HI,
I have not belonged to a gym in 6 years but the one I belonged to was Ballys. I'm kind of out of date but I'll tell you even 6 years ago it was sell, sell, sell. I mean I have lived in 5 homes in 3 different states since I left them and they keep finding me and sending me these "come back" cards. I though I finally lost them, had not heard in over a year and guess what I got 2 days ago- "A special offer for our former members to get into shape for the new year" from Ballys." I did use a personal trainer there for a few sessions and the person was about 19 or 20 and I still remember what he said to me that made me so turned off (and I never used a personal trainer since). At the time I was about 135 lbs and really into running. I am 5'7 so I was hardly overweight. I told the trainer I liked to run for cardio and his response was "really, I did not realize that someone with your body type could run, I usually think of running for someone who is thinner and carries a lot less body fat". OK, I digress here.
Personally I would try to find a smaller or less commercialized gym. But if you can't get a job at that type of a place now, Ballys might be a good stepping stone to gain experince.
I agree with you though, the whole selling nutritional supplements is kind of slimey in my opinion.
Good luck to you, and congrats on getting into your new career. I'm sure you will be a GREAT trainer who will be very encouraging to people!!
Marci