a few years ago they accepted advanced deposits on the years, they are now refusing them. You can only pay for the next year 30 days ahead of the cutoff (according to Asok branch, anyway).

I tried to pay December 30th in Chiangmai, they refused, thus had to return 2 days later on Jan 1st to be the firs to renew for the second of the 5 years I have to pay a grand total of 100 baht. Ridiculous as it is, the whole system stinks of California, yes American corporate bullshit.. It's there insurance policy to ensure they can kick out everyone with one clause or another, anyway they can... <deleted>, really... Where are the days of the customer come first. I would take a guess that is where the whole corporate strategy for CalWOW has gone wrong. Big promo, spend lots of public money on advertising, get in way more clients than they can handle, rig there memberships so 98% get screwed, then fall in a heap because every number they call in Thailand has a bitch story to hit them with... Corporate Suicide.... Wakeup CalWOW

[rizenkroft]

Farang 0099 I hope your kidding or just having a bad day! And I hope your not one of the old pregnant farlangs I see sipping on their Leo at 1100 am complaining to their companions about life in general.

[rizenkroft]

Also you can't go wrong with a lifetime membership they are about the same price as yearly membership in your own country as long as you stay motivated to use it most days! Make a habit of getting their same time everyday. Early morning if open and you will miss the crowds and be finnished before lunch to enjoy the rest of your day/holiday! Good luck