The Leisure Media Company Ltd
The Leisure Media Company Ltd
The Leisure Media Company Ltd
 
EMPLOYERS: POST A JOB
Free ezines & magazines
News Video Training Products Magazines Spa Business spa-kit Handbook What's on Advertise Subscribe
Catalogue gallery
More catalogues
Diary dates
Powered by leisurediary.com
09-11 Jun 2026
Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
09-12 Jun 2026
Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
21-23 Jun 2026
Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026
Worldwide,
03-05 Jul 2026
Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
19-21 Jul 2026
The Global Ambassador , Phoenix, United States
22-25 Jul 2026
The Global Ambassador , Phoenix, United States
23-26 Aug 2026
The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Channel 4 comedian Rosie Jones mystery shopped gyms for accessibility – guess which operator passed the test
By Tom Walker 22 Apr 2020
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.



News
1 to 12 of 9470 news stories
10 Jun 2026
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD). GWD ... More
09 Jun 2026
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day (GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation experiences. Founded in 2012 by Belgin Aksoy in Turkey, GWD ... More
05 Jun 2026
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los Cabos. The not-for-profit movement, ... More
12 Jun 2026
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy. Founded in ... More
03 Jun 2026
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day (GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in alignment with ... More
01 Jun 2026
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.  With decades of experience in immersive water-based attractions, Maelzer will lead the development and global delivery of the company’s recreational ... More
03 Jun 2026
Lithuanian care operator Addere Care has launched a “wellness care hospital” in Vilnius. It's the company’s second Lithuanian site, following a hospital in Trakai, but the first to offer professional medical care in a spa ... More
28 May 2026
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing. Van Phu Real Estate Development JSC owns ... More
05 Jun 2026
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that cancer is a disability and ... More
26 May 2026
Wellness and hospitality thought leaders gathered recently for a workshop at Yasuragi, the Japanese spa and conference hotel near Stockholm. The purpose was to shape the FIBO Longevity and Hospitality Summit, which will happen in ... More
27 May 2026
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director, Diane Davody. In an ... More
27 May 2026
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-profile wellness resort brands  for ... More
     
International SPA Association - iSPA
Fenix Group s.r.l.
Company Profile
Myndstream
The Stream, Myndstream's purpose-built streaming service enables you to personalise the music to [more]
 
MORE PROFILES
Featured Supplier
Why future-ready in-house laundry is the new luxury spa essential
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. ... more
International SPA Association - iSPA
Product news
Voya launches Resurge Hair and Scalp Elixir and spa treatments
Voya launches Resurge Hair and Scalp Elixir and spa treatments
Nilo Spa Design introduces Marea dry flotation bed
Nilo Spa Design introduces Marea dry flotation bed
Esse Skincare upgrades Probiotic Serum with fourth live probiotic species
Esse Skincare upgrades Probiotic Serum with fourth live probiotic species
Sweet Bee Organics enters spa market at The Ned London with magnesium-infused treatment
Sweet Bee Organics enters spa market at The Ned London with magnesium-infused treatment
Templespa releases brightening Glass Act eye serum
Templespa releases brightening Glass Act eye serum
OSKIA unveils Midnight Eye Q cream for nocturnal repair
OSKIA unveils Midnight Eye Q cream for nocturnal repair
Directory

 
JOBS
NEWS
VIDEO
TRAINING
PRODUCTS
MAGAZINE
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA-KIT.NET
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
SUBSCRIBE
ADVERTISE
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026



The Leisure Media Company Ltd
The Leisure Media Company Ltd
The Leisure Media Company Ltd
The Leisure Media Company Ltd
News   Products   Magazine
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
Healing sanctuary Tulah Clinical Wellness opens in Kerala
Tulah Clinical Wellness, a holistic wellness destination, has officially opened in the hills of northern Kerala, India.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai creates Global Wellness Day programme rooted in nature
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day (GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Lithuanian care operator Addere Care has launched a new “wellness care hospital” in Vilnius.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Global Wellness Summit announces 2026 theme: the science, art and soul of wellness
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
International SPA Association

Since 1991, the International SPA Association has been recognised worldwide as the professional orga [more...]
+ More profiles  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
+ More diary  
 


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