‘Keeps me up’: Gym owner’s biggest fear

A gym owner has shared the thing that “keeps him up at night” after one of his clients broke a key rule.

A gym owner has shared the thing that “keeps him up at night” after one of his clients broke a key rule.

Joel, who owns Average Joel’s Gym in Bribie Island, shared footage of a member bringing in two mates to the gym after staffed hours had ended.

The gym-goer brought two of his friends into the facility — despite the fact that they weren’t members. Joel then took to social media to point out the glaring issue with unnammed client’s actions.

Joel has revealed the real issue with a common gym act. Picture: Instagram/@average_joels_gym

“When you’re letting people into the gym, there’s a big safety aspect there,” Joel told news.com.au.

“I am literally kept up at night by somebody getting hurt — more specifically, getting trapped under a bench press.

“When I get up and go to the toilet at night, I check the cameras. It’s a big fear of mine.”

He said the fear of someone getting hurt — or worse, dying — is compounded by people who haven’t had an induction into the gym because they haven’t signed up. He said paperwork and proper knowledge were important — and that’s what’s provided to members.

A lot of gyms have a policy that fines members if they let in someone who doesn’t have a pass or isn’t a member.

“The punishment, as far as I’m concerned, should be a case-by-case situation. I know these kids. I know their upbringing,” he said.

“There is no malice in it.”

He said a lot of the time, it’s due to members forgetting there are staff on and innocently letting in a visiting relative or friend.               

Joel owns Average Joel's Gym. Picture: Instagram/@average_joels_gym

But, people who do it out of malice should have their memberships cancelled, Joel said. Hoever, an apology goes a long way with him.

Joel said tailgating is a by-product of 24/7 gyms — something he said he dragged his feet about but believed was “here to stay”.

“I honestly thought it was going to be a phase, but when we committed to 24/7 access — it’s designed for people who are working shifts and can’t make these business hours,” he said.

“It really is a good thing. But, unfortunately this is just part of it. It’s going to come with it.

“We do our best to mitigate the risks — all gyms do the same thing. It just comes with a catch.”

Originally published as ‘Keeps me up’: Gym owner’s biggest fear