tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post858110841845493354..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: Another one bites the dustLarry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-60718786804747120422011-03-12T09:20:27.404-05:002011-03-12T09:20:27.404-05:00I think he was too busy squabbling with Ms. DeLong...I think he was too busy squabbling with Ms. DeLong.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-60204388144371703682011-03-12T08:30:59.073-05:002011-03-12T08:30:59.073-05:00How can anyone say that gym didn't close due t...How can anyone say that gym didn't close due to financial reasons. The machines were almost always broken, the TV's hardly worked, the place was always have some sort of construction going on.. How you can you expect to run a full facility gym with a rent that high and memebrs only paying 20 bucks a month?<br /><br />As for the managing of DeLong...the woman was hardly at the gym. Peter was the one doing all the managing. I do think its strange that he had control of that place and the just quits when it has to close. Why did he not put out a press release if he was the one managing it? <br />He had been running that place for years and he has nothing to say to anyone when it closes. I find that weird.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-44137790968334631572010-10-22T13:06:21.095-04:002010-10-22T13:06:21.095-04:00I found it over on Mary Carey's Facebook page ...I found it over on Mary Carey's Facebook page (she too is an immediate neighbor)<br /><br />http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_112172272179951&view=members<br /><br />Of course, with this Lazarus Facebook revival garnering only 40 members. Yikes! <br /><br />With 3,000 maybe...Just maybe.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-35835117542608490762010-10-22T12:48:43.316-04:002010-10-22T12:48:43.316-04:00Do you have a link to the Facebook page?Do you have a link to the Facebook page?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-26505329984418235632010-10-21T23:28:41.611-04:002010-10-21T23:28:41.611-04:00this person of which i speak is not local, though ...this person of which i speak is not local, though i amboogernosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-40163098558407841042010-10-21T19:21:45.589-04:002010-10-21T19:21:45.589-04:00You're an Anon, and you are talking about an A...You're an Anon, and you are talking about an Anon Planet Fitness franchise owner.<br /><br />I must be thinking about one of the many other franchise owners.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-4205351416185003522010-10-21T19:16:26.349-04:002010-10-21T19:16:26.349-04:00"Yeah, and unlimited lines of coke.
Goes to ..."Yeah, and unlimited lines of coke.<br /><br />Goes to show his motivation."<br /><br />sorry, he is also an M.D., and former military doctor. he is one of the hardest worker i have known. and he supports a large family including inlaws.<br /><br />larry you are dead wrong on this one.boogernosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-89322409985706076702010-10-21T18:02:45.076-04:002010-10-21T18:02:45.076-04:00Agreed. That is why January is the number one mon...Agreed. That is why January is the number one month for the Health Club industry.<br /><br />So yes, anything (including Predatory Pricing) that gets average Americans to exercise is a good thing. <br /><br />But, if you pay an amount that makes a difference (and $10/month doesn't count, $40 or $50 does) you may actually use it a tad more to get your money's worth.<br /><br />So no, in a sense, it's not a good thing that couch potatoes can "try" exercise at a facility and then simply quit after two weeks (which indeed is all too average.)<br /><br />And no, that is certainly NOT "better for them."<br /><br />In the industry it is known as "churn and burn."Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-82874958007053768322010-10-21T17:44:12.594-04:002010-10-21T17:44:12.594-04:00The average American will either make a New Years ...The average American will either make a New Years Resolution to exercise and get in-shape, or per doctors advise, get more exercise...so most of them will go out looking for the cheapest gym, especially in this economy and hard times. They will go for a few weeks, then quit...so, if they are not forced into signing a two year contract, the better for them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-8890462208110555382010-10-21T17:07:40.208-04:002010-10-21T17:07:40.208-04:00Yeah, and unlimited lines of coke.
Goes to show h...Yeah, and unlimited lines of coke.<br /><br />Goes to show his motivation.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-2188616180904152762010-10-21T16:37:53.574-04:002010-10-21T16:37:53.574-04:00"Yeah, that's what they said about 'C..."Yeah, that's what they said about 'Curves' 5 or 10 years ago."<br /><br />well i hope he still has his huge house and yacht then.boogernosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-12126956009160209282010-10-21T14:15:56.665-04:002010-10-21T14:15:56.665-04:00Actually I have had few people ask me in the past ...Actually I have had few people ask me in the past 24 hours to consider reopening. <br /><br />That stands about as much chance as the current Facebook campaign for former members to create a co-op to reopen The Leading Edge.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-87325085895656317432010-10-21T13:51:58.125-04:002010-10-21T13:51:58.125-04:00"And don't be surprised a couple years fr..."And don't be surprised a couple years from now when they collapse like a house of cards."<br /><br />Keep on dreaming. For that matter why not hope that people will go back to a smelly gym with mouse droppings called Amherst Athletic Club? Remember, it's only a dream.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-75776704391055019412010-10-21T11:37:13.745-04:002010-10-21T11:37:13.745-04:00$340/year is a bargain--even for a facility lackin...$340/year is a bargain--even for a facility lacking a swimming pool (although for that fee you can use the one next door).<br /><br />In the "real world" especially in a major metropolitan area a private sector facility like that would cost $1,500 year.<br /><br />As long as Planet Fitness only charges $10/month and does not have a sign up fee or 2 year ironclad contract for that rate, I would say "go for it".<br /><br />But keep in mind, you are getting $45 worth of services for that $10--if you actually use it.<br /><br />So just make sure you are one of the folks who actually uses it. In fact, do me a favor and use it six times per week--and be sure to take a shower and flush the toilet because then your water/sewer/electricity usage will be a tad over $10/month.<br /><br />And don't be surprised a couple years from now when they collapse like a house of cards.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-36284503073560191902010-10-21T11:23:36.193-04:002010-10-21T11:23:36.193-04:00Hampshire Athletic Club is very close to where I l...Hampshire Athletic Club is very close to where I live but besides the fact that I'm uncomfortable there, I can't afford it. Kidsports was my favorite and I was really sad to see it close down. I was considering Leading Edge but they had just raised their prices and I decided it wasn't worth it. Planet Fitness will have to do. At $10/month the price is right. It doesn't have classes but it's clean, has good equipment, and if you go early enough (or late enough) you miss the crowds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-58277499032681066982010-10-21T11:06:29.209-04:002010-10-21T11:06:29.209-04:00What the other anonymous said is true. Faculty are...What the other anonymous said is true. Faculty are not interested in working out at the beautiful but crowded UMASS Rec Center. Besides, at $340 a year, it was no bargain. That's why LE drew so many UMass faculty and staff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-11632638962664241272010-10-21T10:18:03.484-04:002010-10-21T10:18:03.484-04:00Planet Fitness is not even on the same playing fie...Planet Fitness is not even on the same playing field as the edge. Yeah if you want to do cardio and weights only, fine. But no other gym had the serious lineup of classes the edge offered. I know most of the former edge members are finding that comparable clubs charge way more and don't have the same amenities the edge offered. I hope that investors will buy the gym and raise the rates to compete with other gyms on par with the services provided. Also, note that most faculty aren't interested in working out at UMASS; beautiful yes, but loud, crowded and full of students. Most profs don't want to have to engage with their students in that sort of venue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-71101514128588473772010-10-21T06:59:23.353-04:002010-10-21T06:59:23.353-04:00Yeah, that's what they said about 'Curves&...Yeah, that's what they said about 'Curves' 5 or 10 years ago.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-61076425351081837962010-10-21T05:41:32.996-04:002010-10-21T05:41:32.996-04:00i know a plant fitness franchisee who tells my the...i know a plant fitness franchisee who tells my the inside scoop. pf is a juggernaut that is crushing every competitor nationwide.boogernosehttp://www.planetfitness.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-43331663038228015892010-10-20T21:46:25.240-04:002010-10-20T21:46:25.240-04:00Yeah, and apparently she purchased one half of the...Yeah, and apparently she purchased one half of the Gold's operation in 2004 by supposedly trading Peter Earl 50% interest in her business condo at 30 Boltwood Walk--formerly Pruddy's Bar perhaps the biggest dive in Amherst at the time.<br /><br />I actually toured the facility soon after Pruddy closed, and it really should have been condemned by the Board of Health.<br /><br />And let's not even talk about that mysterious fire that later gutted it and the Tanning center they were about to open.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-48521714687810746652010-10-20T21:33:24.144-04:002010-10-20T21:33:24.144-04:00Larry, as an insider for a couple years, I can tel...Larry, as an insider for a couple years, I can tell you the reason the 2 gentlemen bailed on Pete is they had a going concern in Boston and saw Amherst as a losing one. The success of Gold's Gym has nothing to do with the equipment or the facility. There are some dirt-bag Gold's in Boston that are freaking success stories. It has to do with keeping the place clean, open early (and late), replacing broken or damaged equipment immediately and responding to member concerns immediately. <br /><br />The problem with the Amherst Gold's was that the manager, Peter Earle, had no management experience, is an alcoholic and was more concerned with going to strip clubs and making money than taking care of his members.<br /><br />He didn't start out that way. He started out as a good guy with a good heart, but the stab stab stab of Joanne Delong over the years took its toll and he basically gave up.<br /><br />The 2 guys got out when they did because they saw the gym was going to die and they were smart. It wouldn't have died if Joanne had stayed out, but she saw dollar signs and wanted to get involved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-6546331935410851042010-10-20T20:25:27.152-04:002010-10-20T20:25:27.152-04:00Larry threatening to Dance an Irish Jig naked is l...Larry threatening to Dance an Irish Jig naked is like the promise the Argentina Coach Maradona made to run naked around the main plaza of Buenos Aires if Argentina won the World Cup.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-849651646883249762010-10-20T18:14:16.051-04:002010-10-20T18:14:16.051-04:00The UMass gym and Planet definitely contributed to...The UMass gym and Planet definitely contributed to the Edge's demise, but so did the poor management of the facility and how they did nothing to retain long-term members with their poor response (especially at the front desk) to member concerns and their continuously changing their pricing and introducing new fees to maximize their profits and recapture lost profits once they lost lots of undergrads to the UMass gym. Their childcare services have been shaky for a few years (I didn't feel comfortable leaving my children there anymore) and the fact that they had so many departures by staff, instructors, trainers showed that they didn't treat them any better than they did long-term members. The short notice of their closing is typical as well. I was very happy to leave last summer, and I have been going to the UMass gym since with an employee membership. I am paying $35/month and yes, during peak hours, there can be 500-700+ students using the gym at one time, and classes there have 50 people at a time. I would happily switch to another full-service gym and even pay a little more if there was another good option nearby (I looked at Hampshire Fitness but it was too far for me). I was a member of Kidsports for many years & joined Golds after it closed.Happy to have left the Edgenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-59475075136146079912010-10-20T18:10:07.698-04:002010-10-20T18:10:07.698-04:00I'm sure if Leading Edge was making money it w...I'm sure if Leading Edge was making money it wouldn't have closed. It closed like the other gyms in the area Amherst Tennis and Fitness, Kidsports, Flex,Bruiser Flint's club next to Stop and Shop and Larry's Club because they stopped being profitable. Even Hampshire Fitness is on it's third or fourth owners. It stays on because it has a pool and tennis courts people are willing to pay extra for. I'm afraid MD has his facts wrong. Gyms are not immune to the economic downturn and neither is the Town of Amherst. The only people in Amherst immuned from the downturn are those with tenured positions and quaranteed salaried till the day they die. The turnover in business fronts in the last thirty years has been enormous and I am starting to see empty storefronts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-36511432176172604752010-10-20T15:08:12.392-04:002010-10-20T15:08:12.392-04:00Yeah, well since you're such the expert why do...Yeah, well since you're such the expert why don't you buy it (bet you could get a heck of a deal about now) and run it any way you want.<br /><br />Still have not answered my question about why the original two owners--you know the ones with W-A-Y more experience than Mr. Earle--bailed after only 2 years into their 8 year run?Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.com