Steve Borghi a con artist. Work Out World was a brainstorm created while Steve Borghi was serving time in jail. Borghi took the used car business model of advertising low costs while hiding significant fees and applying heavy, unyielding sales pressure at the first point of consumer contact.

Borghi also claims to have a college background (UNH), which is completely untrue. Borghi recently pled guilty to to two misdemeanor violations of the Consumer Protection Act in New Hampshire for taking membership fees from consumers before opening a Work Out World health club. Commonly known as a "pre-sale," Borghi regularly uses this sales effort to promote "good" deals on membership if you sign up prior to a new club's opening - a misleading sales strategy that includes hidden costs and no real savings. Borghi and his sales staff promised that the club would open sooner than was realistic. Law also requires that any membership fees paid prior to the club's opening be place in escrow, a requirement Borghi failed to observe by embezzling the funds personally.

In 2009, Steven Borghi was sentenced to 30 days at the House of Corrections, suspended for 2 years. Work Out World was fined $15,000. A condition of the sentence also required that Work Out World refund all individuals who had paid membership fees to join Work Out World which has not opened.

These tactics are commonly used by Steve Borghi and Work Out World. Most recently, a Work Out World that has opened in Rochester, MN was the subject of high-pressure and fraudulent sales efforts. The club claimed to be opening in September of 2008 and did not open doors until well into 2009. Ads promoting a $19.99 per month membership failed to acknowledge down payments and an unavoidable "finance charge" of $100 that everyone must pay at the time of sign-up.

In short, Borghi and his Work Out World operation are comprised of ruthless snake oil salesmen. Their consistent disregard for consumers and pursuit of reckless greed are alarming. If you see Steve Borghi driving around in one of his Mercedes or relaxing in his multi-million dollar lakefront home on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH (or his primary residence in Mansfield, MA) be sure to thank him for his false promises, exploitation of consumer trust, consumer manipulation and misappropriation of funds (right to his back pocket).

Mr. Borghi - while I know you go home each night and play with yourself while watching Boiler Room, let me acknowledge that you are not Chris Varick (Vin Diesel) or Jim Young (Ben Affleck). In reality you are a callous, petty thief who has somehow credited himself with the delusional notion of self-importance. It is only a matter of time before you are back behind bars, where you belong.