They won’t let me work out in my tevas for “safety reasons.”

Because, you know, if I drop a weight on my toe, a single layer of canvas could be the difference between life and death.

I’ve been going to 24 hour fitness myself, and have just chosen to dodge the sales pitches. The girl who took me around when I came in for the free trial was quite mild mannered, and pretty much just clammed up when my goals weren’t as clear cut as they needed to be for her to proceed with her script. I was amused (though a little sad for her - I am in sales myself after all) to find that the online membership pricing was better than the deal she was offering, so she didn’t even get to make the basic membership sale. I’ve actually enjoyed my membership so far though - the dues are only a little more than I pay for computer games every month, and the place is usually almost empty when I’m there. Plus there’s a front desk guy who laughed with me over the salesgirl getting dicked by their own website.

Watch out for trainers who have you do some type of circus act claiming “functional training” If you are not learning things you can do on your own without a trainers help, then you are getting ripped off. Most of the trainers only make between 15% and 40% of the amount you pay for training. They are screwing you and the company is screwing you.

By the way just so you know, 24hour fitness runs on the knowlege that 88% of people who buy memberships will not use them. Do you think they really care if you complain about somthing? If you are using the gym, and not using a trainer, you are costing them money. All they really want is to make people feel guilty for not caring about exercise, knowing that they will 88% chance not use the club, and be paying a monthly “due” indefinatly. If you are not using your gym membership, cancel!

Kim, Yes, I agree that he was really inept, but I think the larger problem was the system he was required to work within. He couldn’t hear what I was saying because as far as 24Hour Fitness is concerned there are only two reasons for working out. I’m sure this salesman was facing all sorts of stats that determine whether or not he gets to keep his job, and those stats are based on selling vitamins, personal training, and protein powders. That’s not really his fault, beyond the obvious fact that he chooses to work there.

And Linda, you really just nail it. Everything that it took my eleventy-two paragraphs to say, you said it in 3 sentences.

It’s dipsticks like him who keep me in business.

Thanks again,
Kim