Jane D.
Yelp
Today has been my last workout at Planet Fitness. I have canceled my membership as of today.
It happened again, someone texting on a machine. Usually, I'm able to kill time by using other machines and if they're still there, my next step is to ask how many reps they have left (universal code for "stop friggin texting and get on with your workout because people are waiting for your machine! ) Most people are reasonable enough. Not this guy today. He told me he has about ten minutes left, while still openly texting. I said, "I guess when you're done texting," and he cynically said "yep" and kept texting away.
It had never gotten to the point where I need to report anything to staff (even though fellow gym folk on my page comment on my posts that I should and that they would!). For me, reporting would have been my last card and this was it. When I sought the help of the front desk, they said they can't tell the guy anything because they don't know his program. Such texting breaks could be part of his routine, they said, and their policy is to respect all workout regimes. That opened my eyes-- I can't be part of a place where a guy like him could take advantage of such a policy, and someone like me-- who is there only to work out, and respects everyone's space and time-- has to sit around and take his disrespect and cynicism. How is it that texters have more rights at Planet Fitness than guys who grunt as they drop their weights ( they have signs everywhere that say "no lunks," and they have a "lunk alarm" for such guys if they ever do-- pretty judgmental for a gym that claims to not be judgmental.
I have stuck to this gym through their highs and lows because I liked them in general. Even through their summer high school program, when so many others quit, I stayed after doing a personal cost benefit analysis. But today was the last straw for me. Yes, it was nice that they're only $10 a month, and that they're open 24 hours, and that they're at a location that's easy to get to at the times that I like going to the gym. But just because something is convenient, it doesn't mean that I have to put up with policies that don't align with my vision and values. There will always be bad gym goers anywhere you go, but when the policies allow it, it's time to reevaluate your gym choices.
Needless to say, I am in the market for a new gym. Open to suggestions! I prefer something that's open 24 hours, but not necessary if they open early enough. But regardless of where I go, after trying out their free pass, when their employees are after me like vultures, promising me the stars trying to get a sale-- I will HAVE TO make sure I interview them on their texting policy. I am obviously a huge texter and can read full novels and write entire essays while doing cardio. But I want to know what's their policy if someone hogs a machine for too long and most of their time is spent texting. Do they have enforceable policies against that, or is texting now part of every gym's workout routine?! If not, stuff it, I'll just stick to jogging and calisthenics from the sweet comfort of my home.