3 /5 Rosemary Nickel: Id give it a 4 ot a 5 rating, however...
I normally don’t write negative reviews — especially knowing how much they can impact a business — but I believe in honest, constructive feedback that helps businesses grow. Unfortunately, I’ve experienced some ongoing issues that I feel UFC Gym Largo ownership needs to hear, especially if they want this gym to thrive long-term.
First, the positives:
The gym itself is fantastic. It’s spacious, clean, has brand-new equipment, and offers great amenities like the sauna. I signed up before it even opened at the promotional rate and have been here since day one. I’ve genuinely enjoyed my time working out here.
I’ve also been fortunate to train with some amazing personal trainers — Zen, Jamie, Jillian, and Nate — each of them brought passion, energy, and knowledge to their work. They were the highlight of my experience.
But here’s where the real problem lies — and it’s consistent: the management.
Since the beginning, there’s been a pattern. Great trainers leave unexpectedly, often without clients being notified or transitioned properly. I’ve had to track them down myself. In conversations with several of them, a common theme has emerged: they feel disrespected, unsupported, and undervalued by management. And when a business keeps losing good people, it’s not the people — it’s the system.
Multiple employees shared their concerns about how the gym is run — particularly regarding the owner’s daughter, who reportedly manages this location despite having no previous experience in gym operations or team leadership. According to several staff, her leadership style has caused tension, poor morale, and ultimately high turnover. Whether this is hearsay or fact, it’s a strong enough pattern that should at least raise internal red flags.
On the client side, my concerns weren’t handled any better.
• I had a session package miscounted — I was promised 13 sessions but only received 10.
• Management charged my credit card without my consent, after a phone call where I explicitly said I’d think about renewing. Not only was this premature, but the charge was also $100 more than our last agreed rate.
• When I called to resolve it, I was given conflicting stories. One employee blamed the trainer — who doesn’t even have access to process sales (something management had previously admitted). It was clearly a cover-up to avoid addressing the issue directly.
To make matters worse, my trainer told me this wasn’t the first time it had happened — another one of his clients had her card charged without consent too.
What concerns me the most is that these issues have been raised — by clients and staff alike — but I’m told the owner refuses to believe it’s happening. I hope this review serves as documentation and encourages them to actually listen. Good businesses own their mistakes, fix them, and retain good people.
So here’s my honest advice:
If you’re considering UFC Largo, go for the facility, go for the group classes and trainers — they’re amazing. But watch your billing carefully, ask questions, and don’t assume management is as professional.
If you’re part of UFC ownership reading this: you’re building a great gym. But you’re tearing it down with poor leadership and communication. You don’t need to overhaul your entire team — you need to start listening to them and get out of your own way.
I truly hope things improve, because this gym has real potential. But leadership needs to lead — not hide behind policies, pass blame, or assume customers and staff won’t notice.
