are training for a marathon and trying to lose 100 pounds you hit a lot
of hurdles as well as things to motivate you.
remain on the positive side of things as I travel along this journey and
ignore the negative people and nay sayers that have told me I can't do
it and it's a waste of time. There is one guy however who has kept me
going and the simple motivation is spite.
not the best motivation, but since it's just one of the many things
driving me, I'm good with it. His name is Ken, judging from the
interactions I have had with Ken, he is the kind of guy who used to push
guys like me into lockers, and steal smaller kids lunch money. Ken is
for lack of a better term, a bully. The ironic thing is Ken and I met
at Bally Total Fitness, where is is supposed to be motivating people
into a healthier lifestyle.
thank you to Michael Sheehan, the CEO of Bally Total Fitness for hiring
such a great guy.
Dear Mr. Sheehan...
letter as a way to say "thank you". See nine months ago I set out to
train for this year's Chicago Marathon and to lose 100lbs in the
process. My coach wanted me to sign up at a gym to add in some strength
training. I looked around at many gyms, and chose Bally Total Fitness
because there was a location near work, one near home and the price of
the membership was decent.
and spoke with Ken, who I believe is the manager at your location in the
Loop. We sat down and talked about what I was looking for in a gym,
and why I wanted to join a gym. Ken let me know I had a long way to
go. I mentioned that maybe he should at least feign support until the
sale was done.
new to pick on and was going
to make a commission check. Is that what
Bally's is about? Mean people, making money off of fatties like me? I tried to brush it off as I
had made my mind up to make a change; I was over weight and had a long way to go.
hall...he was surprised to see me, and said as much. I shrugged it off
and went downstairs for my lift. After my interactions with Ken, I
decided to not workout at that location anymore. Whether it was his intention or not, or he was trying to be funny- he came off as sarcastic,
unprofessional and downright rude. But hey, at least I was a paying member at this point...so
who cares, right?. I started hitting the Bally Total Fitness location that was
closer to home, before going to work.
while checking hours at the Bally location by home, I browsed your
website and saw your fitness approach...
Fitness for everyone
Finding what works for you means you need a place where you can try
different things. At Bally, we make sure all our clubs have something
for everyone, including a wide selection of equipment, group exercise
classes and Personal Training. And our nationwide network of clubs
ensures you have nearby access to all this and more.Working out doesn't have to be intimidating
Think of your first day at a new health club. Kind of intimidating,
isn't it? Well, not at Bally. We make every effort to make your
experience a good one every time - including your first time. We know
that the exercises you enjoy are the ones you will do consistently, so
our programs, services and clubs are expressly designed to make fitness
fun.Become your own fitness expert
Ultimately it's the activities you embrace every day that make the real difference in your health and fitness. That's why our end goal is to help you help yourself with the knowledge, energy and motivation you need to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
working hard to get in shape. One day I hope to have a lean hard body that you tout in your advertising. I was hopeful I could have had Bally Total Fitness on board for this journey.
Chicago based
company and I am a blogger for Chicago
Now, training for the Chicago
Marathon. There
are a lot of people who read this blog and look to me for advice. I had imagined photo shoots and multiple posts about how amazing and
professional your staff was during this journey.
liners and mean spirit. I thought about going back to visit Ken and
show him how great I look, but with someone that close minded and mean, I
think it wouldn't effect him at all. Because in his world, unless you
are born beautiful and healthy, why bother. Odd philosophy for a
"health club?."
fitness models for your next commercial, so I will wrap this up and say
thank you for hiring a guy like Ken- a rude, unprofessional, mean spirited person.
His "bed side manner" is "top notch" and have helped fuel me. You are lucky to have such a great motivator on
your staff.
Dan
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tags: @potd
Dan - Great letter - Shame on them for hiring someone who could be that mean but I am glad that you are able to turn it around to your advantage. Keep on running!
WOW! What a total bully and a jerk. Remember you are now long, lean and fast, he is still a jerk. One of you has come a long way.
I should challenge him to a race...
I wouldn't even give him the time of day, nor the satisfaction of you not going to the downtown location. Just an "ignore" button works wonders.
But when you're in mile 24, and needing some reason to keep going, remember his face. Along with everyone other sneer, snicker and comment you've heard.
True...in actuality, the one closer to home is easier for me. No having to bring an extra bag with.
Right on! Ken is a jerk!
When people set off to lose weight the last thing they need is sarcasm... they need support! They need someone to hold their hand and lift them up when they are down!
I'm happy that you had the drive to WIN even without Ken supporting you.
Go yoU!
Thanks Melanie! You're totally right...sure, that might work for some, but for me it didn't...was a bit of a deal breaker.
Gyms, what a load of crap. I've never had a good gym experience. They're always filled with clowns like this who make you feel bad about trying to get in shape. And why is it that everyone at the gym is already SUPER fit? I mean where do people go to get in shape to go to the gym?
I say you cancel you membership, get a stationary bike, a few free weights and a jump rope and you'll be in like flint (that's my favorite movie!)
Have you sent this article to Ballys?
I think Dave passed it along...
to shamps -- companies can't tell exactly what someone will be like in an interview. think about it.
that said, I *hate* Bally's with a passion. Their gyms are bottom-of-the-barrel, and their instructors are sub-par. Not to mention plenty of them are out-of-shape themselves. Um, sorry, if I'm going to work out, my instructor doesn't have to be rail-thin, but please be fit, and wear clothes that don't look like potato sacks.
When friends move to Chicago and seek out a gym, I tell them to stay away from Bally's. It's cheap -- an that's all it has going for it.
I quit going to Bally's after my 2nd visit on my trial period. I was on a climber that broke and the manager said I caused it to break. Nice.
Great letter!! I hope this gets into the right hands. That inconsiderate, self absorbed jerk-off needs a good lashing. Ok, maybe that is a bit too harsh, but someone needs to give him a good talking to if he hopes to keep his job!
You the man!
If you want to get into shape, get out of the gym! I was a PE teacher, and I have tried every kind of exercise ever invented. The best motivator is the great outdoors. Walk, jog, bike, whatever, but do it outside. The scenery always changes, and the weather is always a challenge. I love walking in the winter the best, no crowds. The only excercise equipment you should buy is a rebounder, not only it is a great workout, but it is fun. I set it up in front of my tv and bounce away. This way, I never feel like I am wasting time watching TV. That and a few free weights, and you will be fit in no time. I know, it worked for me!
Well, I bet you'll hear from them now! :) I've also had a bad experience with that health club...seems to be a meat market anyway. Best of luck on your own.
Great letter. A friend of mine once took a tour of a Bally's while he was shopping for a gym. When he got done the manager gave him the hard sell, and when my friend said he was comparison shopping and had some other places to visit yet, here's the response he got from the manager:
"Oh? I thought you were serious. Now I feel like you just deliberately wasted my time."
Dan, good for you! Everyone making a lifestyle change has to start somewhere. If Bally's could hire staff that were more sympathetic and used positive motivation, maybe they would have gotten some good PR. I've been a member of Bally's for years, but have never spent the extra money to get personal training, and I never will. You can't even get a call back about a free intro class to Pilates. Apparently they don't want to generate business. As others have said, I continue to go there because it's cheap. I mind my own business and don't count on their staff.