New Year, New Gym

I started at my new gym, which is, so far pretty nice. Once again, nothing fancy, but the equipment is newer and the facility is much cleaner and much more well maintained. The clientele seem to be much more respectful of the facility as well. Of course there are more grown ups and fewer muscle head frat boys at this gym, so that helps. For one thing, I couldn't help but notice that the members actually strip the weights off the bars and machines when they are through using them. It doesn't hurt any that this morning I meet one of my fellow gym goers, a very hot and handsome young Latino guy, who is also built like a brick shithouse. Too make matters worse, he's very nice and offered to help me out if I needed a spot or some help with my workout. There should be a law, that when you look like that, that you have to be an asshole, so I can quietly hate you and all your hotness. I guess I'll get used to it.

Other pluses are that it is a 5 minute walk from my house and they offer classes that I can actually attend, since they are scheduled for hours either in the early hours of the morning or after work. Not at 2:00 in the afternoon.

It is still early days, however after my experience with canceling the membership with my old facility, I am happy I made the move.

When I showed up at the old gym yesterday, I cleaned out my locker and told the new manager that I would be canceling my membership. His sole concern seemed to be letting me know that the gym policy is 30 day notice, so I would be charged for February. Having worked in retail long enough, I know that as unfair as this seems, it is pretty standard. What irked me was that I was not asked why I was leaving. I have had to sell goods and services to a gullible public long enough to know that if a client announces that they are going to dispense with your product, you ask questions. You find out why they are unhappy and if you cannot persuade them to continue using your goods/services you at least try to create some good will so that the door is open. People have changes of heart and will come back to use stores or services that they swore they would never use again if they feel as though their custom was valued.

This new manager, who as far as I can ascertain, has been on the job for a couple of months now, but whose existence I was unaware of until a couple of weeks ago is an ass clown and has no business managing any kind of a business.

I think that is what really pissed me off. Not the 40 bucks that I'll never see again, just the crappy business practice. I've done this type of crap for a long time and have been pretty good at it. I had to work pretty hard to get to management level before I threw it all over for the glamour of office work, so I appreciate it when I see someone who knows their stuff.

Like I said, this guy is an ass clown, and if I find I don't like my new gym as much as it seems I will, I will go elsewhere. The old club is not getting a second chance. If they don't want my money, some other club will find that my money is green and spends just fine.

Oh, the other thing. It opens at 5 a.m., so I can go work out and then come home and enjoy my coffee in a relaxed manner before I walk to work instead of rushing out of the door to the gym to get grab a cup of coffee from a shop and then try and make the train to work.

This could all be good.