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No intimidation "gyms"
RealWorldStrengthLLC
Posts: 552 Member
Recently found out this is a thing beyond the obvious Planet Fitness.
I think this is a completely BS thing. I will admit it is a genius business model (Keep membership costs so low people will keep it even if they don't use it, discourage the culture of people who will put wear and tear on your equipment, and could possibly teach newcomers something). I will give credit to the idea from a financial standpoint.
From a fitness standpoint, it's completely pointless and is the embodiment of our lazy, overly PC, overfed American culture, at least IMO. It would be better for our country as a whole if there was less of this "you're fine the way you are, but if you want to work out you can but whatever is ok" and more of the attitude "you are obese, here is the means and knowledge to fix it - now put in some work."
That's just my .02. Debate
I think this is a completely BS thing. I will admit it is a genius business model (Keep membership costs so low people will keep it even if they don't use it, discourage the culture of people who will put wear and tear on your equipment, and could possibly teach newcomers something). I will give credit to the idea from a financial standpoint.
From a fitness standpoint, it's completely pointless and is the embodiment of our lazy, overly PC, overfed American culture, at least IMO. It would be better for our country as a whole if there was less of this "you're fine the way you are, but if you want to work out you can but whatever is ok" and more of the attitude "you are obese, here is the means and knowledge to fix it - now put in some work."
That's just my .02. Debate
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Replies
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While I use a powerlifting/bodybuilding type gym, I think there are people that need the PF or Curves-type gyms. Makes me happy, cuz less people at my gym in my way!
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At the heart of any good marketing campaign is fear. Previously this was applied to image - what the ideal looks like and fear of not meeting this ideal.
Planet Fitness flipped the narrative and did two things:
1. Recognized a market for victim status
2. Created a new politically correct safe environment of exclusion
This furthers the complications with human resiliency, so part of the problem, but a brilliant marketing campaign.36 -
It seems like a smart marketing strategy of course. I was interested and googled it one time and came across a forbes article that dove into it a bit more and found they weren't really all that profitable. I think this article was a few years old though.0
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From a fitness standpoint, people don't actually need much beyond what is offered at those gyms. If you have specific physique or training goals, you might, but for the average person, cardio equipment and some resistance training (they have machines and free weights) are enough to meet recommended activity goals for health and fitness.
As for why these gyms exist, you pretty much summed up the reason why people don't want to go to regular gyms and purposefully look for gyms of the no-intimidation type with your second paragraph. I wouldn't want to go a gym where people treat those who are overweight as lazy either.78 -
Well, on the (+) side, they make gym membership affordable for many & seems like a worthwhile investment to those who are actually committed to regularly using a gym. Some form of activity is better than none (re: criticism about over packing/emphasizing gyms with cardio equipment vs. weights)
There's plenty of PC rules you can get away with generally @ your typical commercial gym given you go @ the appropriate time of day (say 5am, when very understaffed with same old-same old workers)...pretty much everyone is just in-and-out ASAP and don't give a **** about complaining
The negative: those who join & don't have the willpower or motivation to use the gym frequently. I'm sure it's not very helpful to offer free tootsie rolls and various other treats as a reward for simply showing up (just sends the wrong message & doesn't seem right tempting people who are trying to change his/her life).
I really don't care about people slamming weights, grunting, exhibiting "bro" like behavior, etc.; as long as one is not breaking equipment & endangering others6 -
This is another point I really have against these gyms. I kinda think there is a certain threshold of ones max where a grunt/growl/loud breath is almost inevitable and can even help on the last rep. Same with "dropping weights" the guys who purposely throw weights are jackwagons, but in the same sentence lowering a 450lb + deadlift that isn't bumper plates quietly is pretty much impossible unless your max is upwards of 550.Keto_Vampire wrote: »I really don't care about people slamming weights, grunting, exhibiting "bro" like behavior, etc.; as long as one is not breaking equipment & endangering others
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At the heart of any good marketing campaign is fear. Previously this was applied to image - what the ideal looks like and fear of not meeting this ideal.
Planet Fitness flipped the narrative and did two things:
1. Recognized a market for victim status
2. Created a new politically correct safe environment of exclusion
This furthers the complications with human resiliency, so part of the problem, but a brilliant marketing campaign.
I would agree.
I would also tend to think most that have gym imtdation also have issues with social anxiety in other situations that are harder to deal with than a gym where weights clang.8 -
As for why these gyms exist, you pretty much summed up the reason why people don't want to go to regular gyms and purposefully look for gyms of the no-intimidation type with your second paragraph. I wouldn't want to go a gym where people treat those who are overweight as lazy either.
I have never once seen someone criticized for being "lazy" at a regular gym - but showing someone where they stand in regards to obesity, bf%, strength, cardio, and teaching them how to rectify it through proper nutrition and training should not be demonized and seen as harsh. I have no qualms about someone telling me I'm fairly strong but I could stand to lose another 40+ pounds, because they are right. And before I started this when I ran into an old friend who last knew me fit he looked at me and said "dude you got fat, like really fat"...he wasn't being mean, he was one of the few people who was being honest.
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I think the marketing is ridiculous but I also don't think they're downfall of American society, jeez. I used to go to a Planet Fitness and most of the people there were Weight Watchers moms only interested in cardio equipment and teenagers because the membership is so cheap. There's no reason why there can't be different gym chains catering to different wants/needs, just wish they would throw out the dumb advertising.19
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I'm not sure I entirely get the post, but what is wrong with gyms targeted to people who do want to be bothered by strangers giving them unsolicited advice they didn't want or didn't ask for? There are plenty of different gyms for different type of people. But the gym going experience can be intimidating for a lot of people, made worse by wanna be experts who think they are personal trainers because they go to the gym every day.
It's not "PC culture" to not bother people who don't want to be bothered. It's basic decency. Let those who want to train in peace do so. There are plenty of other gyms to do other things at.66 -
youcantflexcardio wrote: »
This is another point I really have against these gyms. I kinda think there is a certain threshold of ones max where a grunt/growl/loud breath is almost inevitable and can even help on the last rep. Same with "dropping weights" the guys who purposely throw weights are jackwagons, but in the same sentence lowering a 450lb + deadlift that isn't bumper plates quietly is pretty much impossible unless your max is upwards of 550.Keto_Vampire wrote: »I really don't care about people slamming weights, grunting, exhibiting "bro" like behavior, etc.; as long as one is not breaking equipment & endangering others
Yeah, understandable for deadlifts & various other exercises where dropping weights on purpose is a must for safety concerns. I don't look to highly of gym bros who purposely slam a cable stack with EVERY rep (oddly feel sympathy for the lifeless weights)4 -
youcantflexcardio wrote: »Recently found out this is a thing beyond the obvious Planet Fitness.
I think this is a completely BS thing. I will admit it is a genius business model (Keep membership costs so low people will keep it even if they don't use it, discourage the culture of people who will put wear and tear on your equipment, and could possibly teach newcomers something). I will give credit to the idea from a financial standpoint.
From a fitness standpoint, it's completely pointless and is the embodiment of our lazy, overly PC, overfed American culture, at least IMO. It would be better for our country as a whole if there was less of this "you're fine the way you are, but if you want to work out you can but whatever is ok" and more of the attitude "you are obese, here is the means and knowledge to fix it - now put in some work."
That's just my .02. Debate
Wow. This is one reason I workout at home rather than at a gym.
Marketing strategy or not, if it gets people exercising who would otherwise sit at home, then bring it on. People who don't want to use them don't have to45 -
PF is the opposite of the "no judgment zone." The rules are set up to judge people based on how they dress.
The only true no judgment gym i've been to is the YMCA. You will see teens to nonagenarians working out side by side.
No "lunk alarms." Everyone works too their own level. And they have at least one pool.22 -
America is overly politically correct? That's a very tone-deaf thing to say, especially this week.
I don't know how it fits into this context either. Offering unsolicited advice to people you don't know is almost always unwelcome, usually rude and only serves to make the person offering the advice feel better. Slamming weights around is disruptive. It's manners, not politics.
People are telling gyms what is preventing them from going (I've seen a bunch of articles on gym-timidation recently tbh), and they are providing a solution. As far as I'm concerned anything that gets more people to a gym is positive, it normalises it for everyone. The wider range of bodies and fitness levels that can use the space, the better.53 -
I'm not sure I entirely get the post, but what is wrong with gyms targeted to people who do want to be bothered by strangers giving them unsolicited advice they didn't want or didn't ask for? There are plenty of different gyms for different type of people. But the gym going experience can be intimidating for a lot of people, made worse by wanna be experts who think they are personal trainers because they go to the gym every day.
It's not "PC culture" to not bother people who don't want to be bothered. It's basic decency. Let those who want to train in peace do so. There are plenty of other gyms to do other things at.
My sample of 1 experience.
I've been going to gyms for over 40 years. Everything from college rec centers, YMCAs, local clubs, powerlifting gyms, national chains and had day passes at 2 places that make most lists of the most hardcore gyms in the US. I have never received unsolicited advice (although I have received good advice when politely asking someone).
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Keto_Vampire wrote: »youcantflexcardio wrote: »
This is another point I really have against these gyms. I kinda think there is a certain threshold of ones max where a grunt/growl/loud breath is almost inevitable and can even help on the last rep. Same with "dropping weights" the guys who purposely throw weights are jackwagons, but in the same sentence lowering a 450lb + deadlift that isn't bumper plates quietly is pretty much impossible unless your max is upwards of 550.Keto_Vampire wrote: »I really don't care about people slamming weights, grunting, exhibiting "bro" like behavior, etc.; as long as one is not breaking equipment & endangering others
Yeah, understandable for deadlifts & various other exercises where dropping weights on purpose is a must for safety concerns. I don't look to highly of gym bros who purposely slam a cable stack with EVERY rep (oddly feel sympathy for the lifeless weights)
True, but you don't drop every rep of a deadlift from waist high (unless bumper plates and platform). *kitten* at my gym doing that and *kitten* up plates.0 -
I have never heard the "no intimidation gym" term. What does this even mean and why is planet fitness one? This is probably a stupid question but I googled it as well and can't seem to find anything explaining fully.
I have never belonged to a gym, but do people usually comment on your workouts at most gyms? I always thought no one would talk to you unless you asked for advice and everyone just did their own thing. At most gyms it is the norm to have someone approach you every time and tell you how/what to do? I am genuinely curious because I never thought this was how gyms were but I have no clue since never been to one lol.4 -
youcantflexcardio wrote: »From a fitness standpoint, it's completely pointless and is the embodiment of our lazy, overly PC, overfed American culture, at least IMO. It would be better for our country as a whole if there was less of this "you're fine the way you are, but if you want to work out you can but whatever is ok" and more of the attitude "you are obese, here is the means and knowledge to fix it - now put in some work."
You got all that from the market providing a choice for people to exercise in an environment they feel comfortable within (which it seems to be would promote greater levels of adherence and ability to put in greater effort due to less fear of social judgment)?
Right you are...
The "right" environment or attitude is the one which reaps the best results depending on the individual's specific situation and personality.
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Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »I have never heard the "no intimidation gym" term. What does this even mean and why is planet fitness one? This is probably a stupid question but I googled it as well and can't seem to find anything explaining fully.
I have never belonged to a gym, but do people usually comment on your workouts at most gyms? I always thought no one would talk to you unless you asked for advice and everyone just did their own thing. At most gyms it is the norm to have someone approach you every time and tell you how/what to do? I am genuinely curious because I never thought this was how gyms were but I have no clue since never been to one lol.
Gym intimidation is pretty much a marketing term developed by Planet Fitness.
Second question, no people don't usually comment on your workouts at most gyms (see my post above). I've had some issues and needed to do a few more unusual looking things (per doctor's orders) a few times and people have asked out of curiosity. I explained, they wished me luck and went on their way.8 -
Excuse me if I respectfully disagree.
I joined CRUNCH, admittedly because it is affordable. However, I have found it a great environment, not because its PC (they have FOX on their televisions, so it can't be TOO "pc") but because the equipment works for me. You see, I've lost over 200 pounds (thus far 252) and as such, have a lot of flesh that hangs and droops. While exercise alone won't fix it 100%, it helps some, and some is better than none!
The staff there have been 100% helpful and supportive. My boss used to be a personal trainer before becoming a federal agent (good golly miss molly is that dude in shape!) And he says that what they're telling me, and for someone my age with my health issues, has been spot on advice.
If I am working on some equipment, and doing it wrong, younger people very respectfully approach me.
I see people in the classes working out, people of all ages, sizes and fitness levels. They show how to modify for your needs as well.
I think that what's meant by "no judgements" is just a way of letting people know that, if they're like me, nobody will be mocking them. Marketing? Yes. Useless? No. If it gets people who need the gym, into the gym, that's great!
I know a woman with a lifetime membership to one of the major chains. She spent thousands on it and never went once. People do that regardless of the type of gym. Its about individual devotion.
I like CRUNCH and recommend it to anyone interested in a good environment, with well maintained equipment, good people and lots of choices.
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If a no-intimidation gym gets otherwise sedentary people off their couches to exercise regularly, then how could that possibly be a bad thing?
I also know of several people who started from the couch at these kinds of gyms and, after a year or two, decided they wanted to up their fitness game so joined a standard gym. Again - this is all good in my view.31 -
youcantflexcardio wrote: »As for why these gyms exist, you pretty much summed up the reason why people don't want to go to regular gyms and purposefully look for gyms of the no-intimidation type with your second paragraph. I wouldn't want to go a gym where people treat those who are overweight as lazy either.
I have never once seen someone criticized for being "lazy" at a regular gym - but showing someone where they stand in regards to obesity, bf%, strength, cardio, and teaching them how to rectify it through proper nutrition and training should not be demonized and seen as harsh. I have no qualms about someone telling me I'm fairly strong but I could stand to lose another 40+ pounds, because they are right. And before I started this when I ran into an old friend who last knew me fit he looked at me and said "dude you got fat, like really fat"...he wasn't being mean, he was one of the few people who was being honest.
You may respond just fine to someone saying that. A lot of people would not. My use of "lazy" was referring to the words you wrote in your OP - that these gyms are the embodiment of our "lazy, overly PC, overfed American culture" - and that people having bodily autonomy and getting to decide how they want to look and exercise is not ok, because someone should be telling them that being obese is not okay and they should stop being lazy and fix it.
I don't see not being rude to someone and telling them they are fat and need to lose weight as overly PC, I see it as just having manners. I think that unless you personally are going to dedicate your time to helping the person with their weight loss, as in workouts, food, and helping to resolve the life issues that contributed to the weight gain - overloaded at work, medical issues, family issues, childcare, mental health challenges, finances, etc. - it's better to zip your lip.
I see overweight and obese people who have lost plenty of weight to get to that point, and they would still be labeled as "lazy and overfed" just based on how they look by this metric. People are more than their appearance.37 -
The OP is the reason the 'no intimidation' gyms exist. Who cares if I go just to use the cardio equipment? As for the 'teaching new comers', if I want to learn how to use the machines, I'll book a personal trainer. I don't need some *kitten* harassing me because I use the elliptical 5 times a week instead of some insane weight work out.43
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I like my Planet Fitness, I just joined last week. I have been a member of many different gyms over the years and PF fits me just fine. It's what YOU make of it.
The only knock I have is its use of purple and yellow. It's offensive to me. LOL30 -
Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »I have never heard the "no intimidation gym" term. What does this even mean and why is planet fitness one? This is probably a stupid question but I googled it as well and can't seem to find anything explaining fully.
I have never belonged to a gym, but do people usually comment on your workouts at most gyms? I always thought no one would talk to you unless you asked for advice and everyone just did their own thing. At most gyms it is the norm to have someone approach you every time and tell you how/what to do? I am genuinely curious because I never thought this was how gyms were but I have no clue since never been to one lol.
It is absolutely not the norm. I've belonged to several different gyms and never seen this happen and it would be considered very rude behavior if someone did so unsolicited. Most people don't carry around body fat calipers and meal plans just to give random gym-goers advice so I have no idea what OP means when he says he wants a gym where people give thorough constructive advice about the bodies of strangers.9 -
Gyms marketed as "no intimidation" are solving a problem that people who are scared to go to a gym think they will have. Whether or not it is a real problem is immaterial. The fear of that problem - I'll look stupid, I won't know what to do, people will stare at me, the employees will tell me I'm doing it wrong, big guys will growl at me from the weight room, whatever - is keeping them away from the gym. If these no intimidation gyms get people on a treadmill or taking a calisthenics class or yoga, I think that's awesome. I don't see any connection at all with PC culture or laziness or fat acceptance or anything like that at all. I see a nice mix of fit people and those who are still a work in progress coming out of the local PF. <shrug>35
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Exactly. If you don't like PF go somewhere else.If a no-intimidation gym gets otherwise sedentary people off their couches to exercise regularly, then how could that possibly be a bad thing?L1zardQueen wrote: »I like my Planet Fitness, I just joined last week. I have been a member of many different gyms over the years and PF fits me just fine. It's what YOU make of it.
The only knock I have is its use of purple and yellow. It's offensive to me. LOL
Same with me, years ago I went to a "real" gym, lost weight, gained muscle, was in the best shape of my life. I left the area, returned 20 years later and went back to the gym. It was basically the same but I wasn't motivated there. It was expensive because it was a "real" gym. I mostly used to the treadmill. When my membership expired I went to PF to try it with their $10 a month no commitment offer. If I didn't like it I would leave and go back to the old gym. I have been using it for almost three years now. I like it.
I disliked the "real" gym because it had several different types of treadmills, ellipticals each with their own characteristics. PF has consistency, it doesn't matter which machine I get on it is going to operate the same as every other machine, and I don't have to be on top of another person.
Currently I am using the treadmill and that is worth the $10 a month. if I want to get back on free weights I will go back to a "real" gym and pay through the nose.
But the color scheme is awful, it must be some physiological trick.15 -
Why can't people have different goals, different workout preferences, and different routines? If someone doesn't want to lift heavy, why is that necessarily a bad thing? Never mind the fact that people being intimidated by free weights is actually a thing.
IMO, if a "no intimidation" model gets more people moving, that's a good thing. Sorry if I cut into your condescension.28 -
Meh. Different things for different people. A no intimidation gym wouldn't be my choice. I grunt a little on the last rep and I'll occasionally put the bar down a little hard on the the last rep of the last set of deads.
But if other people want to go to something like a planet fitness, that's their choice. I've worked out in MMA gyms where there were a lot of Bros. In YMCA gyms. And a lot of others. To me, the equipment, the cost and the proximity are the drivers of my choice. What kind of people are there doesn't matter to me one way or the other. There were some real jerky bros who yelled and banged weights at one LA Fitness I went to. If it was filled with those types, I'd probably choose a different one.
But even at the MMA gym, the people were just into their workouts. BTW, I would like to 2nd that I've never gotten any unsolicited advice. If I asked, I got some. But never had someone just come up and start giving advice. If that happened, it would not be well received.
Bottom line, these places (no intimidation gyms) exist because there is a market for them. If they help some people get more fit than they would otherwise, it's no loss to me and positive for them.9 -
While I think the concept itself of "no intimidation" gyms is silly and unnecessarily instills fear of gyms, I have no problem with the existence of 'less hardcore' gyms. Not everybody is (or wants to be) a hardcore powerlifter or bodybuilder, and that's perfectly fine. In terms of general health, any exercise is better than no exercise.
I do have a problem with the blatant hypocrisy of Planet Fitness' marketing strategy. They label themselves as a "no judgment zone", yet they're highly judgmental of fit people and their commercials stereotype and mock them in various ways. If any other gym chain wanted to project a more 'hardcore' image and made TV commercials stereotyping, mocking and belittling fat people and scrawny non-lifters in a similar way, they'd be crucified for it.
Planet Fitness is the closest/most convenient gym in town for me, and also the most inexpensive. I'm sure I could get a decent enough workout there, and I actually wouldn't even mind paying the $20 a month to have them as a "backup" gym for the occasional workout or to use their hydromassage tables or whatever. But because I abhor their hypocritical marketing strategy so much, I've never set foot in one and I'll gladly drive further and pay almost twice as much for my membership to another gym chain.18
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