I was raving mad at the gym today! The gym I work out at is basically your typical "meat market" type of facility with girls in their tight little tops and tight little shorts and guys who grunt and pretend to lift weights but really work their jaws more than their muscles as they try to pick up the girls rather than the weights. Meanwhile, there's me, sweats, t-shirt or tank top, hair in ponytail, practically make up free, headphones blaring, and angry look on my face as I pounce on the weights. Well, I'm in the aerobics room doing my plyometrics (that's where the benches and jump ropes are), and an instructor walks in and says, "You can't be in here. You'll have to leave because I have to lock this area up." I told her, "No." She didn't seem to like that and told me that I had to go. I proceeded to tell her that I pay my gym fees and thus have the right to work out in the room and am going to finish my workout and will then leave. She still didn't like that and went to get the manager. In the meantime, I continued with my workout (with a bit more fuel in my explosive jumps onto and off of the bench).

Well, the manager strolled in and tried to get me to leave. I went through the same speech with him and explained that I had been attending this gym for years and am a competitor and would like a little respect and that I just need ten minutes and would then be out of there. He didn't like this either and explained that I needed to leave right then so he could lock up the room. I refused. I told him, "I pay for the use of this room and when you have signs posted stating that regular gym goers cannot use the room, only group exercise attendees, then I'll be happy to not step into the room." Well, he then said, okay, that starts tonight. I said, "No. I have ten minutes left and I'm finishing my workout. Period." He finally conceded and left. I'm a little fireball when I don't like how things are going, and this annoyed me to no end because he wanted me to stop my workout and leave an empty room that I pay for the usage of. Ridiculous!

Anyway, he came by later once I had left the room and was on the elliptical to do my cardio for the evening. He told me I jumped all over him when he was being polite. I told him, "Look, you interrupted my workout, told me to stop my workout and leave the room, and here I am, a few months out from a major show, and you can't give me the respect I deserve for being a responsible gym goer who has paid her monthly fees for years and brings your gym business." I also mentioned that while I bring the gym business, I could just as easily take the business away. I also explained that he was cutting me off from a portion of the gym that I pay for, and until such time that $10 or more is taken off of my monthly dues, I have every right to use the room. He just nodded and walked off.

In essence, the night manager was informed and is going to do what he can to implement some changes. It seems that a couple of mirrors had been broken by some idiots who don't know what they're doing and were in the room unsupervised. But I explained that I know exactly what I'm doing, and what they're asking is that even thought I pay a membership for use of the facility, I need to go elsewhere to do a portion of my workout. I further explained that on top of everything there was no notice posted on the walls of the room and no notice mailed out to members to forewarn us of the changes. The guy agreed that I had made some excellent points and would do what he could to ensure my ability to use the room.

Long story, but my point is that I'm angry because this gym is a prime example of a business not supporting someone who can bring them good publicity and thus more members. I have tried for years to get them to drop the fees by a third or by half and have found other gyms that are willing to do this, but they still refuse to budge. I stick with them because they are open all hours and I can go in there at 5 a.m. or at 1 a.m. and get my workouts in, so I'm not stressed by time constraints. But I am seriously considering switching to another gym that is smaller, much more hardcore (they play loud, thumpin' music and even have chalk for deadlifts and such). Their hours aren't as conducive to my schedule, but I'd rather be somewhere that respects and understands the hard work and dedication involved in competing in the bodybuilding and fitness industry rather than a fancy pancy gym that caters to the revolving door of obese Americans who join, use the facility for a few weeks, and then drop off and never cancel their memberships. I'm not a number. I'm not a dollar sign. I'm a weightlifter who loves pumping iron! And when things aren't going the way I think they should, I speak up! So American, watch out! Lol! :)

Thank you for letting me have my little tirade this Monday evening!

By the way, I just downed a lovely chocolate peanut butter shake. Mmm mm mmmmmm! :)

Jodi