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February 2025 by Michelle B
I attended 4 of the FLEX weight training classes during the free 7 day trial. At my 1st class, no one showed me around, I wasn’t asked if I have injuries or about my weightlifting experience, nor was given a basic walk through of the place. But once I got past the bizarrely unwelcoming environment, I LOVED IT! The trainers during class were super helpful, showed me proper form, corrected my form as needed, and were encouraging. One critique with the class structure would be to always incorporate a stretch/warm up. I pushed myself more than I thought I could and boy was I sore! I really wanted to join and here’s my dismaying story of what went wrong.
To be clear, my 2 star rating has absolutely nothing to do with the trainers I took classes with. I bumped up my rating to a 2 because the trainers and the classes were great. My negative review is for my experience with the owner, Vaz.
Rewinding to the beginning, I talked to Vaz over the phone before attending my 1st class. I couldn’t find pricing online, but I could tell this was a yearlong commitment type of gym. Therefore, right off the bat, I told him I’m not looking for a yearlong commitment. I briefly explained how I live in Altadena, my house didn’t burn, but I’m displaced, staying in La Crescenta; that I was just looking to go somewhere for the time I’m staying here, which I don’t know how long it’s going to be. He shared he really just does yearly memberships. I asked if he could do a class pack or something, to which he expressed willingness to arrange something. What he essentially conveyed to me during this brief conversation was, check out the classes, we’ll talk in a week, and we’ll make something happen. This shaped my mindset of how I was weighting things during the trial.
Fast forward to 8 days later, we hop on a call. I want to join. At that point, I had seen his pricing. Almost everything was a yearlong commitment, there weren’t any class packs. I saw he had a couple of x # of classes/month options (1 year). The sole month to month option he had was unlimited/month for $255, which was steep for the # of times I would be able to go per month. Since he had already set the expectation during our initial call that he’s willing to make some sort of an arrangement and now that I had seen his options, I proposed the idea of 10 classes/month, month to month. My expectation was that he would give it at a slightly higher rate than his yearlong commitment prices. By no means did I have any intention of negotiating the price. I expected a dialogue to ensue that would result in us agreeing to something fair for both of us. Rather, his response was that he doesn’t make exceptions b/c if he did for me, he would have to for others. I said given my circumstances? To which he responded with a misconstrued statement of my situation, which came off as dismissive and distasteful. One week later, this conversation still really stings. I have 2 huge issues with how this transpired:
1. I was upfront from the get-go. At that time he had the opportunity to state he doesn’t make exceptions, but he did not. He set the expectation that we’ll work on a viable option and then went back on his word.
2. Community is a place where we support each other, whether it be strangers or loved one. I’m not a business owner, but I’m sure Vaz has a back story of why he is so rigid. However, there is a basic level of kindness and compassion you would hope people would show when someone in their community expresses that they’re going through a very difficult period and they’re trying to find an outlet.
During the trial I felt Defcon was going to be a great place for me to grow physically and mentally, while helping me establish a routine and some sense of normalcy during this time period. After this experience, it’s clear that this isn’t a place for me. This was disheartening to say the least.
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February 2025 by Melinda Ylauan
Awesome gym with great people! Coaches focus on form and care about you progressing.
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January 2025 by Armen Avakian
This gym is a game-changer! The focus here is on building functional strength while fostering an incredible sense of community. I felt welcomed and supported by both the trainers and fellow members when I joined. The programming is thoughtfully designed, with workouts that challenge you at all levels.
The emphasis on proper form and injury prevention is refreshing, and the small group classes make it easy to connect with others as well. Highly recommend!
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January 2025 by Matthew Lew
Love this gym! Great community and amazing coaches. Pushes you to the limit and gets you the results you are looking for!
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January 2025 by Cecily Lew
I've been going to classes for about 6 months now, and it has been even better than I had hoped for! I was already running and lifting on my own before joining DEFCON, but the classes at this gym have tested and challenged me in tons of new ways and led to much greater strength and fitness gains. I love the variation in workouts. The community there has also been so welcoming and fun, and I can really see how I was missing out on that when I was just working out on my own. The coaches are knowledgeable and patient. They're great at explaining and demonstrating the lifts and workouts for that day. I can't recommend DEFCON ATHLETICS enough!
Also, for my other ladies out there, please get some weight into your hands. It is the best thing for your overall health and strength. It is empowering and just plain fun! Hope to see you at DEFCON!
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January 2025 by David Rivera
I've been attending DEFCON Athletics for 8 months now and have seen a noticeable difference in my body composition. As someone who enjoys endurance sports, I have always been intimidated by gyms, particularly due to having no idea what to do. Vaz and the rest of the team at DEFCON Athletics always take the time to explain how to perform exercises properly and make sure that they are done correctly. I attend the FLEX class, which has the primary goal of building muscle mass for a balanced physique. I look forward to going to the gym and am excited to see what I can accomplish in the future.
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January 2025 by Ara Keshishian (AGENT ARA)
This isn't just another gym, this my therapy and my meditation. The most important thing in any gym is the people; and the people here are warriors in all aspects of life. The owner Vaz is an ultra high performing athlete and a huge inspiration. His passion for fitness and the love he has for everyone is unmatched. Together we build and build. I'm so proud to be a member of Defcon.
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February 2024 by Bleu A
Great program and great attention to detail.
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September 2023 by Brian Glynn
Defcon Athletics has a great training environment and community. Coach Vaz and the team of coaches at the gym are knowledgeable with their workouts and various movements. The gym is also very clean and well kept (huge plus!). I have trained at many other gyms and this one is among the best!
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June 2023 by Sabre Pasadena
I attend this program before I run my own classes next door. It's been a wonderful time. Everyone is very friendly. There's a great atmosphere and culture.As part of our exercises there's sometimes jogging outside; and if you're alone, the coach will run with you for safety. Which is a nice attention to detail.
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June 2023 by Jacqueline Porcel
I finally joined this gym! Vaz helped ease my apprehension about injuries. I’m 46 years old and I always manage a way to injure myself.I’ve been working out for about 2 weeks now. No injuries. The trainers are really good about explaining the exercises and make sure you’re doing it correctly. It’s such a great varied workout. Im learning to do things I’ve never done before like bench presses and pull-ups. Everyone has been very friendly and encouraging. I look forward to showing up in the mornings. Can’t wait to see how my strength improves over the next year. Wish I’d joined sooner!
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February 2023 by Eric S.
It has everything anyone could want in a gym as well as a great location, great staff and great owner!Equipments are new and clean ; people are nice to one another like in a friendly community.
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February 2023 by Lolita N.
Great local place to get fit . The coaches are caring and knowledgeable. No injuries. Flexible hours everyday. Very motivating schedule and programs. Fun and safe , friendly atmosphere. This is my third year and I am loving it everyday. I look forward to my workout.
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March 2022 by Jackie Oh
Vaz has been training my best friend and I for 2-3 years now. This is the most consistent we've worked out and strongest we've ever felt in our lives. I've never met anyone so dedicated to health, fitness and well being. It's inspiring and radiates throughout his gym, trainers, and clients. Also appreciate that the gym is extremely well kept and that scheduling is flexible.
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March 2022 by Jackie K.
Vaz has been training my best friend and I for 2-3 years now. This is the most consistent we've worked out and strongest we've ever felt in our lives. I've never met anyone so dedicated to health, fitness and well being. It's inspiring and radiates throughout his gym, trainers, and clients. Also appreciate that the gym is extremely well kept and that scheduling is flexible.
