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My old gym called me up for a 30 day pass, what's the catch?

utahraptor

utahraptor

Golden Member
She said she was going through old records and noticed I had canceled a few years ago and wanted to know why. I said because I never went which was true. I recently started working out at home 6 weeks ago so I figured the 30 day pass she was offering would be nice, but I don't want any obligation. I asked twice if I would have to sign anything and she said no and there is no obligation.

She wanted to offer free personal training, but I told her I don't want to use that. If I show up without my credit cards or bank account info and I don't sign anything should I be ok on this? I really don't want to get screwed.
 
How can they charge you if you don't sign anything? You should be OK to go there. The only thing they could do that I can imagine is to record you on camera or something and then sue you for using the gym. And that's way beyond something anyone would bother trying. Perhaps they run out of members and are desperate to get people back. Looks like a decent opportunity to lift some dumbbells for free.
 
It's probably free, but they will try to convince you to sign up for a paid membership once you get there. Then when you say no, the magic free 30 days goes bye-bye.
 
Don't over think this. They're trying to drum up membership and are hoping that once you've spent some time there, you'll grow to like the place and will sign up. Offering a 30 day membership on the house is typically only done by a gym that is in very good financial shape. One week to ten days is much more common. They won't build membership by screwing you over or hard selling you. Not in these times of social media rule. It would be suicide.

Expect to sign a waiver.
 
they just want to get you in the door. then they have 30 days to pitch you on an membership.
 
They know that the average time a person "goes to the gym" is 60 days*, so they give you a 30 day pass and then sell on you the year membership before the "I'm tine of working out" bug hits you again.

*I totally just made that up, but it makes sense.

Really, they just want to get you in the door. Once you are there, you are more likely to sign up than if you're just sitting around at home. 30 days is a long time. Independent gym? Most of the places around here, you can get a 7 day trial pass.
 
They have several branches in my city, but they are not national. The funny thing is the family that owns it also owns a local fast food chain and they like to pretend they are a local mafia. For instance they have had half a dozen mysterious late night fires in the oldest gyms and fast food joints that then are rebuilt for free with insurance money to be new and pristine. They also have bribed the city council to make thier for profit gyms tax exempt since they claim the non profit YMCA is unfair competition to their for profit gyms.
 
If I owned a gym and wanted to win back an old customer to drum up business, I'd make such offers. The "catch" is they think you'll love working out at their gym so much, you'll rejoin. Not sure why you are so skeptical of this. Usually I see gyms offering free 7 day trial memberships so it's a common tactic, I'm sure any gym who let you workout there for a day to try them out. 30 days is pretty long, I guess that's to encourage you to make it a pattern so once it stops, you'll be left feeling like you want to go.
 
wow at the paranoia out there.

This is a typical offer, no different than if you were to ask just "off the street". Many gyms will easily give a 7 day pass and most will give a free month.

They need to get your ID to prove you are legal and will ask your phone number. IMHO this is fair and you can tell them to "DO NOT CALL" for solicitation and most will respect that.

They know most people looking to join a gym are in the right mindset to sign a contract. They know most people will join and not show up much.

It's a give and take.
 
Ok, I just got back from the gym.

First of all the nice lady who called me may just be that, a call girl. She was mysteriously absent when I arrived and did not call to confirm this morning as she indicated she would.

I was instead tag teamed by a sales guy and a personal training stronk dude.

They were fairly high pressure and wanted me to sign up on the spot to waive the $200 lolzrolment fee and possibly just POSSIBLY get me close to my old rate if I signed away who knows how many years. I was able to escape after 45 minutes of this.

I did get my 30 day pass, but the look of disappointment on the stonk guy's face will linger in my thoughts for some time.

The only catch I got stuck with was a free personal training session this Friday from said stronk guy.

So I will see how it goes. I did have to sign the waiver, but no license had to be provided.

Psychologically they had a lot going for them being basically a trifecta of sales. 1. Sexy voice on the phone to get me in. 2. Trained sales dude pushing the product. 3. Stronk dude for intimidation to seal
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the deal.

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We'll I am sitting here at the gym about 10 minutes past my appointment for personal training that I did not even want. The trainer keeps avoiding eye contact as he bullshits with other people.
 
utahraptor said:
We'll I am sitting here at the gym about 10 minutes past my appointment for personal training that I did not even want. The trainer keeps avoiding eye contact as he bullshits with other people.
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When/if he finally approaches you, blow him off and say "No thanks. Looks like you're busy." I'm sure he'll pretend to be insulted.

And you should go to the gym every single day during the free period and make it absolutely clear to anyone working there that you have zero intention of ever setting foot in the place afterward.
 
utahraptor said:
We'll I am sitting here at the gym about 10 minutes past my appointment for personal training that I did not even want. The trainer keeps avoiding eye contact as he bullshits with other people.
Click to expand...

A good personal trainer wouldn't disrespect a client's time like that. Why wait around for him? I'd just do my own thing if he's that late.
 
Almost done working out now on my own. At least the patrons are friendly. Also it's kind of embarrassing when the deadlift makes your shins bleed. How avoid?
 
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utahraptor said:
We'll I am sitting here at the gym about 10 minutes past my appointment for personal training that I did not even want. The trainer keeps avoiding eye contact as he bullshits with other people.
Click to expand...

Grow a backbone and stand up for yourself.

I'd have said I have a f'ing appointment WTF are you doing?
 
Well the strange thing was he forced the issue wanting to have the session. I had no desire for a trainer and just wanted to work out, but I figured it would be rude to blow him off, but he put his thang down flipped it and reversed it.
 
utahraptor said:
Almost done working out now on my own. At least the patrons are friendly. Also it's kind of embarrassing when the deadlift makes your shins bleed. How avoid?
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I wear duct tape under tall socks. The only reason that I care though is because I have tattoos on my lower legs and I don't want to wreck them.
 
TallBill said:
I wear duct tape under tall socks. The only reason that I care though is because I have tattoos on my lower legs and I don't want to wreck them.
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There are probably better and less skin unfriendly options if you are serious.

A simple ace bandage would be one and easily thrown back in a bag when done.
 
After being at a real gym twice for my workout I have decided I am doing the dead lift wrong possibly. I try to do it as I have seen on youtube videos and when I do it it takes all of my effort to do the rep and I have to wait 30 seconds between them for my 5 total. I see people doing it there rapidly with no delay like they are barely trying and they don't start nearly as low as I do.
 
What weight are you using? What weight are they using? By low, to which body part are you referring?

If you need to rest 30 seconds between reps to get to 5 then you're using too much weight in my opinion. Don't let that discourage you though. As long as the weight at which you can do 5 reps is going up then you're on the right track.
 
blackdogdeek said:
What weight are you using? What weight are they using? By low, to which body part are you referring?

If you need to rest 30 seconds between reps to get to 5 then you're using too much weight in my opinion. Don't let that discourage you though. As long as the weight at which you can do 5 reps is going up then you're on the right track.
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My last two deadlift nights were 155 lbs which is under my squat weight of 175. The other people's weights all varied. When I say low I mean basically I seem to start lower to the ground with my ass parallel to the bar. When they do the exercise it seems they are starting closer to a standing position. I thought I was supposed to start the lift using mainly leg strength and finish it with the lower back.
 
Though my deadlifts are heavier than my squats, they are still within the same range.

This is my understanding of the deadlift starting position:

1. stand with feet placed hip width apart, shins against bar
2. with flat back, bend forward at waist until hamstrings are tight
3. keeping back in the same position, bend knees to lower yourself toward the bar and grip bar just outside hips

It sounds like you are right that your starting position has your hips too low. However, I am not a professional so I recommend seeking proper instruction. Hopefully, others can chime in on starting position as well.
 
utahraptor said:
My last two deadlift nights were 155 lbs which is under my squat weight of 175. The other people's weights all varied. When I say low I mean basically I seem to start lower to the ground with my ass parallel to the bar. When they do the exercise it seems they are starting closer to a standing position. I thought I was supposed to start the lift using mainly leg strength and finish it with the lower back.
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Sounds like a little time with a trainer would do you some good
 
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