Behind the glossy exterior of Cardiff’s Naked Ground gym, chaos reigned. Touted as a hub for positivity by its charismatic head, Gavin Wright, the business left a trail of misery and discontent. Former staff paint a grim picture of the working environment—unpaid wages, broken promises, and even physical confrontations were the order of the day. Withholding payslips, ignoring queries, and leaving employees to foot the bill for supplies were just some of the grievances aired by ex-employees.
The gym had once basked in the celebrity glow thanks to its association with cricketers Tom and Sam Curran, though the brothers have distanced themselves from the operational chaos. Despite promises of refunds after its abrupt closure in November, the gym continued to take payments, enraging members.
Multiple ex-workers speak of a toxic undercurrent at Naked Ground. Baristas were reduced to Jack-of-all-trades, handling tasks far beyond the café, all while dealing with unsafe conditions and inadequate training. Reports of outdated safety equipment, unpaid debts, and fights breaking out on the premises further fueled the toxic atmosphere.
As complaints mounted, the gym’s doors were locked for good but not before members were left out of pocket and without answers. Attempts to confront the gym’s public face on social media were met with silences or blocks. The gym’s tale serves as a cautionary tale of what lies beneath the surface when leadership fails its people.
What’s your take on the Naked Ground’s saga? Share your thoughts in the comments!