A Planet Fitness member was allegedly kicked out of a gym by an employee for an oversized water bottle in a video that sparked interest again this week on Reddit. The video was originally posted on YouTube by the man in the video in 2019, but it took on new life as Reddit users debated the events. Planet Fitness’ list of rules on its website advises that water bottles that are too large to fit in the mounts on its fitness equipment are prohibited.
In the video, a Planet Fitness employee told the filming man that he could not use the water bottle he had brought with him. The man claimed the rule wasn’t posted anywhere in the gym, Daily Dot notes. “It’s just an arbitrary rule that you’re pulling out of [the] Air that you cannot show me in writing [and] that you haven’t posted anywhere in your gym, “the man told the coworker. She apparently agreed that coworkers can change the rules at will, but the man continued to protest.
“I go to several Planet Fitness’s and I never have a problem. And they can’t provide me with any written material to show me that this is part of their policy. It isn’t published anywhere in the gym either,” the man said. He continued to question the policy until the employee told him to leave. “I will go on and go as you asked me to go. But this video will be released and it will show you and your face, ”he said at the end of the video.
Although the water bottle policy in the video may not have been posted on a sign at the Planet Fitness site, it is listed on the website. “Water bottles must fit in holders and be kept away from hallways and sidewalks,” says one rule. “Gallon pitchers are not allowed on the club floor” is another rule.
Planet Fitness responded to questions about the guidelines on other social media platforms. In 2013, a customer complained about a friend who was told he couldn’t drink from a gallon pitcher on the gym floor. “Our gyms are equipped and geared towards first-time users of the gym, and we strive to create a non-intimidating atmosphere, so we don’t allow gallon water jugs. We allow water bottles,” the company responded on Facebook. “Thank you for your contribution and have a nice day!”
Elsewhere, Planet Fitness has claimed that the ban on large water bottles is for safety. “Gallon jugs are not allowed on the club floor,” the company wrote to a customer on Twitter in 2017. “Water bottles should fit in holders and must be kept away from the aisles / sidewalks.”
There aren’t many fans of politics. “The no-judgment zone throws a lot of judgment on people who are already fit,” wrote one person on Reddit. “An assessment in the zone without an assessment? Makes sense, ”commented another. “Planet Fitness doesn’t want anyone to actually come to the gym … it’s literally their business model. They keep the price low enough that people keep paying it even if they never go, ”wrote another.
