There is a not-so-fine-line between constructive criticism and just being hurtful. We all know some people will leave negative reviews online no matter how perfect your gym is. It comes with owning a business. You can’t please all of the people all of the time. However, there could be grains of truth in the most hateful reviews. The key is discerning between truth and fiction.
So sit back, relax, and have a laugh from some of these real-life negative gym reviews as you consider what could possibly be done to fix these issues.
The Yelps
Yelp is mostly used to discover, evaluate, and review businesses. Here are a few unfavorable gym reviews I found. Prepare yourself.
- Sauna? More like Sauna of Regret: “Walked into the sauna and immediately walked out. There was a naked man doing naked yoga while eating a tuna sandwich. Staff said ‘he pays for the membership too.’ I pay to not see that.”
My Take: In the naked man’s defense, there is nothing better than a good tuna fish sandwich. But perhaps a No Nudity sign in co-ed saunas is the way to go.
- Trainer Spent More Time Hitting on My Girlfriend Than Spotting Me: “Signed up for personal training. The ‘coach’ spent 45 minutes flirting with my girlfriend while I nearly dropped a barbell on my chest. When I complained, management said ‘he’s our top seller.’ Cancelled immediately.”
My Take: Motivating a client to go into beast mode by stealing his girlfriend? Something to add to my repertoire.
- The Equipment Graveyard: “At least 40% of the machines have ‘out of order’ signs that look like they’ve been there since Obama was president. The functional ones are so beat up they feel dangerous. Asked when they’d be fixed and the front desk guy laughed and said ‘probably never.’”
My Take: It can be tough to find a front desk person with a good sense of humor. He sounds like a keeper. However, if you have Out of Order signs on equipment for more than a week, then something needs to be addressed.
The Reddits
Reddit gym reviews aren’t just complaints; they’re therapy sessions with thousands of strangers where no gym makes it out alive.
- The Sales Pressure: “Signed up for a free trial. They wouldn’t let me leave without talking to three different managers trying to upsell me. One guy literally blocked the door and said ‘just hear me out.’ Felt like a timeshare presentation.”
My Take: Sounds like an Escape Room challenge. This wouldn’t have to happen with Gym Insight’s software, which allows the person to sign up without any hassle or hard sell.
- The Equipment Hoarder: “One guy would put his things on every machine in a row and rotate between them for two hours. When people asked to work in he’d say ‘I’m using all of them.’ Staff did nothing.”
My Take: No joke. The first part of this complaint is how I met and worked out with country singer and actor Trace Adkins while he was at our gym. Nice guy, and he shared his machines with me after I asked to work in. This complaint, though, is quite valid, and the offender needs to be addressed.
Other Unpleasant Online Gym Reviews
- Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: “Cancellation process required a notarized form, doctor’s note, and in-person visit. Still charged me extra months later.” And Another Similar One: “Membership cancellation is harder than getting into Harvard. They make you jump through hoops and still charge you.”
My Take: There’s a fine line between trying to retain members and acting like a vengeful ex. Let the membership agreement/contract handle these issues in a dignified manner. Some gyms become ridiculous with their cancellation demands.
- Phones Or Gains? You Can’t Have Both!: “Trying to train at this gym and everything takes twice as long. Everyone has their phones out! I just want to lift. I don’t need selfies or the perfect soundtrack to do it!”
My Take: Got a point there. People on their phones will kill a workout. A policy should be in place and displayed throughout the gym. This is really a big problem in many gyms.
- Winner!: “Somebody keeps pooping in my shorts while I’m dead lifting”
My Take: I came across this review about ten years ago, and it stuck with me. It sounds like a great deadlifting session!
Don’t Forget YouTube
There are some great YouTube videos that separate legit negative gym reviews from those of people who are just professional haters. When you have time, watch this one that has almost eight million views and was first posted two years ago, and this one posted eight months ago with a few million views. You might be able to identify. Learn from these, and down the road, you could address your own negative gym reviews in a similar fashion.
Take the Good with the Bad
Some people do not take criticism well. In fact, most relationships seem to end because of it. But as a business owner, especially a gym owner, there is a need to listen and learn from complaints. There could be some truth in the hurtful comments. Leave a post down below about some of your most negative reviews and whether they had any merit!
Gym Insight
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