Friendly Warning about Adiwer Gym

Posted in: Forums > Living in Chengdu • 12 posts • Newest

• • ELVIS
    August 10, 2010
    9 posts
  • I was foolish enough to buy an Adiwer membership before they even opened, since I live in Europe City and I thought even if they weren't great, the convenience of having a gym where I live would outweigh any shortcomings on their part.

    I was wrong.

    I should have been tipped off by the fact that they claim to be, "From Australia" but there is no sign of any Australian Adiwer anywhere, either at their gym or on the internet. These are not trustworthy people, they obviously have no problem misrepresenting themselves.

    The second warning bell should have been when we were signing up. We noticed they didn't have a decline press, and we asked if they could get the dumbbells up to 60kg. They promised everything with alacrity, and even wrote it on our contract. They were supposed to open last October, they didn't officially open until this June, and they still don't have a decline press or 60kg dumbbells. The manager has been telling us, "They're coming." for almost a year now.

    The third warning bell should have been the pricing. As I said, I bought my membership "sight unseen" on a three-year deal for 3980 yuan, which isn't that bad. Now they are charging 3980 for one year, and if you want to use the pool that goes up to 7000. They don't offer anything more than any other gym in Chengdu for this outrageous price, they are just subscribing to the mentality that if they charge more for something it is magically worth more.

    But the worst thing about this gym, after all the lying, is the shoddy construction. Every time you put a weight down on it, the floor shakes and trembles. I've been putting heavy weights down on gym floors for all of my adult life, and I've never seen or heard a floor tremble and echo like this place does. Even when you're not using heavy weights, it makes a huge sound. So then the managers and service people there will come to you and tell you to, "Please be quiet with the weights." But there's nothing that can be done about it, 40kg, 30kg, even 20kg weights all make this loud sound. And now your workout is ruined because the whole time you're worried about making noise and upsetting the restaurant below, so you can't focus on maxing out.

    And by the way, that restaurant below Adiwer, the same one that complains about the noise of the weights, they don't ventilate properly, so whenever they are cooking the dense, sharp, spicy and oily smoke comes up into the gym and burns your lungs and throat. Try doing some serious cardio with Sichuan peppers burning through your cardio-respiratory system.

    Like I said, this is just my friendly warning. Like salespeople anywhere, Adiwer will tell you anything to separate you from your cash and if you are unsatisfied it will be almost impossible to get a refund.

• • trueblood
    August 10, 2010
    7 posts
  • try Pioneer Fitness :)

• • Wes0381
    August 12, 2010
    3 posts
  • Pros: Nicest locker room I have seen in Chengdu. Best selection of dumbbells and plates.

    Cons: (in addition to Elvis' complaints) Ridiculous price, poor management, miniature free weight area, shoddy equipment, useless air conditioning, poor cardio equipment selection, irritating music, moronic trainers, unprofessional sales staff, poor cleaning, idiotic lavatories.

    Verdict: Should only appeal to Europe City residents to lazy to haul themselves to (the slightly better managed but considerably cheaper) Orient Gym.

    My complaints about Adiwer accumulated during about 3 months of use. Thankfully my membership was a free trial obtained during a promotion.

    1. 3980 RMB a year for a "luxury" fitness club that still uses the same rickety equipment that just about every gym in Chengdu uses? Make sure you ask about the 10% discount!

    2. Management when actually on the premises seems to be have little interest in ensuring club members are satisfied.

    3. More than three people at a time in the free weight section is a crowd.

    4. Power-lifting cage is missing a support bar and bolts were loose making the cage very wobbly. When management was told they said they were aware and that the bar was missing from the manufacturer. Months went by with no replacement bar nor was any attempt to tighten loose bolts made. Most ridiculously angled crunch benches and preacher curl bench I have ever used. Useless spotter stand position on bench presses. Equipment designed by people who have never lifted a weight in their lives. Free weight bars falling apart, no attempts made to fix.

    5. Air-conditioner is absolutely useless. Problem compounded by staff closing all the windows turning the gym into unventilated sauna in a futile attempt to make it appear like the place is air conditioner. Staff excuse is that the installer ripped them off. No explanation about how they plan on fixing the problem.

    6. You can do any kind of cardio you want as long as it is on a treadmill. (the two elliptical machines are almost always occupied).

    7. For the love of God please get another CD!

    8. Trainers are inexperienced and seem to have a running bet going to see who can get their clients to do the most ridiculous workouts. Not really a complaint I guess. Pretty amusing.

    9. Sales staff have repeatedly brought their clients over to watch the "laowai show" and discuss our workouts while they watch in amusement/amazement despite our complaints to management. No offers of commission sharing were ever made.

    10. A filthy rag dipped in filthy water and spread all over the equipment does not equal cleanliness. What is Chinese for "ringworm?"

    11. Urinals conveniently located to give Europe City residents a show.

• • hapatofu
    August 12, 2010
    95 posts
  • LOL, this place sounds horrible! and it doesn't make the other gyms in chengdu sound very appealing either. i think i'll stick to my home dumbbell routine. one-time cost of around 5 kuai per pound and i can listen to whatever music i like and stand right under the AC if i want.

• • LifeStream
    September 6, 2010
    2 posts
  • Hey, if you are really looking to get in shape and train, and understand that a bigger gym isn't better, you can check out LifeStream Fitness Studio. We are a very small training studio, don't have a bunch of machines, and focus on getting fit, doing a variety of exercises. We have a squat rack, rowing machines, dumb bells, etc. Member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the only foreign operated gym in town. We're not for everyone, we're not flashy, but our goal is to be effective. We are on the west side of town near Metro, so maybe not convenient for everyone... www.xishujianshen.com

• • Cynde
    September 9, 2010
    2 posts
  • This thread really gives me a good laugh, reminds me the rant and rave section on craigslist. You guys made my day! Sorry to hear the miserable story of yours. I'm looking for gym myself, and will take your advice to avoid scams like Adiwer.

• • pepper
    September 10, 2010
    36 posts
  • echinacities just did an article on gyms in Chengdu, though for some reason they left out Haosha, which I think is far and away the best value. They have a special til the end of September where you can get one year for less than 800 yuan.

• • AndreChris
    March 2, 2012
    1 post
  • Does anyone know if there is a gym here with a tanning bed?

• • Marky
    March 2, 2012
    48 posts
  • I don't know about in a gym but there is one in Fortune City (entrance B level 14) called iTan. It's run by a couple of guys - 650rmb for 12 sessions. They are about to open a 2nd shop near the Manhattan 2 building in Tongzilin on the 8th of March.

• • Honeylicious
    March 16, 2012
    1 post
  • i dont kno abt d odas, neva tried, but i lov my gym-Hosafitness, all new workout kits n a huge variety, wit a series of rly interestin Aerobic classes. Its a pity im movin 4rm chengdu n my new city aint got no hosafitness so i cnt con't my membership wit 'em. Hosa's a lil expensiv too, but also worth d try

• • Wes0381
    April 28, 2012
    3 posts
  • Well folks, almost two years after writing one of the above rants I can at the moment confidently say Chengdu now has a gym that has come very close to getting it right. That gym is Ching Fitness (www.chingfitness.com) in the new Suning Plaza near Decathlon, Ikea, Auchan, and Galleria (big blue building that says Suning on it, hard to miss).

    I've sampled or been a member of almost every major chain gym in town over the last 4 years (Orient, Impulse, Powerhouse, Adiwer, Whytewolf, Block, Megafit, Sport Fitness, and Legend; can't speak for Miracle, Hosa, or 25 Hour) and I have been working at some level of intensity for almost 15 years so I think I have a degree of competency in this subject. In other words, I'm picky about gyms.

    Anyway, yeah about Ching which just opened this year (generally newer = better):

    The Good:

    -Brightly decorated and modern appearance

    -Has air conditioning (and it actually works/is turned on)

    -Locker room utilizes the "sensor lock wristband thingies" that newer gyms are moving towards so you don't have to bring a lock and accidentally smash off someone else's lock when you think you forgot your code but then a couple seconds later remember that "wait, this isn't my locker at all" (you know who you are)

    -Showers have doors

    -There is a comfortable coffee shop/lounge, tried the iced latte, decent size and reasonable at 28 RMB, though it could use some protein smoothies on the menu

    -At least 1/3 to 1/2 of the staff speaks decent English and were very professional/friendly

    -The equipment says it is American (I have never heard of the brand) but regardless it seems functional and of decent quality (it is new, so it works)

    -Dumbbells go up to 100lbs, which is fine for most including my weakened self

    -Most of the essential machines, racks, and benches

    -Plenty of non-essentials like treadmills for yogging

    -There are decently sized spinning, yoga, and aerobics rooms for those who like those sort of things

    -The mall isn't complete yet so it is pretty quiet and empty most of the time, the construction workers seem to be amused by my presence

    -Last but not least, the price, they had me at 2880 for 12 months + 1 month free card, a free gym bag (kinda girly), and water bottle. This puts in the middle price bracket. Supposedly this is a promotion price. Normal they say is 3980 for 15 months which considering that is what Adiwer thought they worth two years ago, I have to say it isn't an unreasonable starting point.

    The Not so Good:
    -Squattie potties? Really? So close guys. Putting in a "Deformed man end place" would have been such a pleasant surprise.

    -Music, better than the weird or annoying stuff they place in most other gyms, but it seemed more "coffee shop" or "elevator" at times. Should dust-off the ol' iPod.

    -No shoulder press chair in the free weight area...its important...trust me

    Anyway, if you're in the south area and looking to burn off some Lazy Pug brunches check out Ching. It'll give the construction workers someone else to laugh at.

    Disclaimer: The writer of this post is not a paid representative of Ching Fitness, just bored...at work...on a Saturday... Damn holiday swaps.

• • coryg
    May 3, 2012
    14 posts
  • I was just at Metro this past weekend and noticed they had a Chinese "All in one" home gym that actually looked pretty solid. Obviously if you are hardcore about working out, this probably won't cut it. On the other hand if you just want something to exercise with several times a week then this may be what you are looking for. I think it was priced between 2300 and 2400 RMB which isn't that bad considering that a new home gym in the US will cost you at LEAST $1,000. If you are considering paying 3-4,000 RMB for a gym membership, then you may want to head down to Metro and at least take a look at it. It is by the entrance of the store before the shopping carts so you can't miss it. I purchased a second hand bowflex off of a GoChengdoo user about 6 weeks ago although if I didn't purchase that, I probably would've considered this machine that I am writing about. As other writers have stated, I am not affiliated with Metro, Bowflex, Choflex or any special interest group. Just thought that some of the expats on here might be interested in this :-)

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