Gold Coast Performance Centre - Hostel

The staff are consistently friendly, professional and helpful, and parking makes it easy to come regularly. Gold Coast Performance Centre has a big, open-air gym with a great range of equipment, plus lots of different classes to choose from. I’m very happy with my experience here.

Marina and Annie at the front reception deserve a special mention. They always greet clients warmly and don’t seem to join in with the toxic culture. Marina was the only staff member who supported me through my overly long time there. She holds the place together like glue and stops it from imploding with toxicity. The one star I’m giving is for her and Annie, and even that feels like one too many. Zero stars for the gym itself. A few years ago, two good friends of mine from this gym died by suicide within a few months of each other. One was a GFI, the other my long-term boxing partner. The thing they had in common was being members of this toxic gym. Now they’re both dead. If you join, my advice is: “Watch your back, Jack !” Before long, you might find a large knife in your back, put there by another member or instructor. I had a truly awful experience with the toxic employees, members and culture, and I’m hugely relieved to be out. I’m a doctor with over 40 years of lived experience in different gym cultures, and thankfully I’m now somewhere with a much more supportive culture.

The gym itself is beautiful, and this would have been a five-star review if cancelling hadn’t gone so badly. Signing up felt rushed, with multiple forms handed over and pressure to sign quickly. To cancel, they require a written request. Even after more than six months, you can’t just cancel freely. When I called, they told me to email, but they count the cancellation from whenever they choose to reply, not from when you first contact them. In my case that took several days. They also expect another two weeks of payment whether you use the gym or not. When I didn’t pay, they threatened continued billing, and I was literally billed three times for $111. How does cancelling a membership justify charging me $111? I’m a disabled 27-year-old with a mortgage. Do you think I have $111 spare for you to take? In this economy, this feels morally wrong, predatory and like daylight robbery. Has success blinded you? Feel free to explain how this isn’t predatory and morally wrong.

The facilities were excellent, though they could use some upgrades and a fresh coat of paint. Staff were really friendly, helpful and nice during our school camp. The food was a big disappointment. It’s very popular with locals, and it was cool spending time with the footballers.