Sometimes when I could get upset I just smile. It usually happens when someone tries to get away with saying or doing something they shouldn’t. This was one of those times. It wasn’t about the money. I was fortunate enough to have it. It was about the fact that they were clearly taking advantage of the situation. $40 for one workout? Please!
Our post Olympia-day workouts have gotten to be a very enjoyable tradition for me and my buddies. It celebrates one of the things that launched our friendship, part of what binds us. Some people go play golf, we go hit the gym, even in Las Vegas when it’s 100 degrees! We first went to this particular gym 4 years ago. It’s part of a major gym chain close to the event hotel where we stayed. We’ve had some good times and good workouts there. This turned out to be another one. But initially it didn’t start off that way. The daily fee had gone up. It had previously been $25. In fact, the manager told us that it was only at this location that it was $40 as they are so close to the Vegas strip (which they are not btw).
This gym chain, for all its glamorous ads featuring all the beautiful people, while defining themselves as a place for everyone, was intentionally overcharging us. They decided to get as much as they possibly could from people who they may not have the opportunity to charge again. Forget about trying to foster a good experience and generate interest in us exploring the possibility of joining their affiliate location when we were back in our respective cities. They decided that it was more important to charge more for one workout than many clubs charge for an entire month. There is a reason I am not a member of this gym in my area. There’s a reason I did not pursue a job opportunity with them that was offered to me. On this day, they reminded me of those reasons.
I was very careful as I vented to the manager my displeasure over their being ridiculous not to take it out on her. She appreciated what I had to say and I knew her hands were tied. It was not her fault or the fault of the staff, and I would not ever make them feel uncomfortable for something that was beyond their control. It was however a reflection of how the company they worked for minimized them by putting them in a position of representing a policy that even they did not agree with.
Contrast this experience to one I had visiting friends in Austin, Texas. My buddy was a member of a World Gym and my first day there I purchased a one-week membership. I had a brief but nice conversation about the gym business with the gentleman working the front desk, even mentioning that I managed a Gold’s Gym in California. 15 minutes later as I was working out, the World Gym manager approached me on the workout floor.
“Are you Kevin?” he asked.
“Yes,” I told him. He then handed me a receipt and returned my fee for the one week membership.
“You can train on the house this week, professional courtesy!” he said.
I was quite surprised. I knew the owner of the gym I managed would have thrown a hissy fit if I did that. I explained to the manager that I managed a Gold’s Gym which was a competing brand, not a World Gym just so there was no mistake. He smiled and said that was fine and we were all part of the same movement. This gentleman completely got it! He understood that fitness, as with most things in life is not about getting everything you can from others, but doing what you can for others. That through small gestures, you create opportunities that may go far beyond the immediate.
Economically speaking, I totally understand the business aspect of fitness. I sell online fitness courses, offer contest prep services, give fitness seminars, and do fitness training and coaching. I definitely charge people money! But I don’t over-charge anyone or even charge them as much as I probably could. I certainly don’t take advantage of them because one, I want to make myself available to help as many people as possible and two, I also understand the power of people. I wound up spending 3 times the amount of that one-week World Gym membership on gym clothing and souvenirs from their pro shop. I proudly wore them back in California and enjoy telling that story even today.
I will return to Vegas often, but I will never train at that particular gym again. I will certainly never purchase or wear any of their merchandise. I will never recommend that chain to any of my fitness clients or friends looking for fitness industry work because I know from this and other experiences with them the lack of respect they’ve shown members, prospective members, and employees.
The fitness industry is a huge and largely positive movement involving many incredible people. Those on the front lines often get this the best. They are the faces and voices that welcome, motivate, and keep the industry flowing. As it continues to grow and evolve, there will be those individual or companies who look more for opportunities to take, than for opportunities to give. That is unfortunate. I will make sure that this is never me. I encourage you to also make sure that this is never you!
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