24 Hour Fitness at Hancock Center Fails to Show Concern for Woman’s Safety

A reader recently brought our attention to some very disturbing news regarding the 24 Hour Fitness Club at Hancock Center. The events recounted in the following message come from a woman who was the victim of a sexual predator at the 24 Hour Fitness Hancock Center location. Her description of the events, found on her MySpace blog, has been making the rounds on NeighborNet all day. While she was swimming at the 24 HF, she was being watched by a man who was masturbating. She reported the event to management who did absolutely nothing.

The following comes directly from her blog – which has a full rundown of her experience and attempts to get some answers from 24 HF and some legal redress. Please be advised that some of the content is rather graphic, and although we do not have first-hand knowledge to verify the veracity of this claim, we feel it is in no way fabricated and needed to be shared. Please read the full account and let 24 Hour Fitness know of your outrage regarding the events and their lack of responsibility.

24 Hour Fitness is a national corporate chain, I spoke with corporate headquarters about the lack of security for women members and to report my situation. They refuse to change their policies or hire security. Get the word out for women to know how they stand with this multimillion dollar company who'll take your money, but doesn't care about your safety,[sic] to wit: "it ain't cost effective lady, sorry."
I encountered a sexual predator last night May 17th, 12am at the 24 Hour Fitness Center at Hancock Center at 1000 East 41st Street, 78751.I was there to swim, and [sic] a man was masturbating while staring at me, in the whirlpool. I was very afraid and went and reported it to the attendant. He let him walk out without reprimanding or identifying him, and did not contact the police or inform his manager. I contacted the police today and filed a report. I spoke to the Assistant manager of Hancock Center 24 Hour Fitness today at 1pm and was told there was no record of the incident whatsoever.

Later I spoke to the Hancock Center General Manager today, Alexander Bruce, at 2pm. He told me they had no plans to ensure safety for women members; there would be nothing in place to prevent this happening to me or any other member again. I asked him if they were going to drain and clean the whirlpool, since the man had obviously ejaculated into it. He said that "the chlorine in the whirl pool is strong enough to kill sperm and the HIV Virus. We will not be draining it."
I find this unsettling. Cleaning the whirlpool should be a regular safety precaution, especially since an incident as disgusting had occurred, even just for peace of mind. So if you soaked in the whirlpool today, there was more than just you, the water and chlorine swirling around in there....which is enough to make me sick and never go back.

I spoke to district manager Becky Most around 3:15 pm, who reviewed the security tapes and admitted that the man was, in fact, visibly masturbating. She admitted that the problems with sexual predators is an "ongoing problem at this location." If you work out here, you need to know this to protect yourself, because the club has no intention of doing so. Becky Most said "It's a public club, we can't be everywhere at once. Swim at your own risk." It is not a public club, I paid a hefty initiation fee in addition to a monthly fee, which I thought was access to the clubs without harassment.

Becky Most also showed no remorse, no sympathy or apologies; she was hostile and rude, raising her voice and speaking over me. I asked her what safety precautions would be put in place to prevent this from happening again, and she could offer none. She said they would "attempt" to figure out who was doing the act and suspend him. Still, no one watches the monitors and this keeps happening to women. How many have been victims, but have been too afraid to report it? If I had been raped or violated, no one would have been there to help me.

When I pressed for my initiation fee refunded, she said: "I checked your account and your husband paid for it anyway, so I'm not sure why you are bothering."

In short, 24 Hour Fitness Center blames the victim for what happens in their private facility, instead of themselves for letting perverts come and go without reprimand. I was treated like a criminal instead of the victim.

District manager Becky Most of multimillion dollar corporation 24 Hour Fitness Center said they will not be hiring anyone to walk around and make sure it's members aren't being violated, even at night when they have just one employee working the front desk, even though it keeps happening. Paying someone $8 to walk around and make sure you're not being gang raped in the steam room is not cost efficient, nor their company policy.

I don't want this to happen to anyone else, especially since it's an "ongoing problem." The incident happened near the daycare center within the club; it could be a little kid next time. Becky Most informed me that the last incident did happen during the day.

To voice your opinion to 24 Hour Fitness Center about their policy of ignoring women's safety and welcoming sexual predators into their facilities, even after they've committed lewd sexual crimes, call their Dallas corporate headquarters:

Tom Welter, Dallas Corporate Headquarters for 24 Hour Fitness Center @
877-865-0414 extension 2232
or
Membership Services 24 Hour Fitness Center @ (800) 432-6348
or
email: Club372@24hourfit.com

Has anyone esle experienced any similar lack of respect or safety precautions at this or other gyms around town?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By matthewodam in News on May 19, 2006 4:47 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

shocked

I am appalled at Beth's comments. Sounds like you are making all sort of judgements just because your husband works at 24hour. I happen to be a fit lap swimmer that uses the pool. You are categorizing and insulting "overweight" people (half our nation). You must be a fat slob yourself, you loser. Get a life. Don't stand up for corporations. Probably, when they have had enough of your husband, they will lay him off. Then what?

Beth

Oh Give me a break!!! I hope you did your research before slandering a person based off of a myspace blog!I worked for this company and my husband is a sales manager with them still. They are a company based on profit like any other business in the world They have a strict policy on how things are handled with ALL clubs. So, I find some of her accusations on the shady side. 1.My husband has had the whirlpool drained for reasons such as members shaving their legs, or thinking it acceptable to clip their toenails in the water because of the health factor. 2. If she did get a response like that from the General manager which I doubt, I can tell you for a FACT After District Managers are notified it is out of that clubs hands and closely reviewed by securities. She is not telling the truth. What I have seen many times is a person walks in all gung-ho looking for that miracle fix to all their weight issues and when they realize that it is going to take work(usually within 3 weeks)looking for a way out of a contract go to great lengths to do it.

By the way, why didn't she casually walk her happy ass out of the pool tell the front desk and call 911 herself! I believe all women should be safe, I just have a problem with half truths.

There are 3 types of people that use the pool. 1 the elderly, 2 rehab patients, and 3 the obese women that seem to think that holding little foam weights and bouncing up and down is going to make them fit and toned. I doubt 1 or 2 would be at the gym at midnite choice number 3 would if she was trying to avoid crowds seeing her in her swimsuit! So cut the crap and tell the truth.

Sarah

I used to work at the front desk at a 24 hour fitness in a Dallas suburb. There was one member who sexually harassed me, though not to the extent of the person in the original post. It was mostly just creepy 'flirting' (from a man old enough to be my dad), but not enough to report anything about, until he made a comment suggesting that I 'service' him. He also frequently made obscene gestures when approaching the front desk to scan in. I promptly reported this incident to my manager, who assured me some action would be taken against this member. Three months went by, and he was still allowed access to the gym. Other female members had complained about him as well. I finally quit. This company doesn't care about anything but profit. Nevermind the safety of its members and employees.

Wyn

I am wondering since this is on video (if it has not already been destroyed), that you could take to it to an attorney and sue. This is enough to definitely cause some undue stress on you...

I have worked out at the location as well. I won't anymore. Thanks for warning others.

Wyn

sarah

The public is always quick to jump on any negative press that is presented and a tendency to ignore anything else. I doubt that LESS than half of the information presented by this woman and her accusations are accurate. I am by no means saying that this sort of thing doesn't happen at fitness centers across the U.S. but naive readers who are clumping these stories with the general assumption that gyms are meat markets, should think twice. Hancock 24 Hour has ALWAYS been extra considerate in it's member concerns towards myself and my friends, especially from its management. It only takes one person's account or view of what apparently happened to ruin the rest of the good that the company has done in the past. I suggest readers look into the incident or wait for a final decision before jumping to conclusions that could ruin the reputation that will affect more than this lady.

dans

Kevin C, I suspect you're probably an employee of 24 Hour Fitness. Don't you think it's a little shady to be posting defenses of this corporation under false pretenses?

P.S. -- google 24 Fitness, and you'll find a lot *and I mean A LOT* of VERY unhappy former members of this club, all too willing to share their experiences with this place.

mountainbiker1

There is a police report, so the woman is not a "crackpot," also she was on the news, who investigated it. And how exactly would knowing the manager prohibit losers like YOU from jerking off there? By the way, PLENTY of sex happens there, just check out www.cruisingforsex.com

mountainbiker1

There is a police report and ongoing investigation, so the woman is not a "crackpot," also she was on the news, who investigated it. And how exactly would knowing the manager prohibit losers like YOU from jerking off there? By the way, PLENTY of sex happens there, just check out www.cruisingforsex.com

winston

That's odd. For a "fairly common term," I can't find any references to "Dan" meaning a yuppie. But I do know that it stands for "Dumb Ass N-gger" among certain people.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=DAN

I'd suggest not using "Dans" in any context unless you don't mind people thinking you're a racist.

Kevin C

Please dont listen to this garbage. I know the manager personally for 8 years and he swore the video shows nothing inappropriate. There has also been an alteration of the actual quotes by the 24hr employees. Even the police say the woman is a crackpot (soon to be a sued crackpot.)

dans

To Scones:

Dude, if you saw some guy with his erect schlong out, in the process of whacking the weiner, I'd think you'd notice it. She was swimming laps, not unconscious!

dans

Dude, "Dan" is a fairly common term for a nouveau riche yuppie with little concern for others. You've probably seen plenty of them at Starbucks!

winston

Although I sympathize with her situation, I'm curious if her usage of "Dans" on her myspace blog is a racial slur or not. She seems to be rather progressive in other areas, so I'd hope not.

genie

Skepticism is healthy. But I believe her, and her experience with both the 24H staff and corporate doesn't sound out of line with my personal experience, as well as treatment received by my friends.

sones

did you watch the gym's security camera footage? I dont beleive things until I see them for myself. I especially don't beleive the accusations of a woman who says the sight of a masterbating man has made her fear men and sex (as is posted on her myspace blog)...she sounds a bit screwy.

Butter Woman

It happened. It was captured on the gym's security camera. I have cancelled my memberhip with 24 HF.

When I called their coroporate office to cancel my memberhip, I told them I was appalled at the poor response to this woman's complaint. They were extremely rude to me and said "It didn't happen to you, did it?"

Sones

I'm appalled that so many people are blindly following the cries of one woman. I work out at 24 Hour and will continue to do so, as will all of my male and female friends. The staff has always been professional and eager to help me out, and i think this woman is letting her imagination and paranoia get the best of her. How can you see a man masterbating if you are swimming laps?

genie

That's because the staff sucks. Well, not everybody, but there are a few stellar examples of shittiness, plus the fact that half of them appear to be under 25.

kirk

I'm not legal expert, but isn't jerking off in public against the law? Perhaps she should have the APD investigate? And does the City of Austin have any regulations on the spas at health club?

She should also talk to the local TV people and the Statesman. 24 Hr doesn't want or need this type of negative publicity. Having cops or the press show up isn't good for growing the membership.

Also, Lance Armstrong's name is on the sign, I'm sure he doesn't want to be associated with a company that treats its customers like that. I'm sure he or his people could call the CEO and bring down pain from above.

Finally, I'm surprised the people from 24Hr were being so brutally honest. Most places -- even if they have no plans to change things or clean the jacuzzi -- will give a bullshit answer like sure, we're taking immediate steps to fix this situation.

Teddy

Thank you for reposting her blog. It seems like in these traumatic times, people get little support and are trepidatious about talking openly about this. Your attention to this matter is commendable.

Penguin

Wow - that really is just ridiculous and disturbing, I have no respect at all for those 24 HF corporates on how they dealed with the situation...

deb

yikes. i go to that gym, and have seen dodgy dudes late at night, but just assumed that there was some kind of rules about basic human decency, so i've never been concerned. i will certainly take more caution in the future and voice my dissaproval. they really ought to do something about this. i mean really, wwld???