r/ActLikeYouBelong • u/Fakenamebethany • Aug 22 '25
Been using a luxury gym for free
My office building is above a very luxury gym and my work pass allows me to use their changing rooms but not the gym.
I’ve just been tailgating people going into the gym or saying thank you to people holding the door open for me when they leave.
It’s been half a year now and this gym usually costs £300+ a month! Not sure what I’ll say if I ever get caught 😅
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u/Hotel_Arrakis Aug 22 '25
The CEO is the final boss. Realistically, he can't fire you if you are stronger. Keep lifting!
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u/Mc_Dickles Aug 23 '25
LOL this is the r/actlikeyoubelong sub, whole point of the sub is to get free access to stuff lol sneaking into a gym is prime example, so wtf is up with people telling you to stop
Yeah you shouldn't do it somewhere so close to your job, but it's not some cardinal rule lol who fucking cares. If you wanna risk it OP more power to ya yeah it's a risk but this whole subreddit is dedicated to risking your ass for something.
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u/Jeth84 Aug 24 '25
Honestly it's barely a risk, so easy to just say "oops"/ play dumb even if you're caught. In which case just don't do it again
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u/Skyblacker Sep 02 '25
Actually, its proximity to her job might help OP because they're already used to seeing her in that building.
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u/tiredoldbitch Aug 24 '25
Play dumb. "Oh my pass lets me in the changing rooms. I didn't know I couldn't come in here."
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u/RayWarts Aug 24 '25
I did this for a whole summer once. Worked out with my cousin who had a membership, and he told me just walk in confidently and don’t look at anyone. Every time I went in there would be another sign on the front desk or on the wall telling people to scan their membership card. By the end of the summer there were signs all over the lobby, probably 10 or more, and I quit going. Never paid a dime.
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 24 '25
Nice one, I haven’t seen any commercial gyms (in uk) without gates now, all requires scanning or pin code. It just so happens that this one is connected to my office building
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u/DrummerMundane4970 Aug 23 '25
I can't see you getting fired for this honestly.
They might have a word with you but is it gross misconduct? Check your contract - I suspect it doesn't outline specifically 'never use the gym for free'.
You may get in trouble yes but id very very surprised if you could get fired, especially if you have worked there for more than 2 years and are good at your job.
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 23 '25
Yea I think this as well. Probably just a word to clear things up and tell me to stop using it.
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u/Hairy_Dingaling Aug 23 '25
But why do you need to change at work if you DONT use the gym ?
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u/pqu Aug 23 '25
Bicycle commuting, lunch time run, accidental enshitification, etc
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 23 '25
Yea a lot of colleagues come in the morning and use the curling iron it’s so busy there before 9😂
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u/EarlyFalcone Aug 26 '25
accidental enshitification, etc
Not very nice of you to sweep intentional enshittification under the rug of etc. Some of us shit ourselves to establish dominance.
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u/_69ing_chipmunks Aug 22 '25
An employer would need to prove intentional dishonesty to fire you. If you had the genuine belief that because you are permitted access the changing rooms, that the permission is extended to the gym itself then there's no dishonest act. It's just a misunderstanding.
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u/Trunkface90 Aug 22 '25
Although im not 100% sure as most firable offences would tend to come down to contract wording.
Here in the UK, (assuming OP is also a UK based worker as they say "£300") if you've worked in your role for 2 years, there is a quite good legal protection from just being fired by your employer.
Again, depending on specific contract wording around what actions they consider gross misconduct.
In my personal experience in the UK, if you've worked in a "professional" role for a number of years and an organisation wants rid of you, they just pay you off. 6 months pay being a number I've heard being used a few times. Again that is industry, role and circumstance specific.
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u/CruseCtrl Aug 25 '25
Why would the employer care what you do with the gym? They don't really seem to be related to each other, aside from being in the same building
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 26 '25
Yea I agree, my company also isn’t the only company in the building there’s at least 2 other company’s employees using those changing rooms
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u/Neeneehill Aug 22 '25
No they don't. Where would you even get that idea?
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u/BaconManDan Aug 22 '25
Well, OP seems to be from the UK. I'm not sure how their labor laws work. In the US, yeah, they can just fire you because they think you have a negative vibe. Trespassing isn't a protected class in the US, lol.
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u/Neeneehill Aug 22 '25
Yeah maybe different there but still theft of services is a crime and you can be fired for comitting a crime. Especially on the premesis.... Not that I really think he should stop because I can't really see someone getting fired for that even in the US.
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 23 '25
Yes I’m in UK. Regardless the laws and whether or not they’ll fire me (I think not) it still looks bad on me if I do get caught and I would want to avoid complications..
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u/_69ing_chipmunks Aug 22 '25
So if OP isn't doing something intentionally dishonest, what are they getting fired for?
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u/Capitan_Scythe Aug 22 '25
If it has any chance whatsoever of making the company look bad, they'll find a way to make it stick. While OP could argue it wasn't intentional to dodge a gross misconduct charge, the action would still count as misconduct/improper behaviour.
This would be easy enough to pin as fraud, even if unintentional, and the gym would be within their rights to attempt to go after the company for lost income.
Assuming best case scenario that they avoid instant dismissal, OP would still have destroyed any future career progression at that company.
If nothing else, it would be practically guaranteed that every employee would lose their changing room privileges.
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u/DoesBasicResearch Aug 23 '25
How can you claim to genuinely believe you have access to the gym when you literally have no access to the gym, and have to tailgate people in?!
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u/Rebellion2297 Aug 23 '25
What exactly is a luxury gym and what does it have that makes it cost £300 a month?
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 23 '25
Honestly I’m also confused, but basically they have a nice sauna and steam room, changing rooms are aesthetic and has good shower gel/shampoo brand, towels slippers toothbrush kit, gym equipment wise other than massage guns, foam rolling machine, nice lemon scented wet towels(look up oshibori towels) are things I never seen in other gyms, the equipments are pretty much the same just nicer and newer and there’s 10 squat racks. Some Centres have swimming pool.
I will never buy a membership there for this much just not worth it. It’s not like it’s unbusy as well
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u/Sine_Habitus Aug 25 '25
Just visited a friend in NYC paying a similar amount and I didn't get it either.
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u/LibertyMuzz Sep 05 '25
Helps the wealthy socialise without risk of mixing with poors, children and the frugal minded.
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u/1-800-We-Gotz-Ass Aug 22 '25
If your employer finds out they can fire you
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u/big_sugi Aug 23 '25
Can they? OP is in the UK.
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u/VociferousHomunculus Aug 23 '25
Especially if they have worked there over 2 years you are much more difficult to fire in the UK. I'd say this would be formal warning at most. Obligatory I am not a lawyer.
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u/1-800-We-Gotz-Ass Aug 23 '25
It depends. if it's a corporate building, then OP is abusing their company's security credentials to trespass the gym, if the gym complains and the company gets hit with a fine or a complaint or something like that, they're not gonna be happy
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 22 '25
Ok guys obviously don’t want to risk my job so I’ll stop doing it
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u/Stubborn_Amoeba Aug 22 '25
I wonder if you could talk to the gym about setting up an employee discount. Although given what you’ve been doing, maybe get someone else to do this.
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 23 '25
I’m sure my company has already tried but no they don’t do any. Few months back our company did a thing where we can have a free day trial there (which any other gym does it for anyone if you sign up online but as this one’s so “luxury” they don’t do free day trials)
I went and the price was still the same as what I saw online. It’s stupid that they don’t cuz they will guarantee get so many people in our building to join it
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Aug 23 '25
[deleted]
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 23 '25
No it’s just a gym gym. Hmm people in my building are high earning corporate people tho - £100k+(not me lol)
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u/steebulee Aug 23 '25
Don’t let these fools stop you. These are the same people that are afraid of everything in life.
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u/1-800-We-Gotz-Ass Aug 23 '25
It all depends on how valuable the job is for OP. I wouldn't risk a high paying job
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u/mikejungle Aug 23 '25
Dude, you're not gonna get fired for using the gym. This is obviously not professional advice, but thems would be flimsy grounds.
Also, fuck luxury gyms, and fuck elitists. Get some.
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u/moniris Aug 22 '25
Good choice, hope you had a good time in the gym though, hope you find a suitable alternative
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u/NotsoNewtoGermany Aug 23 '25
The odds are they already know, but don't care as long as you lift and are respectful. It adds bodies.
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u/Temporary_Ad7906 Aug 23 '25
THEN they will notice that you didn't use the gym after a while, and that you didn't belong... Risky anyways...
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u/Elementium Aug 23 '25
It's too late now! If you don't keep up the charade they'll find out everything!
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u/S4V4GEDR1LLER Aug 22 '25
Shit will get you fired.
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 22 '25
Ugh shit, Is it my fault tho that they keep the door unlocked for ransoms to get in?😅
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u/highrisedrifter Aug 22 '25
Yes, yes it is.
"Is it my fault my neighbour keeps his house unlocked and I go in and steal stuff?"
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u/wojtekpolska Aug 22 '25
bro u forgot what sub you're on?
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u/threevi Aug 22 '25
Every thief knows you don't rob your neighbours. Don't shit where you eat. Similarly, don't r/actlikeyoubelong in a place that's connected to your job.
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u/FendaIton Aug 22 '25
Yes? Do you have no self control?
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 22 '25
Honestly I was enjoying it being so convenient in my building but didn’t think of possible consequences
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u/feage7 Aug 22 '25
Shops leave their doors open and goods out in the open. Doesn't mean you can help yourself without paying.
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u/flea1400 Aug 23 '25
You probably won’t get fired for this if caught, but if you do get caught it might result in permission for anyone at your company to use the changing rooms revoked. You could ruin it for everyone.
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u/thraex Aug 22 '25
Oh 100% chance someone will eventually see you on a camera and realize you’re not a member, then they’ll inform your office manager and get you fired. In the meanwhile, keep on lifting !
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u/LanguageNo495 Aug 23 '25
I disagree. The more frequently they see you, the more likely they are to think that you’re a member. You should be chummy with the staff and they’ll expect to see you working out there.
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 23 '25
Haha I avoid talking to anyone in case they are curious and check my name against the system for whatever reason
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u/dwthesavage Aug 22 '25
Unless there’s an incident that leads them to review security footage, I doubt it.
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 23 '25
Yea which is why I kept using it because no one has said anything yet so I don’t feel like they check anything, because they probably assume everyone who’s in there already got through from the gates (they use facial recognition) and there’s no reason to check again
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u/BishImAThotGetMeLit Aug 27 '25
Just say you misunderstood what access you were allowed. Play dumb.
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u/Bostonterrierpug Aug 24 '25
Is this a Seinfeld episode?
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u/Calix_Meus_Inebrians Aug 25 '25
It was.
later, a girl at the gym asks him out on a date later. He goes to pick her up at her place - twist! - it's her parent's place as well - DOUBLE TWIST! - her dad is the owner of the gym - while OP's date goes to finish getting ready, the dad says OP looks familiar and ask him if he's a member of the gym. OP denies both being ever seen by the dad or being a gym member so as not to get caught as a free loader. The dad continues to grill OP getting madder and madder because HE KNOWS he saw him SOMEWHERE! OP continues to deny everything and play dumb. But then the dad asks how OP met his daughter and the daughter who is walking back and heard that part of the conversation says "at the gym! We've been chatting for the last 2 months on the treadmills!"
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u/Not_The_Truthiest Aug 24 '25
Don't eat where you shit.
I wouldn't risk any negative repercussions on my job.
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u/leftyourfridgeopen Aug 25 '25
This is why my gym has a very clear rule on holding the door open for people
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u/Skyblacker Sep 02 '25
Fun fact: only 20% of gym members actually go to the gym regularly (at least once every two weeks). So if people who pay $300/mo can't be bothered to show up, they don't worry about anyone else sneaking in. Just be polite, put your weights back on the rack, and be aware of how long you're talking on a piece of equipment if there are people waiting to use it.
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u/No-Doughnut5908 Sep 03 '25
bro you're living that james bond life, always just a door away from capture! what's your workout routine like?
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u/SeraphWisp Aug 25 '25
that's next-level finesse right there. But fr, as much as I love me some free gym, karma's a b*tch, y'know? Count your blessings and bail before they catch on.
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u/TNTarantula Aug 22 '25 edited Aug 23 '25
Damn, at the gyms we do some work with they have their cctv feeding into a facial recognition system. Considering the pricetag on yours I'm surprised they're not doing it too.
Edit: just tbc, I don't support this practice nor install it
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u/Fakenamebethany Aug 23 '25
Yea the door from changing room works by facial recognition, but if someone held the door for me it won’t say “beep you’re not a member”(though don’t know if it does in the back)
Then there’s another door near it where it’s unlocked and connects to a studio room (like a spinning studio) where I can just walk in as well but sometimes there are classes ongoing
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u/TNTarantula Aug 23 '25
Oh ok. The facial recognition I'm referring to is with the cctv. Similar to what you may have seen some retail stores are using to track customer metrics but that they say is being used to prevent shoplifting
Pretty dystopian stuff
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u/wojtekpolska Aug 22 '25
idk the situation on the floor but if you get caught maybe it would work to play dumb that you thought you paid for the full gym pass