Life Health Fitness - Astoria

This gym has everything I want but cuts too many corners. If they address these issues, they could be the great gym I suppose they used to be (judging from past reviews). I seriously hope I can come back and write a much more positive review then. But for now:

- The machines, especially cardio machines, are never cleaned properly. So there's a funky layer of grime all over them. Take a look at the bases of the climbers, the bikes, the ellipticals: they are all really dirty. The solution is simple: just clean them regularly. Like with a bucket, a brush, and some all-purpose cleaner.

- The towels are horribly stained because the gym washes them in-house, instead of using a towel service (which would never deliver towels in such a poor state). When I step out of the shower and hold a towel to my face, I don't want it to see nasty stains. I don't think that's setting the bar too high.

Life Health & Fitness never ceases to amaze me. They are worth my coveted 5 star reviews!! I've been coming here for a year now & I've never been more fit and healthier in my life!

I love their entire atmosphere. They do an amazing job promoting a healthy life style. The machines are top of the line- Precor & have multiple settings. It's spotless clean in there, I would totally eat off their locker room floor! Staff is very friendly & helpful. My favorite part about this gym is the steam room in the locker room- I live for that after a great workout.

The class schedule is extensive and they're open 24/7 on week days!! It doesn't get any better than that, in my opinion. I bought my 1yr membership and it's been worth every penny this far. I will continue to recommend this gym to my friends!

The owners filed for bankruptcy on June 7, 2017 https://www.inforuptcy.com/filings/nyebke_439154-1-17-bk-42968-life-health-and-fitness-sports-club-llc

Shame on them for still accepting money from people after. They knew exactly what they were doing.

I, just like everyone else, am f****g pissed! I got word through a friend that the gym is not reopening and that their membership to LHF Whitestone and Worlds Gym will be voided after 7/31/17.

Honestly, the new management sucked big time. The new owner came in and basically lost half the staff and members because of his lack of professionalism. Like seriously, how do you walk to the back of the gym in Tims, a fanny pack, a cap and just grill people down, creepy much?

Then I have to wake up and see a SNAP not even an email from the gym but a SNAP from one of my friends with that bs notice, making myself and everyone else scramble to find a gym. Thank baby Jesus - I was on a month to month contract because if I had paid in full I would have been fuming.

I know people probably think I am being over dramatic but Life for me was more than just a gym. I walked in everyday and saw the same faces all the time, even if we didn't speak you knew the regulars. People were willing to help you if necessary, the classes were great, and the staff were always so welcoming (Do not know why some of these reviewers are saying they weren't attentive). Also, this place help me find myself, my love for working out, and my boyfriend.

It is very true where one post said it was more than a gym but a community, our own little community.

I am very disgusted with how everything went down but to say the least I will miss LHF.

Now time to figure out my new permanent home.

:/

I really liked this gym before they shut down. Just curious to know where every one is working out now? Looking for a similar atmosphere and space.

Super impressed with this gym, but their new policies are ridiculous. No guest passes? $12 per day just to see if you like the gym? It would've been nice to get a heads up, literally 3 days ago there was a sign on the front door boasting about 3 day trial passes.

This kind of bait and switch is what made people leave Club Fitness!

This place has decent equipment and inattentive staff.

When I came in for a trial day they told me I had a free day pass but later charged me $12 as they held my drivers license ransom.

This gym is as shady as it gets.

LHF was my second home! A place where I met great people and was greeted and treated like family by their staff.
UNFORTUNATELY the past couple of months have been different, the atmosphere completely changed when the new owners came!
AND NOw there's a sign posted that the gym is temporarily closed! REALLY!?!?!
I find it so rude and disrespectful to not give your members notice or a heads up!
They did their staff wrong and they did their member wrong!

I will never go back even if they do reopen

My wife and I just moved to Astoria and wanted to find a new gym. We decided to tour the closest gyms to see which one was the better fit. We walked into Life Health & Fitness and were immediately greeted by a lovely woman named Jackie who gave us a tour and explained their membership options to us. She gave us each a 3-day pass (good for consecutive days once you activate it) and signed off on the special rates she mentioned if we joined together. After our 3 days, we joined right away!

They have free towel service (small towels are readily accessible in the front, but I believe you have to ask for larger towels for showering). The locker rooms are spacious and clean. Several bathroom stalls and shower stalls. There's a steam room, too. We haven't tried that yet, but its been working every time we go and people seem to enjoy it. There's also a bar with protein shakes, drinks, fruit, etc if you need to fuel and a small seating area with tables.

They have a nice selection of cardio equipment (treadmills, elliptical, steppers, stairmaster, jacob's ladder, stationary bikes, row machines). Each treadmill has a television and there are big TVs spaced out above the ellipticals and steppers. The treadmills don't have the keyboard option to punch in your speed so it can be annoying to do interval work. The cardio machines fill up super fast during busy hours, but I've never had to wait (or seen anyone else wait) longer than 5 minutes. And generally there's another type of machine open if you're not too particular.

Thus far, we haven't used the free weights or weight machines, but they have a nice selection. There's an open area with TRX bands, BOSU, stability balls, kettle-bells, ab rollers, trampoline, etc. A section on the side with punching bags and a speed-bag, and in the very back- dumbbells, barbells, benches, and the more "manly" strength options.

What I REALLY love about this place is the fitness classes! Here's a rundown:

GET RIPPED: This class is tough, but not grueling. You get a pair of dumbbells from the rack in the corner. This class is popular though, so if you have your heart set on a mid-range weight, make sure to elbow your way through the crowd or you'll be left with either the lowest or heaviest weights. No mats. The warm-up is basic stuff- high knees, jumping jacks, etc. Then its a series of strength moves, mixed with a bit of light dance. So Terrence will have you move your hips to the rhythm of the song and then add in various strength moves. There's also floor circuits with lots of planking and push-ups. Its a great workout! Be sure to bring water!

BOOT CAMP: This one is super tough. Lots of push-ups, burpees, box jumps, planks, squats, and laps. Yes. He made us leave the actual gym THREE separate times to do a lap around the block. It is nonstop, no breaks, heart thumping out of your throat fast-paced. I'd love to try it again...in about 3 months. Better for intermediate to advanced level people.

CYCLING w/ED: This was my first spin class. Ed was amazing at showing me how to set up the bike and how to have proper form. He's apparently a DJ, so the music is pumping and will definitely get you psyched! It is challenging, but Ed is super encouraging and gives you ample water breaks to catch your breath. I'll definitely be going back to this class!

ZUMBA: My Mom takes a Zumba class back home and is forever telling me to try it, so I finally gave in. But holy crap....this was NOT my mother's Zumba class! This class was tough! I was sweating like a beast!!! The instructor, Mabel, could move her hips in ways I still don't understand. What a great calorie burn, though! Don't worry if you're not coordinated- there were all levels of dance ability in this class and I never felt weird or silly.

VINYASA YOGA w/DAWN: I love this class! Its certainly not the toughest cardio-wise, but you WILL get your heart-rate up and you will most definitely sweat! And if, like me, your upper body is not particularly strong- it will be challenging. If you're not very flexible, there are yoga blocks to help with variations. Dawn is a wonderful and very attentive instructor. Friday night classes are a great way to wind down from the hectic week. If you're new to yoga and get confused with the lingo, stick with it! You'll catch on quickly and then you can focus on moving through your vinyasa, rather than wondering what the heck a vinyasa is :)

Overall, this gym is amazing! I love the staff, instructors, and fellow members. Super friendly and non-judgmental. And for the price, you simply cannot beat it!

I've been coming here for over a year now. This place still rocks and I'm still lazy.

Just wanted to add that Katherine's yoga class on Monday nights is amazing. She's very earthy and new age-y, but I dig that. She believes in you and your body's abilities, which is lovely. I'm still too weak to do some of the more advanced moves, but I do try. Falling flat on my face has never been so relaxing.