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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that new gym members have as much right to use facilities as older members?

80 replies

LunaGracie · 22/05/2016 16:58

I have just joined a gym. It's my local branch of a national chain

I went to a spinning class yesterday and turned up early for the class, and went into the spinning studio.

The instructor came in and told me that regulars had bikes that they always "like to use" and to wait until the rest of the class were there and then once all the regulars were there I could choose a bike out of the remainder!

I told him that I had paid as much as the regular members and therefore could choose any bike I liked, and chose one.

AIBU to think this is ridiculous? Do new members get turfed off treadmills if a longstanding member wants to use them? Or do they chuck people out of the showers naked if they've only been a member for a month and someone who's been a member for 6 months wants a shower? Weird!

OP posts:
HooplaLoopla1 · 22/05/2016 17:40

Yes I read it, yes I understood it. As I also understood the OP-I came to the conclusion the instructor was unprofessional based on that. No I don't know what the instructors reasons were, but IMO the instructor could've handled it better WITHOUT breaking confidentiality by simply pointing out which ones to avoid, not telling them to wait like regulars have superiority. None of what I have written means I don't understand anything.

Just to add, I didn't say I was glad you didn't train me, I said I was glad you didn't work at my gym. Not for my sake, training me or not, no one would tell me what equipment I was 'allowed' work on or not as long as it wasn't a safety issue. I said I was glad you didn't work at my gym for YOUR sake! None of the gym goers -regular or sporadic-would accept being told anything like that.

AdrenalineFudge · 22/05/2016 17:41

Imagine if OP had used a locker that a long standing member usually uses. Would you expect her to be marched back into the changing room to change lockers? This is utterly bizarre. I too have a favourite spot but it's really not the end of the world if I don't get there first.

rookiemere · 22/05/2016 17:46

YANBU and I don't think there is ever a valid reason to tell the first comer at a class that they need to wait until all the regulars have got their places. Not very much in the spirit of inclusivity.

If there are particular health reasons why a regular user might need a specific bike - which I'm struggling to think of TBH - then fair enough, but this should only be one or two, not leaving the dregs for the new comers.
Ourblanche - what sort of reasons would there be that someone has to use a specific bike , as I kind of get what you're saying, but still can't think of a valid reason?

People do get very wedded to "their" spot. I go to a weekly metafit class at my gym. A lot of the others are great pals - chats before the class, coffee together with the instructor afterwards - I'm not as it's my only non working day.

One week it was particularly busy and as the class had started I stood where one of the regulars usually stand - she wasn't there so no problem I thought. Well class had started already ( instructors aren't meant to let folk join in this instance) and she arrives and literally stands on top of me, meaning I was unable to carry out many of the moves. It was really irksome and the room was busy so there was nowhere else to go.

I wish I could say I complained or did something, but instead I just give her the evils every time I see her.

misslemonsfilingcabinet · 22/05/2016 17:46

Bizarre! At my gym , the instructor would spot you were new, introduce themselves, check if you needed help setting up/explain about the class. Check for any injuries or problems. I can't quite imagine an official "MY" bike system but if there was, surely they'd guide you to another and get you set up. Sounds awful OP, YANBU.

Jofo · 22/05/2016 17:49

Presumably they don't want new members then if this,is how they are going to treat them! YANBU.

Ashhead24 · 22/05/2016 17:55

YANBU. If longstanding members use particular bikes she could have said that those ones weren't free and pointed out which ones were. Asking you to stand round awkwardly until everyone else had picked a bike wasn't on. There are plenty of gyms around, if the staff at this one aren't friendly pick another one, and let them know why!

Chottie · 22/05/2016 17:55

This is very odd
I'm also a long standing member of a national gym chain and I've never heard an instructor saying this before.

Sallygoroundthemoon · 22/05/2016 17:59

That's terrible and totally unprofessional of the instructor. I used to teach spin and would never dream of behaving like that. If people need or want a particular bike then they should bloody well turn up early enough to get their preferred bike.

Janeymoo50 · 22/05/2016 18:02

Exactly why some people feel inferior at gyms.

BennyTheBall · 22/05/2016 18:02

Utterly ridiculous.

I have been a member of Nuffield for years. I'm definitely one of the regulars, as are many of the people I know from going there.

There is NO WAY any sort of hierarchy with equipment or spots in classes and if there were, I'd be the first to complain. It's strictly first come, first served. As it should be.

New members are treated with kindness ime, not made to feel less entitled to be there.

Original poster
LunaGracie · 22/05/2016 18:04

Unfortuntely there is not really much choice of gyms in our town; there is only this one, a council run one with rubbish facilities and no pool, and one at a hotel which currently has a full member count and wants no further members currently.

The one I go to is quite cliquey tbh. It's rare that the reception staff will say hello to people except the real die hard regulars when you arrive there, and they're really rude on the phone too. Then again, the town I live in isn't a very friendly place compared to where I grew up, and you are not considered a local until you've been there for 30 years or so, so maybe that's why.

OP posts:
LyndaNotLinda · 22/05/2016 18:08

OurBlanche - do your employers know that you go out of your way to make new members feel unwelcome?

I can't imagine they'd be too impressed. And the idea of you bestowing special favours on your regulars who are part of your little clique is nauseating.

This is why I go to a gym which doesn't have classes. Much less potential for instructors to play God.

OP - I would have a word with the manager.

80Kgirl · 22/05/2016 18:09

YANBU!

I would have gone to the reception desk and asked for my money back and explained why. How rude and unwelcoming.

hollinhurst84 · 22/05/2016 18:17

Bugger that! I'm a regular at my gym, some people come in say 20 mins before class, set up a bike and leave towel on it which is fair enough and I wouldn't take one of those as they've come in to set it up then gone off to do a bit of a workout
Other than that, no reserving it's just pick a bike and crack on

SquinkiesRule · 22/05/2016 18:20

What a daft instructor. Does she realize if she makes enough people uncomfortable and only panders to her regulars, that eventually she'll stop new people joining, ones who pay money, and her wages, her regular people can move on, if her gym gets a bad reputation for lack of friendless, it will close from lack of clients eventually.
I'm plucking up courage to join the one nearest to us. Haven't got the talking part over yet.

Lunar1 · 22/05/2016 18:20

This is what puts people off the gym!

cosmicglittergirl · 22/05/2016 18:22

YANBU
I used to do aqua aerobics in the evening at my gym. Once, when I was off work I went to the daytime class which was frequented mainly by retired women. One of them came up to me and said 'now that you're here one of the regulars won't have been able to book.' (Internet booking). I was restrained, but withering in my response that it was first come, first served. She wasn't impressed.

Arfarfanarf · 22/05/2016 18:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

specialsubject · 22/05/2016 18:24

Playground behaviour which the instructor should be stopping, not enabling. All part of managing customers.

Bagsy my bike - dear oh dear...

TSSDNCOP · 22/05/2016 18:27

Oh dear god, I have observed "my place" behaviour in the gym more than once. There is a class I attend where the regs push to the front of the line on the pretence of reading the timetable to get the best spot.

Here's the thing, if you want a certain piece of equipment then you need to turn up early to get it. If you don't, tough tits.

lem73 · 22/05/2016 18:28

Bugger that. I do have a certain bike in the gym which I prefer but I don't own it. I hate it when the instructors are cliquey with certain people but you can't exactly complain about it. This is certainly worth providing 'feedback' to the management about.

lavenderhoney · 22/05/2016 18:28

It wouldn't occur to me that someone would have a special bike or treadmill. I just go in and get on the nearest one. The instructor sounds v weird tbh and not someone I'd be happy paying to instruct- is he/ she only paying attention to members of long standing? How rude.

MintyChapstick · 22/05/2016 18:43

All the bikes in a spin class are the same for fucks sake! Anyone who says that they 'dont get on with certain bikes' sounds like a complete twat, and avery precious one at that.

Ive come acrss this kind of behaviour before in gym classes and it really gets my goat. Its cliquey bullshit and needs to be challenged. Well done OP for doing so.Its this kind of behaviour that puts people off getting fit, strong and healthy.

If OurBlanche was an instructor at my gym I'd be reporting her for being so unprofessional.

queenMab99 · 22/05/2016 18:44

I think you were perfectly within your rights and if the regulars are so inflexible they need a bit of a reality check, and so does the instructor.

NotYoda · 22/05/2016 18:47

it's not like i need much excuse, but i think this is likely to make me even less likely to want to join a gym

All that ridiculous hamster wheel stuff, with added social angst

Yes I know I am unreasonable