WEIGHTLIFTER Paul Bott likes to psych himself up before hauling the equivalent of four grown men above his head.

But the 20-stone father-of-one said he was bowled over when staff at a fitness club said: "Sorry sir, you can't join because you grunt too loudly."

The extraordinary remark came as estate agent Paul, a keen powerlifter, attempted to sign up to the David Lloyd Leisure Club's £37-a-month fitness membership.

At first he was so impressed with the top weightlifting equipment during a three-day trial at the Brighton Marina club, he decided to leave his current gym, Cheetahs, at the King Alfred Centre in Hove.

But now he is demanding a top-level meeting with the management to find out why he has been barred.

The club, meanwhile, claims it said he could join if he wanted to, but he would have to be quieter.

Paul, who is 6ft 1in and lifts more than 40 stone on the bench press, admits he makes a lot of noise when he is working out.

Like dozens of top sports men and women who grunt and groan, including tennis star Monica Seles, Paul releases a deep-throated snarl each time he heaves the weights into the air.

It's a common form of mental and physical preparation, and a way of releasing huge physical stresses.

After his three-day trial at the David Lloyd club, several members complained that Paul grunted too much and too loudly, interrupting their concentration. Some even said they felt intimidated.

As a result, the 28-year-old powerlifter, who trains with European Masters powerlifting champ Peter Fairburn, said he would tone down his grunting.

But staff at the David Lloyd club told him the noise was too much for a family gym.

Paul, who works for Halifax Property Services in Shoreham, said: "My current club, Cheetahs, is relocating so I thought I would take a look at the David Lloyd club.

"A friend, who is a member, and I went to join on Saturday but I was basically told, 'sorry, we don't want your sort here'. I was stunned.

"The lady manager asked me to step into her office where she said 'I am very sorry, but we do not feel we would be able to cater for you here, you make too much noise. Your grunt is too loud'. It was very embarrassing, especially as I knew the reception staff.

"I lift a great deal of weight, more than 600lbs on the bench press, and when you lift that much you let out a bit of a grunt. It's a way of psyching yourself up.

"When I was there someone came over to me and said could I make a little less noise, and of course I said no problem.

"But the staff made me feel like I was some sort of thug. They definitely did not say I could join. They said they could not have someone like me training there.

"If people feel intimidated by a dangerous dog, fair enough, but I do not intimidate anyone. I am an estate agent."

Richard Parkhouse, general manager of David Lloyd Leisure, said the gym had to cater for all types of users.

He said: "We had a number of complaints saying that this gentleman was very large and was making a lot of noise. While huge guys like that powerlifting are very impressive to watch, to some it can be very intimidating.

"We are trying to attract a wide range of people to the gym and we do not want to exclude anyone. But we need to make sure people feel comfortable.

"The point the manager on duty on Saturday was trying to get across was that if he wanted to join he would have to stop making so much noise and that she would have to check with me first and call him back.

"As far as I understand, she did not say he couldn't join. He is welcome to join. But he needs to be aware that there have been complaints and that if he does want to join he must quieten down. I have to give him a chance."

Mr Bott was planning to meet with staff at the club today to discuss the

situation.

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