FAQs : Frequently Asked Questions

"Questions, questions, frequently asked questions ... we've even added some videos for your viewing pleasure. Check back for new additions to this page regularly; we are editing new video and fielding old questions daily."
~ Kels.

Interested in Joining?:



I came by to check out the gym and the doors were locked; what gives? Do I need to schedule an appointment?

 Our Doors are ALWAYS Locked: Scott Fitness is accessible 24 hours a day by use of a biometric hand scan recognition door access system. When members sign up, they are assigned a member ID, their right hand is scanned, and the image is stored in our database.

Touring the Facilities: You're welcome to come by either SF 1.0 or SF 2.0 any time between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day, including weekends - no appointments necessary and no need to call first. Front desk people are busy but keep an eye on the vestibules for people who are interested in looking at the gyms. If you are unable to raise a front desk person's attention, please call John Scott: 816.960.0502. He'll call the front desk attendant's cell phone and get him/her to the front door and to you.



* Note: If you wave to a member and they don't let you in, please don't assume that he or she is rude. We have a strict policy about letting non-members into the gym, i.e. we will cancel his/her membership.

Is Scott Fitness a beginner-friendly gym?

 Scott Fitness is a very beginner-friendly gym. We offer a wide variety classes, for example, Dumbbell 101 and Project Poolside, either of which would help you to learn some weight training fundamentals as well as encouraging proper technique. (If an hour-long class is intimidating, Project Poolside: Quickie is a half-hour version of Project Poolside.)

Really, all of our classes are beginner friendly (they're also free) and are designed so that you can go at your own pace, as well as to be continually challenging as you progress. We offer a range of interest-specific classes - Boxing, Zumba, Spin, Pilates, Noga - in the hopes that members will find something they truly enjoy and therefore will be encouraged to stick to.

We also have a wide variety of personal trainers available. (Personal trainers charge $40 per hour or $20 per half hour.) Some members elect to hire one for a short period in order to help them acclimate to a gym setting, a lifestyle change, and/or for support and encouragement. Many members use a personal trainer long term, too, and even try working out with a few of them until they find a perfect match - or just to change it up a bit.


No fees and no contracts ... seriously?

NO fees. NO contracts. NO kidding.: Your experiences with other gyms may have included fees to sign up and/or cancel as well as lengthy contracts with lots of fine print. There are NO fees and NO contracts at Scott Fitness. You may cancel and re-join at any time with no consequence. We ask only that you cancel (1) one day BEFORE your billing date. Billing dates are either on the 1st or the 15th of the month. If you call on your billing date or after, your card will have already been charged and your money CANNOT be refunded.

How much do your memberships cost?

 The Spiel, or Lack Thereof: We do not have sales reps and our prices have not changed since we opened. We offer monthly memberships, six-month memberships and year-long memberships.

A Couple is Any Two People: You can save money by joining with a friend, partner, cousin, co-worker, neighbor, cousin's friend's neighbor - or two, or three ... whatever. We don't care, as long as you're all paying with the same credit or debit card.

Here's how it breaks down, in an easy-to-read chart:

12-month membership (paid in full)

  • $400 plus tax - single membership
  • $600 plus tax - couple membership
  • Cash, check, or credit/debit card

6-month membership (paid in full)

  • $220 plus tax - single membership
  • $330 plus tax - couple membership
  • Cash, check, or credit/debit card

Monthly billing

  • $40/month plus tax - single membership
  • $60/month plus tax - couple membership
  • Billed monthly to a credit/debit card
* Checks and cash are NOT accepted for monthly memberships.
* Six-month and 12-month memberships do not automatically renew. When your six-month or 12-month membership is close to expiring we will call you to see if you would like to renew.

Can I work out immediately after I sign up?

 Absolutely! Wear your work-out clothes when you come in to sign up.

As a member, can I work out at ALL of the Scott Fitness locations?

 Yes! Your Scott Fitness membership includes access to ALL Scott Fitness locations: SF 1.0, SF 1.5, SF 2.0 and SF 2.5.

Membership Basics:



Can I add someone to my membership?

 You are welcome to add and remove people from your MONTHLY membership. Please make changes to your monthly membership at least (1) one day BEFORE your bill date.

If you purchase a 6-month or 12-month membership you may not add someone to your membership (or cancel the membership) until your six months or 12 months is up. When your six-month or 12-month membership is close to expiring we will call you and see if you would like to renew. If you would like to change membership types at that point, just let us know!

How do I cancel my membership?

 We Love You Even When You Cancel: You MUST call at least (1) one day BEFORE your billing date. Billing dates are either on the 1st or the 15th of the month. If you call on your billing date or after, your card will have already been charged and your money CANNOT be refunded. To cancel, please call 816.960.0502.


Do you offer guest passes?

 Our Guest Policy: No guests are allowed without John Scott's approval PRIOR to the visit.

Can't I just bring a friend in one time ... ?

 No Sneaky, Sneaky!: Your membership WILL BE cancelled if you allow non-members in the gym (or try to sneak someone in who is not a member). You MUST scan in to the hand scanner when entering a Scott Fitness location. DO NOT hold the door open for others. DO NOT let anyone in the gym.

I'm a monthly member ... what happens if my credit card is declined?

Declined Card Policy: If you are a monthly member and your credit card is declined, we will call or email you to let you know. When we call, we'll simply ask if you would like us to try running your credit card again or if you would like to provide us with a different credit card. In the meantime, you will still be a member of the gym and you can still come in and work out. If we just can't get in touch with you we will have to cancel your membership, but we will try to contact you before doing so.

Credit cards are run on either the 1st or the 15th of the month, depending on which date you elected when you signed up. If you know your credit card will be declined for whatever reason - you've gotten a new one, your car broke down and your card is maxed out - just call us (816.960.0502) and let us know.

The Doors:



I'm having a hard time getting in the front door. I know my member ID is correct but it won't let me in!

 Mano Incognito: Are you wearing a large ring or long sleeves that hang over part of your hand? The hand scanner recognizes the shape of your hand, so if you're wearing something that changes that shape, the scanner won't recognize your hand and won't let you in.

I'm having a hard time getting out of the front door at SF 2.0 in the River Market. I push, but it won't budge!

 Skin Contact: That door won't let you out unless you touch the metal push-bar with your skin. If your shirt or coat sleeve is over your hand the door will remain unmoved.

Classes:



What do I need to do to enroll in one of your classes?

 Nothing! All classes are free to members; just show up ready for a workout. (Our classes are beginner friendly!) For days and times or to learn more about our classes visit our classes page.

Are classes cancelled for holidays?

 We do not cancel classes for holidays. We will try to get a substitute instructor if for any reason the class' normal instructor is unable to make it to class. There are rare occasions where something comes up and we just can't avoid cancelling a class, but we will never do so without informing you in advance. We post class schedule changes on the classes page of our website, and usually on our home page as well. In addition, your instructor will let you know about upcoming changes.

Personal Trainers:



Could you recommend a personal trainer?

 We recommend all of our trainers - otherwise we wouldn't have them here! We have a bio page for each trainer; reading about each might help you to narrow it down a bit. Each trainer's personal page includes contact information and is accessible from the main trainers' page. Feel free to just walk up to a trainer if you see him/her in the gym, although please be respectful if he/she is with a client.

If you have specific concerns and/or questions, John Scott does recommend personal trainers on occasion: 816.960.0502.

Is Jonetta Stewart taking any new personal training clients?

Jonetta Rocks!: Here is her response to this oft-asked question:

"I am actually not accepting any new personal training clients ... because my plate is full with my current clients and with teaching all of my classes.

There are quite a few trainers on the trainers' page of our website. I would suggest reading their bios ... and 'test driving' the trainers until you find one that you connect with. They are all awesome ... but obviously personalities do differ. They are all independent contractors ... so they set their own schedules and collect their fees directly from their clients. Their bios and contact information are located on their individual pages, which are accessible through the main trainers' page.

You might consider checking out some of the classes. We have a wide selection of classes ... and some superb teachers. I teach Project Poolside and 50/50 ... which are both great lifting classes. I describe them as 'personal training sessions for groups of people.' All of our classes are free to Scott Fitness members."
~ Jonetta Stewart

I'm interested in becoming an SF personal trainer ... whom should I talk to?

 If you call the gym number: 816.960.0502, you'll reach John Scott. That's a good place to start with regards to becoming a personal trainer at Scott Fitness, as well as someone to talk to about starting a career in fitness in general. You can also submit the form on our contact page.

Gym Etiquette:



What's with the gym etiquette mention on the membership sign-up form?

 Common Courtesies: We mention gym etiquette immediately when you sign up in the hopes that you will be more aware of how your behavior affects other members, and visa versa. Remember: we reserve the right to cancel memberships. So be nice.

Put Your Weights Back: Picking up after yourself is a common courtesy. Please be considerate of other members and do so!

Grunting: It's really not necessary to scare the daylights out of innocent exercisers by grunting loudly and/or screaming your way through your workout.

I'm Sorry, But You Smell: It's normal to be a bit funky smelling after you work out. But if you just plain stink all of the time, John Scott may pull you aside and tell you so.

I was in the middle of class when my cell phone started ringing. I went to answer it and the instructor whipped a water bottle at me. Why can't I talk on my phone in the gym?

 Cell Phone Etiquette: You can talk on your phone in the gym. But it's RUDE when it interferes with other members' ability to enjoy a class or work out session. Turn your phone off during class. And keep your voice (respectfully) down when you're in the gym.


What's your problem with spandex?

 A Superhero (and Glam Metal) Staple: Spandex is fine, if that's your thing. (Spandex is lightweight, comfortable, resistant to body oils and perspiration, is more durable than rubber and can be stretched over 500 percent without breaking.) But we don't want you to feel obligated to wear a 'costume' to work out. You can work out in a flannel shirt and jeans if you want; just dress comfortably.


What do you consider a 'meathead' and what's your hang-up with them?

 Fewer Meatheads and Hardly Any Dipshits: 'Meathead' is a general term for someone with poor gym etiquette. He or she may or may not wear spandex, take steroids, show their mipples and/or grunt while weight lifting. We discourage 'meathead' behavior because it just plain makes other folks uncomfortable.

Gynecomastia: the development of abnormally large mammary glands in males resulting in breast enlargement. Gynecomastia is one possible side effect anabolic androgenic steroid abuse.

Other Notable Mentionings:



What happens when I call Scott Fitness?

You Talk Directly to John Scott: John Scott answers the phone whenever you call Scott Fitness - day or night. If he's in the bathroom or at a movie, he may have to call you back later ... but he will call you back. With John answering the phone you can be sure that you're getting the correct answer to your question ... whatever it may be.


I've lost my (insert item here) and I think I left it at the gym. Is there a lost an found?

 We hold found items in dated envelopes at the front desk of each location. Just ask a front desk person for assistance and he/she will be glad to look to see if your stuff is in our lost and found.

Why do the bathrooms smell like someone is making Easter eggs?

 The Easter egg smell is the vinegar - a natural germ killer - in our environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. We honestly believe in environmental responsibility, and are doing our best to 'go green'. We're making environmentally conscious decisions on everything from our light bulbs to our cleaning solutions. We've also been adding 'green' content to our website in order to increase awareness about environmentally friendly alternatives.


So I was getting ready to do lateral pull-downs and this little dog started scratching its back under the weight bench I was sitting on. Whose dog is this, anyway?

 Missy the Man Dog: Missy is our mascot and sentry. He is John Scott's dog, and one of several. On occasion, John brings them to the gym with him. You may see Missy scratching his back under a weight bench or lounging around the front desk. He loves to be petted and is a very sweet dog. If it bothers you that there are dogs in the gym, be advised: John loves his dogs very much and will probably ask YOU to leave before asking his dogs to leave.

No, you may NOT bring your dog to the gym. John can bring in his dogs because his name is on the front door. Sorry!

Bob, John's four-legged friend of 16 years, passed away in July of 2007. We miss Bob very much. You can see pictures and more videos of John, Bob and Missy on John Scott's instructor page.