But how much is this "free pass"? I'm guessing 11 months and $600.

i am surprised Consumerist would post this offer given Bally's notorious history for charging thousands of dollars.

As someone who's been misled and flat-out lied to by Bally's, I would not recommend this. If you do take them up on the offer, DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING.

Maybe this has changed in the past few years, but I know that in the past Bally's had very sneaky ways of using the fine print to turn a free membership into a paid "full membership." And at Bally's, a membership is actually a loan. And it will go on your credit report.

See here for more info:
[www.consumeraffairs.com]

I agree the others. I was a member many, many years ago and they are still bugging me. It was not a positive experience.

My gf belonged to Bally's but i didn't. I signed up for this Discovery Health 2 years ago I think and it was for 90 days then. Afterwards, Bally's said that since I started using bally's through the discovery health program, i could get 3 years for the price of 2. I signed up and am now starting my 3rd year. I don't know anyone who's had a problem with Bally's but then again, we actually go and haven't had a need to cancel yet

Bally's is the Berkeley Neutraceuticals of gyms: give them your name one time and they keep charging you for life.

They were still sending me bills in 2005 from a membership I tried to cancel in 2001, probably still are but I've moved and they haven't found me again (yet).

dont know if its changed, but back when i got out of my contract (no small feat) their "contract" was actually a "loan" and could damage your credit score. FYI

I'd recommend staying away from any gimmicks at Bally's.
They have (or had) a trial period. I decided their hours weren't compatible with my schedule and so I signed up for 24 hour fitness.
I then tried to cancel Bally's via the phone. A few days later I got a call from a guy who said he is processing the request, he just needed some info. So I figured it's all good and canceled.
Well all of a sudden they charge my card again. I go to the place to talk to the guy who sold me the membership and he said he couldn't help me, I have to call their 1 800 number. I called and they said that any request for cancellation has to be completed within a certain period of time and that time has expired. I informed them that I already tried to cancel and even spoke to somebody who was "canceling" it. She then said that when that happens you have to write a letter to corporate. Needless to say I never received a response and they continued deducting my account. I didn't know about the consumerist back then so I waited for my (luckily only) 6 month contract to expire and will never set foot in that place again.

Really -- consumerist has done its readers a disservice posting this Bally's deal. Bally's has for years had the reputation for being the most unethical gym chain going, and since most free things these days seem to come with headaches a plenty, I have to assume folks responding to this offer are dealing with the devil here. Consumerist, you should know better...

Hey guys, Consumerist makes a post like this, and everyone chimes in with their Bally's horror stories. That's good - it reminds everyone how bad Bally's is.

So it's good Consumerist put up a post like this, right? They're not promoting the offer as good, they're just putting it up there.

They will CALL and CALL and CALL and CALL and CALL you. Don't sign up, or at least give a fake number.

When you get there, it will turn into a 3 day trial that you can't use unless they run your credit report and you sign a 3 year contract.

Sad that you don't have a full-sized version of your photo - Here's a link to the "Mansy":

[www.blogto.com]

STAY AWAY FROM BALLEYS. They lie, they're aggressive, they cheat, and their gyms are gross. You can do better.

@PoopsieDoodle: The link said that the loan thing happened to one person, not that it's the company policy.

They need all that $$ to pay for their TV commercials in advertising markets where they don't even have a Bally's. Every day I am subjected to numerous ads on TV as well as on my computer for Bally's. I was a member many years ago in south Florida. Now I live in north Florida and was excited to think I could renew and use my membership where I live now. Then I found out the nearest Bally's are located 2.5 hours east in Jacksonville, 3.5 hours south in Orlando, or 5 hours north in the Atlanta area. I realize my TV advertising market extends beyond my immediate area . . . but I know it does not reach anywhere near those cities. Their marketing managers are morons.

So I can't tell from the mixed reviews in the comments above - should I go join Bally's since this offer seems like such a great deal?

/haha
/i thought they were going out of bidness anyway?

I did this a few years ago for the National Body Challenge (which really worked, by the way - ended up getting me one of the few compliments on my body I've received in the last decade or so, I still hold a special place in my heart for that friend). The Bally's closest to me wasn't the best place, but it was tolerable. They might have tried to call me about making it permanent, but I gave them my home phone number (the line for DSL that I don't answer), so I'd never know.

It is worth noting that the Bally's nearest you might close suddenly, so maybe this isn't the best offer, even free, if you're using it as a springboard to a new you.

@JoeWaiver: Don't worry, they have your IP address now...

@Ash78: I just checked the fine print. Its 14 months ~ $1150.