The excluding elitist approach to fitness pisses me off. Rant warning.
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One of the guy's goals is to climb Rainier.Danielle_Husband wrote: »On the note about being comfortable when you work out: I have a creepy old guy who sits outside his house and yells crap at me while I'm running. One day he even came down to the edge of the driveway to try to talk to me. (Headphones.) Does this mean I should stop running because it makes me really, really uncomfortable? No. I have goals, and I'm going to achieve them.
Image being roped in on a team, 6 hours in to your climb, working on sub 1k calories for the last day and a half because at altitude you can't keep anything down. Your underlayers are soaked, you ran out of water at your last rest stop, it's 5F, and you just entered a crevasse field.
No comfort to be had.
Lies, all lies. You hater, you.
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truth.
Like I said, I go to the gym to curl and check out chicks, man.0 -
Danielle, that worries me. I would be carrying some mace if a dude were creeping on me. Unless, of course, you can just kick him over if he tries to assault you.
When I started working out, I was fat, and many people working out there were fatter. And some were very fit already. The only thing anyone cared about was the practice of common courtesy. My fat is my fat; yours is yours.... who cares, y'know? Except for the inhabitant of said body.
Yeah, I keep meaning to get some mace or something. I've been ignoring it as much as possible, and sometimes I luck out and he's either not home/in the house. I actually think it's two old dudes who both live in the house together. I run at night, which doesn't really help matters. I live right next to a school, so I don't think that convicted pervs can live on my street.0 -
Hey, noob here and all. I'm a total fan of the rant. a safe place to blow off steam is a good thing, and I get the snobs and, the other side, the assumptions. one of my bffs is an overweight man, over 400lbs, and he flippin' smokes me on the AMT - just destroys it )in the best way possible.) Judgy is going to be judgy out there, whether it's your food, your car, your parenting....your life is only yours, so no sense in wasting it on anyone you don't want in your life. focus that angst on lifting more. /2cents 0
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well that was judgemental.0
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midwesterner85 wrote: »OK, So I get that some of you are hating on my Planet Fitness example. My point was that I didn't feel as like other members were judging me for being a newbie who didn't already have muscles. Many of you are, in fact, the judgemental type that I do not want to be around when working out.
having seen all the marketing for Planet Fitness, I'll never go there, because their marketing makes me feel like I'd be totally unwelcome and unwanted there. This is the main reason people hate on planet fitness... they make serious weightlifters and pretty much anyone who's serious about exercise feel unwelcome.
Also, you shouldn't judge people without getting to know them. Most gym regulars and fit people don't actually hate on beginners at all. Being new anywhere makes people feel self conscious and insecure, but usually once you've actually gone there a few times and got to know some people there, you find that they're not like the stereotypes at all.0 -
I'll make the point again because I'm obviously not explaining this well enough: I had a gym where I felt comfortable enough to workout without feeling like I did not belong. A place where nobody scowled when the fatty arrived... That place will be different for everyone, and I'm happy for anyone else who has found such a place. But please don't berate me or the only place that ever worked out for me simply because you don't think they run their gym the way you would want your ideal gym to be run. There is a huge difference between saying Planet Fitness won't work for me because... compared with saying Planet Fitness is not a good gym because... I realize you may not intend it to be a personal attack, but what I'm hearing is PF is not a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.0
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midwesterner85 wrote: »yopeeps025 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »OK, So I get that some of you are hating on my Planet Fitness example. My point was that I didn't feel as like other members were judging me for being a newbie who didn't already have muscles. Many of you are, in fact, the judgemental type that I do not want to be around when working out.
Who is this many you speak of?
I would like to say that these people know who they are, but I really don't think they do. There is a general attitude that a gym is a "no fatties" zone and that if you are not already in shape, you do not belong there. I've been a member of other gyms, and quit going after a couple weeks every time because I always got that vibe. My point about Planet Fitness is that it is the only gym where I didn't feel unwelcome because I'm not already in shape. Unfortunately, I had to move for work after a few months. That was 3 years ago, so maybe things have since changed.
I don't know what other people have written since this, but there was a point in my life I felt the same way. Then I started not giving a crap because I was there for me, not to get their approval. Then you know what I learned, they really didn't care and it was all in my head.
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midwesterner85 wrote: »I'll make the point again because I'm obviously not explaining this well enough: I had a gym where I felt comfortable enough to workout without feeling like I did not belong. A place where nobody scowled when the fatty arrived... That place will be different for everyone, and I'm happy for anyone else who has found such a place. But please don't berate me or the only place that ever worked out for me simply because you don't think they run their gym the way you would want your ideal gym to be run. There is a huge difference between saying Planet Fitness won't work for me because... compared with saying Planet Fitness is not a good gym because... I realize you may not intend it to be a personal attack, but what I'm hearing is PF is a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.
For what it's worth, I don't think anyone here was berating you or your fitness. All we are saying is that it isn't fair for you to judge what other's may or may not be thinking about you. I have no idea of your fitness level.
In regards to judging PF, everyone has a right to their own opinion. Do I think people can get started on a program there? Yes. Do I agree with the way they embarrass people for no good reason? No.
As a CrossFitter, I get told all the time that my workout sucks. I don't think anyone is judging me personally, they just don't like the whole concept of CrossFit. That's their choice. I certainly don't think any of those people critiquing CrossFit would comment on my appearance or level of fitness if I didn't ask for specific feedback.
In a fitness community where people have different philosophies, it's a good idea to assume that opinions about a workout or a gym are not personal attacks or judgements on you as a person, or you as an athlete.0 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »yopeeps025 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »OK, So I get that some of you are hating on my Planet Fitness example. My point was that I didn't feel as like other members were judging me for being a newbie who didn't already have muscles. Many of you are, in fact, the judgemental type that I do not want to be around when working out.
Who is this many you speak of?
I would like to say that these people know who they are, but I really don't think they do. There is a general attitude that a gym is a "no fatties" zone and that if you are not already in shape, you do not belong there. I've been a member of other gyms, and quit going after a couple weeks every time because I always got that vibe. My point about Planet Fitness is that it is the only gym where I didn't feel unwelcome because I'm not already in shape. Unfortunately, I had to move for work after a few months. That was 3 years ago, so maybe things have since changed.
I don't know what other people have written since this, but there was a point in my life I felt the same way. Then I started not giving a crap because I was there for me, not to get their approval. Then you know what I learned, they really didn't care and it was all in my head.
^^^^^^^^^ this is so true and extremely wise advice0 -
Planet Fitness is not a good gym because:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdccUsn8N4Y
but remember.
*Unless PF judges you differently.0 -
Just because you ran into one slightly douchy dude does not indicate a bad attitude in the fitness community at large. And honestly, you sound a lot snarkier than he did.0
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Dude, don't project, and don't assume that your identity or value is based on the brand value or identity of PF. That's some weird territory there dude.midwesterner85 wrote: »...but what I'm hearing is PF is not a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.
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midwesterner85 wrote: »I'll make the point again because I'm obviously not explaining this well enough: I had a gym where I felt comfortable enough to workout without feeling like I did not belong. A place where nobody scowled when the fatty arrived... That place will be different for everyone, and I'm happy for anyone else who has found such a place. But please don't berate me or the only place that ever worked out for me simply because you don't think they run their gym the way you would want your ideal gym to be run. There is a huge difference between saying Planet Fitness won't work for me because... compared with saying Planet Fitness is not a good gym because... I realize you may not intend it to be a personal attack, but what I'm hearing is PF is not a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.
No one is attacking you. There calling you out on your "Many of you" comment which I still have no clue what it is.
We are in fact attacking Planet fitness for how they operate turn down people who are fit. How else do people become fit? They came out the womb fit that's it. Like I said before the issue is more on you. You walk into a gym and everyone stops and stares. People do intentionally long pause squat staring at you. No one cares where you start. People might be interested just like you are for the ride to your goals.0 -
yopeeps025 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »I'll make the point again because I'm obviously not explaining this well enough: I had a gym where I felt comfortable enough to workout without feeling like I did not belong. A place where nobody scowled when the fatty arrived... That place will be different for everyone, and I'm happy for anyone else who has found such a place. But please don't berate me or the only place that ever worked out for me simply because you don't think they run their gym the way you would want your ideal gym to be run. There is a huge difference between saying Planet Fitness won't work for me because... compared with saying Planet Fitness is not a good gym because... I realize you may not intend it to be a personal attack, but what I'm hearing is PF is not a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.
No one is attacking you. There calling you out on your "Many of you" comment which I still have no clue what it is.
We are in fact attacking Planet fitness for how they operate turn down people who are fit. How else do people become fit? They came out the womb fit that's it. Like I said before the issue is more on you. You walk into a gym and everyone stops and stares. People do intentionally long pause squat staring at you. No one cares where you start. People might be interested just like you are for the ride to your goals.
"Many of you" would apply to people who see a comment suggesting that one should find someplace where they are comfortable, with a personal example, and argue that the example gym is not a serious place to work out.0 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »yopeeps025 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »I'll make the point again because I'm obviously not explaining this well enough: I had a gym where I felt comfortable enough to workout without feeling like I did not belong. A place where nobody scowled when the fatty arrived... That place will be different for everyone, and I'm happy for anyone else who has found such a place. But please don't berate me or the only place that ever worked out for me simply because you don't think they run their gym the way you would want your ideal gym to be run. There is a huge difference between saying Planet Fitness won't work for me because... compared with saying Planet Fitness is not a good gym because... I realize you may not intend it to be a personal attack, but what I'm hearing is PF is not a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.
No one is attacking you. There calling you out on your "Many of you" comment which I still have no clue what it is.
We are in fact attacking Planet fitness for how they operate turn down people who are fit. How else do people become fit? They came out the womb fit that's it. Like I said before the issue is more on you. You walk into a gym and everyone stops and stares. People do intentionally long pause squat staring at you. No one cares where you start. People might be interested just like you are for the ride to your goals.
"Many of you" would apply to people who see a comment suggesting that one should find someplace where they are comfortable, with a personal example, and argue that the example gym is not a serious place to work out.
maybe they know more about the gym than you realise, and their comments about why they think it's not a good place to work out comes from that prior knowledge (such as the lack of squat racks, the lunk alarm, how they market their gyms), and it has nothing to do with your comment that you felt comfortable there...
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neandermagnon wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »yopeeps025 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »I'll make the point again because I'm obviously not explaining this well enough: I had a gym where I felt comfortable enough to workout without feeling like I did not belong. A place where nobody scowled when the fatty arrived... That place will be different for everyone, and I'm happy for anyone else who has found such a place. But please don't berate me or the only place that ever worked out for me simply because you don't think they run their gym the way you would want your ideal gym to be run. There is a huge difference between saying Planet Fitness won't work for me because... compared with saying Planet Fitness is not a good gym because... I realize you may not intend it to be a personal attack, but what I'm hearing is PF is not a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.
No one is attacking you. There calling you out on your "Many of you" comment which I still have no clue what it is.
We are in fact attacking Planet fitness for how they operate turn down people who are fit. How else do people become fit? They came out the womb fit that's it. Like I said before the issue is more on you. You walk into a gym and everyone stops and stares. People do intentionally long pause squat staring at you. No one cares where you start. People might be interested just like you are for the ride to your goals.
"Many of you" would apply to people who see a comment suggesting that one should find someplace where they are comfortable, with a personal example, and argue that the example gym is not a serious place to work out.
maybe they know more about the gym than you realise, and their comments about why they think it's not a good place to work out comes from that prior knowledge (such as the lack of squat racks, the lunk alarm, how they market their gyms), and it has nothing to do with your comment that you felt comfortable there...
Hmmm.... interesting point. Like I said earlier, it's been 3 years since I moved away from where there was a Planet Fitness and maybe things have chanced since then. But why not focus on the main point rather than the example? Does everyone think that we should or should not work out in a place where we are comfortable working out? Does it depend on the person?0 -
neandermagnon wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »yopeeps025 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »I'll make the point again because I'm obviously not explaining this well enough: I had a gym where I felt comfortable enough to workout without feeling like I did not belong. A place where nobody scowled when the fatty arrived... That place will be different for everyone, and I'm happy for anyone else who has found such a place. But please don't berate me or the only place that ever worked out for me simply because you don't think they run their gym the way you would want your ideal gym to be run. There is a huge difference between saying Planet Fitness won't work for me because... compared with saying Planet Fitness is not a good gym because... I realize you may not intend it to be a personal attack, but what I'm hearing is PF is not a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.
No one is attacking you. There calling you out on your "Many of you" comment which I still have no clue what it is.
We are in fact attacking Planet fitness for how they operate turn down people who are fit. How else do people become fit? They came out the womb fit that's it. Like I said before the issue is more on you. You walk into a gym and everyone stops and stares. People do intentionally long pause squat staring at you. No one cares where you start. People might be interested just like you are for the ride to your goals.
"Many of you" would apply to people who see a comment suggesting that one should find someplace where they are comfortable, with a personal example, and argue that the example gym is not a serious place to work out.
maybe they know more about the gym than you realise, and their comments about why they think it's not a good place to work out comes from that prior knowledge (such as the lack of squat racks, the lunk alarm, how they market their gyms), and it has nothing to do with your comment that you felt comfortable there...
Yup ^^. I went to the old PF too when those things above were not there yet.
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One time, at the gym, a guy was polite and tried to help me set up a squat rack.
So I was a *kitten* to him.
So, insulting someone by saying "Don't wear yourself out." is being polite now??
Some people on MFP DO have a strange view of the world...I hope I never run into them in person.
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midwesterner85 wrote: »neandermagnon wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »yopeeps025 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »I'll make the point again because I'm obviously not explaining this well enough: I had a gym where I felt comfortable enough to workout without feeling like I did not belong. A place where nobody scowled when the fatty arrived... That place will be different for everyone, and I'm happy for anyone else who has found such a place. But please don't berate me or the only place that ever worked out for me simply because you don't think they run their gym the way you would want your ideal gym to be run. There is a huge difference between saying Planet Fitness won't work for me because... compared with saying Planet Fitness is not a good gym because... I realize you may not intend it to be a personal attack, but what I'm hearing is PF is not a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.
No one is attacking you. There calling you out on your "Many of you" comment which I still have no clue what it is.
We are in fact attacking Planet fitness for how they operate turn down people who are fit. How else do people become fit? They came out the womb fit that's it. Like I said before the issue is more on you. You walk into a gym and everyone stops and stares. People do intentionally long pause squat staring at you. No one cares where you start. People might be interested just like you are for the ride to your goals.
"Many of you" would apply to people who see a comment suggesting that one should find someplace where they are comfortable, with a personal example, and argue that the example gym is not a serious place to work out.
maybe they know more about the gym than you realise, and their comments about why they think it's not a good place to work out comes from that prior knowledge (such as the lack of squat racks, the lunk alarm, how they market their gyms), and it has nothing to do with your comment that you felt comfortable there...
Hmmm.... interesting point. Like I said earlier, it's been 3 years since I moved away from where there was a Planet Fitness and maybe things have chanced since then. But why not focus on the main point rather than the example? Does everyone think that we should or should not work out in a place where we are comfortable working out? Does it depend on the person?
I'm pretty sure that no one here has said it's a bad idea to work out where your comfortable.
Again, having opinions about a particular gym or workout is not the same as judging you.0 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »I'll make the point again because I'm obviously not explaining this well enough: I had a gym where I felt comfortable enough to workout without feeling like I did not belong. A place where nobody scowled when the fatty arrived... That place will be different for everyone, and I'm happy for anyone else who has found such a place. But please don't berate me or the only place that ever worked out for me simply because you don't think they run their gym the way you would want your ideal gym to be run. There is a huge difference between saying Planet Fitness won't work for me because... compared with saying Planet Fitness is not a good gym because... I realize you may not intend it to be a personal attack, but what I'm hearing is PF is not a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.
If Planet Fitness's entire business model wasn't built around caricaturizing the fitness enthusiast and calling those people dull, stupid, or slow for being an enthusiast, wearing a sleeveless shirt, or bandanna.....they'd catch far less flack here.
TBH, I don't see much of a difference between PF and other 24/7 facilities, just their marketing scheme vilifies the enthusiast while attempting to prey on insecurities...IMHO
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Well, I've seen it happen, and to be honest, I tend to be braced for it.
However, I'm lucky enough to go to a good gym. The sleek dolphins don't mind sharing the pool with me.
I did have an incident once when I was unracking my weights from a pretty heavy (for me, mind. I was in the 220s at the time, and only squatting about half my body weight) squat set and a man offered to help me unrack them. I let him but was terribly braced for a condescending remark when he asked me what my sport was. Upon telling him I didn't have one I competed in and just liked lifting, he said, "You ought to consider Olympic lifting. You have nice squat form."
I was giddy the rest of the day.0 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »neandermagnon wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »yopeeps025 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »I'll make the point again because I'm obviously not explaining this well enough: I had a gym where I felt comfortable enough to workout without feeling like I did not belong. A place where nobody scowled when the fatty arrived... That place will be different for everyone, and I'm happy for anyone else who has found such a place. But please don't berate me or the only place that ever worked out for me simply because you don't think they run their gym the way you would want your ideal gym to be run. There is a huge difference between saying Planet Fitness won't work for me because... compared with saying Planet Fitness is not a good gym because... I realize you may not intend it to be a personal attack, but what I'm hearing is PF is not a serious gym and that translates to saying that I'm not serious about wanting to work out because I'm comfortable at PF.
No one is attacking you. There calling you out on your "Many of you" comment which I still have no clue what it is.
We are in fact attacking Planet fitness for how they operate turn down people who are fit. How else do people become fit? They came out the womb fit that's it. Like I said before the issue is more on you. You walk into a gym and everyone stops and stares. People do intentionally long pause squat staring at you. No one cares where you start. People might be interested just like you are for the ride to your goals.
"Many of you" would apply to people who see a comment suggesting that one should find someplace where they are comfortable, with a personal example, and argue that the example gym is not a serious place to work out.
maybe they know more about the gym than you realise, and their comments about why they think it's not a good place to work out comes from that prior knowledge (such as the lack of squat racks, the lunk alarm, how they market their gyms), and it has nothing to do with your comment that you felt comfortable there...
Hmmm.... interesting point. Like I said earlier, it's been 3 years since I moved away from where there was a Planet Fitness and maybe things have chanced since then. But why not focus on the main point rather than the example? Does everyone think that we should or should not work out in a place where we are comfortable working out? Does it depend on the person?
I'm pretty sure that no one here has said it's a bad idea to work out where your comfortable.
Again, having opinions about a particular gym or workout is not the same as judging you.
I'm not saying that anyone has said it's a bad idea to work out where you're comfortable... I'm just trying to redirect the conversation back to my initial point because it has gotten way off topic with the conversation about whether or not PF is a legitimate gym. I used that as a personal example to illustrate my initial point, and didn't really intend for the conversation to become a critique of that particular gym. In the same way, I'm not going to ask for critique of Aspen or Anytime Fitness and whether or not others have felt judged there... just go wherever you are comfortable.0 -
I am of the personal notion that someone should be comfortable working on and performing at a high (personal) level in uncomfortable places if one has a goal of climbing a mountain that takes lives like a glutton going after a slice of cake.I'm pretty sure that no one here has said it's a bad idea to work out where your comfortable.
However, I haven't climbed Rainier yet (from OP's profile.), so maybe it's a lot easier than the places I have climbed.
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I am of the personal notion that someone should be comfortable working on and performing at a high (personal) level in uncomfortable places if one has a goal of climbing a mountain that takes lives like a glutton going after a slice of cake.I'm pretty sure that no one here has said it's a bad idea to work out where your comfortable.
However, I haven't climbed Rainier yet (from OP's profile.), so maybe it's a lot easier than the places I have climbed.
Everyone has a different tolerance. I used to be really intimidated by things (I'm a huge introvert) but I did push myself out of my comfort zone with Tough Mudder and CrossFit and I am a stronger person for it. But, everyone needs to go at their own pace.
I have actually hiked in Nepal. The highest I went was the peak of Gokyo Ri. That is my only mountain climbing experience (no pullies, no clampons). I will say that, when you are in that situation, you have to work with strangers from all walks of life and, sometimes, if you want to make it to the next summit you have to let go of what other people think of you (because, for the most part, they aren't thinking anything at all - just how to get there, too).0 -
AmandaHugginkiss wrote: »There's a man at my gym who comes over to help me put weights on the bar when I dead lift. I lift more than he does, but I still let him put the weights on my bar for me. If he wants to be my personal assistant, I'm not going to argue.
LMAO I get this all the time too. Whatevs I'll take it.
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And really? 2 people flagged the unicorn post?-1
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^^^^^^jennifer_417 wrote: »Just because you ran into one slightly douchy dude does not indicate a bad attitude in the fitness community at large. And honestly, you sound a lot snarkier than he did.
(*) THIS (*)
OP must be a real "treat" to hang with...lol
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ROFL! How did this become another of the many 'Bash Planet Fitness' threads? I am so amused.
<-- has a PF membership, sees many there that look like borderline body builders and hears the lunk alarm maybe once every dozen times I go in there.
ETA: I've never touched the food when it's there and even if I did, oh well. I love me some pizza in moderation!
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Planet Fitness is not a good gym because:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdccUsn8N4Y
but remember.
*Unless PF judges you differently.
Wow, that commercial is ignorant. And I definitely wouldn't want to go somewhere that they call you out with an alarm while working out. The worst thing about my last gym (One Life) was the hassle they gave you when you tried to cancel your membership. It's a big part of why I haven't gone back, honestly.0
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