I have been swimming for at least 20 years. I am an ex-runner, and now swim, do power yoga, play tennis, walk, etc. I am in excellent shape, yet I am seriously torn as to whether or not I should give up swimming. The club I belong to has the best schedule and available lanes, (and I pay dearly per month as well!) yet for the last year, I've waged a battle about their incessant use of tilex, windex and some horrific smelling metal cleaner they use in the aquatic center while classes and swimming is going on. I brought in the warning articles about the toxicity of inhaling these chemicals, passed them out to instructors and fellow swimmers, managers, etc. Recently, an article was posted by our Poison Control Center about the dangers of inhaling such chemicals --which stated that ventilation was not enough to prevent health issues (Of course, they do not and will not open the door when cleaning). Despite all this info I've provided, they stop for while, then will claim there is the smell of urine in the shower (I was in both showers just seconds before and there was NO urine smell) and they have to use the Tilex, etc. The other day, the manager asked me how long I was going to swim, because they wanted to use the Tilex. They continue to lie to me and tell me they won't use these products, yet the smell is so strong in there all the time, you can barely breathe. I used to swm next to a guy who would get out of the pool and literally chase them out when they started spraying. I guess I need to consider a sex change.:bump: Unfortunately, there isn't another gym where I can go with such a great schedule. However, I'm really worried about breathing thse fumes. People complain all the time, but not to management, only to one another. It seems like I am defeating my purpose to stay healthy swimming there. Yet, I feel this is as important an issue as second hand smoke - there should be no toxic chemicals used while the center is operational. Geez, would they go into a yoga or spin class and start spraying chemicals? (I've asked them that question) Thanks for any input or suggestions:bow:
Parents
Former Member
Personally, I do have to side with Geek(oh crap...did I say that) I think ya'll are being somewhat of a pain in the butt about it. If we lived at a health club for 24/7/365 or worked there, then I would say you have a some grounds to complain. But, most of us are there for less than 2 hours a day...probably not everyday of the week. If the club is doing cleaning at the sametime everyday, if your schedule permits, change the time you go. Or, if you know they clean certain areas at certains times, avoid those areas til after or get there before cleaning.
I also bet you would get a lot more from the management of the club if you had a different tone when talking to them...cause it sounds like you whine constantly, in the same tone, about the same thing.
I am jsut a little offended--you don't know me to make that determination about me or my tone. I swim about 2 hours a day. The times that they clean should be at their slowest times or off hours - not at NOON during lunch hour times when it's busiest. I do have a job and don't have the luxury to swim at their convenience. I am a paying member, and should not have to do that because they don't want to pay their staff to do this type of heavy duty cleaning after hours? Sorry, but that's not good customer relations.
As I've said in other posts, the therapists, insturctors, and members do complain and one did contact OSHA. I was Mr. nice guy about it for about a year, now I am ready to do something about it because being nice didn't get my anywhere. I don't need a toxic environment when I am trying to improve my physical well being.
Personally, I do have to side with Geek(oh crap...did I say that) I think ya'll are being somewhat of a pain in the butt about it. If we lived at a health club for 24/7/365 or worked there, then I would say you have a some grounds to complain. But, most of us are there for less than 2 hours a day...probably not everyday of the week. If the club is doing cleaning at the sametime everyday, if your schedule permits, change the time you go. Or, if you know they clean certain areas at certains times, avoid those areas til after or get there before cleaning.
I also bet you would get a lot more from the management of the club if you had a different tone when talking to them...cause it sounds like you whine constantly, in the same tone, about the same thing.
I am jsut a little offended--you don't know me to make that determination about me or my tone. I swim about 2 hours a day. The times that they clean should be at their slowest times or off hours - not at NOON during lunch hour times when it's busiest. I do have a job and don't have the luxury to swim at their convenience. I am a paying member, and should not have to do that because they don't want to pay their staff to do this type of heavy duty cleaning after hours? Sorry, but that's not good customer relations.
As I've said in other posts, the therapists, insturctors, and members do complain and one did contact OSHA. I was Mr. nice guy about it for about a year, now I am ready to do something about it because being nice didn't get my anywhere. I don't need a toxic environment when I am trying to improve my physical well being.
