Couple unhappy with gym
A couple who say they were threatened and assaulted at Fitness First Kings Cross claim they were not protected by staff and are unhappy with the way the company has responded to the incident.
When Mike and Clem (not their real names) were at the gym last month, two men were dropping their dumbbells so hard the machines the couple were using were shaking. When they asked the men to stop, they claim one of them said he would smash the dumbbells in their faces if they spoke to him again.
Mike went to the gym’s reception area to complain. When he described the men, he claims staff knew who he meant and told him they had caused problems in the past.
He claims it took 10 minutes to find a manager, who Mike says didn’t know how to respond to the situation.
He then tried to return to the second floor to find Clem but was blocked on the stairway by the two men, who he claims shoved him and told him they would kill him if he talked about what had happened.
Mike said this occurred in an area where trainers could see what was happening but none intervened.
The couple are also concerned that the only CCTV camera in the gym did not capture the incident.
Mike emailed a formal complaint to Fitness First later that day, but was told all that could be done was to give the men a warning.
Fitness First told the Star Observer in a statement that it had “strict terms and conditions on its memberships which include club etiquette rules and consequences of misconduct.
“Any incident of threatening behaviour or harassment of any member or person inside our clubs is unacceptable.
“As a result of this formal complaint, the members concerned are being issued with a first and final warning letter as per our membership terms. This letter clearly advises the individuals concerned that if they engage in misconduct in any
Fitness First club which is in breach of any of the terms and conditions outlined in the membership agreement, their membership will be terminated immediately and they will be banned from all Fitness First clubs.”
However, Mike said the men should have been banned on the spot and the couple are now exploring their legal options as they believe the gym breached a duty of care to them.
“I’m absolutely not satisfied by this,” Mike said. “These guys were completely uncontrollable, and now they’ve been given warning letters and can deduce that it was us, they’re probably going to be even more infuriated.”
@Banks .. I pointed out that the gym was not a “gay gym” because the original article specifically stated that it was “gay gym”.
They should call 000 as it is illegal to make threats to kill. The gym staff will not want police turning up! Does not matter if you are gay or not if you are threatened like that, and put at risk by poor management practices, you every right to have the law enforced. In addition a complaint to the ACC about the advertising of the terms and conditions breach would get the corporate office to take the staff trainning seriously. These thugs need to be dealt with as someone will get hurt. It is also assault if someone did not hit you, but any person would have the belief they intended to assault you.
My sympathy goes out to Mike and Clem. It is an awful and distressing situation. I hope you two enforce your rights, and I hope you both can remember all the other people at the gym were not like the two thugs. You both have a right to personal safety.
If I was assaulted in any place, be it a nightclub or a gym, I would expect a ban on the patrons who were the aggressors.
@Craig, don’t you think the gym has a duty of care to protect their patrons? Part of their training is how to deal with such situations, but the article illustrates that wasn’t the case, which is a failing on the gym’s part.
I’m sure if it happened to you, or your mates, you would feel that the terms and conditions of FF’s membership should warrant them being banned.
Violence against anyone, anywhere is unacceptable. I still don’t comprehend why people here are questioning the motive of the victims. Like Judge Judy says “victims always want justice served.” Surely we should all be fighting violence against the gay community?
“When Mike and Clem (not their real names) were at the gym last month, two men were dropping their dumbbells so hard the machines the couple were using were shaking”
I don’t understand why their machines would be affected over a few small trembles from dumb bells dropping on the floor. It’s common during dumb bell workouts to make noise when dropping them on the floor.
I also don’t understand why Rob had to point out that Kings Cross fitness first is not a gay gym? Is there such a thing as a gym that caters for gay people only? If so I would LOVE to join! – Confusing article all around lol.
@craig .. please do not accuse me of “turning against those assaulted”, I did nothing of the sort. I just pointed out aspects of the venue concerned that did not accord with the report.
If the person (Mike) was assaulted then he should make a formal complaint to the police – he hasn’t (at least not according to this article).
You also make out that Fitness First “did nothing”. The staff on duty did not “fail to do anything”, as the article highlights the manager “did not know what to do” – not unexpected if you are being asked to front someone who is bigger, stronger and possibly threatening (I’m not saying that is right, just reality).
As I also mentioned, I attend this particular gym (as well as few other Fitness First gyms). I have never felt threatened, and have always felt welcomed – by both staff and other patrons.
At the end of the day, whilst the staff did not do anything immediately – which is unfortunate, but as I mentioned not entirely unexpected, as unless you are trained in conflict resolution such a situation can be a confronting issue – Fitness First has done something about it.
I believe that in wanting an immediate ban the “victims” are expecting too much.
many gay venues put profit before people. Even Gays can be shallow!
rob1966, from what I read 1 of the guys complained to reception and the staff failed to react… after this he got assaulted.
its sad to see that when someone experiences violence in the community that rather than address it in what should be a safe space for everyone that members of the community turn against those assaulted. this is why the anti violence project exists.
whether staff are gay or not is irrelevant. at the end of the day gym staff at the time failed to respond then and there. i would hate to think what would happen if these guys didnt leave when they did
Fitness First is not a “gay gym”, and the venue at Kings Cross is about a 50:50 split.
I go to the Kings Cross Fitness First and generally find the staff helpfull and friendly (some of whom are gay themsleves). I’m not sure as to the basis of the complaint as it would seem that the staff did what they could under the circumstances, and the issuing of a warning is the best that could be expected when it is (at the end of the day) a he said/she said situation.
I’m also not sure about the claim that the incident could be witnessed as, if it is in the stairwell, it would be out of sight of anyone.
A physical assault at a gay gym by two thugs and Fitness First don’t feel it warrants banning them? It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.