Last month I was part of a 300 person layoff at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe where I was the Director of Legal Recruiting. The firm now has the distinction of being the #1 firm for attorney layoffs, with almost 20% of associates dismissed in two rounds.  I’m a professional recruiter of MBAs, JDs, and other professionals, and recruiting has been particularly hard hit by the economy. I’m doing everything possible now to reduce my expenses to my new $405 + $25 weekly salary.

I’ve been a member of the Chelsea Piers for about ten years now, and even though I have a good rate as a longterm member I still pay $130+ per month.  Not knowing how long I’d be unemployed, I chose to freeze my membership for two months (the gym allows freezes of up to 3 months) for a $35 fee.  When I saw an advertisement for NY Underground Fitness on the 405 Club website I chose to investigate the offer of a free membership for the unemployed.  I’d never asked for anything for free as a result of unemployment, but Eric Slayton - the owner - couldn’t have been nicer.  I was asked for proof of unemployment and showed my determination of benefits letter regarding unemployment insurance and a letter regarding Cobra, and advised that I would have to produce verification that I was still unemployed monthly.

The gym itself is rather small and is in the basement of a Holiday Inn, but it’s perfectly fine for what I need and has all the machines I used at the Chelsea Piers.  It’s one big room with only three bicycles, three ellipticals, and three treadmills, but there’s a good variety of strength training equipment and lots of trainers. The patrons I’ve encountered range from young hardbodies to elderly folks doing therapeutic exercises. I go around lunchtime and it isn’t crowded.  There are usually only four or five people there, and most of them are working out with trainers.  Eric Slayton is in the gym everyday talking with patrons and encouraging people, and I’ve never been made to feel that I’m a less valued member because I’ve been working out for free.  The option of going to the gym everyday has been great in terms of providing me with a routine and someplace to go, and the endorphins are very helpful in fighting the depression and fear that accompanies a layoff and the prospect of longterm employment.

-By Janet Raiffa, Guest Blogger & Recruiting Manager