TikToker Calls Out Fitness Club Franchise After An Employee Fat-Shamed Her While Trying To Cancel Her Membership

Gyms are supposed to be safe environments that empower patrons to have complete autonomy over their bodies and health.
But, more and more people have spoken up about unacceptable interactions with other gym-goers and even gym employees.
Most recently, a woman named Lexie Rowe took to TikTok to discuss the time a fitness club franchise fat-shamed her.
The incident occurred three years ago when Lexie attempted to cancel her membership but was met with resistance. In fact, a staff member practically told Lexie that she “was not trying.”
“I have plenty of friends who have had Anytime Fitness memberships and canceled them– either over the phone, online, or in-person– and it was not an issue,” Lexie explained.
When it came to her membership, though, the experience was way different.
“But when I went in and said I would like to cancel my membership, the woman said, ‘I am not going to do that for you until you have three sessions with a trainer,” Lexie recalled. Say what?
The employee went on to say she would like to see Lexie “really try first” before canceling the membership. Lexie was, of course, taken aback and, moreover, very hurt.
TikTok; pictured above is Lexie in her video
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And even though she knew the employee’s actions were not right or in line with Anytime Fitness’ policies, Lexie still went in for one of the sessions simply because of how bad the employee made her feel.
Then, the training session went awfully and resulted in Lexie becoming extremely sick. In fact, she ended up vomiting in the bathroom while her supposed trainer banged on the door, asking if she would “be done anytime soon.”
“The trainer was pushing me way too hard. It was like he was pushing me harder than I could go on purpose just to show me that I could not do it. It was so discouraging,” Lexie recalled.
Following the session, she understandably never returned to Anytime Fitness and had to stop payment via her bank in order to finally cancel the membership.
And since sharing the outrageous experience online, the TikTok community is infuriated for Lexie.
Her original TikTok reached six hundred and thirty-one thousand viewers and gained over one hundred and seven thousand likes.
Commenters from around the globe voiced their shock and also took to Anytime Fitness’ social media accounts to hold the company accountable.
“Planet Fitness is pretty weird sometimes… but at least there is no fat shaming by trainers and front desk employees!” commented one user on the company’s TikTok account.
“What are you guys doing about your employee’s gross behavior?” asked another user.
“It’s really sad that a place which is supposed to be judgment-free still shames others. I hope this situation is handled appropriately,” wrote a third.
It took Anytime Fitness a little over a week to finally address Lexie and her awful experience. The company left a lengthy comment on her original TikTok, which detailed their investigation into the situation.
“One of the offers we do extend to returning members is the set of three free training sessions. However, no one should be forced to take the training sessions when attempting to cancel their membership– that is absolutely not our policy, nor a practice we endorse,” Anytime Fitness stated.
They also explained how due to COVID-19, Lexie’s previous location underwent a “total turnover of staff.” In turn, the employee who fat-shamed her can no longer be held accountable.
“All we can do is apologize. We are sincerely sorry this was your experience. We will share your story as a reminder to our owners, staff, and teams that we must treat all our members– even those who seek to cancel their memberships– with dignity and respect,” Anytime Fitness continued.
In a video update following the company’s response, Lexie explained her dissatisfaction.
Apparently, Anytime Fitness never personally reached out to her– prompting Lexie to believe that the statement made in her TikTok comments was more for public appearance than genuine care.
“Obviously, I put something out there publicly, and it is fine for them to do the same,'” Lexie said. “But I was never DM’ed directly with an apology; it was only put in my comments.”
“And to me, that very much says, ‘We don’t really care if you see it. We just want to make sure everyone flooding our comments and calling us a bad company sees it.”
Have you ever suffered a similar experience as Lexie? Was it wrong for this fitness club franchise to never reach out directly?
And to watch Lexie’s original TikTok, visit the link here.
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