ReviewsI've been going to Franco's for years now and have made it like my second family. When you are trying to reach a fitness goal and become comfortable with all the wonderful people that support you through it and all of a sudden, overnight, those people are gone...something is not right. I recommend Mr. and Mrs. Franco revist the employees happiness or hiring process. This people were nice, kind, helpful, and really loved what they did. I know that the trainer I worked with is with Lift training studio's now and I'm pleased I can still work with him. If anyone needs good training...I lost ton's of weight and he's a chef too that can offer food selections and show you how to prepare it. They will even go through your cabinets and shop with you if you need that help as well. Ask for Tristan Martin...one of the best employees Franco's every lost. I still go to Franco's and my children enjoy the pools and working out there is still good...but just different...not a friendly...employees not as happy...not as welcoming...Where did all of you go. I miss you guys!
No evening classes and no weekend classes except extremely early. Also, the times they are open on weekends should be expanded. There is a customer explosion and they aren't keeping up with the offerings although the fees are high. Also, the equipment is nice, but not the most up-to-date. I was at ymca before moving where they had the computerized ones that told you on each machine where your weight was and helped you set up and how to move, specific to your designated number. No cards!! One of the trainers acts like she's sleeping when she instructs. I also wish they offered longer orientation training, but then they wouldn't be making the EXTRA money they charge for personal trainers.
I visit my family in Mandeville regularly and always workout at Francos with great experiences every time. I was there in August and the place felt completely different. It smelled terribly and the staff were not friendly at all no one was there to help me use the machines. The manager in charge of the club as he called himself seemed uninterested in listening to my concerns and the locker rooms were filthy. Everyone has a bad day but that was the worst experience I have ever had in a gym.
Franco's has always had wonderful people working there. I go every time I visit Mandeville. Stanton Pearson has been working there just recently and was wonderful in helping me find my way around the weight room and taking the time to explain everything I need to be doing to me. My trainer here in Mississippi is so amazed with the information I came back home with having worked with Stanton for just 90 minutes. He is a wonderful trainer and Franco's gets 5 stars from me.
Lisa Halstead
I had the pleasure of visiting Franco's Athletic Club in Mandeville, LA on six different occasions in 2004 and 2005. Every time, there was something bigger, something better, and something more original and unique that this club had to offer.
My first experience in the fitness area was the best I have ever had. As I warmed up on a treadmill, I noticed a trainer instructing what seemed to be an unbelievably fit woman and he was just putting her through the paces. The verbal cues, the energy, and the intensity was unreal. As I watched, that session ended and another began. The same trainer now had an overweight and seemingly unfit lady come in. Without any hesitation, he changed gears, slowed the program, became more compassionate and calm and motivated her through a basic but complete workout.
Only on my third visit did I learn that the trainer I was watching was Jared Meacham, one of the premier fitness professionals in the entire fitness industry. This guy won the Trainer of the Year award from the PFPA, Fitness Director of the Year from the IFPA, is working on his Ph.D. and has developed some of the best trainers and training teams in the country. I remembered I had a friend who raved about him after he spoke at a conference in New Jersey just a year earlier but didn't make the connection until that moment.
Over the next couple visits I watched and listened to no less than 15 of the trainers. Wow! I have been a Personal Trainer for over 20 years and I can tell you from the youngest trainer to the oldest, these people have it together. They teach the same methods, they instruct with skill, and are obviously on top of the industry trends and research. Mr. Meacham has developed yet another first rate team of trainers. I also learned this has just been a year in the making to bring them to this level, so they can only continue to get better and set the pace for the industry.
I would recommend this club to any person, young, old, fit, unfit. You have to see to believe, every aspect gets 5 stars from me.
As a veteran fitness professional who has traveled the globe and seen just about everything, I can say, you have not seen anything until you've seen the training team at Franco's Athletic Club.
Tim Ernest,
Personal Trainer
San Francisco, CA
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