commitment devices

Today I was listening to the freakemomics commitment device podcast. I am joining a gym. Today I went to the gym to have a look around. I am joining planet fitness because it is cheap and it is close and looks pretty good equipment wise. This is the 2nd planet fitness I have visited. At first I thought I might join one near home but have decided on the one by work because if I work out during lunch it won’t interfere with baby time.

I have to say this. So far planet fitness has not been very impressive customer service-wise. This isn’t going to stop me from joining because I mean to run and probably won’t have much dealing with the staff but good heavens.

The first location (near home (Germantown)) was full of barely attentive workers who were chatting with each other or texting instead of helping me to sign up. The 2nd location (near work(Frederick)) was vastly understaffed (1 worker so I couldn’t sign up or look around without waiting 1/2 hour) and the girl/woman on staff was deeply flustered and irritable.

Ug.

On the other hand I only visited each location once and who knows if I saw the norm.

Hopefully with more exposure my first impressions will be more favorably altered.