To think this a bit unfair? Gym related

[MintyChapstick]

About two months ago I joined a gym. I've been going every other day for the last few weeks as I'm training for a 5k in June, but Ive not once been able to get into any of the classes I'm interested in as they are always booked up, sometimes a week or so in advance. The gym has an online booking system so you book it that way, but Body Pump, Body Combat and Zumba are booked solidly all the time.
I've not been able to get into one of these classes in the whole time ive been going.

Now clearly there are some gym members who do nothing but watch the online time table like Hawks and book themselves in as soon as a class is announced , but what has annoyed me is on the occasions that I've been in the gym when one of the classes is in session, ive peaked in and realised that there are empty places, so people are booking them up and then not turning up keaning people like me are missing out!

Am I being unreasonable to think this isn't fair, and there should be some sort of punishment for gym members whom not turn up? I was a member of a different gym a few years back, and their system was that you just turned up in the studio at the time the class started and it was first come first served. I think this is probably a fairer system in all honesty.

Would it be worth complaining about this?

[JenniferYellowHat1980]

Yes, you're paying for a service you're not getting.

[Thefitfatty]

Do they not get fined or anything if they don't show up? YANBU, that system would drive me nuts!

[KnitsBakesAndReads]

Sounds like it's worth at least talking to the gym manager and finding out if they're aware of the problem. Could you also ask whether you can join a class without booking if there are still spaces when the class is about to start and some people haven't turned up?

[Lottapianos]

In my gym, you get charged for classes you book and then don't show up for or cancel. Yes it's extremely frustrating not being able to get into classes that seem permanently booked up

[MintyChapstick]

I don't think there is a fine system in place if they don't show up. It seems to happen so often that I'm not sure there is any kind of punishment in all honesty.

[pinkstinks]

In our gym they just let people who haven't booked in on top! Try just going in especially f there are empty spaces!

[RhiWrites]

Don't use the word punishment when you talk to the gym management. Talk about "access" instead. In two months you have not been able to access a class. Since they are clearly over subscribed could they add more classes or discount your membership.

[Nairsmellsbad]

Is this Virgin? It's really annoying and a vicious cycle as it makes people book classes in case we can go to them as otherwise there won't be space. I much prefer the first come first served system.

[useyourimagination]

At my gym it's three strikes and you're out as in you're not allowed to book any classes for a fixed period of time. You can only book up to three days in advance.

[Bohemond]

Mine is the same as uses. If you don't turn up for 3 classes your booking privileges are revoked for a month.

[OnlyLovers]

What is the system and is it worth familiarising yourself with it?

At my gym booking opens a week ahead, at a certain time of day. I set my phone alarm to remind me to book.

Personally I don't like the 'just turn up' system. It's a hassle rushing to make sure you get there, and it can easily turn into a bunfight.

[MintyChapstick]

It's not Virgin, no. It is a budget type place, I suppose you get what you pay for but other than the shit booking system it's a good gym, the staff are nice and you rarely have to wait for equipment.

I've tried everything, even classes for next sodding Wednesday are booked up!

[hooliodancer]

I just turn up to classes if they are fully booked and ask if there is a spare place. I have never been turned away- as there is always a spare place or 6!

[FlyingScotsman]

Could you ask the teacher if you can join in if it's clear that there are some spaces (aka people haven't turned up)?

[OnlyLovers]

Can I ask again, OP: what is the system?

[shoeaddict83]

Ours is online and books 2 weeks ahead, but you can book onto waiting lists of full classes and if people cancel you get a text if youve got a place.

Also if you miss 2 classes in a month without notifying them beforehand, your booking rights are revoked for the next month which is much fairer.

[BoffinMum]

I would just start turning up anyway, on the assumption there would be empty spaces, and if I got told off I would make an appointment with the manager and chat through options for making sure I was able to use a fair number of classes.

[deepdarkwood]

I would talk to the gym about it as a problem - but not tell them what the solution is - that's up to them surely, and your 'punishment' system sounds a bit punitive - not something I'd go for if I was running a business! Personally, a first come first served system sounds awful - I want to know if I'm attending a class or not (& I suspect lots of people wouldn;t bother going if they thought they might miss out) Plus hard for the teacher who then has to police numbers (& turn away that one regular who happens to be the only person who can't fit in the room .... etc etc)

Lots of popular classes do get booked quickly - I used to set a phone alarm like others to alert me when 'my' classes were starting booking - would that help you? How far in advance can you book into classes? A shorter lead time tends to help too I think

[Paulat2112]

Are you exercise4less? Our one does the three strikes and you're out policy too (well not out as such but not able to book in for a month). Our classes are available to book for the following week one hour after the class has finished. So of you know there is something you want then set an alarm on your phone for five minutes before it goes online. You can also go on the waitlist for x4l so if people do cancel (and lots do) then you could get a spot. The other option is of course to go along and join in if there is a space.

[deepdarkwood]

PS A big well done by the way for getting into the gym so often - hope your 5k goes well

[MintyChapstick]

There is no waiting list for when people cancel. As far as I'm aware the time table goes online 7 days before, but I'm not 100% sure of what time it appears.

I didn't realise I could just show up and ask to take part if there are spaces. Whenever I looked into the classes they've always already started, so it's too late to join in.

[whois]

My gym has a wait list and also if you book 3 times and don't turn up you get banned from class booking for 1 month.

All the classes are full online but then in the few hours running up to the class loads of people cancel and you can get in then. Also you can just turn up and see if there is space.

[OnlyLovers]

As far as I'm aware the time table goes online 7 days before, but I'm not 100% sure of what time it appears.

I think you ought to find out for sure when and at exactly what time the timetable goes online. Then set a phone alarm to remind you to go in and book.

[OnlyLovers]

It's not all that fair to be complaining about the system if you're not totally sure of how to use it.

[elfofftheshelf]

Talk to the manager and explain your frustrations. My gym runs a token system for their popular classes. A member of the gym team stands just beyond reception and token collection starts 15 mins before the class, so you arrive, grab your token, get changed and head to your class (where the instructor collects the tokens from each attendee). Might be something they want to consider? It seems to work.