Code of Conduct
ZeroW Wales is a community first. People of every background and experience level train here, from first-day beginners to national champions, and we want every one of them to feel welcome and safe. This Code of Conduct sets out what we expect from everyone who is part of that community. It applies to members, guests and visitors, to in-person and online coaching and nutrition clients, to young people on our youth programmes and their parents or guardians, and to anyone competing in, helping at or watching our events.
By using the gym, signing up for any of our services or attending one of our events, you agree to follow this Code. It forms part of our Terms & Conditions, and for gym members it is part of the ZeroW Facility Rules referred to in your Membership Agreement.
1. Our purpose
We are here to help as many people as possible discover how strong they really are, in a safe, supportive and well-equipped environment. Everyone in the building, and everyone who represents ZeroW online, is expected to contribute to that.
2. Respect and inclusivity
- Treat everyone with respect, whatever their age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, body type, ability or experience.
- Racism, religious hatred, homophobia, transphobia, sexism and any other form of hate or discrimination have no place at ZeroW.
- Harassment, intimidation, discrimination and unwanted contact will not be tolerated. This includes verbal abuse, slurs, so-called jokes or "banter" aimed at someone's identity, persistent unwanted attention, and comments about anyone's body or training.
- Clothing, symbols or music that promote hatred, extremist groups or extremist ideology are not allowed at the gym or at our events.
- Don't offer coaching or critique to other members unless they ask. If someone asks for a spot or feedback, be helpful and respectful.
- If you see something that isn't okay, say something: to a member of staff, to the person involved if you feel safe doing so, or using the contact details in section 12.
3. Photography and filming
- Filming your own sets is fine. Be mindful of who else is in the frame.
- Do not photograph or film other members, guests or staff without their clear permission.
- Do not post photos or videos of other members, guests or staff on social media without their permission. If someone asks you to take down a post they appear in, take it down.
- Never film or take photos in the changing rooms, showers, toilets or any other private area.
- Footage filmed at ZeroW must not be edited, captioned or set to music in a way that breaks this Code. See section 4.
4. Social media and online conduct
The ZeroW community exists online as well as on the gym floor, and what is posted online reflects on the gym and on everyone who trains here. This Code applies online wherever your content or behaviour is connected to ZeroW, including:
- videos, photos and livestreams filmed at ZeroW or at a ZeroW event, including footage of your own training;
- posts that tag, mention, show or otherwise identify ZeroW, our staff or our members;
- comments, replies and messages on that content, including your replies to other people;
- comments and messages on ZeroW's own social media accounts; and
- how you treat ZeroW members and staff online, wherever that happens.
In those places, you must not post, share or add anything that is racist, hateful, discriminatory, threatening or abusive, or that promotes extremist groups or ideology. This covers the content itself and anything added to it, such as music, captions, hashtags, stickers, overlays and comments.
If you post something that breaks this Code, we may ask you to remove it. Removing it does not prevent us from taking action under section 13. A breach online is treated in the same way as a breach in the gym.
When we look into a report about online content, we may keep screenshots or copies of it as a record. We handle these in line with our Privacy Policy.
5. Equipment and safety
- Use equipment the way it is designed to be used. If you are unsure, ask a coach or a member of staff.
- Always use collars on barbells.
- Use a spotter, or set the safety arms or pins, for heavy squats, bench presses and overhead work. Take extra care outside staffed hours, when you may be training alone.
- Don't drop dumbbells or unloaded barbells. Lower heavy deadlifts under control where you can.
- Return plates, bars, dumbbells and accessories to where they belong after use. The next person shouldn't have to hunt for them.
- Report damaged or unsafe equipment to staff straight away. Don't try to fix it yourself.
- Don't train through an obvious injury without speaking to a coach or a qualified health professional first.
6. Hygiene and cleanliness
- Wipe down equipment after use, including benches, racks, machines, mats and anything else you have touched or sweated on.
- Wear clean, tidy training clothes with no offensive prints or designs, and suitable footwear. Lifting shoes or socks for deadlifts are fine.
- Keep chalk use under control and clean up after yourself.
- The changing rooms, showers and toilets are shared. Leave them as you would want to find them.
- If you are unwell or have anything contagious, train another day.
7. 24/7 access
- The gym is staffed Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm, and open to members 24/7 through the Kisi app.
- Your access is for you alone. Do not share, lend or pass on your access to anyone else.
- Do not let anyone follow you in. If someone you don't recognise asks to be let in, ask them to contact us.
- Make sure the door is fully closed behind you when you arrive and leave.
- If you see anyone in the gym who shouldn't be there, contact us straight away. In an emergency, call 999.
- CCTV covers the inside of the gym and the parking spaces directly outside it, for the safety of members and staff and the security of the building.
8. Music, phones and noise
- Use headphones if you want to listen to your own music. Check with staff before changing what is playing on the gym speakers.
- Take long phone calls away from the training floor.
- Big lifts get loud, and that's powerlifting. Slamming weights for show, or shouting in a way that intimidates other people, isn't.
9. Under-18s and guests
- Under-18s can only train at ZeroW in a session led by one of our coaches, such as our Youth Development Programme or a 1-on-1 coaching session. They cannot train on their own or use 24/7 access.
- A parent or guardian must agree to the session or programme on the young person's behalf.
- Members may not bring guests in to train without arranging it with staff first.
10. Drugs, alcohol and smoking
- No alcohol on the premises.
- No smoking or vaping inside the building or at the entrance.
- Don't train under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or any medication that warns against strenuous exercise. It is unsafe for you and everyone around you.
- Do not sell or supply any drugs at ZeroW, including anabolic steroids or other controlled substances, or do anything else illegal on the premises. We will report it to the police.
- If you compete in a drug-tested federation or division, you are responsible for following its anti-doping rules. If we find that you are not, we may decline to coach you or to support your entry.
11. Coaching and staff
- Follow instructions from staff and coaches, particularly where safety is concerned.
- Treat our staff and coaches with respect, in person and online. Abuse or threats towards staff will not be tolerated.
- Don't coach other members for payment, or promote your own coaching or business at ZeroW, without our agreement.
- Be on time for booked sessions, and give as much notice as you can if you need to cancel. Our Terms & Conditions explain what happens with late cancellations.
- If you have a concern about a coach or member of staff, raise it with them directly or use the contact details in section 12.
12. Reporting concerns
If you experience or witness anything that breaks this Code, or that feels unsafe or unwelcoming, please tell us, whether it happened in the gym or online. You can speak to any member of staff, email info@zeroweakness.co.uk or call 07554 447397. For online content, a link or screenshot helps. We take every report seriously and handle it with discretion.
13. Breaches and consequences
If someone breaks this Code, we will decide what to do based on how serious it is. We may:
- have a quiet conversation and ask them to change their behaviour;
- ask them to remove content they have posted online;
- issue a formal written warning;
- suspend their access to the gym and our services for a period of time;
- end their membership or service and permanently remove their access;
- refuse any future membership, service or event entry; and
- report the matter to the police where a crime may have been committed, such as violence, harassment, theft or a hate crime.
Serious breaches, such as violence, threats, harassment, or racist, hateful or discriminatory behaviour in the gym or online, may lead to a membership being ended straight away without a prior warning.
If we end a membership or service because of a breach, we will stop any future payments. Fees already paid for the current billing period will not be refunded.
Decisions are made by ZeroW Wales management. We will tell the person concerned what we have decided and why. If they think we have got it wrong, they can reply by email within 14 days and the owner will review the decision.
14. Changes to this Code
We may update this Code from time to time, for example to deal with new kinds of behaviour or new facilities. We will change the date at the top and tell members when we do, and the updated Code applies from the date we tell you.