A "situation" in the gym - how would you handle it?

M30834134

I would like to know how others would've handled this situation.

I go to a small neighborhood gym, very basic, but it got all the weights and machines I need. Since a couple of months there is a new trainer that NEVER re-racks after himself or his clients, never picks up his empty coffee cups or empty water bottles. I noticed but, hey, I'm not the management, I do my thing, and leave without saying anything.

Since the last two week the program I'm on (Size to Shred) puts me always after this guy. I didnt mind re-racking - it's not a big deal - but when it's again, and again, and again... So, last week after this guy was done with a barbell, he was about to leave without cleaning after himself and I, again, needed to use that barbell but didnt want to bring it from the other side of the gym. So, asked him politely if he was done, he said "yes", then I asked "would you please re-rack after yourself". He said "are you going to use it?", to which I said "yes". So, he returned and re-racked all the dumbbells and barbells.

Today, I needed to use the Smith-Machine, and, again, I happened to go on it after this guy. He finished with his client and leaves - with plates still mounted (light plates, I might add, but still). I ask him, like the last time, if he was done, he said "yes", and I again like the last time I ask him to re-rack. To which he replies "It weighs like a tampon, you take it off". WTF??? I said, "do I look like your butler, b***tch?" We got into a short words fight, where I told him it's disrespectful and as a trainer he should know better. Few minutes later he approached me and demanded an apology for calling him B* in front of his client, to which I replied that "if you be respectful to other members and clean up after yourself nobody will call you that and instead he owes me an apology for disrespecting me by telling me to re-rack after him" which I've done numerous times before.

Stupid situation that, obviously, got blown out of proportions. What would've you done?

WalkingAlong

Talked to the gym manager.

arditarose

Oh wow. He needs to be fired.

I agree, talk to the gym manager.

M30834134

WalkingAlong wrote: »

Talked to the gym manager.

Well, I did mentioned it to the manager last week, he said that he knows and posted a few more posters (to dozens of existing) that "your mother does not work here, please clean up coffee cups and empty water bottles after yourself and re-rack the weights"

DavPul

tell him to go blank himself and let management know. he's got hella balls saying something "weighs as much as a tampon" and then asking for an apology for ANYTHING that comes after that comment.

tell management every single day he leaves equipment out and ask them to put it back for you to use. They'll get tired of racking his weights and then they'll do something more effective than hanging more signs

arditarose

MasterVal wrote: »

WalkingAlong wrote: »

Talked to the gym manager.

Well, I did mentioned it to the manager last week, he said that he knows and posted a few more posters (to dozens of existing) that "your mother does not work here, please clean up coffee cups and empty water bottles after yourself and re-rack the weights"

Posters? That is so childish. How about actually talking to this idiot trainer?

feisty_bucket

Is this trainer employed by the gym, or is he freelance?

Also, management should have been all over this regardless. Does manager=owner, or maybe the manager's slacking? In which case, you may have to go over the manager's head to the owner.

M30834134

feisty_bucket wrote: »

Is this trainer employed by the gym, or is he freelance?

Also, management should have been all over this regardless. Does manager=owner, or maybe the manager's slacking? In which case, you may have to go over the manager's head to the owner.

The duche is a freelancer. The manager just works there, not an owner, he's a good guy but ..... In theory, the manager should kick either me or the trainer out because otherwise why take the risk of possible future confrontation which could result in possible legal actions. The right business move would be to kick me out as I'm just one client while the trainer brings more money. But I dont know which is going to happen. Maybe neither.

DopeItUp

Shove him into a rack of dumbbells. Duh.

Morgaen73

MasterVal wrote: »

WalkingAlong wrote: »

Talked to the gym manager.

Well, I did mentioned it to the manager last week, he said that he knows and posted a few more posters (to dozens of existing) that "your mother does not work here, please clean up coffee cups and empty water bottles after yourself and re-rack the weights"

Insist that management do more than just put up posters. There should be a code of conduct and the trainers should be held to it.

JayDam1

Go to unload the weight the trainer leaves behind, and "drop" a plate on your foot. Wouldn't have happen if the manager would have enforced the rules... So, file lawsuit, and own the gym and make your own rules... lol

Sued0nim

1) continue to ask him to re-rack, but do a count off eg "this is the third time I've asked you to rerack", "this is the fourth time I've asked..."
2) accept that nobody, ever, needs to use a Smith machine
3) tell manager each time too

Cherimoose

MasterVal wrote: »

Stupid situation that, obviously, got blown out of proportions. What would've you done?

If i'm going to confront someone, i wait until i have a solid case, like you did with the barbell. I wouldn't ask to rerack light plates, because that just looks like i'm going around antagonizing him over every little thing he does wrong.

ClubSilencio

I think you two need to hug it out.

There was no need to raise your voice at him. And he needs to work on his gym etiquette. I've seen these confrontations in the gym many a time and it makes me uncomfortable to see adults behave in this manner. I believe taking the high road is always the best option. I mean, we're talking about re-racking weights here... it's not exactly a civil rights violation. Heck, I don't mind getting in a little extra work. If someone wants to be lazy, that's on them. Gives me the chance to be the shining example in this world. I'll show you how to re-rack these plates, son.

Expatmommy79

I hear you... there is a guy at my gym who loads like 200KG on the leg press every.single.day... he can barely press that much and he has awful form btw.... And then walks away. He does this with every piece of equipment in there. So annoying. And he sweats like a dog and leaves a trail of sweaty disgustingness behind him. He wipes down with a paper towel, but never uses the disinfectant spray that is provided.

I haven't found the words yet....

Sued0nim

Yaknow that disinfect spray is ineffective right?

piggysmalls333

That guy needs his *kitten* kicked.

ninerbuff

ClubSilencio wrote: »

I think you two need to hug it out.

There was no need to raise your voice at him. And he needs to work on his gym etiquette. I've seen these confrontations in the gym many a time and it makes me uncomfortable to see adults behave in this manner. I believe taking the high road is always the best option. I mean, we're talking about re-racking weights here... it's not exactly a civil rights violation. Heck, I don't mind getting in a little extra work. If someone wants to be lazy, that's on them. Gives me the chance to be the shining example in this world. I'll show you how to re-rack these plates, son.

So you believe in enabling? That bad behavior should be tolerated? Basically it's disrespect for other members in the gym. I've NEVER worked at a gym where it's okay for a PT to NOT rerack weights because it's bad work ethic.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ninerbuff

Expatmommy79 wrote: »

I hear you... there is a guy at my gym who loads like 200KG on the leg press every.single.day... he can barely press that much and he has awful form btw.... And then walks away. He does this with every piece of equipment in there. So annoying. And he sweats like a dog and leaves a trail of sweaty disgustingness behind him. He wipes down with a paper towel, but never uses the disinfectant spray that is provided.

I haven't found the words yet....

You up to him and say "I'd like to use the leg press, but can't lift off all those weights by myself."
I do it every day with guys who do this crap. They'd be annoyed if their mother, wife or sister had to unload it to workout and that's how you have to put it across to him.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Sued0nim

ninerbuff wrote: »

Expatmommy79 wrote: »

I hear you... there is a guy at my gym who loads like 200KG on the leg press every.single.day... he can barely press that much and he has awful form btw.... And then walks away. He does this with every piece of equipment in there. So annoying. And he sweats like a dog and leaves a trail of sweaty disgustingness behind him. He wipes down with a paper towel, but never uses the disinfectant spray that is provided.

I haven't found the words yet....

You up to him and say "I'd like to use the leg press, but can't lift off all those weights by myself."
I do it every day with guys who do this crap. They'd be annoyed if their mother, wife or sister had to unload it to workout and that's how you have to put it across to him.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'd like to think this is not a sexist comment

Expatmommy79

ninerbuff wrote: »

Expatmommy79 wrote: »

I hear you... there is a guy at my gym who loads like 200KG on the leg press every.single.day... he can barely press that much and he has awful form btw.... And then walks away. He does this with every piece of equipment in there. So annoying. And he sweats like a dog and leaves a trail of sweaty disgustingness behind him. He wipes down with a paper towel, but never uses the disinfectant spray that is provided.

I haven't found the words yet....

You up to him and say "I'd like to use the leg press, but can't lift off all those weights by myself."
I do it every day with guys who do this crap. They'd be annoyed if their mother, wife or sister had to unload it to workout and that's how you have to put it across to him.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Thanks. You are right I should say something to him.

kisses71213

Kindness kills. All you need to do is say "hey bud, please re-rack your equipment, -and your triceps are lookin' top notch! Keep it up man!" -end of story. Trainer says 'Thanks bruh" and re-racks. DONE.

callsitlikeiseeit

rabbitjb wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

Expatmommy79 wrote: »

I hear you... there is a guy at my gym who loads like 200KG on the leg press every.single.day... he can barely press that much and he has awful form btw.... And then walks away. He does this with every piece of equipment in there. So annoying. And he sweats like a dog and leaves a trail of sweaty disgustingness behind him. He wipes down with a paper towel, but never uses the disinfectant spray that is provided.

I haven't found the words yet....

You up to him and say "I'd like to use the leg press, but can't lift off all those weights by myself."
I do it every day with guys who do this crap. They'd be annoyed if their mother, wife or sister had to unload it to workout and that's how you have to put it across to him.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'd like to think this is not a sexist comment

right? cause im stronger than my ex, equally as strong as my best friend (male), and well, my boyfriend is stronger than me but weights are his thing. LOLOL

and i clean up after myself

keep going to the gym manager and i would get in touch with the owner. it's absolutely uncalled for.

or, find a new gym ..

Chieflrg

Accidently drop a handful of tampons on the floor where he is between his sets. If he says anything, reply you thought he was done and tell him they don't weigh much.

Yi5hedr3

You did good, and yes, he should be barred from the gym. He's setting a bad example for every one else.

UG77

Gym etiquette is gym etiquette and as a trainer the guy should be setting an example of how to behave in an enclosed space where access to resources have been paid for and are equally available to all.

Posters/notes are for the passive aggressive. I'd attempt to escalate to the gym owner, if nothing else just to let them know why you're going to start using another gym.

If you want to be more confrontational about it you could just call him out on it every single time he does it, from anywhere in the gym.

tiny_clanger

If an employee or trainer had said that to me at my gym, I wouldn't have bothered replying, but would have gone straight to the centre manager to report a violation of the diversity policy. The use of the word tampon was clearly aimed to denigrate women, and shouldn't be tolerated.

vczK2t

tell management every single day he leaves equipment out and ask them to put it back for you to use. They'll get tired of racking his weights and then they'll do something more effective than hanging more signs

THIS

pootle1972

After that I'd have gone straight to the manager with the sexism/bullying card....he was well out of order and then was bullying....bet if you were a 6' meat head he wouldn't have been such a prick.

LeanButNotMean44

There was a guy who went to my old gym who (along with pretty much everyone else there) never re-racked his weights. When he had walked away from the leg press leaving it fully loaded up, I approached him and asked if he was done with it. When he replied he was, I said "I'll help you re-rack the weights". He took the one side and I took the other. I am not sure it clicked for him, but maybe deep down it made him think/remember.

Kimo159

Chieflrg wrote: »

Accidently drop a handful of tampons on the floor where he is between his sets. If he says anything, reply you thought he was done and tell him they don't weigh much.

Hahahaha that would be amazing. Seriously. Please do this. Please.

But, if you don't want to do that, I'd go to management a few more times and then I'd demand to speak to the manager. You say that you think if they had to get rid of someone it would be you, but I would disagree. This trainer probably does this to numerous people. So the trainer brings in some new people, some may become regulars, most will end up paying for a few months and being gone. If the PT forces out regulars because they are annoyed with his crap then the gym loses out on the monthly revenue from numerous long time clients. Not to mention he's instilling crap etiquette in new members. If I was an owner/manager I'd get that crap dealt with ASAP and if I had to I would ban the PT from my gym, I'm sure the owner could find a new PT.