One of my various jobs in the health club facility was Assistant Manager. Now, I know some of you are saying, "How hard can it be to assist in running a gym?" Trust me, it's hard. It's hard because you have to know how to do every single job in the gym EXCEPTIONALLY well. You also have to be able to relinquish control to others and be able to delegate work without being critical of everyone's performance. Needless to say, I was not good at being non-judgemental.

The job of managing the daily functions of a health club facility are not easy. On the easiest day, people can be trying. You have to be able to listen to the clientele's concerns and react appropriately without compromising the integrity of your corporation and facility. You have to be compassionate yet stern. You have to be understanding but unwavering. You have to be charming yet focused. In short, you have to be Wonder Woman. Unfortunately, some of the managers at the NYSC seem to be lacking in any of these qualities.

Is it too much to ask that they are friendly? I seem never to find managers personable; until they learn that I have connections to the corporate office. Now, let me stop and remind people that my connection with the corporate office is solely with one person who I am good friends with and share a love for dining out. We occasionally go to dinner and sometimes drinks. We discuss the company but most of the time, we discuss our lives. So, back to managers being not-so-friendly. As a person who works in customer service, I try to smile as I walk through the gym. I say hello to people that I make eye-contact with and I make sure that people realize that I am approachable. Obviously, some of the managers at the NYSC forget that they work in customer service.

I remember working at a gym where the manager was never around after 6:00pm; which, on a Monday night at any health club is the busiest of all. This aforementioned manager used to show up to work in sweatpants (not very professional especially since they were faded from excessive washing and not gym uniform). She, yes it is a female, used to walk around the gym in her socks. My biggest issue with this is that as staff of the health club, we practically reprimand members for using the facility without proper footwear. Most staff tends to tell members that closed-toe shoes are necessary to avoid and prevent any serious injury. How am I supposed to tell a member to put some shoes on when my manager is walking around in socks?

I also had a manager who used to hide in his office because he was scared that some of the clientele whould hit on him. Does he realize that he works for customer service? Does he realize that he works in a health club (where most of the population consists of homosexuals)? Does he have issues with himself? Just wondering.

In defense of managers who perform their jobs well, I do have to say that there are those who make the gym experience pleasant. Unfortunately, the ones who don't stand out the most. Like the one who insists that she can see the universe in peoples eyes and can tell if their aura is troubled. She also used to change the locks throughout the facility every three weeks. Yeah. One more thing: the staff is a direct reflection of the management. Think about it.

My last three blogs have been lambasting some of the idiots who work for the gym. I am not bitter BUT I would like everyone to start pointing things like this out to the people who run health club facilities. Call your managers, the corporate representatives of the gym, and anyone else you think can make positive changes to our health clubs. The front desk, fitness trainers, and maintenance/housekeeping staff are only as good as the people who are in charge with them. It's about time we all talk a stand to make that gym much more enjoyable to go to. Later.  ¶ 11:07 PM