Hey everyone,
What you’re about to read is honestly shocking and, in my opinion, completely unacceptable for any gym environment. There’s only so much that myself and others at our local club (Kensington) have been willing to tolerate, and we’ve now reached that limit.
A couple of months ago, around October, a mate of mine and I were at the gym (David Lloyd Kensington). My friend was at the bar having a conversation with a female bartender — I’ll refer to her as “Zora.” They were talking about education, and I joined in briefly. I mentioned the school I attended, and she said I might know her boyfriend — I’ll call him “Kris.” I told her I knew of him, but we weren’t friends as he was a few years above me in school.
Shortly after, another friend came in and asked at the bar if there were any job opportunities at that branch. Zora told him there weren’t any and suggested checking online. We then went off and continued with our gym session.
Later, Kris approached us in a semi-aggressive manner, asking how we knew him, as he had been told we mentioned him to his girlfriend. I calmly explained that I went to school with him and had seen him around, and that he might know some people from my year group. He acknowledged that and walked off.
A few hours later, while my friend and I were at reception, Kris walked past again. My friend casually asked if he wanted a towel. Out of nowhere, Kris became aggressive, getting in my friend’s face and accusing us of disturbing staff, saying they don’t finish until 10:30 and we should leave them alone. He then brought up his girlfriend, Zora, who was standing nearby watching and laughing during the situation.
Kris accused my friend of harassing his girlfriend. My friend genuinely had no idea who she was and denied it. Kris responded with, “Are you calling my girlfriend a liar?” and my friend replied, “Yes, I am — I don’t know who she is.” Kris then got in his face again and tried to escalate things by telling him to go outside. I stepped in and said we are NOT fighting in the gym and tried to calm things down. Kris then turned on me, throwing insults, which I ignored while continuing to de-escalate.
A few weeks later, after staff were made aware of the situation, things were twisted against us. We were painted as the “bad ones,” and false allegations were made — including claims about weapons — in what seemed like an attempt to get me banned. I even offered to be searched multiple times for everyone’s safety, but nothing came of it. Despite this, I was still suspended for 2–3 days based on what appeared to be a one-sided account given to management.
After returning, things quietened down. However, it was clear staff still held bias against us. Regardless, we continued using the gym without causing any issues.
Fast forward seven months to recently: myself and two friends went to David Lloyd Fulham. As we entered, we saw Zora sitting at reception (off duty). She gave us a disgusted look as we walked in. We continued to the changing rooms, where a manager — I’ll call him “James” — approached us and told us we were members of the Kensington gym and had to leave. We accepted this and said we would leave.
While in the changing room, I called my parent (I’m under their membership and have been for over 15 years — I’m now 18). They’re on a platinum tier, which allows access to all tier 1 clubs. I explained the situation, and they told me to wait outside for them.
As we left, we saw Zora laughing at us again. We ignored it and went outside to wait. While on the phone, a staff member from the Fulham sales team approached my 16-year-old friend in an aggressive manner, accusing us of waiting outside to fight someone. I responded, asking where he got that idea from, and explained I was waiting for my parent. He then told us we were banned and not allowed back, again in an aggressive tone. I told him, respectfully, that he was the one approaching and harassing us and asked him to leave. He then went back inside.
This entire situation has been embarrassing and unacceptable. The gym has consistently taken staff accounts at face value without evidence, and the level of bias and poor management has allowed things to escalate far beyond what they ever should have.
Frankly, I’ve had enough of this behaviour from their staff and the way this has been handled.