It's been a while since I actually paid for a gym membership. I still don't because I still am employed by one of the local gyms here in NYC. I basically teach a couple of classes and get a free membership to the gym. AND since I have been there for a while, I have been able to get my partner a good discount on his membership.

Keeping that in mind: do I have the right to complain when the gym is a mess? For example, the other day, I went to the weight room to do some weight training. It was very obvious that the floor had not been cleaned in a while. There was dirt, dust, pieces of torn paper, abandoned water bottles and coffee cups, and used towels all over the gym floor. Any space that was not covered by litter was taken up by weight plates, dumbbells, and various machine attachments. In short, the weight room was disgusting. I'll just barely mention that what plates were not on the floor were still on the bars.

To get some sort of workout in, I had to clear any station I wanted to use. There were a couple of other people working out who were doing the same thing. Quite a few trainers walked in and out of the room without lifting a finger to clean up the place. I began to get irritated, so as I moved equipment back to where it belonged, I would loudly throw or smack the equipment so that it was obvious to anyone in the vicinity that I was trying to clean up the place.

After getting a workout in, I considered going to the manager to lodge a complaint of some sort. On my way upstairs, I decided not to and just left for home.

To be honest, I don't know if complaining about the state of the gym floor would help at all. On top of that all, I am not sure if a staff member complaining about the gym would even be taken seriously. I know that my complaints are not frivolous. Is it to much to ask that trainers who come into the gym take some time to put away equipment? I am also not surprised that the trainers at this location don't because I have seen the Fitness Manager walk by and not lift a finger to make his gym look clean. I've actually seen him step over dirty towels to get to a machine to get his workout in while dressed in gym uniform. Why would any staff trainer care if the gym is in good condition if the Fitness Manager doesn't?

I may just decided to email the corporation as my form of complaint. Maybe. If I were a paying member, I certainly would have complained and, quite frankly, cancelled my membership. But therein lies the issue. I am not. And should I be an ungrateful bitch who doesn't appreciate my free membership? For once, I am not sure what to do. Later.  ¶ 10:50 AM