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Trouble joining the gym- Discrimination?

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nicklea1987

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Hi, I have recently been advised by my GP to join a gym, having just started a new job in a new city he also advised this would be a good way for me to meet people. I signed up with virgin gym, the staff were helpful and the facilities are fantastic. The registration form had an area to fill out with regards to any medical conditions which may affect ability to exercise, naturally i informed the staff that i had diabetes type 1.

I received a phone call a day later informing me that my membership was suspended until i provided a doctors note. i then contacted my GP to get this to which they informed me that they do not provide doctors notes for the gym as outlined by the GMC> having had it suggested to me to exercise more by the staff of the surgery this seemed bizarre that they were unwilling to facilitate this and sent me back to the gym with a note from the council and GMC outlining the fact they do not provide doctors notes anymore.

I was then informed by the gym that my failing to provide a doctors note meant that i could not remain a member and that i would be refunded my joining fee and first moths payment. i informed the manager of my frustration having just finishing a days work and cycling 4 miles to the gym to be told that i could not join the gym because i have diabetes type 1 he informed that it was policy that they do not let people join who have a medical condition without a doctors note.

I raised my compliant with head office and the GP surgery both of which have been very unhelpful. Virgin head office staff who i spoke with informed me that because "i am ill" virgin can't be responsible for my well being if anything went wrong.

Just wondered if anyone else has had this or a similar experience?

Cheers
 
Can't say that I've had personal experience of this problem - me and gyms are rarely mentioned in the same conversation! But what I do know is that there is an NHS scheme available to GP's to refer certain groups of people to a gym. The membership can be funded by the GP if they consider it a benefit to your condition. I would think that if the GP uses that option, it would be acceptable as a "GP's letter". So it may be worth asking to be considered for that scheme, then not only would you get accepted, but it may be paid for you as well.
Here is the NHS website link for GP's and gym memberships:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/P ... cando.aspx
 
It certainly pays to keep it to yourself and not tell anyone if your going to have this sort of thing happen!
 
Hello sarah,
Blimey how awful this must be for you sarah.
Just even reading this am a bit gobsmacked with your GP surgery NOT backing you up here after it was their angle on it all to start with!
I attend an gentle excersise class twice a week, they do have a fair n strict rule with me, being an insulin dependent diabetic.
I MUST always be 10 or more BG level at the start of the hourly class, as I do go lower with the excersise. [have to take bg monitor in plus glucose tabs , n juice n water bottle! ]
She wont even start the class untill I have all kit on board !
They insist on this as it safeguards THEM.... should anything ever happen .
Please dont let this awful experience put you off looking after yourself and your health.
Is it possible to try another gym [ see how they treat you ? ] surely it CANT happen twice!!!! ?
Then if they happily accept you , you will have a case and evidence to show the virgin gym .
Anna.x
 
I am surprised that a big gym chain would insist on you providing a GP's letter after having been informed of the GMC's decision that such letter should no longer be issued (since it's a potential PR nightmare)

It certainly pays to keep it to yourself and not tell anyone if your going to have this sort of thing happen!
Click to expand...
Well, the membership form at my gym explicitly required me to declare medical conditions; and I suspect that not listing diabetes would hurt my case if something was to happen.

Luckily they just asked me if my diabetes (T1) was controlled and were happy to take my word for it. I'm not sure if I would be willing to go to a gym that required me to have excessively high BG to use their facilities.
 
emmm tell them its agaisnt the law to discrimination ( Equality Act 2010) tell the gym manager you will name them in court :wink: and see what they say?

then try another gym
 
If doctors won't provide 'fitness' certificates then it would mean that no Brit could take part in the Paris or Rome marathons or any other sporting event in France/taly as they all need doctors certificates.
If you do a search there are a lot of surgeries and also private clinics that provide certificates ... but it isn't a NHS service so you have to pay for it. . The BMC suggests a fee between £27 and £57.
http://www.bma.org.uk/employmentandcont ... zN0T8Wm-So
 
mrburden said:
Can't say that I've had personal experience of this problem - me and gyms are rarely mentioned in the same conversation! But what I do know is that there is an NHS scheme available to GP's to refer certain groups of people to a gym. The membership can be funded by the GP if they consider it a benefit to your condition.
Click to expand...

I was offered this after attending physiotherapy for my bad back (degenerative arthritis), a free consultation with a 'specialist' personal trainer and six free sessions and then a subsidised membership, I believe it was part of a big fitness push called 'Fit for Life' or something I was also offered free swimming pool tickets.

I thought the NHS was actively trying to persuade people to exercise :?
 
I tried to take part in this subsidised scheme, and my doctor was wiling to refer me, but unfortunately my local (tiny) gym doesn't have a suitably qualified person on the premises at all times to "supervise" me, so they are unable to accept referrals.

So they are quite happy for me to die when I'm there on my own initiative, but not if I've been referred by a doctor!

The subsidy kicks in at quite a high level of payment - at £28 per month my subs wouldn't have reached the eligible level.

Viv 8)
 
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