Jackie Skellys on Clarendon Street - What's going on?

AARRRGH

OK, I've been a member of Jackie Skellys on Clarendon Street on and off for about 6 years.

When I first joined the staff there were great - fitness and muscle freaks. This included the receptionists. It helped create a great atmosphere in the place, even if it was a bit small.

Jackie Skellys today... WTF.

Sure, they've enlarged the facilities somewhat (although the weights room - not by much at all) but the staff... so terrible.

There are two instructors who know their stuff (although I'm pretty certain they are personal trainers so you have to pay to use them) other than that -

They are totally clueless about weights. I watch them give all the new people terrible advice (a huge amount of reps versus a small amount with heavy weight - even simple things like where to position the weights if you are working your chest.)

One of the instructors is OBESE. SHE EVEN EATS MCDONALDS AT RECEPTION!!

And the receptionists. It's hilarious - every time I pass them they are trying to explain to a customer why they misquoted them. Also, if I say hello/goodbye I just get silence...

It's sad. The place is going down the drain.

What's going on?

damnyanks

I was an active member there last year (Moved to UK). There was only 1 guy that was any real help. There was some other lad who looked fairly young who just liked to swing his arms around but he was sorta small heh

But yeah the receiptionists thing is true. I would walk out and say good bye and get nothing. Walk in say hello, nothing. I think I know the McDonalds lady

I could usually go in during the day so it wasn't so bad. Place was always insane 6 - 7

Shrimp

Does jackie own total fitness in sandyford, if so I've got no real complaints to him.. except the open nudity in the changing rooms.. Put it AWAY..

eth0_

Shrimp wrote:

Does jackie own total fitness in sandyford, if so I've got no real complaints to him.. except the open nudity in the changing rooms.. Put it AWAY..

Eh no...Jackie Skelly own's the Jackie Skelly chain of gyms. Total Fitness own the Total Fitness chain.

OFDM

Shrimp wrote:

except the open nudity in the changing rooms.. Put it AWAY..

It's a changing room - live with it...

AARRRGH

OFDM wrote:

It's a changing room - live with it...

Yeah, but there is a big difference between being naked because you just got out of the shower, and standing there naked while you dry your hair!

There is no need to be naked for more than 1 or 2 minutes.

Shrimp

exactly what I mean, r openly walking around naked, standing there leaning against the wall chatting to a friend naked, not even like drying or somethin while chatting, just standing there butt naked..

OFDM

Shrimp wrote:

exactly what I mean, r openly walking around naked, standing there leaning against the wall chatting to a friend naked, not even like drying or somethin while chatting, just standing there butt naked..

Ok, that's wierd...

Static M.e.

Had planned to join the new jackie Skellys !

Dublindude do you think its still worth joining ? or should I look else where ?,
I went in and had a look around it all seemed nice inside and quiet enough too (about 5:30-6)

BaZmO*

Shrimp wrote:

Does jackie own total fitness in sandyford, if so I've got no real complaints to him.. except the open nudity in the changing rooms.. Put it AWAY..

Her actually.

Re: the nudity thing. You shouldn't be looking!!

B.

Your NO Dude

Dublin Dude, (your name says it all !)
Well I too am a member of Jackie Skelly fitness in Clarendon St and have been since shortly after it opened, I love the location, the club and the Staff.I know them all by name as many of the members do.
Dublin dude are you a fully qualified gym instructor yourself?I dont think so, otherwise you'd be aware of the different types of strength training.High weight and low reps help build size. Does everyone who comes into a gym want to build? No I dont think so. Obviously thats what YOU want to do when you're not giving out in cyber space or blow dying your hair in the nip!

As regards complaining about an instructor that is "obese"--how dare you. Does the size of a member of staff make any difference to you or your personal goals in the gym? You know nothing of this person's personal life or situation. I'm sorry you are so upset by the consumption of fast food in a gym environment?! --Actually, I feel sorry for you mate.

I always get a friendly hello and goodbye when entering and leaving the club, are you sure it's not you?

dublindude wrote:

OK, I've been a member of Jackie Skellys on Clarendon Street on and off for about 6 years.








When I first joined the staff there were great - fitness and muscle freaks. This included the receptionists. It helped create a great atmosphere in the place, even if it was a bit small.

Jackie Skellys today... WTF.

Sure, they've enlarged the facilities somewhat (although the weights room - not by much at all) but the staff... so terrible.

There are two instructors who know their stuff (although I'm pretty certain they are personal trainers so you have to pay to use them) other than that -

They are totally clueless about weights. I watch them give all the new people terrible advice (a huge amount of reps versus a small amount with heavy weight - even simple things like where to position the weights if you are working your chest.)

One of the instructors is OBESE. SHE EVEN EATS MCDONALDS AT RECEPTION!!

And the receptionists. It's hilarious - every time I pass them they are trying to explain to a customer why they misquoted them. Also, if I say hello/goodbye I just get silence...

It's sad. The place is going down the drain.

What's going on?

Downtime

I joined Jackie Skellys on Clarendon Street from the Fitness Dock and it is 200 times better - I find the staff very friendly - I get a hello and a good morning and a good bye etc etc - the gym is lovely and clean, airy, and the equiptment is excellent and the pool is fantastic. I have absolutely no problems with this gym. It is one of the better gyms around, having looked at others. I find it a pleasure to go there and work out.

Dublin Dude I reckon it is you.

AARRRGH

Your NO Dude wrote:

Dublin Dude, (your name says it all !)
Well I too am a member of Jackie Skelly fitness in Clarendon St and have been since shortly after it opened, I love the location, the club and the Staff.I know them all by name as many of the members do.
Dublin dude are you a fully qualified gym instructor yourself?I dont think so, otherwise you'd be aware of the different types of strength training.High weight and low reps help build size. Does everyone who comes into a gym want to build? No I dont think so. Obviously thats what YOU want to do when you're not giving out in cyber space or blow dying your hair in the nip!

As regards complaining about an instructor that is "obese"--how dare you. Does the size of a member of staff make any difference to you or your personal goals in the gym? You know nothing of this person's personal life or situation. I'm sorry you are so upset by the consumption of fast food in a gym environment?! --Actually, I feel sorry for you mate.

I always get a friendly hello and goodbye when entering and leaving the club, are you sure it's not you?

Let me see. This is your first post.

WOW, you don't work for Jackie Skellys by any chance?

Your points are not valid. Let's go through them.

Am I clueless about weight lifting/bodybuilding? No.

I have been lifting weights for years. I post on all the big weight lifting forums (getbig.com, t-nation.com) - I'm a beef freak. I know what I'm talking about.

I agree not everyone wants to get big in the gym. But the people who do - YOU DON'T TELL THEM TO DO LOW WEIGHT, HIGH REPS. It's a no brainer.

And regards AN OBESE fitness instuctor who eats McDonalds in the gym. Hello? Is anyone home? Another no brainer.

For the record, I like Jackie Skellys. The problem is the staff. They don't know their stuff and they are unfriendly.

They don't say hello/goodbye and they misquote people.

Now, please get back to your job in Jackie Skellys and try to educate yourself before you give more bad advice.

AARRRGH

Static M.e. wrote:

Had planned to join the new jackie Skellys !

Dublindude do you think its still worth joining ? or should I look else where ?,
I went in and had a look around it all seemed nice inside and quiet enough too (about 5:30-6)

Yeah, it's worth joining. Nice facilites etc. Good location. It's good points outweigh it's bad points.

It's insanely busy after work though.

After 8 in the evening or on weekends it's quiet enough.

Downtime

dublindude wrote:

I have been lifting weights for years. I post on all the big weight lifting forums (getbig.com, t-nation.com) - I'm a beef freak. I know what I'm talking about.

I agree not everyone wants to get big in the gym. But the people who do - YOU DON'T TELL THEM TO DO LOW WEIGHT, HIGH REPS. It's a no brainer.

And regards AN OBESE fitness instuctor who eats McDonalds in the gym. Hello? Is anyone home? Another no brainer.

Why do you not take up you're problem with the gym management? Why go on bravely about it here? Why not tell the OBESE fuitness instructor that you seem to have a problem with that you think he/she is a joke?

I have been told many times that low weights/higher reps are excellent for endurance and this has worked well for me. I'm sure the advice they give depends on what the person is looking for.

Maybe you should leave the gym if you have such a problem with it? or better still get a job there and give everyone in there the joy of learning form your vast expertise.

AARRRGH

Downtime wrote:

Why do you not take up you're problem with the gym management? Why go on bravely about it here? Why not tell the OBESE fuitness instructor that you seem to have a problem with that you think he/she is a joke?

I have been told many times that low weights/higher reps are excellent for endurance and this has worked well for me. I'm sure the advice they give depends on what the person is looking for.

Maybe you should leave the gym if you have such a problem with it? or better still get a job there and give everyone in there the joy of learning form your vast expertise.

Why are you taking this so personally? Are you friends of the obese girl?

Hmmm.

I have a problem with the staff, not with the equipment/location of the gym.

I never said I have a problem with anything other than the staff.

I don't need to use them, so it doesn't directly effect me, but I know it effects the newbies.

Anyone who is up to date with weight training/fitness knows an obese trainer who gives bad advice cannot be a good member of staff. If you think otherwise, and feel you need to defend this person, then I think maybe you are too close to this person or organisation or obesity to comment.

Static M.e.

Yeah, it's worth joining. Nice facilites etc. Good location. It's good points outweigh it's bad points.

Thanks Dublindude, Im decided now

Ill have to admit though the whole obese person eating McDonalds in a gym does seem a bit off to me. The whole idea of a gym to me is to get fit and healthy, I wouldnt like to see Mc Ds when im entering a gym, too tempting for me maybe <shrug>

The obese person him/herself i couldnt give a sh*t about, it would just be the Mc Ds thing, or any fast food really, I just dont want to see it but Im weird I even cross the street away from fast food shops so I wont smell them

Downtime

dublindude wrote:

Why are you taking this so personally? Are you friends of the obese girl?

Hmmm.

I have a problem with the staff, not with the equipment/location of the gym.

I never said I have a problem with anything other than the staff.

I don't need to use them, so it doesn't directly effect me, but I know it effects the newbies.

Anyone who is up to date with weight training/fitness knows an obese trainer who gives bad advice cannot be a good member of staff. If you think otherwise, and feel you need to defend this person, then I think maybe you are too close to this person or organisation or obesity to comment.

Yes I am taking this very personally and I am quite upset about it - hah !! Listen to yourself. I just think you are directly attacking someone because they are fat and you think that they should be skinny and toned because of their job.

So take it up with them.

I have no connection with anyone there but I just get annoyed with people who are full of themselves.

Well enough banter.

respond

Dublindude,

I was made aware of the opinions that you posted regarding JSF on Clarendon St by a friend of mine who uses these forums frequently, like yourself. As I work for the company (JSF) some of your comments angered me and I felt compelled to get online and respond to what you said.

I agree that eating McDonalds at the reception desk in an environment that is supposed to promote good health/nutritional values is inappropriate. However,publically slagging off this individual and calling him/her obese is cruel and obnoxious. I know you did this to validate your arguement that she is not a good instructor but it was not neccesary. You had plenty of your own (in my opinion, dubious) reasons without stooping to this low.

By the way, I took the time to look at some of your other postings to establish if you are always so blunt or if it was just in this particular case and I was amused to find a recent discussion, initiated by you, headed "Why are people so brave/rude on the internet?"--or something similar- Dublindude, such irony!

I realise, obviously, that you're not exactly Kevin Myers and your ramblings should have little relevance or effect but, in this case, your comments could cause great pain and humiliation to the person you directed them towards. That is why I felt moved to tell you that although this instrutor may be over-weight, YOU're the pig.

AARRRGH

...an obese fitness instructor who eats mcdonalds at reception... I'm stating facts!

Is the person obese or not?
Were they eating McDonalds at reception or not?

And if you read my post, I said only two of the instructors there are not clueless. I am not saying she is the only clueless one because she is obese.

respond

I am not arguing the quality of the advice given by instructors or the customer service levels of the receptionists. You can have an opinion on anything you want. I am arguing that there is no need to publically call someone obese whether it is fact or not. You've already stated that you think the size of the instructor is relevant to her ability to be one (I think you called it a 'no brainer'), but like I said you can make your points without getting nasty about someone's personal appearance.

As I said, Dublindude, I've looked at some of your other postings and admit that at times I would agree with some of your idea's/opinions, you have been amusing sometimes --I've also read some encouraging advice to people who have started using the gym and at one point you were looking for tax advice for a charitable donation. So, in summary you don't seem to be too bad a guy. Why pick on this individual?

respond

I'm not arguing any facts.
You have negative opinions on the customer service levels in JSF. Fine. You think the advice given by the instructos is rubbish. Fine.

My problem is not with your opinion, (although I disagree), it is with attacking someone's personal appearance to back-up a point.

I've looked through your postings. You seem okay. In fact I agree a lot with what you say. I also think you can be humourous and kind (encouraging to new gym users, looking for tax advice on charitable donations), I just don't know why you have reserved such venom and disgust for this individual?

jonny68

Honest to God folks why do you bother with these "corporate" type gyms,overpriced,unfriendly,etc,etc,etc,im sure there are hundreds of smaller gyms,maybe not as flash but with people who will know exactly what you want and are friendly,not a "meat market" like skellys or westwood....... :rolleyes:

Your NO Dude

Dublin Looser,

I Do not work In the gym ! I work out there !
Having spoken to staff at the gym who I am very friendly with, I have passed on your issues, seens as you where just to chicken to do so yourself !

They'll keep an eye out for u, and make sure they give you a big smile
everytime you come thru the door, ha ha As if.
My work here is done. Bye

P.S You're an Accountant ? obviously your Company has no clients as all you do is hang out in forums every day, you (beef) freakin looser!

dublindude wrote:

Let me see. This is your first post.

WOW, you don't work for Jackie Skellys by any chance?

Your points are not valid. Let's go through them.

Am I clueless about weight lifting/bodybuilding? No.

I have been lifting weights for years. I post on all the big weight lifting forums (getbig.com, t-nation.com) - I'm a beef freak. I know what I'm talking about.

I agree not everyone wants to get big in the gym. But the people who do - YOU DON'T TELL THEM TO DO LOW WEIGHT, HIGH REPS. It's a no brainer.

And regards AN OBESE fitness instuctor who eats McDonalds in the gym. Hello? Is anyone home? Another no brainer.

For the record, I like Jackie Skellys. The problem is the staff. They don't know their stuff and they are unfriendly.

They don't say hello/goodbye and they misquote people.

Now, please get back to your job in Jackie Skellys and try to educate yourself before you give more bad advice.

AARRRGH

OK whatever, you nutcase...

damnyanks

Your NO Dude wrote:

Dublin Looser,

I Do not work In the gym ! I work out there !
Having spoken to staff at the gym who I am very friendly with, I have passed on your issues, seens as you where just to chicken to do so yourself !

They'll keep an eye out for u, and make sure they give you a big smile
everytime you come thru the door, ha ha As if.
My work here is done. Bye

P.S You're an Accountant ? obviously your Company has no clients as all you do is hang out in forums every day, you (beef) freakin looser!

lol

Transform

Dublin dude - "i'm a meat freak!!!" Well that just says it all - a meat freak training in a gym that doesn't even have a good free weights area? (correct me if i'm wrong but the last time i was there the heaviest dumbbell was about 30kg)

logic1

Transform wrote:

Dublin dude - "i'm a meat freak!!!" Well that just says it all

He could be referring to his sexual preference.

.logic.

Jak

"I Do not work In the gym ! I work out there !" - A hyphen is your friend.

Anways this thread seems to be degenerating into pointless banter so I'll lock it. For the record, opinions are fine and welcome, but there is a line with regard to just being offensive to an individual.

Personally I think staff eating fast food on reception is a disgrace, though frankly I could care less if a receptionist is overweight as long as they answer the phone and do their job.

On the subject of physical condition and your ability to instruct, well certainly you don't need to be French to teach the French language, however, I'd put a lot more trust in a native speaker given the depth of their knowledge and experience with speaking it.

JAK