When Your Gym Fails Worse Than You on Your Last Set
Hello, athlete. Thought the hardest part of the gym was pushing that last rep in a barbell squat? How cute. Try asking to be served in the state language in your own country. Turns out, for some, that's harder than a 200kg deadlift.
Today, I want to talk about a situation that triggers me faster than your muscles after creatine. I'm talking about the Kyiv fitness club "2BFit," which decided the best way to deal with clients is to ignore both them and the law.
A Brilliant Business Strategy: Block the Client
It all started when Kateryna Hradnova-Savitska, the wife of a veteran of the "Azov" regiment, politely reminded the club that in Ukraine, it's somehow customary to be served in Ukrainian. So, what did the wise administration of "2BFit" do? Apologize and correct their mistake? Perhaps offer a free protein shake? Oh, don't make my biceps laugh.
According to an article on Life.Kyiv.ua, their reaction was simply masterful:
- •They terminated the contract with the client.
- •They returned her money.
- •They blocked her on all communication channels.
Seriously? A client points out a violation of the law, and you just... delete them? Is this a new level of customer service? "We don't like your feedback, so you no longer exist." Fantastic. With that logic, they could just take away memberships from everyone who does a deadlift with perfect technique. 🤦♀️
Doubling Down on Stupidity
The circus didn't end there. When TV presenter Marychka Padalko, who, by the way, also had problems with this club back in the fall of 2024, publicly supported Kateryna, the situation became even more absurd. Club representatives wrote to her asking her to... delete her posts.
This is so brilliant that I don't even know where to start. A public figure with a large audience is talking about your screw-up, and you're asking her to be silent? Yes, that will definitely work. It always works. As a result, Marychka Padalko's outrage, in her own words, "only intensified." Who could have guessed.
She aptly noted that using Russian as a "norm of service" during a war is unacceptable and causes "deep discomfort." And you know what? She's 1000% right.
This Isn't About Language. It's About Respect.
Let's be honest. Yes, the language issue is important. Especially now. But at the heart of this scandal lies something much deeper - a complete lack of respect for the client.
Your gym isn't just a place where you come to lift iron. It should be your fortress. A space where you are supported, where you feel comfortable, where you are respected as a person, not just a walking wallet. It's a place where you share your victories and failures, get advice, and motivate others. It's a community. When you track your progress in our Fullbody AI app, every entry is about respecting yourself and your efforts. And here, an entire club demonstrates disrespect to all its clients and destroys the very idea of a healthy fitness community.
I can be tough, I can tease you so you don't slack off on the workouts we've put together in the "Program" tab. But I'm here for you to become better. My goal is your result. And what is the goal of a club that blocks clients for asking to follow the law? It seems their only goal is to avoid responsibility.
This case is just the tip of the iceberg. The article mentions that the language ombudsman has received "hundreds of appeals" regarding similar violations. This means that such "2BFit"s are, unfortunately, quite numerous. But there's good news - publicity works. The stories of Marychka Padalko and Kateryna Hradnova-Savitska prove it.
So next time you go to your gym, look around. Do they respect you there? Do they create a community you want to be a part of? Or is it just a business that doesn't give a damn about you as long as you pay?
After all, strong muscles are cool, but a strong civic stance and self-respect are even cooler. Aren't they?
