I got kicked out of my gym last night!

LauraMax

LauraMax

Cathlete
Sort of. I have a membership at NYSC & when I moved I switched to from one club to another that was closer to me. That was almost a year ago. I got there last night at about 5:00 & the girl behind the desk scanned my card & said "you signed up at L-------?" I answered yes. She told me I wasn't allowed in the S------- club in peak hours. :confused: They let me work out last night but I'm not allowed back during that time anymore. :(

So, what took them so long to tell me? The only time I go to the gym is during peak hours! And the place is definitely NOT crowded. It's not like I'm getting in anyone's way. The manager told me I could upgrade my membership & I feel like this is some kind of slimy way to get me to pay them an extra $200 a year. I know they're not doing well. Gym memberships are a luxury for most people & during tough economic times & I think business is bad.

Now I don't know what to do. It's the closest health club to my house that has everything I need. What the flying fudge? :mad:
 
By any chance did you sign a contract when you bought your membership?
If so, I'd check the fine print to see if that is mentioned anywhere.

That seems really shady, and like something they decided to make a rule to help them during tough times.
 
Laura,

That seems so unfair.

I agree about reading your contract. I hope you will be able to protest and get them to agree if it isnt written there.
 
Is this a new policy? If so, how can they enforce it on older (as in 'not new') members?

Is it just that previous employees never noticed? Or cared? If so, I'd think you'd be able to argue that your working out at peak times should continue to be allowed ('grandfathered in' or subject to some common law status?).
 
I would think to keep the business of a loyal customer like yourself, especially at a time like this, they'd rethink their position.

Can you threaten to quit and take your business elsewhere, or are you signed up for a specific, nonrefundable amount of time? Or maybe there is someone more reasonable to talk to...someone other than that particular manager. Can you go over his/her head?

I'd be thrilled to see people still coming to my gym despite the rather unpleasant economic atmosphere.
 
I don't think I have a contract anymore. After a year it reverts to monthly. It probably does say it in the contract. I was told last night that they weren't enforcing it & they were instructed to start enforcing it this week.

I guess it would make sense if it was crowded. But it's not. The OTHER club was super crowded, to the point that you couldn't find a parking spot & always had to wait for machines. That's what I loved about this place so much--great parking, no crowds & tons of equipment.

I don't think I even want to protest or go back. I'm not comfortable spending my hard earned money w/such a sleazy organization. :mad:
 
This would make me so angry. If they had enforced their little rule from the get go it would be a different matter. Many gym's have terms like that but to start enforcing it after almost a year is ridiculous. It probably is because they're trying to squeeze every penny they can out of their remaining customers. I know you love going to the gym so you may wind up paying the extra money but if I were you I'd cancel my membership and maybe join a competing gym before I'd give them another dime! I don't mean this as advice since it probably isn't even the rational thing to do but stuff like this really ticks me off. Hopefully you'll be able to work it out. Maybe they didn't have that clause in the contract when you signed up.
 
Laura maybe you could explain to them why you like going there better and see if they would reduce the amount or fell sympathetic. It's worth a try. Maybe start crying.
 
plarsen said:
Laura maybe you could explain to them why you like going there better and see if they would reduce the amount or fell sympathetic. It's worth a try. Maybe start crying.
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I love the crying part! Come on Laura go in there and cry. Just like Scarlett O'Hara would! :D
 
Jaffas said:
I love the crying part! Come on Laura go in there and cry. Just like Scarlett O'Hara would! :D
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LMAO! I didn't have an Ellen for a mother. My mom taught me to take names & kick a$$ when I'm mistreated. Which hasn't really been workin for me LOL.

There's another club right down the road. It's more expensive, but it is quite a bit nicer. They don't have as much equipment, but the membership is more upscale. Who knows, maybe I'll find a date there! :D

I think I'll try to turn this into a positive. ;)
 
OK I just sent this email:

I joined NYSC at the ***** facility a few years ago. I moved about a year ago & started going to the Springfield club.

Last night (12/11) I arrived at about 5:00 as usual. I was told by the young lady at the front desk that I was not allowed to work out at that facility during peak hours since my membership was through the ****** club. When I asked her why I was just hearing about it after a year of working out there during peak hours (since that's the only time I CAN work out, I guess they're peak hours for a reason!), she answered "we're just starting to enforce it."

Imagine my surprise, after such a long time, to be told I was no longer welcome during the only hours I can get there. When I spoke w/the manager, Leo, he told me I could upgrade my membership. Why do I feel this was just a sleazy attempt to make an extra couple of hundred a year from me? Such a shame, b/c now I'll be cancelling my membership & you'll end up losing about $1000.

Your Springfield facility isn't doing well. It's hardly crowded at peak hours, & I'm certainly not interfering w/those members whose membership is through that club. There couldn't have been more than 20 people in that huge place last night. If you continue to treat your members like this, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you go bankrupt.
 
LauraMax said:
OK I just sent this email:

I joined NYSC at the ***** facility a few years ago. I moved about a year ago & started going to the Springfield club.

Last night (12/11) I arrived at about 5:00 as usual. I was told by the young lady at the front desk that I was not allowed to work out at that facility during peak hours since my membership was through the ****** club. When I asked her why I was just hearing about it after a year of working out there during peak hours (since that's the only time I CAN work out, I guess they're peak hours for a reason!), she answered "we're just starting to enforce it."

Imagine my surprise, after such a long time, to be told I was no longer welcome during the only hours I can get there. When I spoke w/the manager, Leo, he told me I could upgrade my membership. Why do I feel this was just a sleazy attempt to make an extra couple of hundred a year from me? Such a shame, b/c now I'll be cancelling my membership & you'll end up losing about $1000.

Your Springfield facility isn't doing well. It's hardly crowded at peak hours, & I'm certainly not interfering w/those members whose membership is through that club. There couldn't have been more than 20 people in that huge place last night. If you continue to treat your members like this, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you go bankrupt.
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You go girl!!!
 
Laura-

This would rock my world if I had to switch gyms.. Going there is one of the highlights of my day.

If you really like your current gym and they are insisting you "upgrade" your membership, how about trying to negotiate some additional services at the facility... ie some free personal training sessions, a massage, (not sure what amenities your club has to offer) , or something else that would be a bonus to for you having to pay the higher fee.

Also, have you mentioned the "I'm a great customer" factor to them lately? Let them know how long you've been going and also how many people you tell about how much you like your gym. That might help too!

Keep us posted!

Lynn M.
 
Lynn M. said:
Laura-

This would rock my world if I had to switch gyms.. Going there is one of the highlights of my day.

If you really like your current gym and they are insisting you "upgrade" your membership, how about trying to negotiate some additional services at the facility... ie some free personal training sessions, a massage, (not sure what amenities your club has to offer) , or something else that would be a bonus to for you having to pay the higher fee.

Also, have you mentioned the "I'm a great customer" factor to them lately? Let them know how long you've been going and also how many people you tell about how much you like your gym. That might help too!

Keep us posted!

Lynn M.
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You know, I kind of don't mind switching gyms now that I'm not as pissed as I was yesterday. :p A change of scenery can be a good thing, right? And I'll meet some new people. And a lot of people I know already go to this place:

http://candofitness.com/

Plus it's right next to a super awesome King's grocery store. :) Ooops, there I go w/the food thing again! LOL!
 
I also belong to NYSC and I have a one gym membership but I go to any of the NYSC gyms at any time (in spite of the NYSC policy) and I have not had any problems. I went to the gym today ( not my home club) during peak hours.
 
Egads! You pay $1000? Is that per annum?

I work out at a mid-scale gym - really nice place with high quality equipment (top of the line treadmills and ellipticals which I especially appreciate for saving my joints) in India. The full rate is about $350 per annum and I get a discount. Unlike when I workout at Western gyms when I travel, there are staff around here to help/spot. The gym designs a routine for you when you join based on your goals and a fitness assessment. Someone will log your workouts for you at the end of every workout and help you track progress. The routine is revised every three to six months for you if you wish. All this for free. There are no free group classes or massages. Those are very affordable too, but priced extra. I get to use any gyms in the chain at any time I want.

But then this is a developing country and incomes are in Rupees too, not in $$$.
 
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