Bel Air Athletic Reviews

Personally, this is the best gym that I have ever been into.

The child care was only just "okay". Don't expect them to do anything except ensure your kid is there. If your kid cries, they tell you to come get them, which makes for a very short workout. The basketball courts had dead spots right in the paint on the near side of the court, which isn't exactly what you want while playing. The upper level track was okay in concept but not well temperature controlled; could have also been due to a ton of runners being there though. Signing up was easy but if you don't cancel with at least 30 days notice you'll be paying for another full month regardless if you use it or not. Staff seemed nice. Equipment was standard but there were a few "creative" solutions made out of equipment that was definitely end of life re-purposed. Good luck with the pool- I don't do public pools for a reason and this is no exception. I didn't get the free personal trainer sessions but they seemed pretty well booked. They have a system for tracking progress in place but it isn't exactly the most robust. I think if you don't mind paying some more money (on top of the normal membership fee) you can get a lot out of this place, but for the money you spend here you can definitely get a lot out of any other place too.

Phenomenal facility. Dana Weller, personal trainer, and Mary Williams, massage therapist, have both helped my competitive Race Walking. Love the "ladies only" gym because it is less crowded. My sons lift often at the huge main weight room area and my son (that plays Rugby) enjoys the BAAC yoga classes and playing basketball with friends in the court gym area. I told Liz that I would just need a Winter membership for the BAAC indoor track (Timonium is the next closest indoor track), but decided to extend indefinitely. I sound like a commercial, but we attended many Summer kid camps, birthday party events, and swim lessons when we first arrived in Bel Air. We took a long break from this gym, but we are sure glad to be back.

This place is decent and has a ton of amenities, but it's waaaayyyyy too expensive and caters to the more "wealthy" group of the population. Definitely can't be your average person to afford and enjoy this place. Also, I've noticed that the people that are members of this club, tend to judge everyone, laugh at people who aren't as fit as they are, and just aren't so very nice to be around... Which is sad in this day in age where people are taught from a younger age that physical appearance is certainly not the number one thing in life... That being healthy is certainly important, but looks aren't everything!!! This is a health and fitness club, not a night club or beauty pageant!

I ve been a member for a few months and I love it! Great variety and quality of equipment. The group fitness classes and training are awesome. Everyone there is friendly so it s a fun, welcoming place to go and get a great workout.

Tried to book a birthday party here and it was such an awful experience we cancelled the entire party. Took multiple phone calls, multiple voicemails for over 2 weeks and a 30 min wait on hold to speak with a manager before we could even talk to someone about cancelling and getting our money back. They had us down for the wrong type of party, never sent us out a contract or invitations and its been over 2 weeks now and our money has still not been returned in our account. I would not recommend this place to anyone for a birthday party.

I love the classes and especially drums alive and cycling and body pump and I love the new equipment for body pump. Body pump is never that crowded and most classes have enough people in them but you have room to move.

Clean. Friendly. Great location. Has an awesome track on 2nd floor where I resumed my running program. Weight room has about 90% of the machines I was used to at Gold's. Given all the other pluses I'm all in with these people.

Spacious conference room. Staff are pleasant and helpful.

There are two major pools at the club, an upper and a lower. The upper pool is consistently filthy dirty with leaves, other decaying organic matter, and hair/band aids. Today, I saw algae in the bottom of the pool. The lower pool, which is cleaner, is not opened until 9:00 AM, which means early swimmers must use the dirty pool. At the same time, the pool staff claim they cannot clean the upper pool because people are in it. The clear solution is to allow early swimmers in the lower, clean pool and to have staff actually CLEAN the upper pool. In a time when we often read about dangerous bacterial diseases in closed water bodies--including warm summer pools--it makes no sense to force patrons to use a dirty pool particularly when a clean one is available. This problem is substantial, and given the high cost of being a member, I cannot recommend the club to others at this time.

tldr; over-crowded, dated facility with elitist attitude. Nothing special about the place except the pool. Worth it for the summer, but wouldn't recommend beyond that.

I tried this gym for five days on a guest pass. I give Bel Air Athletic Club credit for that--they give potential members a very fair trial period. Things I liked about the gym: they have a great aquatic facility outside if you have kiddos. It has two family pools, a baby pool, a "splash pad" play fountain (which my daughter LOVES, it's very nice, cushioned, and a lot of fun), and an adults-only pool for the childless among us (or the parent who takes advantage of the on-site childcare). I thought the childcare was decent, however, my daughter is still in the separate "nursery" category since she isn't fully walking yet. The main play area for the kids is a bit of a zoo if you're there in the mornings (and I've heard the same about after work hours, though I've never seen it for myself). The childcare is very quiet around 1:00-3:30, which is when I like to go since I don't care for crowds. That being said, this gym is Crowded with a capital "C." Even off-peak hours are very busy in the aquatic facility I mentioned earlier. It is rare to find a chair or table at any time of day. The fitness facility itself is, in a word, dated. Same goes for all the locker rooms and bathrooms. None of these negatives would be enough to really turn me totally off the gym, but this next one put me off majorly: the staff member who gave me a tour of the gym spoke disparagingly about the gym I currently use, the Y in Abingdon, which in my opinion is an excellent facility compared to most other options in the area and is actually much more up-to-date, and cleaner than BAAC. The staff member's exact wording was: "we are more expensive than the Y because we want to keep out the riff raff." I was shocked to hear something so elitist coming from the mouth of a blue-collar worker, and I found it to be offensive and distasteful. Although I may purchase a membership for the summer only so my daughter can have access to the splash pad, I plan on going straight back to the Y, where they are friendly and welcoming to all patrons, and wouldn't ever say something like that. Also, their membership is only $10 cheaper than BAAC, just as an FYI for anyone comparison shopping.

The absolute worst fitness facility in all of Harford County. The customer service is absolutely awful. They give you 2 free sessions with a personal trainer when you sign up but, good luck booking them. I emailed them about booking a trainer and went a week without hearing anything. Spoke to the sales manager twice about it and keep hearing that a trainer will call me. It's been over a month and I've heard nothing.

Also, I signed up in January and they make you commit to 3 months which I understand. I just tried to cancel today, April 9th, and they want to bill me for all of May as well because they require a 30 day notice of cancellation. So, I signed up for a membership that does not stand behind what it offers, only to be told that they're going to bill me for an extra month because of some fine print in the contract that was not explained to me when I signed up.

Everything else aside, I would have been pretty relaxed about the cancellation policy if it weren't for the horribly rude attitude of the manager on duty when I went to cancel Sunday night. He explained the policy to me and I told him that I was unhappy about my experience. He got an attitude with me and told me that since I signed the contract, my complaints did not matter. He even offered sarcastically to have a membership representative come down so they could tell me the same thing he just told me. He didn't ask me for any additional information, or offer to assist in any of the issues I was having. He was smiling and being sarcastic with me the entire time I spoke with him.

So to sum up this review, sign up at the Bel Air Athletic Club if you want horrible customer service, managers who don't care about you or their jobs, and facilities that are often filthy, overcrowded, and unclean. The Arena Club is the same price but clean and provides excellent customer service. The YMCA is half the price with excellent customer service and clean modern equipment. Even Planet Fitness is better then the BAAC and that place is a joke. Seriously, the Bel Air Athletic Club sucks

This place has been here since the dawn of time it's self. Quality equipment, friendly staff and non-judgemental member's.

Constantly satisfied with the Bel Air Athletic Club and their kids program! I enjoy that I can drop off my daughter at "Kid sports" while I go and work out! One of the young men in particular always makes me and my daughter feel welcome-I think his name is Jimmy as well as another staff member who my daughter particularly likes, Peyton. They both are outstanding along with the rest of the staff! Go BAAC!

The sales guy was misleading as to what the real cost would be , the price went up to one thrid higher by the time I get out of my contract.

I ve been a member since 2005. I admit that I did leave for a year, but I came back for the amenities and friendly staff. However, recent interactions with the membership team have come together to drive me and my family away.
1. We signed a leave of absence form for my children, but somehow that was lost by the club and instead they were deleted from the membership.
2. We asked how much it would be to restart their membership, and were given a price $50 more per month than we had previously been paying.
3. We asked Josh to speak with his manager, Jeff, about this, as he was unable to guarantee that we could recover our original rate keep in mind that we should never have lost our rate, as we didn t actually take anyone off the membership. That was done by the club!
4. A week later, not having received any word, we called back.
5. Josh called back at last, the following week! When we returned his call, we were told he had stepped out of the office, and would call back in 5 minutes. We never heard from him.
6. At this point, we decided that we could save a whole lot of money at another gym. I called Bob. He said I could come anytime between 8 AM and 8 PM and cancel the membership.
7. Today, we met Bob. He greeted me with a lemon face. He never looked at or addressed my wife. He never asked if there was anything he or the club could do to keep my business.
8. Bob was the only membership counselor left at the club when we spoke with him. He left at 7 PM, so 8 AM to 8 PM was obviously not true.

So, it was clearly a team effort. Jeff, Josh, and Bob were able to drive away a family who had been members for over 10 years. They worked hard at it, and they succeeded!

There s a reason why this place has a 3.5 star average google review. Just sort by all the negative reviews and you ll see all the horror stories as well as the snarky responses from the owners. Don t become a victim of this place!

While pools are crowded in summertime. You can usually get a lane I the lap pool. Sometimes you need to share but it is good

Very disappointed in this fitness facility. I joined pre-COVID before all the shutdowns. There was no communication with the members at all. There was no way to contact the facility, they turned the phones to an answering machine, would not answer emails or suggest any guidance during this time. At first we gave them the benefit of the doubt and continued to pay our membership dues for about 2 months (our thoughts were that it was going to paying the employees but then we were told none of the employees were being paid). Eventually we started getting very basic and generic emails that offered virtual classes through Les Mills but that was it. When fitness centers were able to open up for outdoor fitness classes and outdoor swimming, again Bel Air Athletic Club offered nothing. When I finally decided to end my membership they were impossible to get in touch with. I understand that no one had many answers during this time or could offer any sense of what was to come but at least have some communication with members who pay ALOT for their membership. I only gave it 2 stars because when the gym was open the group classes and instructors were all great. The classes were crowded but the workouts were good.

After they shut down due to the coronavirus, they asked if they could keep taking out membership dues to help them pay their employees. Or, you could suspend your membership. They're a for-profit business and they run the risk of any business of a loss. I suspended my membership because they wouldn't be sharing profits with me. When I came to the club to see things since the reopening, I did not see one guest or member entering the building, leaving, or within wearing a mask. Not one. I don't think the benefits of working out outweigh the health risks of Covid-19. As a result, I cancelled my membership. Let's see how easily that goes.

Didn t give our family our money back for Covid this summer. Complete BS. Called corporate 20 plus times. Big company just wants your money - go somewhere else.

After 3 years of being part of this "community gym" where the staff from Maria at the front desk to the cycle instructors to the world class trainers, Wellbridge has decided to not honor their contracts or even have the decency to reply to emails or allow you into your own account. I will never contribute to their corporate greed or treating members like they are worthless. I purchased a 6-month training package and had unused sessions but all funds have been collected by Wellbridge and BAAC. However, once the club reopened, I was unable to return and have since been told that I cannot return to the gym for medical reasons. Per their contracts, if you provide a doctor s note that you cannot return to the gym, you are entitled to a full refund of unused sessions. Also, if the gym cannot provide a class such as HIIT or TRX that you paid for in advance, you are entitled to a refund. I have been waiting for 2 months to receive a refund for 32 unused sessions as I cannot return to the gym due to a doctor s note. A refund that they said they had already processed. You cannot speak to a person at their corporate headquarters in Colorado as the message says you must email them. When you email it takes 3-5 business days to hear from someone. The local leadership is also never available to speak with you (voicemails have been left) and despite friends that are still members seeing them at the club or respond to my emails. Do not sign any contracts or purchase any sessions or classes in advance of you may end up like me, seeking legal counsel and having to pay to get my own money back. BAAC has lost my loyalty and respect.

A HUGE thank you to the Carolyn Gray! She was able to accommodate my daughters birthday party with less then 48 hours notice. The actual party was hectic and didn't go as planned but luckily my daughter had no idea. When I contacted Carolyn about my issues she was quick to respond and provided me with a sincere apology and a solution we were both comfortable with. I would absolutely recommend having a party at the club and will share my updated experience with everyone who attended the party. Thanks again Carolyn- Quinn had a BLAST!

Great for racquetball and many other activities. They have a pro and some open players if you're looking for good competition.

Worst experience ever! Scheduled for a birthday party, Caroline the party coordinator never made the reservation yet she charged my account the $150 deposit. On the day of the party, I called to inquire what I can bring to the party just to find out I had no party reserved. After some back and forth the party was arranged very last minute. They ended up over charging me! The party was 12/20 I am yet to receive a refund! Caroline never seems to be there, I wish I went elsewhere, worst mistake!

It is an average workout place. Lots of cougars - great if you are a young man interested in older women with money. Classes are more money (than the already expensive membership). We joined just for the pool over the summer and then they offered us membership for 1/2 the monthly fee for 3 months. I talked to them on the last month and they said it was good until the end of January. Then I got a bill for the full price. They have an OUTSIDE AGENCY THAT MANAGES THE ACCOUNTS so the people I talked to couldn't do anything about the undocumented comment that the account was good until the end of January. The accounts lady said that she could offer me the refund if I was going to continue to be a member - so you wouldn't honor a verbal commitment if I'm ending my membership? They refused to give me a reimbursement for something the desk employees said I would NOT be charged for. I'll go to the YMCA that has a pool, costs less than half the money and doesn't treat humans like a source of income.

We started a family membership here this month, and so far so good. The facilities are well kept, and the staff are very friendly and helpful. For a family with two young kids we have had a terrific first few weeks. My wife and I have taken some of the classes that come with our member ship and they were really nice(Yoga, Pilates, Water Aerobics). Being able to drop our kids off to a place that doesn't dump them in from of a TV for an hour is fantastic. Both kids have enjoyed each time that they have been dropped off.

I could list all of the amenities of the club but it would fill up this review. I can say that we love the classes, the pool(indoor and outdoor), indoor track, sauna, hot-tub, and kids club house. The location is also a big plus for us, because we live right down the street at only a 5 minute drive.

The cost is quite high as many have stated, but we are taking this as normal because of the pool. We don't own a pool and would have had to join one in the summer. Having an indoor, and outdoor, pool makes this club cheaper for us in the long term. The pool here is awesome for kids and parents.

So far it is a 5 star club because it has been great for our family with all of the amenities we need.

At first blush this place is appealing. But you'll eventually find out that they play all the same games lots of other gyms do to keep you from canceling your membership. Despicable.

BLUF: I pray your children stay safe at this establishment given the offending members are still there...

Context: Another member almost ran over my child during summer camp pickup with response well, you were in my way camp counselors watching and all.

Upon working with club leadership on the issue, the most we could get was for the club to call the offending member (who they apparently knew from past incidents) and reinforce that type of behavior was not allowed, even though their number one club policy is about safety, respect etc and membership can be canceled from infractions.

We respectfully discussed our position with the club that they would lose a family membership one way or the other (I.e., enforce their own policy and cancel membership of offending member, or we would cancel).

If you ve read this far I m guessing you know how the story ends. I recommend trying the Arena club due to the age of this facility vs cost and obviously the choices of the club management to protect connected members over respectful, rule abiding members.

I ve never been one to publicly review (negatively or positively) a business establishment. This incident pushed me over the line.

DO NOT do swim lessons here-they are a joke. My son had a different instructor every single class so there was no consistency whatsoever in what was being taught. He didn t really learn anything he didn t already know because the instructors basically just did the same thing every class. There is no communication to the parents regarding cancelled and makeup classes. One night it was raining and I never heard anything from the instructor or swim director as to whether or not class was still on. I finally called the club a few minutes before class was supposed to start and spoke with someone at the front desk who told me class was cancelled, but she said nothing about a makeup class. They wound up having a makeup class later that week but I was never told about it so my son missed it. When I expressed my frustration to the manager about this he called the swim director who said she contacted everyone regarding the rescheduled class. That was a lie because I was never contacted. I asked for a refund and they basically laughed in my face. Worst customer service ever. This place is a joke. Save your money and go somewhere else.

It was a great club to go to.
I met many interesting people there.
Would definitely rejoine if I was around.

Same as below. Will not return money prepaid for training that could not be used during their own closure..... not a good experience. not customer friendly. DO NOT JOIN.

See Bel Air s response. I m attaching both my contract, which does not state fee are non-refundable and a note from Greg McCarthy (manager) indicating I would get a refund for 2020 funds which has not been honored. Contract entered in 2019, with most payments made in 2020. I am seeking Legal advice.

The club is very clean and the employees at the front desk are very friendly and professional.
Parking is tight but not impossible. The classes and club are very crowded. To secure a spot in a cycling class prepare to arrive 20 minutes before class unless you have someone to hold your spot. Classes like STEP, Kickboxing or Zumba are very crowded so it's perfect if you don't mind holding hands with the person next to you. There's many times I've left disgusted because it is so crowded! Many of the classes are an extra charge. When the membership fee is $195/mo for our family it's frustrating to have to pay extra for some of the classes.
Trainer schedules vary but be prepared to only go by their schedule, not yours.
My young one liked the kids club because he knew some kids there. Employees in the kids club do not engage or play with the kids. My tween found it boring.
Overall, I think that the club is expensive for what is offered. We've cancelled our membership and joined the Y. It's brand new, less than 1/2 the price and not as crowded with better parking.

Fair membership prices. Nice shower, Pool, and sauna areas. Multiple well kept rooms for a variety of classes or personal work outs. They also feature an upstairs track, courts, and a woman's gym area. Very large selection of equipment. Friendly staff and accommodating hours. Recommended for friends, visitors, or family.

Love this place. It's a great place to work out. They staff is nice and I feel very comfortable there.

Great people at the from desk, and guard are friendly

They are so friendly. I work for the arc and they welcome us with open arms. My guy Luvs this pl

All very clean and tidy .. its very friendly and courteous people

its really great place to get some exercise but they should maybe make it a little cheaper for kids in school just trying to stay out of trouble