Tulsa Gym For Women Closes Amid Lawsuit Against Franchise CEO

A Tulsa gym for women has suddenly closed, and members are left wondering what is next and whether they will get their money back.

Blush Boot Camp near 81st and Memorial is one of several franchise locations suing the franchise CEO and demanding that he step down.

The attorney for the owner of the Tulsa franchise said his client hopes to sell the gym to someone who will run it under a different name and way of doing business.

The gym members News On 6 talked to said they hope that happens because they are a tight-knit group.

Blush Boot Camp shut down its Tulsa location Friday.

Members like Gabby Puche said they are frustrated about the lack of communication.

“You created a space that was meant for women and then you do this without telling us what to do, where to go, if our money's safe,” said Puche.

The Tulsa location opened in January and is owned by Nichole Dieckmann, who lives in Missouri.

Her attorney, Keith Williston, said he represents several franchisees that are suing the CEO of Blush Boot Camp for falsely representing the potential of the business.

“They were told that this operation would be run very differently, that they would be given support they weren't given, and that the money would just roll in,” said Williston.

In a statement, Blush Boot Camp's corporate office said, “Due to many violations of the franchise agreement and no attempt to fix them, we acted in the best interest of the brand and decided it was time to terminate the franchise agreement.”

“Most likely it was the fact that my clients, along with some other locations, have disputed the validity of the agreements,” said Williston.

There is a change.org petition with 300 signatures, calling for the dismissal of Maxwell Gellert as CEO of Blush Boot Camp.

Members like Krystal Dunham said they like the community and would keep going there if the gym at 81st and Memorial is under different ownership.

“It's kind of tricky,” said Dunham. “Like, how much research do I need to do before I join a gym now? To know everything about the people in charge.”

Williston said members should know more about the future of the gym in about a week and to contact Blush Boot Camp corporate for refunds.