Planet Fitness removing squat racks? Aroo?
Replies
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I've got to say, for someone like me who was completely intimidated by going to the gym at the beginning of my weight loss journey, I was relieved and glad to have a place like Planet Fitness. I didn't feel as self-conscious or uncomfortable while I learned fitness. Now that I'm almost a year into my new lifestyle, I've grown more comfortable in a gym setting and would be confident enough to go to another gym. But I'm still grateful that I had my time at Pf in the beginning. I think if I had not had the experience there that I had, I would probably not be where I am now. Perhaps many people who go there are like me and actually need and appreciate their approach. What is so wrong with starting at PF and then moving on to something more advanced once you're ready?
Also, in my time there, I've never seen a squat rack but have seen and used lots of other amazing equipment including weight machines, all types of free weights, three different kinds of bike machines, treadmills, and ellipticals.
if you have been working out for a year and have never attempted a barbell squat or a deadlift then you are just setting yourself behind the eight ball as these are the moves that are going to provide the most gains and increase overall strength and aid in decreasing body fat..
Wouldn't you have rather spent a year learning all the necessary movements to make a better you? Rather than find out a year in that you now have to re-learn certain moves, and are, essentially, a newbie all over again?
Wow. I never said that. I have done squats, just not on a squat rack. I'd never even heard of such a thing and I have some pretty athletic and in shape friends and relatives. And I haven't done a deadlift because my goal in starting my journey was to start with cardio and ease myself into weight lifting. And I did that, by using the weight machines and getting a friend of mine to show me the correct form on the free weights. So, I did learn the proper form for some things and will continue to learn the proper form on other things as I advance. And I did in it a place where I didn't feel stupid while learning.
I'm not saying that people who are more serious about weight lifting should be satisfied with Planet Fitness. If PF doesn't have what you need for your regime, then by all means, don't waste your money there. But for those of us that Planet Fitness does help, don't make us feel less than because we're at the level that they are offering.
but I"m curious how you felt when you saw the "lunk alarm". did it make you feel secure?0 -
The smoothies are different because they're not free. That's the difference. You have to buy them. Gyms with smoothie bars don't hand you a free smoothie.
Which actually kinda sucks.0 -
This really should be addressed. No business should be allowed to refuse service against people, especially based on how they look!
Well, let's step back from that ledge. Look at Abercrombie for example. They take a real cheap shot approach, making a profit by preying on adolescents, because they really need ANOTHER reason to feel awkward and insecure. I think it's awful and soulless and would never patronize their stores, but they have every right to do it. PF isn't breaking any laws, they can do what they want. I just think it's a disservice to their customers, and said so. Planet will keep turning.
ETA: no pun intended, but, imma go ahead and leave it there.
They do have a right to pick and choose the equipment that goes into their gyms, but I would think there are Laws against discriminating people who look "different" from accessing their gym? That is like turning away a homosexual, or a transexual, or a black individual just because they are "different"0 -
I honestly don't see any difference to offering these foods than a gym that has say a smoothie bar where the smoothies can have as many calories (maybe even more) than a slice of pizza.
If I could find a gym that had slices of pizza that contained the same nutrients as the type of smoothie you're talking about, I'd join immediately.
/in4 50g protein/30g carb pizza
That's actually pretty easy to achieve if you make the pizza yourself, but then it wouldn't be free. :ohwell:0 -
I'm not offended by the equipment they do/don't choose to carry.
I'm offended at being called a lunk.
If I opened a gym and advertised it as a 'fatso free zone' there would be outrage. Even if I only did it as a "humorous marketing hook". It all comes back to the fact that apparently it's ok to mock and deride those that have worked hard for what they have (intelligence, fitness, muscles, etc...) but not ok to mock and deride people who are what they are due to a lack of work or dedication (stupidity, obesity, etc...).
OOOH! That's really interesting... You know, I never thought that ALL lifters were "lunks"... I guess I always interpreted it to mean specifically the lifters who postured around and acted like fools were lunks... is it a real word? I am googling now!
Straight from the dictionary.
lunk·head [luhngk-hed] Show IPA
noun Slang.
a dull or stupid person; blockhead.
Also called lunk [luhngk] Show IPA .
World English Dictionary
lunk (lʌŋk)
— n
an awkward, heavy, or stupid person0 -
This is why I went out and bought my own squat rack. Plus, there are never any jerks curling in my squat rack.0
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This really should be addressed. No business should be allowed to refuse service against people, especially based on how they look!
Well, let's step back from that ledge. Look at Abercrombie for example. They take a real cheap shot approach, making a profit by preying on adolescents, because they really need ANOTHER reason to feel awkward and insecure. I think it's awful and soulless and would never patronize their stores, but they have every right to do it. PF isn't breaking any laws, they can do what they want. I just think it's a disservice to their customers, and said so. Planet will keep turning.
ETA: no pun intended, but, imma go ahead and leave it there.
They do have a right to pick and choose the equipment that goes into their gyms, but I would think there are Laws against discriminating people who look "different" from accessing their gym? That is like turning away a homosexual, or a transexual, or a black individual just because they are "different"
You believe that legislation will make the world a nicer place? Lol!0 -
Is it just me or does this look like one of the rooms in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory?
Actually it looks more the floor of a cult's gym to me...
it reminds me of the gym from dodgeball ..globogym or whatever? LOL
:laugh:
It does!0 -
This really should be addressed. No business should be allowed to refuse service against people, especially based on how they look!
Well, let's step back from that ledge. Look at Abercrombie for example. They take a real cheap shot approach, making a profit by preying on adolescents, because they really need ANOTHER reason to feel awkward and insecure. I think it's awful and soulless and would never patronize their stores, but they have every right to do it. PF isn't breaking any laws, they can do what they want. I just think it's a disservice to their customers, and said so. Planet will keep turning.
ETA: no pun intended, but, imma go ahead and leave it there.
They do have a right to pick and choose the equipment that goes into their gyms, but I would think there are Laws against discriminating people who look "different" from accessing their gym? That is like turning away a homosexual, or a transexual, or a black individual just because they are "different"
I remember once in my 20's in fact on my 21st birthday I ended up on the news. It was because a popular LA nightclub was on blast for discriminating against "ugly" people and the news happened to be at the same place my limo driver took me and 5 friends when we asked the driver to take us to "the latest IN spot". IT was a doozy of a club and a loooooooooooooong line, but when I suddenly had to pee, i walked all the way up to the bodyguard and asked if I could hop in and out real quick. He asked if I was out clubbing "alone"? "No, silly it's my birthday, and those are my friends!" Pan back to my 4 or 5 slutty buddies wavign furiously and happily at him. He told me to go get my friends and bring them to the large metal door halfway between us and them. I complied and someone opened the door and let us all in free with no ID'ing and cutting in front of the rest of the line. When the story aired the following morning my big happy smug mug was the poster girl for "ugly" discrimination. I don't know if things have changed since that time long ago, but it was at least newsworthy back then. I think lunk shaming is bad too. If you ask me. Which no one did. And yet I have an opinion. AND ten bucks a month to spend. Go figure.0 -
I'm not offended by the equipment they do/don't choose to carry.
I'm offended at being called a lunk.
If I opened a gym and advertised it as a 'fatso free zone' there would be outrage. Even if I only did it as a "humorous marketing hook". It all comes back to the fact that apparently it's ok to mock and deride those that have worked hard for what they have (intelligence, fitness, muscles, etc...) but not ok to mock and deride people who are what they are due to a lack of work or dedication (stupidity, obesity, etc...).
OOOH! That's really interesting... You know, I never thought that ALL lifters were "lunks"... I guess I always interpreted it to mean specifically the lifters who postured around and acted like fools were lunks... is it a real word? I am googling now!
Straight from the dictionary.
lunk·head [luhngk-hed] Show IPA
noun Slang.
a dull or stupid person; blockhead.
Also called lunk [luhngk] Show IPA .
World English Dictionary
lunk (lʌŋk)
— n
an awkward, heavy, or stupid person
Oh, so it does not mean a gym buffed person after all, but is a clear and direct insult against someone's intelligence. The very people who are intelligent enough to get their physique to the place that the other people spinning their wheels aspire to? I see.0 -
This really should be addressed. No business should be allowed to refuse service against people, especially based on how they look!
Well, let's step back from that ledge. Look at Abercrombie for example. They take a real cheap shot approach, making a profit by preying on adolescents, because they really need ANOTHER reason to feel awkward and insecure. I think it's awful and soulless and would never patronize their stores, but they have every right to do it. PF isn't breaking any laws, they can do what they want. I just think it's a disservice to their customers, and said so. Planet will keep turning.
ETA: no pun intended, but, imma go ahead and leave it there.
They do have a right to pick and choose the equipment that goes into their gyms, but I would think there are Laws against discriminating people who look "different" from accessing their gym? That is like turning away a homosexual, or a transexual, or a black individual just because they are "different"
"Target Market: A target market is defined as a specific group of potential buyers for which a business positions its products and services." In this case, PF's target market is people who are put off/"gymtimidated" by "Lunks".0 -
I just wasn't ready before.
Whoever told you that was lying to you, probably for their own profit.
To counter that notion of "not ready". During gym/trainer shopping early last year I had a couple free sessions with different trainers. A trainer at equinox who had the full run down of my past injuries which I gave to every trainer since having spine surgery is pretty heavy duty and i must disclose, thought I might be able to do a deadlift unweighted after watching me train for 15 minutes. I watched him carefully and worriedly show me how it's done and listened very intently. When it was my turn I stood in starting position MOTIONLESS since i had a mental block where I had trained my muscles over the course of YEARS of debilitating pain NOT to engage those muscles so as to avoid spasms and I couldn't will them to work. In fact attempting to make them work sent my mind into a bad and scary place that I had to turn to the big picture windows so he would not see me tear up. After that little break, I explained what had happened. He stayed silent while I got my mental bearings. He KNEW I would make a 2nd attempt and did not push me nor discourage me. He simply waited. When I informed me I felt ready and HAD to make a 2nd attempt, he did not smirk or cajole or any other thing, he just stood at the ready. OF COURSE I did it. It was a major mental obstacle that unlocked MYRIADS of other activities for me having gotten over the biggest hurdle... the direct and specific use of the muscles in question. I nearly floated out of the gym that day and shudder to think what would have happened if I had done that in a gym that is afraid of the most basic moves. With my past physical injury issues and the confidence and mental hurdles I need to get over I can only say that I cannot afford the $10 a month to attend a gym that will create a "safe" buffer zone for me to never get back to the reality that is my new stronger form. No matter how brightly painted it may be. My heart and mind cannot afford it, neither can my limited time left on this planet. I wasted nearly ten years with back problems, I can't afford another ten seconds with imaginary problems nurtured by a place that wants to nurture the fear in me.
Blown away.
THIS was my whole point. I think their policies do nurture the fear in people and it makes me sad to think anyone would miss the opportunity to have their version of that game-changing moment. But there's an inverse reaction to trying to make people understand that. The more stuff like this gets discussed, the more people dig in their heels.0 -
This really should be addressed. No business should be allowed to refuse service against people, especially based on how they look!
Well, let's step back from that ledge. Look at Abercrombie for example. They take a real cheap shot approach, making a profit by preying on adolescents, because they really need ANOTHER reason to feel awkward and insecure. I think it's awful and soulless and would never patronize their stores, but they have every right to do it. PF isn't breaking any laws, they can do what they want. I just think it's a disservice to their customers, and said so. Planet will keep turning.
ETA: no pun intended, but, imma go ahead and leave it there.
They do have a right to pick and choose the equipment that goes into their gyms, but I would think there are Laws against discriminating people who look "different" from accessing their gym? That is like turning away a homosexual, or a transexual, or a black individual just because they are "different"
"Target Market: A target market is defined as a specific group of potential buyers for which a business positions its products and services." In this case, PF's target market is people who are put off/"gymtimidated" by "Lunks".
Which is fine. But does this mean it would be ok to market a business with the target market of people who are put off/sickened by obese people?
Or would it be all over the news calling for them to be boycotted and/or shut down?
Again, I have no issue with the equipment they choose, or their 'target market'. I have an issue with being characterized as a lunk for making an effort, and lifting weights which sometimes cannot be placed gently back to the ground like a feather pillow.0 -
This really should be addressed. No business should be allowed to refuse service against people, especially based on how they look!
I think the opposite is true. You are taking away the power of consumers with this mentality.0 -
Is it true they have pizza parties and bagels there? Being new to this (no, I'm not a resolutioner, I started in October and still at it ), I can't even imaging being tempted to eat junk at the place where I go to for healthy living.
Pizza and bagels are not junk! Don't be absurd!0 -
I'm not offended by the equipment they do/don't choose to carry.
I'm offended at being called a lunk.
If I opened a gym and advertised it as a 'fatso free zone' there would be outrage. Even if I only did it as a "humorous marketing hook". It all comes back to the fact that apparently it's ok to mock and deride those that have worked hard for what they have (intelligence, fitness, muscles, etc...) but not ok to mock and deride people who are what they are due to a lack of work or dedication (stupidity, obesity, etc...).
OOOH! That's really interesting... You know, I never thought that ALL lifters were "lunks"... I guess I always interpreted it to mean specifically the lifters who postured around and acted like fools were lunks... is it a real word? I am googling now!
Straight from the dictionary.
lunk·head [luhngk-hed] Show IPA
noun Slang.
a dull or stupid person; blockhead.
Also called lunk [luhngk] Show IPA .
World English Dictionary
lunk (lʌŋk)
— n
an awkward, heavy, or stupid person
Oh, so it does not mean a gym buffed person after all, but is a clear and direct insult against someone's intelligence. The very people who are intelligent enough to get their physique to the place that the other people spinning their wheels aspire to? I see.
Yep, so when they say "what a lunk", it means "what an (insert adj for dumb person here)"0 -
GOD FORBID I drink out of my gallon jug! OMG.0 -
This really should be addressed. No business should be allowed to refuse service against people, especially based on how they look!
Well, let's step back from that ledge. Look at Abercrombie for example. They take a real cheap shot approach, making a profit by preying on adolescents, because they really need ANOTHER reason to feel awkward and insecure. I think it's awful and soulless and would never patronize their stores, but they have every right to do it. PF isn't breaking any laws, they can do what they want. I just think it's a disservice to their customers, and said so. Planet will keep turning.
ETA: no pun intended, but, imma go ahead and leave it there.
They do have a right to pick and choose the equipment that goes into their gyms, but I would think there are Laws against discriminating people who look "different" from accessing their gym? That is like turning away a homosexual, or a transexual, or a black individual just because they are "different"
"Target Market: A target market is defined as a specific group of potential buyers for which a business positions its products and services." In this case, PF's target market is people who are put off/"gymtimidated" by "Lunks".
Which is fine. But does this mean it would be ok to market a business with the target market of people who are put off/sickened by obese people?
Or would it be all over the news calling for them to be boycotted and/or shut down?
Again, I have no issue with the equipment they choose, or their 'target market'. I have an issue with being characterized as a lunk for making an effort, and lifting weights which sometimes cannot be placed gently back to the ground like a feather pillow.
A&F did it. I haven't checked to see if that worked out favorably for them, but they did do it. I didn't expect anyone to shut them down, although I do understand people boycotting them, based on personal beliefs. That's their right to do so.
I think anyone silly enough to define all bodybuilder/fit types, based on what a business says they are, would be pretty much not in my list of friends, anyway. So, why let it bother you? I lift weights and WANT to look like the "lunk chicks" on the PF commercials. I also recognize the irony in the fact that they're basically saying "[no fit people]" exist here, which is hilarious, in and of itself. It tells me that if I want to get in shape, PF ain't the place. :laugh:0 -
hmm didn't realize they were so bad...I'm glad I use the Y with the rest of the lunks.
+10 -
Is it true they have pizza parties and bagels there? Being new to this (no, I'm not a resolutioner, I started in October and still at it ), I can't even imaging being tempted to eat junk at the place where I go to for healthy living.
Pizza and bagels are not junk! Don't be absurd!
There was a nice brick oven mom and pop pizza shop in my town that PF got pizza from and that's how I found them (Pizza shop)
They of course went out of business because people in my town won't pay extra for quality food when they can get crap/junk pizza from Dominoes.
My PF now gets dominoes, they still have some left at 9:00pm when I feel it's safe to go in on that night. Before then people come out of the woodwork to get free pizza. Generally I don't go into the gym on Pizza monday, not because I fear pizza but because I don't want to be tripping all over everyone who won't be there the rest of the month.0 -
This is all the fault of the muscle shirt!0 -
This is all the fault of the muscle shirt!
Yeah, and next thing you know, that lunk will be complaining about all the chicks staring at his muscles in that shirt, too! :laugh: how dare he wear a comfortable shirt that will show off his hard work!!0 -
GOD FORBID I drink out of my gallon jug! OMG.
I interpret this as they don't want anyone strong enough to curl a full gallon jug intimidating other members...
...who might be curling 3# dumbbells.
Totally unrelated question:
On "pizza day", do they make sure all of the pizzas are cut into really small pieces so no one has to struggle to pick it up?0 -
This is why I went out and bought my own squat rack. Plus, there are never any jerks curling in my squat rack.
I did this too...many many years ago...
...except that there occasionally is one jerk in it.
Also, that same jerk tends to leave the barbell loaded after a workout too which requires me to unload it before the next workout. I complained to the gym owner, but it was apparently the gym owner who was being a jerk.
#GymInMyBasementProblems0 -
we're at the level that they are offering.
That doesn't really mean anything, honestly. There's no "level" you need to be at to do squats and deadlifts. I'm not sure what weight training you're doing at PF, but they clearly fail to offer the most effective tools out there for people in your situation.
There are levels. And the first one is "beginner". At least that's how it was for me. I didn't stay at the beginner level. I've progressed beyond that and I plan to progress beyond the level I am now to more advanced things. And working my way up slowing and adding different activities as I go is how I build discipline. It would mean nothing for me to start at a more advanced level, get frustrated with myself, and then quit. Which I have done in the past. But, when I started off slowly at a beginner's level, I gained confidence, strength, and discipline. And, when I outgrew the beginner's level activities, it made me want to push myself to more. That's all I'm saying. Joining PF helped me do that. I NEEDED that to get myself where I am to day and to help motivate me to more in the future. I will probably outgrow PF soon. And when I do, I'll move on to something else. And that's fine too. As a matter of fact, that was always my goal. The fact that I can say that I am outgrowing PF is a HUGE accomplishment for me when two years ago, a twenty minute walk was painful for me.
I dont understand this either..if you start with a 100# deadlift that is not advanced….
Figuring out a convenient way to get that 100# deadlift at proper height (using iron plates) can be an advanced problem though.0 -
I used to belong to PF (I'm a New Englander) and it was great for what I needed... a place I didn't feel intimidated to go to that was cheap and convenient and local. It's also the ONLY gym in my town, currently. I live in a rural farm community.
They are meant for beginners, not serious lifters. That's their niche, that's their market. That is how they can afford $10 memberships. And honestly, you don't NEED a squat rack in the same way you don't NEED a treadmill. You do not need a single piece of gym equipment to be fit, it can be done in a million other ways. So if you need a squat rack, get one at home or go to another gym. Sheesh.
I am very glad I have access to world-class facilities in several convenient places where I live, and a pretty sweet setup at home, so this doesn't affect me directly. But it does make me sad that their business model and marketing hook are directly filling insecure and vulnerable people's heads with hogwash that is going to limit them from achieving their full potential because of this "judgment-free" judgmental atmosphere.0 -
I just wasn't ready before.
Whoever told you that was lying to you, probably for their own profit.
To counter that notion of "not ready". During gym/trainer shopping early last year I had a couple free sessions with different trainers. A trainer at equinox who had the full run down of my past injuries which I gave to every trainer since having spine surgery is pretty heavy duty and i must disclose, thought I might be able to do a deadlift unweighted after watching me train for 15 minutes. I watched him carefully and worriedly show me how it's done and listened very intently. When it was my turn I stood in starting position MOTIONLESS since i had a mental block where I had trained my muscles over the course of YEARS of debilitating pain NOT to engage those muscles so as to avoid spasms and I couldn't will them to work. In fact attempting to make them work sent my mind into a bad and scary place that I had to turn to the big picture windows so he would not see me tear up. After that little break, I explained what had happened. He stayed silent while I got my mental bearings. He KNEW I would make a 2nd attempt and did not push me nor discourage me. He simply waited. When I informed me I felt ready and HAD to make a 2nd attempt, he did not smirk or cajole or any other thing, he just stood at the ready. OF COURSE I did it. It was a major mental obstacle that unlocked MYRIADS of other activities for me having gotten over the biggest hurdle... the direct and specific use of the muscles in question. I nearly floated out of the gym that day and shudder to think what would have happened if I had done that in a gym that is afraid of the most basic moves. With my past physical injury issues and the confidence and mental hurdles I need to get over I can only say that I cannot afford the $10 a month to attend a gym that will create a "safe" buffer zone for me to never get back to the reality that is my new stronger form. No matter how brightly painted it may be. My heart and mind cannot afford it, neither can my limited time left on this planet. I wasted nearly ten years with back problems, I can't afford another ten seconds with imaginary problems nurtured by a place that wants to nurture the fear in me.0 -
This is why I went out and bought my own squat rack. Plus, there are never any jerks curling in my squat rack.
I did this too...many many years ago...
...except that there occasionally is one jerk in it.
Also, that same jerk tends to leave the barbell loaded after a workout too which requires me to unload it before the next workout. I complained to the gym owner, but it was apparently the gym owner who was being a jerk.
#GymInMyBasementProblems
I occasionally have the same issues too.0 -
So, are you saying I can pick up a purple squat rack on the cheap?
This is the first thought that came into my head.0 -
we're at the level that they are offering.
That doesn't really mean anything, honestly. There's no "level" you need to be at to do squats and deadlifts. I'm not sure what weight training you're doing at PF, but they clearly fail to offer the most effective tools out there for people in your situation.
There are levels. And the first one is "beginner". At least that's how it was for me. I didn't stay at the beginner level. I've progressed beyond that and I plan to progress beyond the level I am now to more advanced things. And working my way up slowing and adding different activities as I go is how I build discipline. It would mean nothing for me to start at a more advanced level, get frustrated with myself, and then quit. Which I have done in the past. But, when I started off slowly at a beginner's level, I gained confidence, strength, and discipline. And, when I outgrew the beginner's level activities, it made me want to push myself to more. That's all I'm saying. Joining PF helped me do that. I NEEDED that to get myself where I am to day and to help motivate me to more in the future. I will probably outgrow PF soon. And when I do, I'll move on to something else. And that's fine too. As a matter of fact, that was always my goal. The fact that I can say that I am outgrowing PF is a HUGE accomplishment for me when two years ago, a twenty minute walk was painful for me.
I dont understand this either..if you start with a 100# deadlift that is not advanced….
Figuring out a convenient way to get that 100# deadlift at proper height (using iron plates) can be an advanced problem though.
I've been thinking about a bumper plate purchase for a while now...(probably after I buy horse stall mats for the floor). Think I'm going with these: http://www.roguefitness.com/new-hg-rogue-bumpers.php
But yeah, you have the ideal solution there.0
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