1 /5 Marshal Webster: If youre looking for a gym that embodies poor communication, unethical leadership, unsafe practices, and a toxic culture, then THRC Downtown might just be the unfortunate place for you.
After being a member here for over a year, I feel compelled to share my experience and the truth about what goes on behind the scenes.
Management and Staff Conduct An Abuse of Power
The issues start at the top. The manager Natalie is known among members and staff for her unprofessionalism. She once asked an entire college fraternity to vote her “Best Personal Trainer” as part of a personal vendetta which speaks volumes about her priorities. Even worse, she is known to confront gym members during their workouts asking inappropriate and uncomfortable questions about her staff clearly using her position to settle personal grievances.
One member who complained had their concerns escalated to her superior only to have them completely dismissed. Rather than take action, leadership chose to sweep the issue under the rug revealing a culture of zero accountability and an alarming abuse of authority.
At the front desk Eliana displays a similarly unprofessional attitude. Laughing at members who don’t appear "fit enough" or criticizing people for imperfect form is beyond inappropriate. It’s mean spirited, exclusionary, and completely contrary to what a welcoming gym environment should be.
Unsafe Labor Practices
THRC doesn’t just treat members poorly the treatment of their own employees is even worse. Staff have reportedly been forced to paint the gym themselves including climbing dangerously high ladders with no proper safety equipment or training. Risking employee safety to cut costs is not only unethical it’s potentially illegal.
Deceptive Closure and Disrespect for Members
Perhaps most infuriatingly the gym is now being shut down with only TWO DAYS’ notice despite management knowing for weeks if not longer. Their vague disingenuous email calls it an “exciting” change but let’s be clear this is absolutely disrespectful to the many college students and local members who rely on this location and don’t have transportation to get to the newly consolidated San Marcos site.
The closure email cites “equipment moving availability” as the reason for the rush a laughable excuse when you’ve had ample time to plan. This sudden closure is yet another example of disorganization poor planning and complete disregard for the community that helped build the gym in the first place.
Unqualified Personal Trainers // Do Your Homework
Another red flag Multiple members including myself and friends have discovered that several "trainers" at THRC are not even certified. If you are considering purchasing personal training sessions ASK FOR THEIR CERTIFICATION NUMBERS before you commit. Hiring unqualified individuals to run fitness programs is both unsafe and unethical. You deserve to work with educated professionals who have the credentials to guide you safely THRC does not seem to prioritize this.
Bottom Line
THRC Downtown is not a gym that values its members its staff or its community. From rampant unprofessionalism dangerous labor practices and unqualified trainers to the final slap in the face a last minute closure with zero transparency this place has proven time and again that it cares about power and profit not people.
Do yourself a favor and find a gym that treats its members with respect employs qualified trainers and actually invests in the well being of its community THRC is not that gym. Oh I also do have prove from employees, former employees and current members to back this up
