Grunting in the gym

spartan_d

Some people hate grunting in the gym. I don't. As long as it's not excessive, it's simply a sign that the person in question is working hard.

http://blog.anytimefitness.com/grunting-exercising-can-actually-helpful/

RaphaBianchi

Maybe when squeezing out the last rep it's acceptable but when people do it on every rep that's just too much.

DaddieCat

I'm going to say that it's perfectly acceptable provided the level of effort requires it. There's no acceptable or unacceptable to be taken into the equation. If the level of effort I'm expending requires a grunt, I'm going to grunt... and everyone around can deal.

MikePTY

I let other people work out how they see fit. I don't really judge them based on their grunting.

Joanna2012B

If it bothersome to you may I suggest listening to music. It's rather motivating too!

mom23mangos

BecomingBane wrote: »

I'm going to say that it's perfectly acceptable provided the level of effort requires it. There's no acceptable or unacceptable to be taken into the equation. If the level of effort I'm expending requires a grunt, I'm going to grunt... and everyone around can deal.

I agree. There's just no stopping it at a certain level of effort.

spartan_d

I have often heard people say that grunting should be banned, that grunters should be publicly shamed, and so forth. Thankfully, you folks get it.

I remember when the guys at one of my gyms were cheering on a guy who was grunting toward the end of his bench press set. Those guys know what matters.

Scotty2HotPie

There's always Planet Fitness for those people who are bothered by it...

Personally, I go the gym at 5am and there's hardly anyone there, which is great. I don't have to worry about bothering anyone.

Phirrgus

spartan_d wrote: »

I have often heard people say that grunting should be banned, that grunters should be publicly shamed, and so forth. Thankfully, you folks get it.

I remember when the guys at one of my gyms were cheering on a guy who was grunting toward the end of his bench press set. Those guys know what matters.

There were a couple of guys at my gym years ago - every lift was celebrated with a Ric Flair (the wrestler) type "WOOOO!!!"

I think ALL of us wanted to drop heavy weights on them, but grunting, even a loud grunt depending on effort...it's a gym ya know? Guys and Gals picking up heavy stuff and all...maybe the peeps wanting to ban it need to go to Planet fitness or the like.

MikePfirrman

Grunting occasionally I can handle. I do have a hard time with the grunt followed by the weight plate drop (because they seem to be always on machines, not free weights) that makes everyone at the gym turn around to see, I assume, how strong they are with that weight machine! "Man, I can't believe you leg pressed four plates!!".

adriennevy

I think there's a difference between an "I'm nearing the limits of my physical strength" grunt and a "I need everyone to look at me or I have my headphones in and don't realize how loud I'm grunting at EVERY rep" grunt. I'll let out a grunt occasionally, but there have been some people in the gym that I seriously want to throw a dumbbell at. Like.. I shouldn't hear that grunt so loud and so constant OVER my headphones!

springlering62

We have a guy who grunts his way through Saturday morning hot yoga. It’s maddening, BUT he’s also so childlike in his obvious enjoyment of the class, and his joy at being able to get his feet over his head (which I can’t do, so props to him). I want to smack him but it would be like smacking a cute wiggly happy little puppy. So I just chill and enjoy his enjoyment.

spartan_d

Scotty2HotPie wrote: »

There's always Planet Fitness for those people who are bothered by it...

Yeah. This is what they're like.

Also this.

Azdak

It’s 5% exertion, 95% affectation.

SuzySunshine99

As long as it's not over-exaggerated, I assume it's an involuntary sound due to working hard.

HOWEVER, there used to be this guy at my gym who would drop his weights on the floor after a set and scream, "YES! PERSONAL BEST!!" Now, mind you, he had a new "personal best" every other day, so either he was really improving himself that rapidly, or he was just trying to impress people.

Note: No one was impressed.

leobrah

9 times ouf ot 10 people do it for attention. Like "Look at me! I'm working out!" yeah we get it buttercup, so is everyone else.

sgt1372

I don't think it's ever "necessary" to make any noise while lifting. Not necessary while playing tennis (where it's just annoying) either.

It's a conscious or unconscious behavior that the person making the noise has adopted presumably because they find it gives them motivation to lift harder but which IMO does not actually make them stronger or help them lift better.

Fortunately, I have a fully equipped Olympic gym setup at home and don't have to put up w/such nonsense but, when I did go to the gym to workout, I always had my iPod buds plugged into my ears to drown out any noise.

Other than joining Planet Fitness that's the only option you have to avoid such annoyances at most gyms.

gottswald

I guess I'm lucky, I'm too busy there to care what other people do.

MohsenSALAH

Hearing grunting is easier than hearing those dropping weights on floor

spartan_d

sgt1372 wrote: »

I don't think it's ever "necessary" to make any noise while lifting. Not necessary while playing tennis (where it's just annoying) either.

Science says otherwise.

HoneyBadger302

A grunt, noise, whatever when you're making a heavy lift or at the last couple reps and feeling about maxed out - fine, no problem, go for it!

Grunting with every single rep and obnoxiously loud the entire time - it's just attention seeking IMO and I will think that of you if that's what you do.

That being said, to each their own. I may judge you, but reality is, do "you" really GAF if I do? Probably not, so do your thing.