I went into the Saugus/Santa Clarita Anytime Fitness on August 10th, 2026 to work out. I was alone…read morethat day. The manager, Joel Schoonmaker, approached me about my daughter having been in the club with me on two previous occasions weeks ago. He stated the policy of no children allowed in a scolding manner while I was on a treadmill. I immediately said I understood and would not bring her back.
I thought that would be the end of it.
Instead, I was publicly confronted and spoken to in an extremely condescending, authoritative and intimidating manner in front of other members. I repeatedly asked Joel to speak to me professionally and told him that I was uncomfortable with how he was addressing me.
I asked to speak with the owner because I no longer felt comfortable speaking with him. He repeatedly said, "I'm the manager," but would not give me the owner's information.
During the interaction, he told me, "You know what? You're awkward. You're just awkward." He walked away and then came back to the treadmill I was on and continued scolding me.
I would not accept his unprofessional treatment and repeatedly told him I felt uncomfortable as he was rude and was embarrassing me in front of others who were working out as well.
He then told me to follow him to his office. I told him I would not go into an office with him because I was uncomfortable after the way he had been speaking to and treating me. I repeatedly asked to speak with the owner instead.
He did not give me any information as to how to reach the owner, instead he said multiple times that he was the manager.
He told me that if I wouldn't follow him to his office, I would have to leave or be removed by law enforcement. He then said words to the effect of, "You don't want me to get law enforcement involved. I know everyone out here." He also referenced his and his wife's employment with Glendale PD.
At that point, I felt intimidated and extremely uncomfortable. He went to call law enforcement, so I gathered my things and left the gym in tears.
He also told me that he sometimes brings his own children into the gym because "I'm the manager." I understand that managers may have different circumstances, but considering that seeing children there was the reason I misunderstood the policy in the first place, this felt like a double standard.
The child policy itself was not my issue. I made a mistake, I acknowledged it, and I said it would not happen again.
My issue was how I was treated.
A manager can enforce a rule without publicly humiliating a paying customer, calling her "awkward," refusing to provide the owner's information, using law enforcement as intimidation, threatening membership termination and a $200+ charge, and ultimately removing her from the gym because she asked to be treated professionally.
I left feeling humiliated and completely disrespected.
This could have been handled with a simple, professional, and private conversation.
Owner, please reach out to me. I have tried to find a way to contact you but have not been able to.
I want to be clear that this review is not intended to reflect negatively on the gym itself. We genuinely enjoy working out here. The facility is clean, updated, and the rest of the staff have always been wonderful.
Unfortunately, Joel's treatment of me left a horrible impression on my family and me. I came to the gym simply wanting to work out in peace, and instead I left in tears after being publicly scolded, called "awkward," intimidated with references to law enforcement, and ultimately removed from the gym.
I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with the owner directly and have this situation addressed appropriately. I do not believe I should lose my membership or be charged a fee as a result of this interaction, particularly after I acknowledged the policy and agreed to comply with it going forward.
I am hopeful that ownership will take this seriously and address the unprofessional and humiliating way this situation was handled. I would be happy to update my review once this matter has been fairly and appropriately resolved. I would also advise that he is not permitted to speak to customers in a private office where he can behave this way in private without cameras. There are many people who have a hard time speaking up when being mistreated by people like Joel.