Yoga Please, Hold The Scams

A few weeks back I was walking home from Darling Harbor (a Sydney destination for leisure and entertainment with more than 40 restaurants, 30 bars, museums, theaters, etc.) and passed the gym V Club (sounds like an erotic dance lounge, not a gym-I know) which was advertising: "10 Visits for $20!".  This caught my attention because I have been looking for affordable ways to stay active. When I got home I looked on the V Club website and was delighted to see that they offered an array of dance and exercise classes, including hip hop, pilates, yoga, cycling and kick boxing. Normally, just one of these classes costs $20 so I couldn't believe that there was a possibility that I could attend 10 classes for $20.00, or just $2.00 per class. This seemed too good to be true.

Well, my suspicions were correct: it was unbelievable and too good to be true because it wasn't true. It was a rip-off and a scam to get me into the door and become a member who pays far too much to run stationary on a machine when I can do the same for free outside with a far better view. The offer expired on September 30th, so on Monday morning I entered the club and told the receptionist that I wanted to inquire about the 10-for-20 deal. She told me to take a seat and fill out a form while she went to get someone to talk to me. For those of you who are registered members at the gym, you know which forms I'm talking about- the ones that ask how often you exercise, how happy you are with your body, what your goals are, etc. I strongly dislike those forms, mainly because it means once completed the gym-sales guy will awkwardly attempt to discuss your answers with you. I didn't ask for a health and wellness assessment, I just asked about the 10-for-20 deal. Regardless, I filled out the form. A few minutes later Jim the sales guy (since I was at a gym, I will call the sales-man Jim) plopped down next to me and asked what brought me to the V Club that day. I explained that I had walked by and seen the "10 Visits for $20" advertisement in their window and wanted to learn more about that. So of course he proceeds to ignore my inquiry and begin interrogating me about the answers on my sheet, making small, unwelcome chit chat along the way. "Where are you from? How long are you here for? How do you like it? How often do you currently exercise? How many days a week will you be coming to the V Club? What do you do for work?" Blah blah blah. So irritating. I didn't come in to the club to become a permanent member nor to make friends, I just want someone to explain what the 10 visits for $20 actually means! Is that too much to ask?

So when Jim stood to take me on the tour of the V Club, I shook my head fiercely side to side and remained seated. "I don't need to see the gym," I said. "I just want to know about the 10 visit for $20. Can you please tell me about this?" He was slightly taken aback that I had interrupted his sales-pitch, and mumbled that he would go get the price sheet for me. When he put it down in front of me it took a whole 5 seconds for me to say "No thank you" and walk out the door. You had to use the 10 visits within 14 days and could only come between 9-11 am and 3-4pm; there were no exercise classes offered at these times. I actually laughed out loud when he told me this. "There is absolutely no way that I will be coming here 10 times in the next 14 days, especially if I can't take any classes. It's not worth it for me. (That part I said) Thank you for wasting my time. If you had just explained that to me at the beginning you could have saved both you and I from the agony of sitting through that phony banter and bull $h!@. Goodbye." (That part I didn't say but was certainly thinking). I rushed out the door, irked by the deceptive marketing employed by V Club.

Then, later that day on my way to work, I passed by LuLuLemon which is a yoga and athletic apparel store (there are some in the US). Outside the store was a sign inviting the public to come to the store for a yoga class on Wednesday morning. Again, my interest was piqued, but I was weary of misleading claims thanks to my experience with the V Club. Still, I entered the store and asked an employee if I needed to sign-up for the class and how much is cost (nothing these days is free, right?). "You don't need to sign up," she said. "And it's free. Our gift to you. Just show up tomorrow morning 10-15 minutes before class and grab a mat." I think my eyes actually bulged out of my head. This was too good to be true. But fortunately for me it wasn't!  I woke up bright and early on Wednesday morning (6:30am to be exact) and headed over to Lulu where dozens of colorful yoga mats lined the store floor waiting for eager participants. I hopped onto a mat, but still with suspicions. How good could a free yoga class actually be? The answer, I am pleased to report, is GREAT! It was one of the best yoga classes I have ever taken. Not only was it an hour-long, but the instructor was excellent. I am ecstatic. Lululemon has restored my faith in front-of-store advertising and exercise establishments. From now on I will be attending their free yoga class at 7:15 am each Wednesday of the week. I guess the best things in life really are free!