Gymbox - PT added me on Facebook

[Deleted User]

I recently joined Gymbox, and took advantage of my free PT session - however following this, the PT decided to add me on Facebook. I had only shared my first name and phone number with him at this point so felt quite uncomfortable that he had then decided to add me so I called the gym to cancel my membership and let them know why.

Gymbox then proceeded to put me in a very inappropriate position by asking me if I wanted him fired from them gym, they also repeatedly pressed me for his name however as he had already accessed some of my personal details I was reluctant to share this. The final stance from the gym manager has been that they can change my home club (which defeats the point of my membership anyway as I am not near any other clubs) and that the t&cs state that PTs are not employed by Gymbox anyway so it's not their problem - even though they walk around in branded tshirts

I feel super uncomfortable going back to the gym this month and did just want them to refund the months membership but they have refused - does anyone have advice on next steps I could take?

Thanks!

steampowered

I'm afraid I think you are being very unreasonable.

I do not think the PT has done anything wrong - these days adding someone to facebook is no different to saying 'hi' in the street. It is no different to handing you a business card so that you have his details in case you want to book any sessions in future.

If you don't want to have the PT on facebook all you need to do is 'decline' his friend request.

He has not accessed any of your personal details. Unless you accept his friend request, all he can see on facebook is your public profile, which anybody can see.

I'm afraid I do not think you have a leg to stand on using this as a reason to cancel your membership or change your home club.

marliepanda

Oh this seems like a massive overreaction. Adding someone on facebook is not a big deal. If he had sent you harassing messages, then fair enough, but a simple add?

He probably wanted to a) arrange more PT or arrange PT outside of gymbox at a cheaper price for you and without him paying gymbox.

If you didnt want him on your fb, just decline the 'add' How is him having your phone number different to him attempting to add you on a public social media website??

DoaM

Massive overreaction to a non-event. And as you gave him your phone number it was easy for him to locate you on Facebook - you have your number linked to your account.

steampowered wrote: »

If you don't want to have the PT on facebook all you need to do is 'decline' his friend request.

Exactly this.

pmduk

I think you should reconsider whether Facebook is the right place for you to be. It's a rather public environment and you value your privacy to this extent.

dj1471

I think people are being a bit harsh to the OP.

Assuming the OP is posting under their real name, a woman goes to a gym once and her male personal trainer adds her on Facebook without asking / mentioning it, having looked her up using her phone number. It's creepy, and I think the gym's response indicates that they don't think it's acceptable either. There might be an innocent reason for it, then again there may not be - if it's purely for professional reasons then he should at least have mentioned it first.

OP, I'd suggest that if you've only lost 1 month's membership fee I'd walk away and leave it at that.

marliepanda

dj1471 wrote: »

I think people are being a bit harsh to the OP.

Assuming the OP is posting under their real name, a woman goes to a gym once and her male personal trainer adds her on Facebook without asking / mentioning it, having looked her up using her phone number. It's creepy, and I think the gym's response indicates that they don't think it's acceptable either. There might be an innocent reason for it, then again there may not be - if it's purely for professional reasons then he should at least have mentioned it first.

OP, I'd suggest that if you've only lost 1 month's membership fee I'd walk away and leave it at that.

Gender is entirely irrelevant. Would it be okay if a male PT added a male customer? Or if the PT was female?

It is not creepy for someone known, albeit for one session, to the OP to add her on Facebook. She gave him her phone number! What’s the difference? Seriously? You can also find people pretty easily with a name, however uncommon, as Facebook will filter locations and mutual friends. You don’t need to use a phone number to look anyone up.

The gym won’t like it because they probably think he’s using their platform to poach his own private customers, not because it’s ‘creepy’

[Deleted User]

marliepanda wrote: »

The gym won’t like it because they probably think he’s using their platform to poach his own private customers, not because it’s ‘creepy’

The scary thing for me is that this is even an issue for the OP.

The fact is that absolutely anyone with a Facebook account can Friend Request another account holder.

However, it's a simple matter to deny the request and even to "block" that user if the request was very unwelcome.

Why make such an issue of it?

It seems to me the guy's job is now on the line for no good reason!

arcon5

Ops complaint seems fair enough to me. There's no need for him to be searching her up on social media at all. Particularly after one session!


Seems like a reasonable complaint to me

baza52

dj1471 wrote: »

I think people are being a bit harsh to the OP.

Assuming the OP is posting under their real name, a woman goes to a gym once and her male personal trainer adds her on Facebook without asking / mentioning it, having looked her up using her phone number. It's creepy, and I think the gym's response indicates that they don't think it's acceptable either. There might be an innocent reason for it, then again there may not be - if it's purely for professional reasons then he should at least have mentioned it first.

OP, I'd suggest that if you've only lost 1 month's membership fee I'd walk away and leave it at that.

Its possible that the OP had "checked in" at the gym and the PT had realised it was the person they had had a session with.
No need to look anyone up or use phone numbers.
RTFM

hear2help

It's akin to someone you have met once asking for your phone number to have a chat... It may in some peoples mind be forward, but if you think the gesture is anywhere near unacceptable, I feel sorry for you. OP can decline...e.g. not accept request... Not raise a complaint. That's ludicrous.