Gym Calls Cops on Heavy Squatter

Off Topic
21

[quote]John Roman wrote:
Professor X wrote:

At this point, I am sure anyone who looks like they workout is avoiding that place like the plague. I would love to know how they are doing financially right now.

PF clubs, on average, operate at about $80-100K per month in membership dues.

This does not count over-the-counter stuff such as enrollment fees, personal training, pro-shop sales, or water/cooler drinks, or tanning products.

People need to stop hating on Planet Fitness. Honestly, when I considered myself a bodybuilder, if I walked into a gym without a squat rack, I would turn around and walk out. I wouldn’t begrudge the place the right to exist. All of you “hardcore” guys like to chime in on the internet about the “whiney pussies” at PF or similar gyms because their goals are not analogous to yours. For the most part, though, those people aren’t clogging up internet forums bitching about it. SO I think there is a certain irony to argument of whining, don’t you?

PF is a good business model, and honestly, they exist to specifically target/attract people who have never been a member of a gym before. They offer a good rate, therefore people who are inexperienced are more likely to give it a go.

If you are hardcore, PF shouldn’t concern you. Let them do their thing. Stop whining about it like a bunch of fucking babies. Who gives a shit?

[/quote]

Wow. You are clueless.

They have had several news segments focused on them with most praising them and acting like sweating and grunting has no place in a gym. I would call that “bitching and moaning” on some level about as much as my post about how lame the people are who would enjoy a place like that.

Also, who the fuck are you to dictate what I discuss on this site?

22

[quote]John Roman wrote:
blablabla[/quote]

And YOU’RE whining about irony? Seems to me that you’re the one bullshitting on us, hypocrit.

23

[quote]Professor X wrote:

Wow. You are clueless.

They have had several news segments focused on them with most praising them and acting like sweating and grunting has no place in a gym. I would call that “bitching and moaning” on some level about as much as my post about how lame the people are who would enjoy a place like that.

Also, who the fuck are you to dictate what I discuss on this site?[/quote]

I would never “dictate” what people can discuss. I just think the irony is the argument is worth mentioning.

That said, whatever news segments you’re referring to, I have not seen. However, using your words, those segments are “praising” them. Which, following logic, implies that it is the news stations/casts opinions that sweating and grunting have no place in a gym. Which basically is not relevant to my point, at all. I have no interest in what the media thinks of Planet Fitness, grunting, gyms, fitness in general, or anything else.

We are trying to have a discussion about the silliness of the rules.

In a very general sense, I think that it’s certainly a justifiable initial reaction to think that gym having policies against grunting or slamming weights seems somewhat silly. Within the context of the business model of that particular franchise, it makes sense. Keep in mind the guidelines for what qualifies as grunting and slamming will vary gym to gym.

In terms of me being “clueless” - given that I am deeply involved in the operation of said franchise, I think I am certainly qualified to speak on the business practices, philosophies, goals, and ideology of Planet Fitness.

24

[quote]John Roman wrote:
Professor X wrote:

At this point, I am sure anyone who looks like they workout is avoiding that place like the plague. I would love to know how they are doing financially right now.

PF clubs, on average, operate at about $80-100K per month in membership dues.

This does not count over-the-counter stuff such as enrollment fees, personal training, pro-shop sales, or water/cooler drinks, or tanning products.

People need to stop hating on Planet Fitness. Honestly, when I considered myself a bodybuilder, if I walked into a gym without a squat rack, I would turn around and walk out. I wouldn’t begrudge the place the right to exist. All of you “hardcore” guys like to chime in on the internet about the “whiney pussies” at PF or similar gyms because their goals are not analogous to yours. For the most part, though, those people aren’t clogging up internet forums bitching about it. SO I think there is a certain irony to argument of whining, don’t you?

PF is a good business model, and honestly, they exist to specifically target/attract people who have never been a member of a gym before. They offer a good rate, therefore people who are inexperienced are more likely to give it a go.

If you are hardcore, PF shouldn’t concern you. Let them do their thing. Stop whining about it like a bunch of fucking babies. Who gives a shit?

[/quote]

You make a good point. Although, I have one rebuttal. Those corporate pansy gyms are unfortunately putting a lot of the smaller gyms out of business. I think the fear is that these gyms will drive the hardcore gyms out of business. If there is a demand for hardcore gyms there will probably be hardcore gyms, But right now the demand seems to be for fitness clubs. It’s becoming harder and harder to find a real gym.

But like you said if a gym doesn’t have what you like don’t vote for it. In other words don’t give them your money.

It’s almost like the I hate WalMart thing. Well if you hate Walmart Don’t shop there. But they have the cheapest prices. yada yada yada. WalMart is successfull because they are good at what they do. Just like the fitness clubs are good at what they do.

25

[quote]Sick Rick wrote:
John Roman wrote:
blablabla

And YOU’RE whining about irony? Seems to me that you’re the one bullshitting on us, hypocrit.
[/quote]

Pointing out irony and having it be ironic to do so negates any hypocritical element of having done so. It adds to the effect.

But what do I know? I’m just a whiney bitch.

26

I love it. My gym called the cops on somebody for not putting the weights back hilarious

27

[quote]John Roman wrote:
Professor X wrote:

Wow. You are clueless.

They have had several news segments focused on them with most praising them and acting like sweating and grunting has no place in a gym. I would call that “bitching and moaning” on some level about as much as my post about how lame the people are who would enjoy a place like that.

Also, who the fuck are you to dictate what I discuss on this site?

I would never “dictate” what people can discuss. I just think the irony is the argument is worth mentioning.

That said, whatever news segments you’re referring to, I have not seen. However, using your words, those segments are “praising” them. Which, following logic, implies that it is the news stations/casts opinions that sweating and grunting have no place in a gym. Which basically is not relevant to my point, at all. I have no interest in what the media thinks of Planet Fitness, grunting, gyms, fitness in general, or anything else.

We are trying to have a discussion about the silliness of the rules.

In a very general sense, I think that it’s certainly a justifiable initial reaction to think that gym having policies against grunting or slamming weights seems somewhat silly. Within the context of the business model of that particular franchise, it makes sense. Keep in mind the guidelines for what qualifies as grunting and slamming will vary gym to gym.

In terms of me being “clueless” - given that I am deeply involved in the operation of said franchise, I think I am certainly qualified to speak on the business practices, philosophies, goals, and ideology of Planet Fitness. [/quote]

So you work for this company?

That explains everything. You are doing a great job ensuring other people avoid that place as well. Keep it up.

You and every single employee can discuss your business models at length until you orgasm from the thought of increased revenue and it still won’t change the fact that Planet Fitness is to weight lifting what Mc Donald’s is to “fine cuisine”.

28

[quote]Brett295 wrote:
John Roman wrote:

You make a good point. Although, I have one rebuttal. Those corporate pansy gyms are unfortunately putting a lot of the smaller gyms out of business. I think the fear is that these gyms will drive the hardcore gyms out of business. If there is a demand for hardcore gyms there will probably be hardcore gyms, But right now the demand seems to be for fitness clubs. It’s becoming harder and harder to find a real gym.

[/quote]

This is a good point. Unfortunately for a lot of the smaller gyms, PF does have a tendency to put people of business; unintentionally, but that is the price of doing business.

However, if those gym are going out of business, it means that their members are leaving to go to PF. So obviously the majority of the gym-going population cares more about paying 10 bucks a month than they are about a squat rack.

As a counterpoint, I’ll mention that I agree with a prediciton made by Dave Tate in his recent interview. He said that he thinks that in a few years a lot of smaller, dungeon/hardcore gyms will pop up all over, to service the populations of lifters that have been displaced by larger corporate gyms. it’s just going to take some time.

Those places will never make Big Money like corporate gyms. But the owners will be lifters who are doing it for the love of it, and the members will be paying the extra money for the same reason. But they will open and stay in business.

Pendulum swings, just takes time.

29

[quote]Brett295 wrote:
Although, I have one rebuttal. Those corporate pansy gyms are unfortunately putting a lot of the smaller gyms out of business. I think the fear is that these gyms will drive the hardcore gyms out of business. If there is a demand for hardcore gyms there will probably be hardcore gyms, But right now the demand seems to be for fitness clubs. It’s becoming harder and harder to find a real gym.

[/quote]

Which is the larger issue. No one gives a shit that such a place exists. People care because it is becoming increasingly difficult to even find a place that welcomes lifters who actually plan to give everything they have in the free weight area.

30

[quote]Professor X wrote:

So you work for this company?

That explains everything. You are doing a great job ensuring other people avoid that place as well. Keep it up.

You and every single employee can discuss your business models at length until you orgasm from the thought of increased revenue and it still won’t change the fact that Planet Fitness is to weight lifting what Mc Donald’s is to “fine cuisine”.

[/quote]

I think you are missing the point; which may be my fault for not communicating accurately.

Let me try to make it clear that on the whole, I look at things like this:

Planet Fitness = Elementary School
World Gym/similar = Middle School
Golds Gym = High School
West Coast Barbell/dedicated strongman/powerlifting/BB gym = college.

That is my view. So if you have never been to school before, you start at the bottom. And that is the market we go after. And people make good progress, and some graduate. Some don’t. Some drop out. But it’s better than never having enrolled at all.

What is going on here is that we have a bunch of high school kids picking on 8 year olds.

31

[quote]John Roman wrote:
Professor X wrote:

So you work for this company?

That explains everything. You are doing a great job ensuring other people avoid that place as well. Keep it up.

You and every single employee can discuss your business models at length until you orgasm from the thought of increased revenue and it still won’t change the fact that Planet Fitness is to weight lifting what Mc Donald’s is to “fine cuisine”.

I think you are missing the point; which may be my fault for not communicating accurately.

Let me try to make it clear that on the whole, I look at things like this:

Planet Fitness = Elementary School
World Gym/similar = Middle School
Golds Gym = High School
West Coast Barbell/dedicated strongman/powerlifting/BB gym = college.

That is my view. So if you have never been to school before, you start at the bottom. And that is the market we go after. And people make good progress, and some graduate. Some don’t. Some drop out. But it’s better than never having enrolled at all.

What is going on here is that we have a bunch of high school kids picking on 8 year olds.[/quote]

Wrong, you have a bunch of grown ass adults talking about other grown ass adults who expect everyone to avoid noticing their own lack of progress and motivation.

I love it when people new to training approach me in the gym for advice. I remember doing the same to other big guys. Those serious newbies are the ones in “elementary school”.

The people at Planet Fitness just ride the short bus.

32

[quote]

Wrong, you have a bunch of grown ass adults talking about other grown ass adults who expect everyone to avoid noticing their own lack of progress and motivation.

I love it when people new to training approach me in the gym for advice. I remember doing the same to other big guys. Those serious newbies are the ones in “elementary school”.

The people at Planet Fitness just ride the short bus.[/quote]

While I’m not certain I agree, I appreciate you sticking with the metaphor.

33

John Roman, even your avatar is doing a full face-palm in shame at your lack of awareness of why a literal “lunk alarm” in a gym is a concern to us

34

So you guys think it’s ok for kids to drop out of elementary school…damn the business world is a tough one.

35

[quote]ready wrote:
So you guys think it’s ok for kids to drop out of elementary school…damn the business world is a tough one.[/quote]

only if they are skipping middle school and high school to go straight to college.

36

john roman, so you think it would be best for an individual and his/her progress if they were to go through that succession of (schools) gyms, before eventually finding training facility? rather than be mentored by the biggest and best from the start?

i dont understand your analogy

37

[quote]brian.m wrote:
John Roman, even your avatar is doing a full face-palm in shame at your lack of awareness of why a literal “lunk alarm” in a gym is a concern to us[/quote]

I’m not saying the presence of a lunk alarm shouldn’t be a concern. It’s just a reality.

What I AM saying is that the presence of a lifter who takes weight training very seriously in a gym that has a lunk alarm is of greater concern. I simply cannot wrap my head around the illogic of it.

38

i dont know what the situation is like where you are, but for a lot of people, there is not a lot of choices within driving distance…and if they’re squeezing out the competition (as mentioned by somebody else) this is a direct concern to many, as not all of us have access to the same facilities…

i think this is partly why people are so frusterated, becuse they (serious lifters) are already aware their situation is not ideal, but they try to make the best of it regardless, and then to have this thrown in our faces after is a little bit like salt to a wound

39

It’s simple. Don’t go to Planet Fitness if you don’t like the fucking place. If it’s not totally obvious to you that PF isn’t a weightlifting specific gym, then you yourself should even be allowed near 5lb dumbbells for your own safety. Your obsession with lifting weights is yours alone, not anybody else’s.

Also, look at the video, all the members look like they’re all over 50.

Man up, shut the fuck up crying, and go somewhere else. The gym is theirs, they choose the rules.

PS: The no grunting rule is kind of dumb though. Why would you even stay in a place like that if you know you’re going to grunt and get thrown out?

So, for all the bitchers; Drop the iron, stop the grunting, and return yourself to Planet Fitness.

40

[quote]brian.m wrote:
john roman, so you think it would be best for an individual and his/her progress if they were to go through that succession of (schools) gyms, before eventually finding training facility? rather than be mentored by the biggest and best from the start?

i dont understand your analogy[/quote]

I think it would be best for people to join gyms that make sense for them from a cost/time/benefit perspective.

I think many of you are using yourselves as the yardstick against which to measure the average persons desire to be involved with fitness.

At my club, we operate at about 8000 members. Less than half of those come with any consistency. I can name, off the top of my head, all 23 members that lift in a manner that I would consider semi-serious.

So what I am saying is that using the education metaphor, many of these people come in with no desire or motivation to seek high education; they dont want to get bigger or stronger, not even looking to have a six pack. A good many of them just want to come in and do some cardio, and get a little healthier so they can have a few more years with their kids or grand kids. Despite the fact that I don’t really understand it, I can’t say I don’t think it’s a valid way to live or work out.

Those are the people who should join PF.

Some people join my gym, get bit by the bug (or more likely I refer them to T-Nation), they are members for a few months and then they quit and go somewhere else. Makes more sense for them.