Gym's Constant Solicitations Irk Danvers Residents

DANVERS, MA -- You can't say that Best Fitness in Danvers, a health club at the Liberty tree Mall, isn't persistent. But that persistence is starting to turn potential customers into vocal critics of the gym's marketing strategy. Instead of signing up for memberships -- "First month free!" according to the gym's Facebook page -- they're venting on social media.

"If I get one more call from Best Fitness I’m going to lose it. I’ve already told them multiple times to stop calling me. I now consider this harassment," one woman posted on a closed Facebook group for Danvers residents. "STOP CALLING ME. Anyone else?"

The short answer to her question: YES! Within minutes, other residents were chiming in with complaints about calls from Best Fitness. And blocking the number on your smartphone doesn't seem to work, as the company is using multiple numbers to make its telemarketing calls. Some posters said they are receiving calls even though their number is listed in the national Do Not Call registry.

And it may be more than just phone calls. Fliers placed under the windshields of cars have both drivers and facilities managers of the lots where those fliers were distributed upset as well. "They littered [the North Shore Community College] parking lot with flyers on every car today, which is great (sarcasm) cause thanks to the wind they’re now all over the place," one woman wrote.

A manager at the club said the company does not use fliers so he suspects the complaints about trash-strewn parking lots may be best directed to another health club. He referred all other comment on telemarketing to the company's corporate office -- and also invited the reporter who called him to stop by the club for a tour and to consider purchasing a membership. "I'm not sure where you work out now, but I'd love to show you around our new club," he said.

Patch reached out to Best Fitness's corporate office and will update this story when they get back to us. The company operates nine health clubs with locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York.

Subscribe to Danvers Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Photo by Best Fitness.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).