Visiting a different gym as guest

I mean, they are obviously letting you use it free as a way of advertising their gym. The best way to see how you like a gym is actually using it. Of course there is going to be pressure to join. But if you really want to go workout, be prepared on the front end that it is a sales pitch. I've done it before when I was out of town and the hotel gym left a lot to be desired. I was a member at Gold's at the time, and went to another chain that we didn't have in Birmingham at the time. Told the guy I saw the free trial period (I think it was a 3-day pass) and wanted a place to get a workout in while I was on the road. He was cool about it, and didn't pressure me too much since he knew they didn't have one here. He said he wouldn't turn people away but that it was a one time thing so I wasn't going to be able to come back the next week when I was going to be back down there.

i previously worked in the fitness industry (including 24 hour fitness) for many years, so i'll answer this question from a few different perspectives.

#1, the intent of a guest pass is to get people to join. As such, almost every pass will have fine print that says something to the extent of local residents only. the pass is not intended for someone from out of town to get a quick workout because they don't like their hotel gym.

regarding the sales pitch- it's mandated by the company and/or management. so as much as you dont want to sit through a 30 minute pitch, the sales guy doesnt want to give it either (knowing that you arent looking to join). however, there's probably a sales manager or general mgr looking over their shoulder, and if they don't tour you around, or make an effort to close you, they will get in trouble.

regarding a hurricane Harvey promo- i don't know the specifics, but i remember at 24 we used to let all military in, hassle free, on memorial day and veterans day. We may have given them the softest of closes (like maybe a 1 minute sales pitch with no tour), but that was it. If 24 is offering free workouts because of Harvey, there shouldn't be the same amount of pressure as a regular guest pass.

what should your etiquette be- you are a guest of their gym, it's a private company, and the sales person has a job to do. expect a tour and a price presentation; the assumption is you are looking for a gym, maybe not on that specific day, but in the near future. You can (and should) be honest up front, and tell them you aren't looking to join immediately. You may get lucky, and there won't be a manager on duty and the sales guy will let you slide through without much hassle. However, if you are just visiting from out of town, have been a guest recently, etc. dont be surprised if you arent allowed to workout for free.

Keep in mind, there are people that pay for the gym. It's not fair that the guy taking up space on the bench press isn't a paying member, while there are paying customers waiting to use that same equipment.

are the guest passes a bait and switch? ehhh, depends. A 30 minute sales pitch is a bit much, but it's the same as a timeshare presentation- nothing comes for free. At 24, all the rules were printed on the pass. Also, there were special passes from corporate that were "no hassle" passes, and we let people walk right in, only signing the waiver.

Well see friend, you made the mistake of assuming it was free, it's not, it costs you the most valuable asset you have, your time, both at the point of interaction and through follow up.

Maybe you should entertain them . My 24 hour fitness membership is $21 a year for the rest of my life using all their clubs. I have had it for the past 12 at that price.