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Blink Fitness

Blink Fitness

Overall Rating

1.8

5 Customer Reviews

Summary

Blink Fitness is a gym chain with over 80 locations across the United States that promises to make exercise fun and affordable for tiers of members.

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Blink Fitness Review: Is This Gym Worth It?

By Lydia Noyes

Published on: Mar 7, 2019

Blink Fitness brands itself as a budget-friendly fitness chain that offers members a quality workout experience without breaking the bank.

The gym’s branding is based around bright colors and a clean interior that’s meant to keep exercisers in a positive mood so that working out is a pleasant experience.

Blink Fitness sets itself apart from other gyms in five key ways:

  1. The gym is run by enthusiastic and respectful staff members.
  2. Each gym includes plenty of brightly lit, open spaces.
  3. The bold and bright gym colors are scientifically proven to uplift your mood and possibly improve your performance.
  4. All staff members are responsible for keeping the locker rooms and gym space clean.
  5. Blue and green-tier members receive access to a personalized mobile companion app that filters through fitness content to give you access to what is relevant to you.

Our analysis will help you decide if Blink Fitness is the right choice for you.

Amenities

Blink Fitness brands itself as a cost-effective option for getting a quality workout. There were more than 100 gym locations across the United States, the majority of which are located in the NYC area and California.

Each Blink Fitness facility is set up slightly differently, but they all have the following features in common:

  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the gym, convenient stash-and-dash lockers, Blink fitness merchandise for sale.
  • More than 80 pieces of cardio equipment, including stair climbers, ellipticals, treadmills, and spin bikes.
  • A multi-use stretch area with premium training equipment like resistance bands, kettle balls, and foam rollers.
  • Functional workout space with HIIT and bodyweight circuit training equipment.
  • Spacious locker rooms with showers (some locations include towel service).

While the details can vary based on location, the standard operating hours for Blink Fitness gyms are:

  • Monday through Thursday: 5 am–11 pm
  • Friday: 5 am–10 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 7 am–7 pm

Membership Options and Pricing

Blink Fitness offers a tiered membership program with Gray, Green, and Blue membership options:

Gray Blue Green
Monthly Cost $15 $22 $26
Gym Access 1 location 60+ locations (excludes Manhattan) 80+ locations (includes Manhattan)
App Access No Yes Yes
Unlimited Guest Access No Yes Yes
Length of Commitment No commitment 1-year minimum 1-year minimum
Complimentary Personal Training Session at Sign Up Yes Yes Yes

The “unlimited guest access” offered with blue and green level memberships means that you can bring one guest (ages 18 or older) with you every time you work out, so long as they present a valid form of ID.

The company states that you will be charged on the first day of each month. The gym also charges a $49.99 annual maintenance fee, which is collected on the third day of the third month after you enroll.

The company lets you cancel your grey membership with a 45-day notice. This means that you will need to cancel before your 48th day to avoid paying the annual maintenance fee.

Customer reviews for Blink Fitness show that a lot of people aren’t aware of this policy, so we think it’s important to factor in your decision process.

The Blue and Green membership tiers are automatically a one-year commitment. If you choose to opt-out earlier, you will need to pay a buyout fee.

According to the company, the amount and number of days notice necessary will vary based on location, but the typical buyout fee is between $50–$60. After a twelve-month membership, the company will waive the fee.

Mobile App

Blue and Green subscribers to Blink Fitness gain access to their exclusive app (Gray members receive unlimited access only for the first 14 days of membership). This “mobile companion” is designed to deliver daily, personalized content to guide you in regards to food, fitness, and general well-being.

To use the app, you’ll need to answer basic questions about your goals and lifestyle so that it can curate the articles and content that most fit your needs. As you interact with the app, you give it insight into what most interests you, so it continuously refines what it shares with you.

The app also provides location and service details for each Blink Fitness location, self-guided workout suggestions, and a scannable barcode for easy entry at the gyms.

Customer reviews of the app on the Google Play store show that many people find it buggy. Many people commented that they couldn’t open it or that it crashed intermittently. However, those who got it to work reported that they found it beneficial for their workout experience.

Personal Training

All Blink Fitness members receive one complimentary personal training session at the gym, with the option to purchase more on a monthly or session-by-session basis.

You’ll pay $30 per 30- to 60-minute session if you sign up for a monthly plan for four, eight, or 12per month, and $42 if you buy one session at a time. Any unused training sessions roll over to the next month, and you still have access to them if you cancel your personal training monthly plan.

Popular Alternatives to Blink Fitness

Depending on where you live, there are likely plenty of local options for an affordable gym membership. How should you choose the best option for you?

We’ve written a comprehensive guide to five popular gyms and the differences between them, and we’ll recap the key details of three popular alternatives: Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, and 24 Hour Fitness.

Planet Fitness got its start more than two decades ago, and there are over 1,000 locations across the United States.

Most sites are open 24 hours a day, and the gym offers two tiers of membership ($10 per month and $21.99 per month), including $39 in annual fees. Like with Blink Fitness, the higher membership pricing gives you unlimited guest privileges and access to all PF locations.

This bare-bones pricing means you get stripped down amenities, as Planet Fitness doesn’t offer personal training or luxuries like pools or group classes.

Despite the name, you can find LA Fitness gyms across the United States. You’ll pay a base rate of $24.99–$29.99 per month (depending on location) with a $99 initiation fee. The gym provides standard equipment like cardio machines and free weights. Some centers also include perks like heated pools and saunas, racquetball and basketball courts, on-site childcare, and juice bars.

For those who crave maximum flexibility for their workouts, 24 Hour Fitness provides a solution. This gym has over 400 locations in the US, and they offer a tiered membership program with pricing that depends on whether you want to prepay, sign up with a contract, or go month to month.

Expect to pay between $29.99–$34.99 per month, including a $61.91–$82.23 initiation fee. If you’re willing to spend between $10–$15 more per month, you will gain access to all 24 Hour Fitness locations.

Membership with 24 Hour Fitness includes access to childcare and group fitness classes, and most locations have a pool and sauna.

Analysis of Customer Reviews

Many fitness centers tend to have negative reviews online. This is because gyms are notorious for their tricky cancellation policies, which means that many members end up paying more than expected to end their membership.

Blink Fitness is no exception, as the majority of negative reviews we saw on Yelp and Influenster were related to the gym’s cancelation policy.

Blink Fitness still scored four stars out of five on Influenster. Many reviewers commented that the membership pricing was reasonable and that the facilities were always clean and comfortable.

A few people reported that the gyms were overcrowded to the point that they had to wait around to access equipment, but the brand won praise for their generous guest access policy.

Some Blink Fitness members commented that the personal training sessions left something to be desired, as the trainers didn’t always seem to be exercise experts.

A few people also found the gym’s hours limiting compared to the competition like 24 Hour fitness. Even so, most reviewers concluded that Blink Fitness was one of the best value gym options in their community.

The Bottom Line

More than 50 million people belong to a gym in the United States today. There’s a lot of competition for customers within the industry, which is why so many gym chains are doing whatever it takes to get new people in the door, including offering rock-bottom prices.

It’s hard to find a full-service gym membership for less than the monthly cost of Blink Fitness or Planet Fitness, though you’ll sacrifice a few features with either of these services because neither location offers group classes or pools.

Because Blink Fitness is priced lower than most of its competition, there’s a good chance that any location you visit will be crowded. However, the gym wins points with us for their commitment to cleanliness, as this is a feature that members frequently reported that they loved.

We think that Blink Fitness makes the most sense if you live close to multiple locations. This way you have options in case one location tends to be busier than others or has the equipment you’re most interested in.

Customer Reviews

1.8 Stars out of 5 Reviews
5 Star:20% 4 Star:0% 3 Star:0% 2 Star:0% 1 Star:80%
20% Recommend This Company
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Posted on Aug 7, 2020

Poor business practices

By Thomas G., North Richland Hills, TX, Verified Reviewer

I canceled my membership in late June and am still receiving late notices resulting from the account not being canceled as stated at the face-to-face visit in June. A call to the help desk assured me it was simply Blink's billing error and all charges had been received and paid. I received a second notice, with an increase in the amount owed. I called the help desk again and they verified that the account had not been closed by the central billing department, even though I personally canceled on June 29th, and was now being billed for August. I cannot recommend this organization to anyone as they simply are not straight business people. Looks like this will turn into a legal matter and the courts.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 6 People Have Voted

Posted on Nov 25, 2020

Robbery

By Daniel R., New York, NY, Verified Reviewer

Whatever you do, do not join Blink gym, especially the location on West 116th Street! Staff are ratchet, disrespectful, and act as if they are on the corner hanging out. No professionalism at all.

I called to cancel my membership and explained to this worker that the debit card on file was inactive and I have not been to the gym since this pandemic so I don't understand how when they reopened they started billing a card that is not even active. She never asked me my name or member ID, just stated "well, those are the charges including late fees." LOL, you don't even know who I am. She said I have to come in person to cancel. I drove all the way from PA, which is where I live now, only to be told that the only way I can cancel is if I pay $130.00 for a gym I have not been to since they reopened. I told them I did not have the money, just cancel the membership and bill me if anything, and they became very disrespectful. Some young ghetto girl worker began cursing and acting as if she was intoxicated, to the point I had to curse her out. She then threatened me, stating I have your address I'm going over there. LOL, I hope she has life insurance. However, I don't live there anymore so she is lucky.

Bottom line, they refused to cancel my membership and even had the nerve to tell me they were going to continue to bill me monthly. I don't know about how the other locations are but don't join, and definitely don't join the West 116th Street location, you are better off working out on a construction scaffold, lol!

Length of Use: 1–2 years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

No “pros” were specified in this review

Unprofessionalism

Rudeness

Cancelation process

Helpful Review? 3 People Have Voted

Posted on Jan 16, 2022

Cancellation is impossible

By Jodi J., Jersey City, NJ, Verified Reviewer

I liked this gym and had liked it for several years – until I needed to cancel. And after trying to cancel by mail, by e-mail, and by their website for OVER A YEAR, I am still being charged.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Allowed me to bring a friend to the gym each visit

Near my home

Rather clean

When I had a broken arm, they didn't allow me to carry a very small bag with my gym towel and water bottle

They make it impossible to cancel

Very poor customer service

Helpful Review? 3 People Have Voted

Posted on Nov 16, 2022

Awesome customer service

By Madeline L. , Bronx, NY

I would like to acknowledge a staff member named Dali that attended me at the front desk while I was inquiring about enrollment. Ms. Dali provided exceptional customer service skills. She greeted me with a smile, displayed positive attitude, was very knowledgeable answering every question while being patient and maintaining professionalism! It’s hard to receive this experience nowadays…thank you Dali.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

Personal customer service

No “cons” were specified in this review

Helpful Review? 2 People Have Voted

Posted on May 31, 2023

Do not do it to yourself!

By Matt G., New York, Verified Reviewer

I promise, you will be disappointed. It is not worth the experience. Not enough equipment. The vibes in the locations will not motivate you enough to want to come to the gym. Then, when you decide to cancel, that "great deal" that you have when you first get the membership turns out to be a whole setup. They make their profit from those who don't really care about their money's worth/gym experience. Terrible. Watch out, people!

Length of Use: Less than 3 months

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Pros and Cons

The stores around the location

Doesn't have a motivating atmosphere for members

Not enough equipment

Most locations are small/crowded

The gym locations lack quality machines

Helpful Review? 1 Person Has Voted
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