Broke gym record by bench pressing 535 pounds. Gym will not acknowledge it. What should I do?

Question

My gym (USA gym) has a bench press contest every month. The gym record was 525 & the man who accomplished that has a plaque on the wall, picture on the wall, a 500+ bench press T-shirt with the gym logo & receives accolades everyday at the gym.

The last competition my goal was 535 pounds. I brought in my own spotter (Jessie). I struggled a bit - but got the 535 up, however, Jessie applied his two pinky's to the bar to make sure it was balanced and now the gym WILL NOT acknowledge my record. They say Jessie helped me with the spot. Jessie told them at most his pinkies took away 2 pounds but the gym will not budge. Even if Jessie did help I still pressed 533 pounds.

They will not give me the plaque, picture, T-shirt or accolades. Now I got my own T-shirt made that states on the front 535 pound bench press champion & the back says "USA is NOT OK" to mock the gym. The gym told me I can't wear the T-shirt and will NEVER acknowledge my 535 record. Why is the gym doing this to me?

Answer 1

They have strict rules in their contest. You broke the rules (although very slightly). They are enforcing their rules. The best you can do is to do the contest next month. Don't do anything to make them angry so they will allow you to enter the contest.

If your friend had not helped you would you have finished the lift? If that is a yes, then next time make sure your friend knows not to help you unless you are in trouble.

As for wearing the shirt that you had made, the gym probably considers the shirt an attack against them. It is probably in their dress code that you can't wear shirts with logos that disrespect USA Gym. Even if it is not explicitly stated, they can still ask a person to leave if they feel that there is something about the clothing that insults them. Also, if you use the name USA Gym or any logo associated with them, then you could be violating copyright and/or trademark law.

Answer 2

Are you being nice about this or are you being confrontational? Technically they are within their rights and you know it. Why not just enter the next contest and break the record with their spotter? Approached correctly, they might have acceded to you before, but the shirt stunt was probably too over the top. You could have handled this better.

Answer 3

if the spotter touches the bar, it doesnt count, since its impossible to tell how much he helped. to get them to acknowledge your feat, do it again and tell your spotter to keep his hands at least 2-3 inches from the bar unless you REALLY need it, or use a spotter from the gym. i suggest the guy who currently holds the record, if he says you did it, i doubt the gym will argue with you.

but the USA not OK shirt is not helping anything, you made it personal now by attacking them, and they will do anything they can to screw you over now. to them, it isnt about the record anymore, its just about them vs. you. stop wearing the shirt and maybe they will forget about it.

Answer 4

Well they sure sound like a bunch of Jerks! As lame as it sounds you may have to do the lift again, this time without the pinkies! How would you feel if you were the guy with his picture hanging on the wall? Would you want someone to take away your title especially if there was controversy surrounding it?
:o)

Answer 5

Because you had a spotter from outside and that outside spotter touched the bar. "Jessie" could of exerted a hell of a lot more than two pounds with his two fingers. Find another Gym. But, as a former employees of Gold's, please don't go to Gold's.

Answer 6

Walk into the gym today and bench 540..Bring a video camera with you to document the lift...

Answer 7

Go to a different Gym good luck on finding one.

Answer 8

Grow Up.

Answer 9

Do it again.