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NEWS
Channel 4 comedian Rosie Jones mystery shopped gyms for accessibility – guess which operator passed the test
POSTED 22 Apr 2020 . BY Tom Walker
Jones, who has cerebral palsy, was asked to investigate disabled access to gyms in the latest episode of Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back Credit: Channel4
Comedian Rosie Jones found that just one of the three gyms she tried to train at, for a Channel 4 consumer rights programme, offered adequate facilities for disabled users.

Jones, who has cerebral palsy, was asked to investigate disabled access to gyms in the latest episode of Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back.

The programme, which has the tagline of "making complaining funny", takes a somewhat lighthearted approach to highlight (the sometimes serious) shortcomings of British businesses.

In the latest episode, broadcast on 17 April 2020 – but filmed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak – the show's host sent Jones to test the accessibility of three popular high-street gyms: Fitness First, Gymbox and The Gym Group.

Only one of the three gyms passed the test with flying colours.

The other two sites Jones visited fell badly short. Issues uncovered by the comedian included lack of site access and facilities meant for disabled exercisers being used as storage space for cleaning equipment.

At one of the clubs, Jones was told by a member of staff that their "gyms aren't designed for disabled people".

The final outcome saw The Gym Group come out on top, with good disabled access, well-briefed staff and a warm welcome. The other two operators fell down on access, with broken lift (or no lift), lack of disabled facilities and staff who were not welcoming.

"We know mystery shopping can be a brutal business," said HCM editor, Liz Terry, "most businesses have days when they excel and others when they could do better – it's tough to deliver every time in a service business. However, these kinds of lapses do show a systematic lack of attention to the needs of people with disabilities.

"Congratulations to The Gym Group for its consistency and robust delivery – it really stood out in this programme."

Click here to see the full clip of Jones' experience.

The full episode will air on repeat on Channel 4 today (22 April) at 11pm. For more info, click here.

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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Channel 4 comedian Rosie Jones mystery shopped gyms for accessibility – guess which operator passed the test
POSTED 22 Apr 2020 . BY Tom Walker
Jones, who has cerebral palsy, was asked to investigate disabled access to gyms in the latest episode of Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back Credit: Channel4
Comedian Rosie Jones found that just one of the three gyms she tried to train at, for a Channel 4 consumer rights programme, offered adequate facilities for disabled users.

Jones, who has cerebral palsy, was asked to investigate disabled access to gyms in the latest episode of Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back.

The programme, which has the tagline of "making complaining funny", takes a somewhat lighthearted approach to highlight (the sometimes serious) shortcomings of British businesses.

In the latest episode, broadcast on 17 April 2020 – but filmed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak – the show's host sent Jones to test the accessibility of three popular high-street gyms: Fitness First, Gymbox and The Gym Group.

Only one of the three gyms passed the test with flying colours.

The other two sites Jones visited fell badly short. Issues uncovered by the comedian included lack of site access and facilities meant for disabled exercisers being used as storage space for cleaning equipment.

At one of the clubs, Jones was told by a member of staff that their "gyms aren't designed for disabled people".

The final outcome saw The Gym Group come out on top, with good disabled access, well-briefed staff and a warm welcome. The other two operators fell down on access, with broken lift (or no lift), lack of disabled facilities and staff who were not welcoming.

"We know mystery shopping can be a brutal business," said HCM editor, Liz Terry, "most businesses have days when they excel and others when they could do better – it's tough to deliver every time in a service business. However, these kinds of lapses do show a systematic lack of attention to the needs of people with disabilities.

"Congratulations to The Gym Group for its consistency and robust delivery – it really stood out in this programme."

Click here to see the full clip of Jones' experience.

The full episode will air on repeat on Channel 4 today (22 April) at 11pm. For more info, click here.

RELATED STORIES
Facility operator launches disability awareness training for fitness staff


A leisure facility operator has launched an e-Learning course to improve the service that disabled customers experience at its fitness facilities.
MORE NEWS
Hoshino Resorts opens Kai Kusatsu as it expands the Kai onsen ryokan brand
Kai Kusatsu, an onsen ryokan property has launched in the famous Japanese hot spring destination, Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture.
Luxury resort coming to Hunter Valley will have longevity spa
Private hotel owner and developer HVL Hotels will open a new luxury resort and tourism destination called Laval Hunter Valley in the second half of 2027 in Pokolbin, Australia.
Rocco Forte’s Verdura Resort to host wellness festival Alma near emerging Blue Zone in Sicily
The annual wellness festival dedicated to wellbeing, culture, longevity and human connection, called Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy.
Feisal Jaffer becomes chief development officer for Capella Hotel Group
Capella Hotel Group has appointed Feisal Jaffer as chief development officer as the company ramps up its global expansion of both its Capella and Patina brands.
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Sun protection is no longer just about shielding the skin – it's about enhancing it. [more...]

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There is a particular quality of stillness found only in the desert. [more...]
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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS