This is the second post of the review of California Fitness at Mid Valley. First post can be found here.
The way California Fitness branded its membership package is like the bankers did to credit cards. If you know the Classic, Gold and Platinum concept in differentiating the credit cards, you will have a better idea.
The sales person spent about half an hour to go through each package. He told us, “Only if you are committed to come here to work out often, say at least 2 or 3 times a week, you should join us. Take into consideration where you work and where you stay. Otherwise, you may not think your investment worth the value.” He gave a very fair recommendation. However, he still used the typical sales gimmick – join today to get the last day offer. We did not buy in to that and told him that we would make use of the free pass for a week before making decision.
In short, California Fitness Malaysia has the following packages:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
- Platinum Plus
- Infinity
Was told the figures will be reviewed from time to time, so, the following package details are subject to changed:
Bronze
- RM99 per month
- 1-year contract
- Restricted to only one club
- No towel service.
- Can go to the club only 4 days a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.
Silver
- RM138 per month
- 1-year contract
- RM138 enrollment fee and RM99 processing fee are imposed now
- Restricted to only one club
- Complimentary towels are given.
- Can go to the club only 4 days a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.
Gold
- RM158 per month
- 1- year contract
- RM158 enrollment fee and RM99 processing fee are imposed now
- Restricted to only one club
- Complimentary towels are given.
- Can go to the club any day.
Platinum
- RM178 per month
- 1-year contract
- RM238 enrollment fee and RM99 processing fee are imposed now
- Has an option to pay RM3,762.15 (inclusive of enrollment and processing fee) for 3-year membership (average of RM105 per month). This amount can be paid in 12 monthly installments if you credit cards from certain banks.
- Can go to any California Fitness in the world
- Complimentary towels are given.
- Can go to the club any day.
Platinum Plus
- RM159 per month
- No contract (paid as you go)
- RM599 enrollment fee and RM99 processing fee
- Can go to any California Fitness in the world
- Complimentary towels are given.
- Can go to the club any day.
Infinity
- RM5,657.40 for the initial investment (can be paid in 12 monthly installments if you credit card from certain banks.)
- The membership is renewed for RM88 second year onward. Yeah, only RM88 per year.
- Can go to any California Fitness in the world
- Complimentary towels are given.
- Can go to the club any day
- Travel bag, T-shirt, towel will be given free of charge (will be given free of charge and they will delivered to your house)
- 12 VIP passes which each has 1 month validity (meant for relatives).
- If a couple want to join together for the Infinity, the cost will be RM9,988 for 2 persons. (Looking at those numbers, I strongly believe the marketing head is a Chinese)
Note: None of the above membership can be transferred.
What I Like About California Fitness Mid Valley:
- It has huge space and good air ventilation.
- Swimming pool and basket ball court are something other gyms do not have.
- If you are staying around Desa Petaling or Bangsar, California Fitness should be considered.
Things to Watch Out:
- The Infinity package sounds attractive for me, I would have signed up on the spot if not because of the restriction of transfer and the distance between my home and Mid Valley.
- It may not be easy to get parking at Mid Valley Megamall during weekends. With the expansion of new wing and additional parking bays, this issue may be solved.
- Also, take the parking fee into your budget consideration before you sign up. The building management has reviewed the parking fee since late March 2007. The fee used to be RM1 per entry on weekday and RM3 per entry on weekend. The new rates are:
7am to 12am (per entry per day)
| Weekdays | Weekends / Public Holidays | |
| First 3 hours | RM1 | RM3 |
| Subsequent hour | RM1 | RM1 |
| Maximum | RM7 | RM9 |
12am to 7am (per entry per day)
| Weekdays | Weekends / Public Holidays | |
| Flat rate | RM1 | RM3 |
For those who have made up their mind to join, consider the life time package. It is one of the best deals in town.