Harbor Fitness Center--Park Slope

its clean smells good you will love it

Posted 10/13/09

I also was surprised to read some negative reviews - my experience at Harbor has been uniformly excellent. My roommate joined in about 2002 and when he moved out passed his membership on to me several years later, and they didn't raise the rate, which I thought was incredibly generous. When they raised rates on personal training (to what I think is still a very reasonable rate), long-term clients still pay less than new ones.

The reception does have high turnover, but everyone who works there is friendly and seems to learn clients' names quickly, a nice touch. Some of the equipment is old, but it's still functional, and over the last several months they've been bringing in a lot of new machines to upgrade.

My one complaint would be that the variety of classes isn't so great, but there are still some good ones - just not as many as you might get at a bigger place with more space.

Pros: friendly staff, good equipment, pleasant atmosphere

Cons: not much variety in the classes

Posted 04/10/09

This is the first time I ever wrote a review. The only reason why I am now is because I felt compelled to after reading these previous 2 reviews. Further... It is obvious that the same person wrote both reviews! I have been a member of Harbor Fitness since they opened 8 years ago. I have frozen and canceled my membership several times for personal reasons and have never had a problem and I always returned. I keep coming back because the management has always gone over and beyond the call of duty to make me happy. The individual who wrote the last comment obviously failed to follow what was required and is taking it out unfairly on the club and on Mike in particular! I know him for years and has always been a perfect gentleman to my partner and myself.

Pros: fresh juice bar, excellent staff

Cons: no windows to look out while exercising

Posted 11/24/08

I have belonged to several gyms in Brooklyn over the years and this one is BY FAR the best! For the price you pay you couldn't get half of what they offer at any other club in the city. I have been a member for almost 6 months now and really feel like my dollar goes a long way here (u know how important that is now-a-days). They offer tons of services (half of which I don't even use), warm smiles and friendly attitudes, and unbeatable hours (24 hours during the week and late on the weekends). While I do admit that some equipment needs to be updated, most of it is state of the art, clean, and almost never a wait to be used!! I highly recommend u check this place out. Get this... they even GUARANTEE in your contract that they will NEVER RAISE YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES!! Seriously. Try getting that at some other gym

Pros: Lots and lots and lots of free classes!

Cons: too cold

Posted 11/24/08

I've been trying to cancel my membership with this gym since September 23, 2008 but I'm still getting charged. Spoke to a member counselor who asked me to put it writing and leave it at the front desk (which I did) and that I would have to be charged for October because they needed 30 day notice. I wasn't please about this because my next membership due was scheduled to be charged on the 8th and this place is no high class operation. But here it is November and I'm still being charged. I spoke to the owner Mike which told me he didn't care to offer me customer service because I wasn't his customer anymore. Classy, right?

If you must choose this gym and not one of the half dozen other options in the area use a major credit card with fraud alert.

Pros: a clean but run-down operation.

Cons: Rude owner and staff.

Posted 11/16/08

This mob run money hungry operation doesn't even deserve even one star. Beware, they've been know to double charge your credit card for the same month. They know nothing about customer service. The machines are run down and instead of fixing them they raise the rates and the personal training rates. Go to NYSC or any of the local establishments instead.

Pros: open late

Cons: inexperienced and rude staff, inconsistent rates and poor customer service, run down bikes and ellipticals.

Posted 11/15/08

My experience at this facility over the last year has been very positive. The equipment is varied and available almost always. Hours are extensive and staff members are friendly and helpful. Membership includes option to participate in various exercise programs including spinning, yoga, and pilates. I would recommend this gym to anyone I know who wants to exercise in a clean and enjoyable environment.

Pros: hours, floor space, number of machines, towel service

Cons: no serious negatives from my perspective

Posted 08/28/08

Beware of this gym the staff is very rude owner Chris and Mike Ganim and front desk staff.They dont listen to your request no toliet paper in ladies bathroom music to loud.Ok gym for the money.Poor Customer Service.AS soon as my membership is over in Dec i will be shopping around for a new gym.Its a shme to see that some off the best trainers are no longer there.And the turnover is so fequent.This is no longer a nice warm friendly atmosphere to work out at.I hope that they raise ther standards and become the great gym it once was back in 2000 when it first opened.

Pros: open 24 hrs ok value good shakes and smoothies

Cons: rude staff ,inexperinced trainers,parking nightmare

Posted 08/19/08

I don't usually write on city search, but this is a great basic fitness place with flexible terms and friendly staff. I used this site to look for a gym in my area of Park Slope and there were so many choices, but it was the locals that turn me on Harbor Fitness. Great neighborhood spot to get in shape, grab a smoothie, and meet the locals. The place is clean, with 2 levels of equipment is in good working condition. They have a fabulous Smoothies/Shake bar and they don't over charge for there sport drinks. There a lots of TV's so you can watch a game or show while you work out. Not overly crowded, especially mid-day. What makes this place stand out is the atmosphere and the staff/owners. You feel comfortable at this gym while you work out. which makes you want to go more! The other members are very friendly and curious, not like some gyms that are full of snooty, steroided, gym thugs that grunt and yell. The staff are personable and outgoing and seam to like working there. I travel a lot, and I constantly have to leave for a month or two, and the owners worked the monthly fees around my schedule. Try doing that at a franchises gym ! (lol).....If your looking for a gym in Park Slope, check out Harbor Fitness Center.

Pros: Great Atmosphere, friendly Staff, Reasonable fees

Posted 01/01/08

This is a nice 2 level gym. The front desk is friendly and helpful. The trainers seem to be knowledgeable and approachable. I especially recommend Lauirie O. She's been my trainer for 2 years and she is fabulous!

Pros: Friendly staff, knowledgeable trainers

Cons: Ceiling sometimes leaks

Posted 10/22/07

My Experience in Harbor Fitness Goes As Follows:

*Clean and Well Maintained Facility

*Friendly and Helpful Staff

*Open 24 Hours/Huge Plus

*Average Equipment Variety

All in All...A Good Gym

Posted 09/25/07

I have been a member of health clubs all over brooklyn since 1983 and a member of this place for over six years. I tried all the corporate name brands and nothing compares to the feel of a place that is managed by the actual owners of the club. They and the staff provide you with any request with absolute consideration. I live in Brooklyn Heights and travel 15 minutes out of my way 4 days a week for this club!
The exercise equipment is top notch and plentiful. They have doubled the amount of cardiovascular bikes and runners since I've been there so I never waited to get on one of those precor runners.
The club is constantly being improved and renovated.

I couldn't think of any reason not to join this place if you are shopping around. For what they offer it is the best in Brooklyn.

Posted 11/06/06

I enrolled the monthly membership in June 04 06 and paid 3 month in full. In June 16th, I found out I need to move and request a partial refund (the policy is 60 days notice). After one week back and forth discussion, the manager finally gave a receipt and promised to send me a check. Up to Sep 20th, I did not get the check and called three times for follow up. The manager tried to be helpful over the phone but the owner Mike is rude. He cut me off over the phone, refuse to talk to his own manager for the detail. The class I attended is decent. But I am disappointed by the owner's unhonest business practice.

Pros: The club is spacious

Cons: The price is the same as NY sports club nearby and almost impossible to get refund

Posted 09/20/06

I've belonged to many gyms, Harbor fitness is definately the best the slope has to offer. Theres 2 huge floors with high ceilings, its clean, the staff is friendly and knowledgable, the equiptment is always new and working
and there shakes are awesome
I highly recommend this club

Pros: 24 hrs, clean, excellent facility

Posted 03/06/06