Sophie Jones, a fitness enthusiast and TikTok influencer with nearly 600,000 followers, experienced an awkward predicament at the gym when her treadmill key became stuck in the machinery. The incident, which she documented on social media, left her struggling to get assistance as the gym's emergency button went unanswered.
In a video shared on TikTok with the caption "what a commotion," Jones explained that her key had dropped onto the treadmill and become wedged between the running belt and the plastic casing. "I'm gonna have to call for help," she said. "I've got my key stuck in the treadmill."
Key Disappears into Treadmill
Attempting to retrieve the key, Jones considered turning the treadmill back on but hesitated. "I'm thinking if I turn the treadmill back on, will it get caught?" she asked. At that moment, the key slid from her grasp and disappeared into the machinery. "Oh my God it's gone," she exclaimed.
She peered beneath the treadmill but could not locate the key. "My key's gone," she repeated. She then pressed an emergency button on a red box on the wall, which triggered a flashing red light and a piercing alarm, but there was no response.
No Staff Available
Jones knocked on a door labeled 'gym team' but received no answer. A sign nearby explained: "Help point. Our PT (personal trainer) on shift is currently teaching a class and will be unable to attend the door. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this may cause. This could be up to 30 minutes. Thank you for your patience."
Unsure how to proceed, Jones said, "Do you think I should just turn the treadmill back on? I can't see it or hear it. My key's actually lost in the treadmill. I actually don't know what to do because there's no PT on site. It's one of those gyms that doesn't have anyone working." She hit the emergency button again but still no answer.
Emergency Phone Not Working
Jones lamented, "So much for the emergency phone, it's not working." She noticed a telephone number beside the emergency button and called it, receiving assurance that help was on the way. Meanwhile, she dashed to her estate agent to collect a spare key for her flat.
The story had a happy ending: 20 minutes later, a man arrived and retrieved the key by lifting the treadmill. Jones exclaimed, "Thank you so much, it's like something out of a movie, like lifting a car up or something. A man just came and saved my life. It was (like) something off Thor."
Gym Group Responds
A spokesperson for Gym Group, the company that runs Jones's gym, said: "Whilst that specific gym call button seemed to not operate correctly, the gym member contacted the phone number available on our help points, which connected them immediately to our team to assist. A member of gym staff was onsite in 20 minutes, and we're pleased they were able to help the member to retrieve their key. Our call buttons are regularly checked, and we can confirm this gym's call button is functioning."
