*Repost from Google Reviews to include my response to the owner's response that minimized their behavior and attempted to present me as a dismissive member as I may be able to warn the next person looking for an accepting gym- WARNING this is NOT it*
***Following the response from the owner my review remains honest and accurate. Any dishonest statements that are trying to frame me as a "dismissive" member unwilling to listen and learn are attempts at deflecting from the clearly unprofessional and bizarre behavior I experienced from the owner Shad Lorenz***
I was a member of Crossfit Germantown for approximately 9 days. My initial impression of this gym was positive. I soon realized that this environment only exists if you NEVER disagree with Shad Lorenz, the head of Crossfit Germantown Performance.
I experienced lower back tightness after my first week at crossfit. I decided to scale back on weight and work on my form, as well as core strength. In the meantime, I began wearing my weight belt for comfort and stability. This was fine until Shad Lorenz was running a class I attended.
He had an issue with the weight belt because he said it does not fix the issue, it's simply a crutch. While I agreed that I had other things to work on, in the meantime I felt more comfortable wearing my weight belt. He simply would not accept my decision.
Throughout class, Shad Lorenz brought up the weight belt repeatedly. EVERY chance he had to say something to me led to an explanation about why you shouldn't wear weight belts and he was clearly getting increasingly upset that I wouldn't budge on wearing my belt. Towards the end of class, he brought it up AGAIN. After being told I was "TYPICAL" and didn't know what I was talking about, I finally put my foot down, told him I felt more comfortable wearing the belt for now, and I did not want to continue arguing about it. I expressed my discomfort and told him to drop it.
CLEARLY, this man has never had anyone say no to him before. When I left class, Shad Lorenz followed me to my car. He continued harassing me about weight belt usage. He said I didn't want to accept his help and I told him I am a beginner at crossfit so I do want help, but this is a difference of opinion and I felt comfortable wearing the belt at least until I was more stable in my form. He would absolutely not accept this. He was getting more upset and louder and his behavior was alarming to me. He said he was upset, he was uncomfortable, and he doesn't know what he can say without me getting upset so he was going to CANCEL my membership. I agreed because at that point, I was experiencing harassment and felt like I was being held hostage by my car.
I have NEVER experienced such a shocking and outlandish response to a difference of opinion. Unless you are causing harm to yourself or others, a difference of opinion should not end in a cancelled membership.
No one should ever feel bullied, coerced, or pressured into doing anything they don't feel comfortable with. This was an absolutely disturbing and awful experience for me.
To Shad Lorenz, you should be ashamed and embarassed by your behavior. Regardless of your expertise, you response was completely out of line. You should consider asking more questions and being less judgemental towards others in the future. No one should EVER be treated the way you treated me. Shame on you.
TLDR: Membership cancelled by Shad Lorenz over a WEIGHT BELT. read more