Official Rules

2024 GOLD’S GYM FITNESS COMPETITION 

THIS COMPETITION IS OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AT TIME OF ENTRY, AND WHO ARE CURRENT MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING AT A GOLD’S GYM FACILITY IN THE UNITED STATES.  ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS APPLY.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

AS A CONDITION TO ENTRY AND PARTICIPATION, ATHLETES AGREE TO ABIDE BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES, INCLUDING THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND DRUG-USE POLICY.  FAILURE TO ABIDE BY SUCH RULES AND POLICIES WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE COMPETITION.   

Sponsor: The 2024 Gold’s Gym Fitness Competition (“Competition” or “GGFC”) is sponsored by RSG Group USA, Inc. d/b/a Gold’s Gym (“Gold’s Gym” or “Sponsor”), 5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75240.  Gold’s Gyms are owned and operated by Sponsor, an affiliate of Sponsor, or if the Gold’s Gym location is owned by a franchisee of Sponsor’s affiliate Gold’s Gym Franchise LLC, by such independent franchise entity (“Franchise”). Not all locations participate in the Competition.  Check with a local Gold’s Gym to see if it is a participating gym.


In-Gym Qualifier

The first phase of the Competition is the Qualifier.  Athletes will compete in a local in-gym competition conducted at participating Gold’s Gyms (each a “Local Gym”).  Athletes will perform a series of exercises, which will be judged, scored, and ranked against other registered athletes in their Division nationally (the “Qualifier”).  The best 10 scores in each Division qualify to advance to the National Competition.  Athletes may compete once. No re-do for any reason.  Athletes are not permitted to use wrist straps, grips, or any other support that attaches to the barbell or dumbbell.  Knee straps, gloves, compression sleeves, and back braces are permitted.

 

Qualifier Exercise Materials

Qualifier exercises will be released on August 2, 2024, at 12:00pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).  A link to materials added on the GGFC website, GGFC.GoldsGym.com, will be emailed to the email address provided at Registration.  Athletes are responsible for reviewing the materials (including proper exercise form and scoring criteria) prior to competing.  It is each athlete’s responsibility to provide a correct email address at Registration, and to monitor email (including spam and junk folders) for Competition communications.  Sponsor is not responsible for communications that are not delivered or received due to inaccurate information or spam/junk filters. 


Qualifier Administration

The Qualifier will be held at Local Gyms from August 2, 2024, through August 12, 2024 (the “Qualifier Period”). To compete, athletes must reserve a 30-minute time slot at the Local Gym chosen at registration.  Each Local Gym will set its own start and end times for the Qualifier to be held each day of the Qualifier Period.  Reservations are first come, first serve.  Once a Local Gym has filled its slots, no other athletes will be allowed to compete in the Qualifier at that Local Gym.  An athlete may contact other Local Gyms to see if there is availability during the Qualifier Period, but if the athlete is unable to find an available slot at a Local Gym within the Qualifier Period, the athlete’s Registration will be deemed null and void, and the athlete will be removed from the Competition.  


Judging, Scoring, and Video Recording

Athletes will be timed, judged, and scored according to the criteria set forth in the Qualifier materials.  Judges will score the exercises according to the criteria and will verify and document the scores on a Scorecard.   Judges are responsible for keeping time, applying, and enforcing rules regarding exercises and standards, and for documenting and submitting each athlete’s Scorecard.  Judges will have personal training or fitness certifications and/or significant experience in fitness, and will be trained on proper form, timing, and scoring of the exercises.  Scores will be displayed on an online GGFC Leaderboard along with the athlete’s full name, Local Gym, and Division.  The Leaderboard will be updated throughout the Qualifier Period, until all eligible Scorecards have been submitted.   


Judges are required to submit the Scorecards for entry on the same day as the performance of the Qualifier. Failure to timely submit an Athlete’s Scorecard may result in disqualification of the Athlete. 

Video Recording

Athletes must film their entire Qualifier performance and will be required to submit the video (the “Qualifier Video”) if the Athlete is in the top 10 in the Athlete’s Division (or for a Tiebreaker).  It is the Athlete’s sole responsibility to arrange all aspects of recording.  Athletes may use a guest to assist.  Filming arrangements must not interfere with the administration of the Competition.  Judges and gym staff are prohibited from filming the Qualifier performances.

Requirements for the Qualifier Video:

  • must continuously and accurately display the entire Qualifier performance as a single, continuous video, including all exercises and rest breaks
  • cannot be shot with a fisheye or similar lens
  • should be submitted in MOV or MP4 format
  • must be unedited, uncut, and unaltered.
  • must depict clearly and without obstruction the full range of movement and motion of the Athlete’s Qualifier performance.

Athletes will be notified, via the email provided at Registration, if required to submit the Qualifier Video.  Athlete must submit the Qualifier Video within 48 hours from the email notification. The Qualifier Videos will be used by Judges to confirm compliance with the requirements of each exercise, and to confirm scoring (including tiebreakers).  Failure by an Athlete to timely submit a fully compliant Qualifier Video will result in Athlete’s disqualification. The Athlete will also be disqualified if the Qualifier Video reveals a score lower than that which was submitted on the Athlete’s Scorecard.


Scorecard Disputes

Athletes will be required to accept or dispute the Score at the time the Judge signs the Scorecard.  If an Athlete fails to dispute the Score at that time, the athlete waives any right to dispute the Score. If an Athlete disputes the Score, the Judge will submit the Scorecard for entry, and will also submit the dispute for review with a manager at the Local Gym.  If the Local Gym manager makes a decision on the dispute, the decision is final.  If for any reason the Local Gym manager is unable to decide, the dispute will be referred to the National Personal Training Manager (or equivalent) for a final decision.  

Subject to the foregoing, all Scorecards are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on August 12, 2024 (the “Qualifier Submission Deadline”).  It is the Athlete’s sole responsibility to confirm that Athlete’s Scorecard (and Qualifier Video, if applicable) has been properly and timely submitted. Athlete should appear on the GGFC Leaderboard and also receive an email confirmation of the Athlete’s Scorecard entry. Athletes should contact the Local Gym if any issues arise.  Late submissions, changes, or additions will not be allowed after the Qualifier Submission Deadline.   

  • Divisions

Divisions are Male and Female based on gender (each a “Division”).  Transgender and nonbinary athletes shall register and participate per the Transgender Participation Policy at ggfc.goldsgym.com/ggfc-transgender.


Qualifier Tiebreaker

There will be a two business-day period following the Qualifier Submission Deadline during which Qualifier Submissions will be validated. If there are more than 10 athletes in a Division with the top Qualifier scores, the finalists for the National Competition will be determined by a tiebreaker (the “Tiebreaker”).  The Tiebreaker shall be administered by analyzing the scores from the Qualifier exercises based on pre-determined ranking of the exercises.  To keep the Competition fair, the ranking system shall be kept confidential and the Athletes will not be informed of the ranking system until after the Qualifier Submission Deadline.   The remaining spots for the National Competition will be filled by the Athletes with the best scores from the Tiebreaker, until all 10 slots in each Division have been filled. Tiebreaker scores shall be counted only against the scores of the other Tiebreaker Athletes, and will not be used to slot an Athlete higher than the unfilled spot(s).


National Competition

The 10 finalist athletes from each Division (the “Finalists”) with the best scores at the Qualifier (and Tiebreaker, if applicable) will qualify to compete in the National Competition at the Gold’s Gym “Mecca” in Venice Beach California, 360 Hampton Drive, Venice, CA 90291.  The National Competition will be held on September 14, 2024.   Finalists will be required to travel to Venice, CA from September 13, 2024, to September 15, 2024.  Sponsor will provide Finalists with hotel accommodations and daily stipends for meals during these dates.   For travel by air, Sponsor will book the lowest economical flights available from the Finalist’s home city.  Finalists will be required to fill out a form with personal information, preferred travel times and methods.

Between August 15, 2024, and August 20, 2024, Finalists will be notified of their advancement to the National Competition at the email address listed at Registration. Finalists will have 5 calendar days from notice to confirm participation.  If a Finalist is unable to be contacted or fails to respond within 5 calendar days, the Finalist will be disqualified from competing in the National Competition and the slot will be filled by the next available athlete with the next best score from the Qualifier (or Tiebreaker, if any).  Sponsor will rely on Finalist’s submission of the information form to book travel and hotel accommodations for Finalist. By executing and submitting the form, Finalists agree to reimburse Sponsor for its out-of-pocket costs if the Finalist later fails to attend and compete in the National Competition for any reason other than an Excused Reason.  An Excused Reason is death of an immediate family member, or illness of Finalist or someone living in the Finalist’s household, with a supporting doctor’s note.

 

How to Register

  1. Registration opens at 12:00am EST on June 28, 2024, and ends on August 11, 2024, at 11:59pm EST.
  1. Go to Fitness-Competition.goldsgym.com and complete an Official Registration Form online. Athletes may visit a Local Gym for assistance with registering online. 
  1. Contact the Local Gym selected during Registration. Athletes are responsible for reserving a time slot with the Local Gym and must show up for their reserved slot to compete.  No-shows or failure to reschedule a reservation in accordance with the Local Gym’s policies may result in the athlete’s disqualification.
  1. Registrations become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.
  1. Athletes must provide a valid email address during Registration and throughout the Competition. Communications regarding the Competition will be sent by email to the email address provided by the athlete during Registration. Athletes are solely responsible for checking junk and spam folders for any communications that may be captured by those filters.
  1. One registration per person.

  • Eligibility Requirements

To enter or win, athletes must meet the following requirements throughout the entirety of the Competition, from the time of entry through completion of the National Competition:

  1. Athlete must:
  1. be a legal resident of the 50 United States (including the District of Columbia) and at least 18 years;
  1. be a current member of a Gold’s Gym in the United States, in good standing, with a liability waiver on file; and
  1. have timely and fully completed the Official Registration Form (including agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the License and Publicity Waiver) and must reserve an available slot to compete in the Qualifier.
  1. The following are not eligible to register or participate:
  1. Employees and independent contractors of Gold’s Gym, its affiliates, or Franchises, or their advertising agencies, promotional suppliers, or persons involved in any part of the administration or execution of the GGFC, and immediate family members (spouses, parents, children and siblings, regardless of where they live) or members of the same households (related or not) of any such employees are not eligible to register or participate; and
  1. Creators, ambassadors, or influencers with official current or former relationships with Gold’s Gym and current or previous national Gold’s Gym campaign models.

  • Awards and Prizes

The odds of placing and winning a prize depend on the number of athletes competing and their scores (including any tiebreaker). Local Gyms have sole discretion to award prizes to top athletes from their local Qualifier, and they may or may not do so. Athletes should check with their Local Gym.  There are no prizes awarded by Sponsor for the Qualifier phase of the Competition.

National Competition Prizes:

First Place. The winner of each Division will be named Gold’s Gym Strongest U.S. Male and Gold’s Gym Strongest U.S. Female, respectively.  The First Place Winner in each Division will receive a prize of US$6,000.

Second Place. The Second Place Winner in each Division will receive US$2,700.

Third Place.  The Third Place Winner in each Division will each receive US$1,300.

Total Prize Pool: US$20,000.

 

All federal, state, and local taxes and duties are the sole responsibility of the winners. Winners must include in their income cash and non-cash prizes or awards, including those in goods or services. Franchises are solely responsible for filing any IRS forms for the value of any prizes awarded by Franchises to their Local Gym athletes.  Sponsor will file an IRS Form 1099 in the name of any winners for the value of the prizes awarded in the National Competition.

Winners are required to complete and execute an affidavit of eligibility and release including Social Security/Social Insurance number (“Affidavit”) to receive his or her prize.  If a National Competition winner fails to return the properly signed affidavit and releases or other prize documentation within 7 calendar days of notification, chooses to decline a prize for any reason, or fails to comply with any other requirements, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to next place athlete in that Division. Noncompliance with these Rules, return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable, or inability of Sponsor to contact a winner will result in disqualification and forfeiture of any prize.


Code of Conduct

Behavior (whether in person or online) that is disrespectful, abusive, offensive, or harassing is strictly prohibited.  In addition, athletes and their guests must not engage in behavior that is contrary to the culture and core values of the GGFC or could tarnish the reputation of Gold’s Gym or the GGFC.  Proper gym attire, determined in the GGFC’s or the Local Gym’s discretion, is required.  Devices should be kept silent so that they do not disrupt the competition.  Athletes and their guests shall not attempt to access areas that are restricted or reserved.

Privacy, Pictures, and Posting – Athletes and their guests may not photograph or video any staff, guest or other person without such party’s consent, or engage in any other conduct that could reasonably be considered an invasion of a third party’s privacy (including social media posting). 

Athletes agree to abide by the GGFC Rules and guidelines made available to them, as they may be modified, amended, or supplemented from time to time in the GGFC’s sole discretion.   Rules and guidelines may be posted in-gym, online at [website], or sent to athlete’s email on file.  


Drug Use Policy

The GGFC is committed to providing a level playing field for competing athletes. Use of illegal drugs and Performance-Enhancing Drugs (“PEDs”) is prohibited. PEDs include anabolic steroids, Androstenedione, human growth hormone, and Erythropoietin.  If an athlete is found, in the GGFC’s sole determination, to be using illegal drugs or PEDs, the athlete will be disqualified from the competition.

Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or to use certain methods of treatment that would otherwise be prohibited by this Policy. Athletes with a therapeutic need for the use or administration of a PED must check the box for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (“TUE”) at the time of registration.

To qualify for a TUE, the athlete must attest that the athlete fulfills the following criteria:

  • The athlete would experience significant health problems without taking the PED;
  • The therapeutic use of the PED would not produce significant enhancement of performance; and
  • There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the use of the otherwise PED.

The GGFC may request, in its sole discretion, documentation substantiating fulfillment of the TUE criteria. Failure to provide requested documentation will result in disqualification.


License to Name, Image, Likeness, and Publicity Waiver

By registering and competing, each athlete (except where prohibited) grants Sponsor a perpetual, fully-paid, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to reproduce, prepare derivative works of, distribute, display, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, digitize, otherwise use, and permit others to use and exhibit throughout the world his/her name, image, and likeness in any manner, form, or format now or hereinafter created, including on the internet, in social media, or print, and for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising or promotion of Sponsor and Sponsor’s goods or services, all without further consent from or payment to the athlete or any other third parties, as fully set forth in the License and Publicity Waiver set forth at https://www.ggfc.goldsgym.com/ggfc-publicity. As a condition to participation, athletes must agree to and execute the License and Publicity Waiver when registering.

  • Privacy Policy

Names, Scores, Local Gym and Division will be placed on an online Leaderboard, which is viewable online and to the public.  By submitting a registration form, athletes consent to having this information publicly displayed.  By participating in the Competition, athletes agree to Sponsor’s collection and use of their personal information and acknowledge that they have read, and accepted, Sponsor’s Privacy Policy located at:

www.ggfc.goldsgym.com/privacy-policy. Athletes further agree to be contacted by Sponsor or its agents by telephone (including text), mail, or email regarding the Competition.

The Leaderboard is provided using the system and software of a third party, Exercise.com (“Vendor”), whose system also incorporates software of other third parties.  By entering personally identifiable information and submitting a Registration Form, athletes agree to Vendor’s management of such information as set forth in Vendor’s privacy policy, currently posted at www.exercise.com/privacy-policy (“Vendor Privacy Policy”). The Vendor’s Privacy Policy applies only to the use of the Vendor’s website, software, and system (collectively the “System”) and does not apply to any third-party website or service linked to the Vendor’s System or recommended or referred to through the System by Vendor or other System users.  The Vendor System may contain or send athletes links to other third party websites, applications or features not owned or controlled by Sponsor or Vendor.  The System may also enable interactions between the System and third-party sites through connected applications or an athlete’s profile. Athletes access the Vendor System and any third-party sites at their own risk, and Sponsor will have no liability for athletes’ use of or access to Vendor or third-party sites, systems and/or third-party content.

  • Disclaimers and Reservation of Rights

Sponsor, its parents and affiliates, Franchises, partners, and promotion and advertising agencies are not responsible for technical, hardware, software, telephone or other communications malfunctions, errors, or failures of any kind; lost or unavailable network connections; lost or postage due to mail, web site, Internet, or ISP availability; unauthorized human intervention, traffic congestion, incomplete or inaccurate capture of entry information, regardless of cause; or failed, incomplete, garbled, jumbled or delayed computer or electronic or digital transmissions which may limit or hinder one’s ability to enter or participate in the Competition. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, extend, or suspend the Competition if it cannot be completed as planned due to computer viruses, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, technical failures, typographical or production errors in these Official Rules or other advertising for the Competition, or other conditions beyond Sponsor’s control.

Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion:

  1. To cancel, modify, extend, or suspend the Competition, should a dispute exist as to the scores or winner(s), or if tampering, fraud, or other causes beyond Sponsor’s control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or proper conduct of the Competition. In such circumstances, Sponsor may allow the Competition to continue with the eligible unaffected athletes, and winner(s) may be determined from the remaining eligible athletes unaffected by the issue; and
  1. To disqualify any athlete believed to have committed false or deceptive acts, or to have tampered with the administration or operation of the Competition. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE COMPETITION MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM THE PERPETRATOR TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
  • Limitation of Liability, Choice of Law, and Waiver of Class Action Claims

All complaints, demands, disputes, claims, or legal actions arising out of or in connection with the Competition, including the Official Rules (each and collectively a “Claim”) will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to choice of law or conflict of law principles. Claims shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. Athletes waive, release, and hold harmless RSG Group USA Inc. d/b/a Gold’s Gym, its parents and affiliates, and its and their directors, officers, owners, shareholders, employees, representatives, agents and assigns (“Sponsor Related Parties”) from any liability whatsoever with respect to Qualifier competitions held by Franchises, including but not limited to a Franchise’s failure to properly administer the Qualifier or submit Scores, failure comply with applicable laws in running the Competition at the Franchise’s Local Gym, or failure to advise athletes of the full terms and conditions of registration and participation in the Competition.

 

ATHLETES EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY OR AS MEMBERS OF ANY CLASS OF CLAIMANTS PERTAINING TO ANY CLAIM OR IN A PURPORTED REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY ON BEHALF OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR OTHER PERSONS SIMILARLY SITUATED. ANY CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS AND/OR AWARDS SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ENTERING THE COMPETITION.  ATHLETE HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS OR CLAIMS TO ATTORNEYS’ FEES, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER FORESEEABLE OR NOT AND WHETHER BASED ON NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE, EXPRESSLY INCLUDING THE NEGLIGENCE OF SPONSOR OR THE SPONSOR RELATED PARTIES. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES; IN SUCH AN EVENT, THE ABOVE WAIVERS MAY NOT APPLY TO PARTICULAR ATHLETES.

 

DISCLAIMER

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE COMPETITION WEBSITE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE OR MODIFY MEDICAL ADVICE OF A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.  BEFORE PARTICIPATING, ATHLETES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ABOUT THE RISKS AND APPROPRIATENESS OF PARTICIPATION, INCLUDING ANY MEDICAL CONDITION. NO ONE SHOULD PARTICIPATE IF THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ADVISES AGAINST DOING SO. PARTICIPANTS VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS OF PARTICIPATION.


List of Winners

For the names of the National Competition Winners, available after September 14, 2024, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: The 2024 Gold’s Gym Fitness Competition, 5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75240. Requests must be received by October 15, 2024.