The review that should shape your decision here is the one-star from February 2026, and not for the reason you'd think. Yes, the writer calls it "the filthiest gym I've ever been to." But the sharper lesson is buried at the end: they tried to cancel "over the phone and email," the gym "won't accept my cancellation," and they got "sent to collections." That's the story worth understanding before you sign anything.
Lead with the cancellation mechanism
Here's the boring truth behind that anger. Gym contracts don't end when you stop showing up or when you move away. They usually require cancellation in a specific written form, often by mail or in person, with notice, and until that exact process is completed the billing keeps running - and unpaid billing gets handed to collections. The reviewer paid "first and last month to join," left the area, and assumed a phone call would close it. It didn't. Was the outcome brutal? Absolutely, and they have every right to be furious. But the useful question isn't "how could they" - it's "what does the cancellation clause actually require?" Read that clause before you join, and get the cancellation confirmation in writing. This is a Workout Anytime franchise, and franchise contracts vary by location, so don't assume.
The guest-pass friction
A separate two-star from January 2026 hit a smaller version of the same corporate-rules wall. A four-month member brought a visiting daughter and was asked for "$20 for a guest visit," despite believing a family member had once been admitted free. Guest-pass policy at franchise gyms is set locally and often stricter than the brand's general line, so if you plan to bring people, confirm the fee first. The reviewer's real ask was simple: "I simply want friendly customer service."
The cleanliness split - and it's genuinely split
This is where the reviews argue with each other, and that's the interesting part. The February 2026 one-star describes "clumps of hair" and dirt under a machine. But a June 2025 five-star tells the opposite story: a new staffer named Justin "fixed the machines that have been loose or malfunctioning for years," and "the gym feels super clean as of the last few weeks." A November 2025 review agreed: "bathrooms are always clean and when the equipment is broken they jump right on it." So the honest read is a gym mid-turnaround - a grim recent past, with multiple 2025 reviewers reporting real improvement. Which version you get may depend on when you walk in.
What the 4.4 is measuring
Across 243 ratings, 4.4 captures exactly that tension: a well-liked local gym with strong staff praise and a real cleanliness-and-billing complaint history. A November 2025 five-star called it "best gym ever" while admitting it "can feel cramped from time to time." Good crew, tight space, mixed upkeep.
What's missing
The only price hint is "almost $40 a month" from the guest-pass reviewer; no review confirms joining fees or the exact cancellation terms. For those, read the contract and call +1 850-533-0555.
Who it's not for
If you hate contracts and want month-to-month freedom, scrutinize the terms hard first. If you bring guests often, budget for the fee. If you want a friendly, improving neighborhood gym and you actually read what you sign, the recent reviews lean positive.
FAQ
Is Workout Anytime Fort Walton Beach clean?
Reviews disagree. A February 2026 review calls it filthy, while several 2025 reviews report a recent deep improvement after new staff fixed machines and cleaned up. Your experience may depend on timing.
How hard is it to cancel a membership?
One member reports being unable to cancel by phone or email and being sent to collections. Franchise contracts typically require a specific written cancellation process, so read the terms and get written confirmation.
Is there a guest fee?
One reviewer was charged $20 for a guest visit. Guest policies are set per location, so confirm the current fee before bringing someone.