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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    8

    Default Threatened With Loss of Gym Membership Over Rumors That I Sell Steroids

    My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Florida

    Full story:

    Hello everyone! I have recently joined a local gym and have been accused of selling steroids. Apparently a group or individuals have complained that I am "selling steroids." I am a very extroverted individual and as such tend to speak with anyone and everyone around me while I work out. I have introduced myself to just about all the regulars within the week that I have been at the gym. In doing so, I have brought up the topic of steroids in conversation to several of the members. Now, when I say I have brought up the topic of steroids, I specially ask what the individual thinks about them in terms of morality, if they have ever considered doing them/have done them, and depending on the response I will get deeper into the subject. The conversation will lead to the types of steroids, effects, cost, and on occasion, I have pulled up a website that supposedly sells them to show prices/pictures/etc. Now, I believe because of this, the manager/members has accused me of selling steroids.

    I came into the gym as usual and after swiping my card the manager immediately pulled me aside and said we need to talk. She told me that a group/individuals have complained that I am/would selling steroids. Now, I immediately denied doing so of course but she said regardless that this is a first and final warning. The next time that anyone complains regarding me my membership will be revoked. She gave no merit to my rebuttal. These individuals complaints were taken for face value and no evidence of said activity was actually presented but I still suffered a consequence. Essentially, in speaking about steroids and pointing out a website in which they can be ordered, I have been reprimanded.

    Quick summary:

    Walked into gym, manager said some members have complained I am/would sell steroids and that this was first and final warning. Next complaint my membership would be revoked. I denied selling them of course but she gave no merit to my side. Essentially, in speaking about steroids and pointing out a website in which they can be ordered, I have been reprimanded.

    Questions:
    - Does this fall under freedom of speech?
    - Is showing someone a website in which steroids can be ordered somehow considered me selling them?
    - I assume they have something in their policy that states they can terminate any individuals membership at any time for any reason?
    - She essentially told me I am not allowed to talk about steroids in any capacity or I will be warned/revoked. Can they do that?
    - Do I have any course of action to take?


    I know this is silly and not some huge legal issue. My reputation has been severely tarnished as a result of this nonsense. If there's ANYTHING I can do, I most certainly want to do so.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Gym Manager Accused Me of Selling Steroids Based on Complaints

    No it is not freedom of speach unless the gym is run by the government.

    There re is no action for you to take because they have done nothing

    you seem to be ignoring how management found out about you. The other patrons are who told management you tried to sell them steroids.

    And what kind of person has a laptop with them in a gym?

    And you are there for a week and talking to apparently at least several people about steroids. Personally I would ask management to get rid of you simply because you're creepy. What kind of a person jumps into discussions about illegal activities with strangers they have known for less. Than a week?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: Gym Manager Accused Me of Selling Steroids Based on Complaints

    Wow, I most certainly see your side. I did pull the website up on my smart phone of course and the discussion was sparked as a result of the TVs showing the recent UFC banning of some members testing positive for steroids. I take it in your opinion I was just being an ahole?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    8,238

    Default Re: Threatened With Loss of Gym Memberhip Over Rumors That I Sell Steroids

    Quote Quoting jhall221
    View Post
    My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Florida

    - Does this fall under freedom of speech?
    Assuming the gym is privately owned (i.e. not owned by the government) then the answer is no. The guarantee of free speech found in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution only prevents the government from restricting your speech; it does not apply to private persons or entities.

    Quote Quoting jhall221
    View Post
    Is showing someone a website in which steroids can be ordered somehow considered me selling them?
    That calls for a personal opinion; it’s not a legal issue. But for what it’s worth, if someone I didn’t know approached me a gym, launched in conversation that he or she quickly turned to a discussion of steriods, and that person then whips out a cell phone to start showing me a web site of a steroid seller I’d likely suspect that he or she was involved somehow with the site and were trying to get me interested in buying the stuff. If I saw him/her do that to everyone you met in the gym, that would strongly reinforce that suspicion.

    Quote Quoting jhall221
    View Post
    I assume they have something in their policy that states they can terminate any individuals membership at any time for any reason? She essentially told me I am not allowed to talk about steroids in any capacity or I will be warned/revoked. Can they do that?
    Under federal law and the law of Florida (and every other state) a private business may refuse to do business with anyone it likes so long as the reason does not amount to illegal discrimination (e.g. because of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or other protected characteristic). The business does not have to have some stated policy in order to refuse to do business with someone. If you have a contract with the gym for some specific period of time (e.g. 6 months, one year, or whatever) then the gym cannot terminate the contract during that period of time except for reasons stated in the contract. Similarly, what conduct the gym may regulate would also be governed by the contract. Thus, it is the contract that would matter here, not some policy unless the contract specifically refers to the gym policy. Take out your contract and read it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    122

    Default Re: Threatened With Loss of Gym Memberhip Over Rumors That I Sell Steroids

    Do you remember any of the long contract you signed when you signed up to become a member? Do you remember the portion where it says the gym can cancel your membership at anytime for any reason and not refund your money?

    Well then lets get started. First of all people can say anything about you to a person if they are worried you could be a potential threat. It is not too far flung for a Gym to do a background check on a member for the safety of its patrons especially if children are around. The gym is a private practice and has the right to ban you from attending.

    They could easily get the proper data they need to show that you do or in the past sold steroids or are affiliated with a team who does. Do you really think the other members would know about this unless you somehow told them or they overheard one of your conversations and were scared and decided to report you,

    Oh so you think the locker room spa or steam room is private? Think again just because someone is not actually in the spa they could have heard you from another area of the locker room etc speaking about selling illegal drugs. The regular members have been there long enough so the gym would trust them to a point and investigate their complaint. How do you know that a gym staff member was not in the locker room or stated public area where you had your conversation and overheard the conversation? How do you know that one of the people you spoke to works for the gym? Then as you approached the exit you are on camera so then they did research and the next time you came to the gym your account was Red Flagged as soon as you swiped your card.

    You have been warned and if you continue to not follow the rules you would be asked not to come back and if you do the Police can charge you with tresspassing.

    My gosh I can go online right now and find out about you if I know what county you live in as lots of Court Records are online and with free services such as FamilyTreeNow.com I can find out where you live and previously lived, who your relatives are all for free and in less than 30 seconds.

    Do you think the gym can do this? Yes they can. Your records are public information. The Gym director I am pretty sure went online after the report was made and found out that you could be a potential threat to the gym so therefore your membership can been revoked. Do remember that the threat of losing your membership can mean that they are conducting further research about you. So don' t be surprised the next time you go in you will be asked to take a seat and the membership coordinator and gym director will meet with you to discuss and potentially revoke your membership.

    Next time if you really don't want people to know about your past you need to keep hush about it and talk about other things such as the news etc.

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