Desert Hot Springs gym upset over competitor’s false ad

Andrew Levine, owner of World Gym in Desert Hot Springs, gave no stars to the Five Star Fitness ad in the Desert Sun on June 8.

The ad’s headline reads:

“As the DHS World Gym has closed, all previous members are welcome to join us for $1 activation fee.”

Levine said the Five Star Fitness ad was inaccurate and it wasn’t the first time the gym bad-mouthed World Gym.

“This, of course, was completely untrue. We’ve been open and operating for over 10 years,” said Levine. “The staff and ownership of Five Star Fitness has been stating to the general public verbally that we were going to be closing and this just culminated with an actual print ad in the Desert Sun.”

The only change was ownership, when Levine took over in May.

Suresh Shah, owner of Five Star Fitness, and the Desert Sun said the half-page ad got pulled immediately.

Shah claimed someone told his employees World Gym was closing. He admitted the ad was a mistake.

“If he just wanted to, on any level, show credibility and integrity, all he had to do was call the club, ask for me or basically know the club was operating, before he went to the real unfortunate step of trying to hurt my business and embarrass my members and staff,” Levine said.

Shah said the gyms are not in competition and both can survive in the city. He said he’s posting a new ad without the false headline.

World Gym wants a retraction.

“I will not allow my business to suffer for any level for something we’re not responsible for. We will be moving forward with taking legal action against Mr. Shaw,” Levine said.