Police Escort Man Out Of Gym For Grunting

[matcom]

<snip>

ALBANY, N.Y. -- You could forgive a guy for grunting while lifting 500 pounds -- unless you're the owners of a place called Planet Fitness.

It turns out that grunting isn't allowed in their universe.

Corrections officer Albert Argibay learned that the hard way this week. He was hoisting 500 pounds on a machine at the Wappingers Falls, N.Y., gym when the manager said he grunted -- in violation of the Planet Fitness rules.

Argibay said whether or not he grunted is "open to interpretation." What's crystal clear is that police were called to escort him out after the manager came over and there was an argument.

The gym said they don't allow grunting because it conflicts with the non-intimidating atmosphere they strive for.

The gym, which refers to itself as the judge-free zone, has the following statement on its Web site:

Planet Fitness strives to promote health in a respectful atmosphere. For over a decade, Planet Fitness has gone to great lengths to provide its members with a friendly space to work out. We call it the Judgment Free Zone. We discourage weight dropping and obnoxious grunting so you can focus on your own workout and not the person next to you.

http://www.wftv.com/news/10232266/detail.html

[Kerrytravelers]

1. Wow. Judgment free, huh?

If I lifted 500 lbs... which I don't, but that is besides the point... I might grunt a little, too.

If he's really that bad, then I'd assume, as the only guy grunting, people would give him the cold shoulder and not be friendly. He'd get the message when no one else is grunting.

But, isn't it natural to grunt a bit with 500lbs on your shoulders? I guess no one else there lifts that much. Maybe they're afraid he's turn green ,rip off his shirt and plow through a wall. :eyes: Perhaps, if they don't like grunting, they shouldn't have so many weights at their gym. :eyes:

We work out. We lift. I've heard people- men and women- grunting. It has never one intimidated me or interfered with my workout- and I'm not exactly intimidating in body size here, folks. :eyes:




P.S. I asked the Emoticon not to grunt.

[Hosnon]

2. Retarded. This means that this gym caters to the yuppie type that works out socially. nt

[BrotherBuzz]

3. The 'No Grunting' signs were clearly posted in the restrooms.

:hide:

[William Bloode]

4. Well i would not touch this gym.

It's for weenies who want to look like, and act like they are really working out. I have worked out with weights and things my whole life, and one thing i know for sure. You are not pushing yourself or your limits if you ain't grunting and screaming.

I guess they don't know the grunting and such help you when you working out. For those who don't know it helps with the pain, and helps control air flow. Also in certain spots in the lift the constriction of breathing by contracting the throat which produces these grunts aides in the lift.

These people know nothing.Most of them that work there are most likely no even strong enough to pull a greasy string from a cats ass.

[flvegan]

5. "Obnoxious grunting" should be defined more specifically

If it's a simple vocalization during exhale, that's not terribly obnoxious. If you sound like someone training for the Mr. Olympia, squatting 800 pounds (when in fact, you're not) then okay, that's obnoxious.

BTW, if it's not about focusing on the person next to you, do they throw everyone in spandex out? How about tanktops? What about a large-busted woman on a treadmill? What if someone is moving a serious pile of weight? I might stop to watch that...ruining my focus. Throw them out, too.

Music there must be the sounds of water fountains and chirping birds...

[LoZoccolo]

6. Judging? I judge the whole gym as designed for wimps!

I've never felt as if I have to compare myself to the rest of the people in the gym and I go pretty regularly. Grunting is bad etiquette as it is distracting and kind-of lame but this is getting too crazy about it.

[William Bloode]

7. Grunting is not bad etiquette.

It's very beneficial to lifting weights. often when pressing your limits you have to constrict you throat to control breathing while still fully using your diaphragm and stomach muscles to complete the lift. How is that bad etiquette?

[LoZoccolo]

8. I can cite ten sources.

http://www.truestarhealth.com/members/cm_archives11ML3P1A13.html
http://www.healthguidance.org/articles/3601/1/Proper-Etiquette-When-In-The-Gym.html
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/diet.fitness/01/24/gym.etiquette.wmd/index.html
http://www.articles2k.com/article/2/24424/Proper_Etiquette_when_in_the_Gym/
http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=12980&sidebar=575&category=keep_fit
http://www.suzanneschlosberg.com/weight_training_for_dummies.html
http://www.tinajuanfitness.info/articles/art011800.html
http://www.emaxhealth.com/2/4447.html
http://www.stuffmagazine.com/articles/index.aspx?id=1302
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=50907

Also, you should wipe the equipment with a towel after you're done.

[William Bloode]

9. I will point out several of your sources

State keep it to a minimum. Which tells you, it's gonna happen. It's normal for weight lifters, it's something most of us who do heavy weights do.

Show me anyone who maxes out and stay quiet. Never seen it never will. You can only remain quiet for the most part working on rep style lifts. Even then when you are getting in those last few reps pushing it you will make some noise.

I'll agree that some folks over do it to make themselves look good, or macho. That i agree is bad etiquette. But normal groaning and grunting, no way.

I never thought of a real hard ass gym as a place those worried about etiquette would need to be anyway. What do i know about it though we beat each other to death in my gym any way.

[Left Is Write]

15. I don't know if I grunt specifically, but when I overload, I'm vocal...

Even if it's just an "Aggh!" with an exhale.

[flvegan]

10. Yeah, and not one of them knows Jack Shit about lifting big weights.

You know WHY club owners don't like grunting/noise? It's "bad" for beginners to hear/experience. It can be intimidating. But then, so can seeing some guy benching 8 plates, 14 plates on a leg press sled, etc. Same for a beginner maybe seeing some fitness ceterfold type all covered in spandex.

Leave the ego at the door. Don't intimidate and don't be intimidated.

[William Bloode]

12. Thank you flvegan.

I have noticed you have made several posts pertaining to weights exercise. Do you lift? And if so how do you adjust or use you vegan diet to retain mass? I have been thinking of moving toward vegetarianism, or even vegan style eating, if i knew ways to retain my size and strength.

I'd love any pointers, links or info.

[flvegan]

13. I'm a total gym rat.

The same protocols apply, regardless of diet. You're just changing protein sources to vegan ones (soy/wheat/rice/hemp for meat/whey/egg). For vegetarians, it's quite easy, as one could still use whey/egg, etc. The bioavailability of soy is equal to that of meat, and IMO, it's a better quality. Also, once you eliminate meat, if you supplement with creatine (especially the newer ethyl/malate types) the difference can be huge. So long as you keep the training up, it's a simple substitution of 1 for 1.

I'm more bodybuilder than powerlifter, as I can't really afford to get hurt, and I work out alone. Therefore, I'm not the strongest guy at my gym, but I'm one of the bigger (natural) guys. My bench is 405, max, 2 or 3 reps. I'll max the leg press sled and stack 100 lbs on top of the stack on the calf raise machine.

I'm certified as a trainer (3x), so I have a great grasp of form/focus/intensity. I'm also genetically gifted with shorter muscles that I started building when I was 13.

[William Bloode]

18. Thanks, me too when i'm not feeling badly.

I am blessed with natural size and strength. I was once a huge 310 hunk of muscle. In my advance age i have trimmed it down to a more svelte 250(not bad for 6'6) for health reasons. My max bench is down from right around 600 to 425 on a good day, 410 or so normally.

I am a trainer coach myself for my gym. We are for combat sports mostly and i teach Catch Wrestling. I have to maintain as much strength (especially core) as i can. wallowing around with all these 18-30 yr old guys can be rough i need any edge i can get lol!

Thanks again.

[Left Is Write]

16. I can say that I do not find it intimidating when people can do more than I.

I find it rather inspirational, and sometimes an impetus to challenge myself even more.

[nytemare]

11. I suppose they wouldn't let the Williams sisters on their courts.

if they had tennis.

That is taking a rule a little too far.

[Left Is Write]

14. No grunting? At a gym? WTF?

I'll stay at my gym, thanks.

[NewWaveChick1981]

17. I'm a member of Planet Fitness in my town. I appreciate the "no grunt"

policy. They bill themselves as the "judgment-free zone" but have a policy that obnoxious behavior will not be tolerated. This includes cell phone usage on the exercise floor, grunting LOUDLY when using weights, and use of profanity. I don't know anyone who doesn't make SOME noise when they exercise, like huffing and puffing, but there are some people who use the weight machines who make too much noise. One guy was lifting 200 lbs. and shouting, "YAAAH!" every time he lifted the weight. It was disturbing to everyone in the gym, and the staff asked him to please refrain from yelling. Huffing and puffing and grunting a little is not annoying; the loud crap is.

My 2 cents' worth. :) If you gotta grunt and shout, do it at home.

[William Bloode]

20. Yeah but how many of us have room for a full set of Olympic weights and equipment at out homes?

I live in an apartment, thats a no go. Making noise is a bit of a help when lifting, and to the average person 200lbs is a lot of weight.

Kinda hard not to scream sometimes when it feels like your muscles are about to explode. If ya ain't doing it enough to make some noise your only playing around and not very serious IMO.

[sakabatou]

19. WTF?!

[AussieDave]

21. Well that's one place Anna Sharapova should avoid

She grunts so loud you can hear her in the next country.

[Rabrrrrrr]

22. Sweet! That's my kind of gym. I didn't realize there was a gym anywhere

that catered to the non-asshole section of society.

I wish we had one in my town. I'd switch there pronto!

I hate going to gyms cuz of all the self-lovers, poseurs, muscle-fucks, macho shitbags, grunters, screamers, look-at-me-I-have-no-validation-that-comes-from-within fuckwits, and so on.