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The spin class at our gym fills up quick. In order to track how many people attend the class and to make sure you can save a spot, they hand out little blue cards with numbers on them. People will then take those cards and place them on a bike to essentially "save" that bike for class. The gym policy is that you MUST grab a card in order to participate in a class. One minor issue with this is that for new people, there is really no way of knowing. See, when you come into the gym, they simply scan your membership card and tell you to have a great workout. You must ask them for a card if you'll be attending a class. Now, back to the lady.
As I said, this lady was sitting in the front corner of the room when me and Mandi entered it and it was obvious that she had not just gotten there. The class was already close to capacity so Mandi and I were forced to sit across from each other. Mind you, we're always there at least 15 minutes before the class starts. Anyway, just as class was about to start, a different woman comes in carrying the numbered card "40". There are only 40 bikes available in the class. There was a problem, there wasn't an empty seat in the house. Just then, as the instructor was collecting the little blue numbered cards, he discovered that the woman in the front corner, the one who had been sitting there for at least 20 minutes, didn't have a card.
Then Ms. #40 who had come into the class with about 1 minute to spare walked over to the instructor (who was by corner gal at this time) to inform him that "this woman is in my seat". I couldn't believe it. Then, yet another surprise. The instructors kicked the woman out of the class because she didn't have a little blue card. Seriously?!?!? Was that the best solution they could come up with?
I was seriously shaken by what I had just seen. I couldn't believe Ms. #40 had the audacity to just stand there as the other woman got off the bike and left. Everything in me wanted to confront anybody and everybody in the situation. But to my regret, I didn't. I had that little voice saying "it's their club and they have rules, don't ruffle any feathers". I looked across to Mandi and signaled that I would give up my card and just go hit the treadmill instead, but I didn't and I kept my jerk butt on the seat. I didn't want Mandi to feel obligated to leave, or guilty, about me giving up my seat. I knew that it would not sit well with her because she knows how much I enjoy spin class. The bottom line though is that I did nothing, and I immediately regretted it. I could barely concentrate for the first handful of songs in class.
Anywho, hopefully I told the story in such a way that it made sense. I was hoping to get some feedback from you guys. What do you think you would have done in that situation? And don't worry about calling me out for not being a gentleman - I'll be right along side with you.
Logging you in...
Jodi · 714 weeks ago
If the policy is to get a card, than being asked to leave was appropriate; UNLESS there is a policy that you must be there and on the bike NO LATER than X minutes before class starts otherwise they forfeit there bike?
My guess is that when people sign up at the club, the contract must say in order to participate in any instructor lead class one must do the following...........!
So in this case, perhaps both participants should have been asked to leave.
But having said that, I don't know what would have been the better solution? Kick them both out, ask if someone wanted to give up their seat, have the instructor give up his/her bike and coach from the sidelines?
Not knowing the club policy, that's all I have!
Melissa Jones-Weston · 714 weeks ago
In your case when your cardio workouts are so vital to your health please don't sacrifice yourself for anyone who is not following the rules. Also seeing that Mandi is pregnant someone should have politely moved so you could have sat together, afterall you never hand someone just the salt, cause you're separating a friendship, the pepper might feel left out. The moral of the story...People should mind their manners!
And I agree with Jodi, I would have asked them both to leave or gave up my bike and coached from the sidelines.
RunSickboyRun 96p · 714 weeks ago
Rita · 714 weeks ago
As for you, you have to make the decision for yourself. As for me I would have gotten off my bike and left with her letting them know why I was leaving.
I think it was really rude of the #40 lady. I would never have done that to someone just because I could because I had a number.
Mandi · 714 weeks ago
Laura · 714 weeks ago
RunSickboyRun 96p · 714 weeks ago
Wendy · 714 weeks ago
kathy · 714 weeks ago
Don't feel guilty about not giving up your seat. You were there in plenty of time and didn't break protocol. If YOU were the #40 card holder, then yes, you would be a big jerk! =)
The brat that was there at the last second was only able to get a card because the other woman didn't receive one. She should have graciously given her #40 to the new gal and the instructor should have explained the procedure.
@milesformaggie · 714 weeks ago
trish · 714 weeks ago
Diana · 714 weeks ago
Even though #40 may have appeared rude, she had reserved her place in class. Sometimes folks don't always get to come in early due to a variety of factors. Unless the gym requires a person to be there x-number of minutes before, she was only apparently rude but did not break any policy. Placements are limited by the equipment available - whether that's spin, Body-pump, step, etc.
Hopefully, the new lady will not give up on the work-out but now understands she needs the card. :0)