Just keep out of my way and we will all be fine

[luckycanuck]

DBYW: 5 burpees at the top of the minute, then box jumps for the rest of the minute until 100 jumps are done.

YW: 150 kettlebell swings, 150 clean and press, 50 pullups.  Minor discomfort on the back whilst doing pushups.

I came across an odd story yesterday about a chain of gyms in America called Planet Fitness.

I accept that gyms can be intimidating for some people, and the way some gym guys carry on is way over the top.  This guy who was kicked out of the gym for grunting may have been one of those gym guys.  But banning grunting?  Really?  Apparently they have also banned deadlifts and the wearing of tank tops.  Their focus is on allowing people to workout in a atmosphere that is free of judgement, but as far as I can tell, that means they will judge the hell out of you if you do anything that is actually taxing.  I can imagine how they might react to me doing a crossfit workout or the rowing challenge I took on last month.  I suspect they would view the fact that I broke a sweat or was breathing heavily or, God forbid, that I pushed myself to the point where I had to grunt as evidence that I was a violent and antisocial maniac.

Yesterday was my first day in the gym in 2011, and the treadmills and ellipticals were packed solid.  I also nearly hit a guy with a kettlebell because he walked right in front of me while I was doing my swings.  I also took it upon myself to correct a woman who was doing deadlifts without using her legs at all, with the rationale that it's better to get hurt feelings than a hurt back.  Luckily my gym and the woman in question doesn't consider that to be intimidation.

Comments

[cheez-ball.livejournal.com]

I'm almost embarassed to say I know many of the people trolling the Planet Fitness facebook page via bodybuilding/powerlifting circles. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/planetfitness?v=wall

I'm actually rather mortified by their homophobic comments and will have a talk with the one I know best. I know ~why~ they're doing it...just, yea...disappointed.

[luckycanuck.livejournal.com]

There is no reason to freak out and accuse anyone who goes to Planet Fitness of being a fag or whatever the gym wankers say, and I don't care for screaming and dropping weights in a dramatic fashion.

Still, any place that has banned grunting and deadlifts, has no business calling itself a gym.

[cheez-ball.livejournal.com]

I just posted a message there calling them on their homophobia and fatphobia. I'll probably get relentlessly mocked/flamed, but it had to be said.

So far just idiotic comments.

[fierynotes.livejournal.com]

"Yesterday was my first day in the gym in 2011, and the treadmills and ellipticals were packed solid."

I keep hearing about these creatures called "resolutionaries," but I have yet to see one at my gym.

(And honestly, I'm okay with a little grunting, but if I've got death metal blasting in my ears and I can still hear "unk! unk! unk!" it's too fucking much.)

[luckycanuck.livejournal.com]

January is generally more crowded than I am accustomed to. Twice today I had to change plans because other people were making claims on unattended equipment that I was setting up. Not to worry. Everyone seems frightened of kettlebells so I had plenty of access to them.

And yes, some people go way overboard with the sound of their clearly awesome workouts.

[bakerypenguin.livejournal.com]

I would annoy the *crap* out of you in a gym, I suspect.

[luckycanuck.livejournal.com]

Well, we may never know.

[displacedtexan.livejournal.com]

Yep – that story made the rounds at Iron On Line a while back. Grunting can be taken to extremes, and I find the bro-tards grunting while curling 95lbs in the squat rack particularly annoying, but if a dude is squatting ATG 500lbs, then a grunt should certainly be forgiven.

That said, Planet Fitness did clearly post their rules, so scofflaws shouldn’t complain about being asked to leave. I’ve never worked out at one of those gyms in my travels, and I travel a lot for a living, but I’ve taken out a guest pass at similar places from time to time. No powerlifts, no chalk, no loud grunting. When a guest, I’ll follow the rules and appreciate my gym all the more.

[luckycanuck.livejournal.com]

The thing is, I suspect it's not possible to squat 500lbs in this gym.

I agree with the idea that you should play by the rules they post, but if they are going to post such rules, it is just a reminder to me to never set foot in one of their establishments.

[yurusumaji.livejournal.com]

Fat people with the desire to lose weight and be in overall better shape (I'm not judging, I'm one of these people) should probably just stop being scared of everything.

I highly doubt "gym buffs" are really the anal retards Dogeball depicted them as. If they can't handle the gym atmosphere then they should find another way to get exercise. The world is rich with opportunity.

Look at Mr Strong... he's happy!

[luckycanuck.livejournal.com]

They say it's a no judgement environment, but as far as I can tell, it's more like a no effort environment.

Gyms aren't as scary as these people seem to think. If they are just going to shuffle along walking on the treadmill or lift 5lb weights if they are feeling really ambitious, they can probably do the work at home.

[msservalan.livejournal.com]

That's HILARIOUS - but fair enough - they can ban grunting and deadlifts from "other" gyms - mine's a traditional bodybuilding gym so we get plenty of both.

The intimidated people to go play in their own little baby pool and the rest of us will have fun.

I <3 deadlifts :)

Good to see you here

[luckycanuck.livejournal.com]

That's a very good comparison. I would also compare it to the kids table at Christmas/Thanksgiving dinner.

A Facebook friend of mine has a photo of her wearing a t-shirt that says "Good girls tone. Bad girls lift." I thought you might like that.