A family dispute over gym access after house rules were broken.
I spent $12,000 building a home gym in my garage — power rack, barbells, cable machine, the works. My brother-in-law Trevor asked to use it since he "doesn't want to pay for a gym membership." I said sure, with rules: put weights back, wipe equipment, don't use it past 10pm (garage is under the bedroom). He broke all three rules within a week. He left 45lb plates on the bar, left sweat on the bench, and was deadlifting at 11:30pm. I revoked access. Now Trevor is telling the whole family I'm selfish and "hoarding equipment." My wife says I should give him one more chance. I say my gym, my rules, and he already had his chance. Trevor can pay $30/month for a real gym like everyone else.
Chris said yes. That is the part he left out. He said yes the first time I asked, showed me around, told me the hours he preferred, and I used it for two months without issue. Then one day I arrived and the garage was padlocked with a note saying access was revoked. No conversation, no complaint raised to me directly. When I texted asking why, he said I left a plate on the bar once. Once. After two months of using it correctly every single time. A $12,000 gym and he padlocked it over one forgotten plate.
⚖️ The Verdict Is In
🤷 You're both right (it's complicated)
59 people weighed in on this dispute.
Official NACOL Ruling
The court finds that while Trevor (37%) correctly notes Chris's initial consent was enthusiastically given, Chris (32%) is not unreasonable in revoking gym privileges after a pattern of deliberate negligence, though the padlock-without-warning approach was admittedly petty; the remaining 31% who believe "both parties are right" are simply exhausted and deserve their own home gym. The defendant shall pay the plaintiff in apologies and respect for property boundaries, while the plaintiff shall pay the defendant in basic communication skills. Case closed.
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