This is being submitted for the safety of members at Steel Mill Gym. John Fish has targeted a guy twice, invaded his person space, and refused to back away or stop approaching. There is only a video of the second instance, but both times John got within 1-2 feet of the young members face and refused to back away despite being asked.
Space was asked simply to avoid an interaction where someone would have gotten hurt. You would expect the significantly older trainer to be following this logic and not put himself in a position where the member could have rightfully defended himself.
After the first targeted harassment (going all the way across the gym, while training a client, to specifically try and intimidate a member to clean off a bench he was sitting on), the member stated that John is a hypocrite for asking women inappropriate requests far too casually.
Women might get kicked out if they speak up, so I am doing it for them, as I have seen another unhinged older man on drugs touch a younger woman while giving her "training tips" at this location.
In the video, after the recorder is asked to repeat this statement about John, John's response does not deny his actions, but justifies them as he is not able to comprehend that:
A) a trainer in a position of power should not be making unsolicited sexual advices to women while they are literally backed into a corner
B) a woman in their 20s is almost never going to want a man in their 60s asking to touch them at a public gym, and her not stating a clear no, but looking very uncomfortable after he finally leaves, is expected in an environment where saying no might have consequences.
John uses intimation by closely surrounding individuals in order to get them to oblige to his requests. Since the member backed away and refused to be targeted and John was spoken to by management, the member was targeted again within 2mins of John's arrival.
After he made the request to the girl, he said something along the lines of "come on, why not". This is not the only woman he has made sexual advances toward or comments about. He also openly talks about women and their specific body parts loudly when training clients, which creates an uncomfortable environment for everyone. It is never resisted, because John acts like he is the owner of the gym.
I really hope rather than banning members, management look to enforce a strict corporate leash onto John to prevent this inappropriate behavior.
It is important for new members to know that he does not own the gym and has no power to target you, harass you, or touch you.
There are many amazing gyms in the area that I recommend trying out first. If you have to go here, it's a nice gym, but avoid this unhinged predator at all costs. read more