"WTF? re 'OPEN HOUSE' DAY AT THE GYM…"

Hi Friends!

Todays "WTF?" © stevenn beck

Almost every other week for months, New York Sports Club has been sponsoring an "Open House". It's quite an event. You see, NYSC is desperate for business, evidently the company is millions of dollars in the red. For "Open House"I must admit that they really do things the right way. All of the personal trainers are on duty, none of them are working out, texting, and/or flirting with gym members on company time. Gym management is dressed appropriately, neatly and very professionally attired. The woman in charge of the babysitting room actually engages the children entrusted to her care, reading stories, playing with them, etc. The front desk people are unfailingly polite,calling members by name, handing out towels, and wishing them a "great workout". There is a festive and celebratory feeling everywhere, including dozens of balloons, additional signage regarding new programs and sometimes even complimentary refreshments.

Most impressive if you're a visiter contemplating signing up with the company.

Unless you happen to look at the floor on the sides and underneath some of the exercise machines - there are huge dust balls, I dare say, dating back to a time well before the previous "Open House". Or - if you venture into the men's locker room - can't vouch for the ladies' lockers - you risk seeing a sight that decorum - to paraphrase a phrase used in the movie "Animal House" - prohibits me from listing in this space. (Don't want to be accused of the dreaded sin "TMII!" lol) There could ALSO be a lack of paper towels, toilet tissue or soap. Back out to the gym floor again - there may be a lack of sufficient metal "keys" - so that some people may have to wait for the machines of their choice if the gym is crowded. And - speaking of machines - some may have been removed to make room for the latest exercise fad that only a small percentage of members utilize. (So - there just may be a shortage of available machines on busy days.) Finally: if you want to watch the NYSC network - current television programs, videos, and/or video-on-demand on the attached screen while you do your cardio, best-of-luck!. (The system runs very slow and frequently freezes).

Now, in the interest of fairness, not every NYSC suffers from all of these problems. (Although many do.) There are over 100 clubs and conditions do vary. I have, however, found one ongoing issue that occurs at all the clubs I go to…and affects the quality of my workout…and that is that many members blatantly violate club policy by chatting on their cell-phones on the gym floor, sitting at a piece of exercise equipment (texting away or surfing the web or retrieving their Email) without working out or only infrequently interrupting their phone usage to lift the damn weights...evidently completely oblivious to the fact hat others are waiting to use that particular machine and that they are exhibiting selfish and rude behavior towards their fellow gym members…and with no NYSC employee willing to confront them and keep them in line.

But it's "Open House" at the NYSC. COME ON DOWN! Time to celebrate…. (Unless you want a cleaner, more productive, more member-friendly and better-run environment in which to work out.)

WTF? Planet Fitness, anyone? Or…something even more upscale? :-)

See you all coon….till then, be safe!

Stevenn