MA
Megan Leigh Abernathy
May 6, 2026
really wanted to like the Newport News Onelife location, but it is honestly one of the dirtiest gyms I’ve been in. The dust buildup on the pipes, ceiling fixtures, and exposed areas above the cardio deck is disgusting. When you’re walking on the treadmills upstairs, you’re basically staring straight at layers of dust that look like they’ve been sitting there for years.
The smell when you walk in is also not great. They seem to rely on spraying air freshener near the entrance, but that does not fix the actual problem. It just makes it smell like dirty gym plus fragrance.
This location had a chance when they were reorganizing, painting, and updating things last year to actually close for a proper deep clean, and it clearly did not happen. A gym should not feel this neglected, especially when people are breathing hard, sweating, and using shared equipment every day.
I also had a very concerning experience with Heather, one of their Pilates instructors. I was dealing with lower back pain at the time, and there was no meaningful movement assessment, screening, or follow-up when I communicated that I was having pain. I later found out I had a herniated disc and needed an MRI, and taking Pilates there ended up being one of the worst decisions I could have made for my back.
In my opinion, instructors working with people in pain need to take that seriously. They should be asking appropriate questions, modifying movements, referring out when needed, and not acting like discomfort is something to push through or spiritually reframe. That was not my experience here, and I would be very cautious if you have an injury, back pain, or any unresolved issue.
Honestly, I’d recommend driving the extra 10 minutes to the Hampton location. It is much cleaner, much nicer, and does not need a cloud of air freshener at the front door to cover up the smell. Newport News needs a serious deep clean. It’s gross.