Comments on: Making gyms “inviting”.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:36:08 +0000

Schwarzenegger once said that, after winning the Olympia (in London), he trained for a couple of months at a posh gym that was carpeted, had chrome-plated weights, and served tea. He said his motivation dropped off sharply as he found it hard to concentrate with so many people standing around discussing their retirement funds and such and eventually switched to another, more suitable facility.

I don’t think liking a gym to smell like sweat and old iron is machismo; I think it’s actually a more primal feeling that we get when we go inside such a place. For me it’s like turning a switch from normal everyday mode to blood-guts-sweat mode, all the more important in a society rife with distractions. We need focus when we workout, and the right setting is paramount for this.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:35:02 +0000

I love my gym because it’s older and the people who work out there seem to be more serious. I would not say it’s dirty or gross, though, I think they keep it clean for sanitation more than anything, but it definitely doesn’t have a lounge or smell like roses. It’s very utilitarian, and it works. But I guess we can’t nitpick if people are working out, hey, at least they’re moving. Too many people I know get winded just going up stairs or walking on a slight hill on the street, so if some make the effort we should commend them. Mizfit, I didn’t find Curves to be challenging enough. I think it can be good for someone just starting out, but the equipment can only take you to a certain fitness level, and I usually want to exercise for more than a half hour. But hey, some women would never exercise if it weren’t for Curves…

By: MizFit

MizFit — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:51:41 +0000

could it be as simple as different gyms for different people. Me? i love the hardcore no a/c even in the summer dirty facilities (can they even be called facilities then? )but for so so many curves is the answer.

as long as they are moving…

By: cmason

cmason — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:24:10 +0000

It all depends on the person. I mean I fully recognize that not everyone has the desire to really push themselves. I lifted with my mother before, and had her back squatting 85lbs. Completely OK – she was working, and she did make progress.

My concern is that in an effort to avoid making gyms seems intimidating to new people, the allow people to continue with the expectation of not working. I think from the beginning, a good trainer should frame things as “Whatever shape you’re in when you start is fine, we’ll work with you and improve in small steps. But it WILL take work, and it WILL be hard”.

I think plenty of trainers DO say that though – and people are naturally drawn to the ones who tell them what they want to hear, i.e. that it will be easy.

By: Tom Parker - Free Fitness Tips

Tom Parker - Free Fitness Tips — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:07:39 +0000

I’ve never thought of it that way but now that I think about it there are some people who take it too easy at the gym. Still I suppose it’s better than them doing no exercise at all.