Whose Job Is It Anyway? Gym Staff vs Member Roles
“It’s your job to put my weights away.”
That’s what someone told me the other night when I asked them to re-rack their barbell.
I wasn’t rude. I’d just watched them finish up, smile still on my face, and said: “Hey, could you put the barbell away please?”
Instead of sliding the plates back onto the rack, she yanked them off, dropped them on the floor, and snapped: “I pay to come here. You work here. You put them away.”
And that’s when I realised: we need to clear something up.
Myth-Busting: What Gym Staff Don’t Do
Let’s be super clear about thi, because I think there’s some confusion.
Here’s what isn’t in a Fitness Coach or PT’s job description:
Picking up after people who can’t be bothered.
Spending hours re-racking weights while you scroll on your phone.
Acting as your personal butler for dumbbells.
We’re not here to tidy up your session.
What Gym Staff Are Here For
This is where our actual role comes in:
Keeping the gym floor safe and hazard-free.
Helping beginners with form so they don’t injure themselves.
Creating an environment that feels welcoming for everyone.
If we’re spending all our time cleaning up other people’s mess, we can’t actually focus on the members who need help, advice, or confidence.
My Brain is Neurodivergent
As someone who’s autistic and ADHD, I tend to follow rules very literally. If the sign says “Please re-rack your weights”, I will always do it, and yes, I will politely ask others to as well. Not because I enjoy confrontation (trust me, I don’t), but because rules exist for a reason: safety and respect.
So when someone tells me “it’s your job”, it stings. Because my job is so much more than being a cleaner.
Gym Etiquette
Gym etiquette is simple:
Re-rack your weights.
Wipe down your kit.
Share the space.
Re-racking isn’t staff’s job, it’s everyone’s job. If you use it, put it back. Respect the space, respect the staff, respect the people around you.
Gym Accessibility
If you’ve been following me for a while, you will know that gym accessibility is something I am very keen to explore more and to improve. When you’re anxious, neurodivergent or struggle with overwhelm then new places like a gym can be places to avoid rather than places to enjoy.
Health and fitness should be about finding joy in movement and finding strength in who you are.
