Fitness First Hong Kong
www.fitnessfirst.com.hk

The following is my personal experience in Sheraton Gym Club, Fitness First Plus (FF). I had joined the club since August 2004. I had my aqua exercise at there in last 3 years. Many hotel guests and club members had asked me about the advantages of aqua exercise. They would wonder I learnt this exercise from which instructor. I had explained to them, therefore they learnt more about this and we became friends after. We created a friendly atmosphere.

On 24 August, I had my aqua exercise as normal; I got that with another member, Mr. Patrick Lee. And then a life guard also was there. Suddenly, there was a personal trainer ( Elke Au-Yeung ) went to the pool area and took photos on us without any notice and authorization. We asked him the reason and who permitted him to do this upon us. Mr. Au-Yeung said the Personal Manager, Ben Shiu, requested him to do that. After I went to the club receipt ion find the truth. Then Ben shiu showed up and stated that the Digital camera was his. Ben claimed that the club General Manager would explain this case in details. We pointed out that his action, taking photo on others without authorization, was illegal. Ben did not reply this directly, just put the ball upon Jennifer Jen, the Club Manager.

At that time, we contacted the hotel guest relation department officer, she stated that she would refer this to Jennifer Jen and led her to settle this. Afterward, she informed me that she had noticed FF head office. After, I handed my complain letter to the Hotel the senior management officer, the Managing Director, his reply was he was not able to settle this case as that was not under his managing area. What could he do was referring to Raffy to follow.

At the same time, I had called to FF Gateway Head Office to contact and complain, however, no body follow this case. The staff only said the management staff had meeting or not at office.

On that day, 5:45 pm, Jennifer Jen called me,
The content as follow:
1. She is the General Manager of the Fitness First Plus; everything would be permitted by her. I asked her that her inappropriate photo taking was permitted by her or not, she said yes.
2. The unauthorized photo was legal, she request me to check it out.
3. She clamed that there were two people. Patrick and me, to have same exercise, it meant instruction and teaching.
4. She stated that no matter I complain to the hotel or FF head office, it was meaningless.
5. If I did not stop my aqua exercise, she would take further action upon me.

When I faced to her accuse. I felt very upsetting. I replied that she did not have right to stop my daily exercise. The instruction class and money transaction had never happened. I only chatted and having sharing of our life with my friends. To have my daily exercise was my personal right, she did not have to prohibit my right and freedom.

On 25th to 29th August, I had my exercise at the pool as normal, during this period of time; some personal trainers always come to check out my action. It was very disturb. And all staffs in the club were not allowed to talk about the case. And they were not allowed to contact with me.

On 29th August, 11:45 am, when I was ready to leave after my daily exercise, Jennifer and Ben gave me a letter to inform me about my membership termination. They told me I could not come there anymore. The letter issue date was 24th August, the content of the letter was unreasonable, if they had evidence, I was wonder they did not show to me. I was charged to provide aqua exercise instruction class at the pool and have money as return. I doubted that they had evidence why did not show to me. They claimed that it was not necessary to show to me. Without sufficient evidence and unfair charges, I went to FF head office for further complain, the national operation manager Raffy claimed the CEO was not in office. She stated that he did not hear about my case before, and he would try to follow my case. I told him that I just wanted to have the truth and the fair result..

On the same date, there were 2 life guards who were the witnesses of this case were terminated their employment contract. The club claimed that those 2 staffs tried to hide and assist my instruction class.

In the afternoon of 3rd September, I received a call from Raffy. He informed me that the decision of terminating my membership is made by Jennifer. However, this decision was also represented by his and the company’s. I asked him why he did not check out the case in details. He stated that Jennifer had reported to him already. He said I had charged HKD 150 per section to my class participants. I asked him how to define a section. He failed to give me an answer. Then I request him to give me the evidence. He told me that he did not have to show to me.

I was very disappointing as he hasn’t even listened to my side of the story and his decision wasn’t based on any facts at all. In fact, I have other members and Sheraton’s staff to be my witnesses.

This incident as I have been treated unfairly and felt unjustified. This has ruined my personal reputations. I have contacted and complained the whole issue to Fitness First the Curve (Malaysia head office of Asia).
However, I will put matter to further if I failed to have a fair and respectable reply and action form the Company.

I would like to declare seriously in order to prove my innocent.