5 Annoying Problems in Gyms Across the US

[standAPART]

1.)“Functional Equipment Being Used for Bodybuilding Exercises”
I guess this is more or less a pet peeve, or it can be viewed as a lack of variation in exercise selection. How many times have you walked around your fitness center and marveled at all the new functional equipment that it had? I classify functional equipment as any cable apparatus that has moveable arms, pulleys, or is multi-vector (most notably Free Motion, Paramount, Keiser, and some Precor, Life Fitness and other reputable equipment manufacturers). So, the most annoying thing to see in the gym with this arsenal of movement improving equipment is some guy performing your typical cable crossovers or double biceps curls. We have all seen him (or her). The selection of functional exercises that can be performed due to the mobility and angles at which each pulley can be placed is numerous. But why perform your typical sagittal plane crossovers? Are the cable towers occupied? Is your chest workout incomplete without the crossover exercise? Is this the idea of variation from say…the peck deck machine? Obviously, there is lack of knowledge of the usage of these pieces. Although, crossovers and double-bi curls can be performed on them, why choose to do it on a machine that is designed for multi-planar functionality? Learn more exercises!

2.)“Too-Wide-of-a-Grip Lat Pull-Downs”

Unless you are 6’2” and above, there is no reason to go wide on your lat pull down grip. The old fallacy of “go wider—get a wider back; or “go narrow—get a thicker back” are exactly that: old bodybuilding fallacy. According to the NASM, using a wider grip actually brings in more scapular movement and involvement (which it is involved during the movement) but the majority of work comes from abduction of the scapula and rhomboids---not the lats. The lats are what you want to work together with strong scapular retraction and depression. Also, going too wide of a grip also tends the lifter to constantly elevate the shoulder blades with each rep. The proper way to perform the lat pull down is with shoulder blades depressed down and kept in that position throughout the set. We tend to raise our shoulder blades and thoracic spine because these muscles are eccentrically weak. Thus, we should focus on strengthening the scapular retractors/protractors and stabilizers to perform a perfect lat pull down.

3.) “Medicine Balls Used for Crunches”

I don’t know if this one is me…Vern Gambetta popularized a lot of medicine ball movements in the mid-1990’s including wood-chops, oblique twists, and lunge twists. Medicine balls have become so popular that they are also manufactured with handles! In my opinion, and hopefully other strength coaches, weighted medicine balls should be used primarily for power movements --aka: throwing against a concrete wall to maximize power output of a specific movement: chest pass (soccer throw); oblique transverse passes (tennis racquet), vertical leaps (basketball dunk), and many more).
I have a problem with this vital tool being used by many gym-goers across the US as a way to load the ab crunch. We have all seen them….guy or girl gets on the bench or ball and holds the med ball overhead with straight arms and crunches. Is a dumbbell not suffice for this movement? Did you know we used to use dumbbells for stuff like this before med balls were ever in gyms? The only thing is we couldn’t throw dumbbells or we got thrown out of the gym! Medicine balls are designed to be thrown—to take a beating—witnessed by the material they are made up! Use them for what they should primarily be used for: Power!

4.)“Boyfriends Teaching Their Girlfriends How To Lift”

I am guilty of this, but I hopefully know what I am talking about. Every week, I spot half a dozen couples working out together and they are made up of big buff guys teaching their “pilates-addicted” girlfriends “how they workout”. So what is wrong with this? Many guys who are in between the ages of 25-45 have grown up with watching the likes of Arnold, Dorian, Lee, and Ronnie (pro-bodybuilders). So if you are like me, you grew up wanting to be big, strong, and cut. Well, if you subscribed to all the magazines like I did, you learned a lot of the sagittal plane exercises from the bodybuilding sample routines. So flash-forward to the present day: boyfriends teach their girlfriends the bench press, lat pull-down, bent-over row, lateral raises, squat, leg press, curls, kickbacks, and many more. So girlfriends begin training like men who train like bodybuilders. What is wrong with that? Nothing…but if you know conventional bodybuilding routines you’ll know that they contain a lot of sagittal presses and most bodybuilders have the resulted syndromes of such training: upper and lower-cross syndrome & protracted shoulders. So why are you going to mess up your girlfriend’s body? The solution ladies? Seek out a qualified fitness professional to show you how to perform an abundance of multi-planar exercises including bodyweight, bands, balls, and core work. Don’t pass up the free session that you get upon joining a gym. It is your opportunity to ask questions and be instructed on the proper way to perform a variety of exercises. Back in the day, when a woman said “I don’t wanna look like one of those bodybuilding people”, now I know what they meant.

5.) “TVs in front of Cardio Equipment”

I can write an entire article on this and I probably will. Managing a YMCA fitness center for the last 2 years, I have found the reason why people are not losing fat. They are coming into the gym to watch TV and workout. Did you hear what I said? They are coming in to watch TV and workout. You and I go to the gym to workout and maybe, if “Rescue Me™” is on... watch TV. Today’s general population clientele (GPC) has misunderstood what exercise is thanks to the ACSM. People pick the cross trainer or treadmill in front of a TV, plug in their headphones, put on their favorite show and walk at a 2.5 pace. After a half hour, they have not even broken a sweat and their cardio session is complete. They feel content because, according to present-day guidelines, they just achieved an important factor in their longevity and got to watch the latest episode of “24™”. Their real intent is to pay attention to the show on TV and walk. To pay attention to the show, they need to walk at a reasonable pace that will not cause them focus on maintaining balance, endurance, and effort. The very things needed to generate power output to expend the most calories in the least amount of time, thus losing fat! I am not saying this is the majority of gym-goers, but it is what I witness 80% of the time. It is to no surprise that many of the people I witnessed still look the same year after year. Fitness centers need to get rid of all these TV’s and cardio theater systems in front of cardio equipment and focus more on member goal attainment and not dollar signs. More to come on this subject…
__________________

[CF-OC_gal]

One really annoying aspect of gyms is that their staff and personal trainers do not have the depth of knowledge on how to really train an individual who is beyond basic conditioning. They also do not know how to train someone who is not overweight or underfit. Try going in and responding to the question, how much weight do you want to lose by saying "none, I love my body. I just want to stay healthy and get ahead so that I can enjoy a higher quality of life year to year." You will get blank "stare" in return.

Try asking a gym employee for information on how to properly use the pre-programmed features electronic cardio equipment for a non- weight loss workout. Try getting programmable cardio machines to preset for linked dual timed intervals so that your high and low interval times are input so you don't have to rely on the clock at any point.

Try asking a gym employee how to make the best use of functional equipment new to the facility. You'll likely get a standard body building exercise.

There is still a long way to go to get the service industry to understand and cater to the whole fitness market and not just buff guys and overweight people.

[abarlament]

John why do you keep posting "what is annoying in the gym" and "top gym peeves" and all this stuff. Get the **** over it.

[JMike]

Yeah I disagree with quite a few of the things you said, but I don't see how the discussion could further my abilities as a weight lifter.

Mike

[etothepii]

5.) “TVs in front of Cardio Equipment”

I can write an entire article on this and I probably will. Managing a YMCA fitness center for the last 2 years, I have found the reason why people are not losing fat. They are coming into the gym to watch TV and workout. Did you hear what I said? They are coming in to watch TV and workout. You and I go to the gym to workout and maybe, if “Rescue Me™” is on... watch TV. Today’s general population clientele (GPC) has misunderstood what exercise is thanks to the ACSM. People pick the cross trainer or treadmill in front of a TV, plug in their headphones, put on their favorite show and walk at a 2.5 pace. After a half hour, they have not even broken a sweat and their cardio session is complete. They feel content because, according to present-day guidelines, they just achieved an important factor in their longevity and got to watch the latest episode of “24™”. Their real intent is to pay attention to the show on TV and walk. To pay attention to the show, they need to walk at a reasonable pace that will not cause them focus on maintaining balance, endurance, and effort. The very things needed to generate power output to expend the most calories in the least amount of time, thus losing fat! I am not saying this is the majority of gym-goers, but it is what I witness 80% of the time. It is to no surprise that many of the people I witnessed still look the same year after year. Fitness centers need to get rid of all these TV’s and cardio theater systems in front of cardio equipment and focus more on member goal attainment and not dollar signs. More to come on this subject…

This looks a lot more like a pet peeve and a gross generalization than a fact. But let's say it's true. What would you rather have, people walking 2.5 mph watching TV, or prople sitting on the couch eating unhealthy snacks, watching TV.

If it weren't for the environment provided by the gym, these people may never even attempt to exercise. Should they be denied, because you don't like it?

BTW, I do HIIT cardio in front of my TV. I'm dripping wet and exhausted when I'm done. Plus, I got to watch the news, UFC, boxing, or part of a movie. Unless you know of a study that shows the existence of a TV reduces in close proximity of a piece of cardio equipment reduces the performance potential of that equipment, I'm keeping my TV on!

[maverick]

1) To each his own. Don't let others impact you too much, it can be maddening.
2) I pretty much agree with everything on this point
3) I don't use them, but I would imagine its a matter of convenience, medecine balls are usually near the open floor area that people usually do crunches and such.
4) I disagree if you are suggesting that someone (of any gender) would not benefit greatly from full squats. I'm not saying it has to be heavy, to failure, low rep, or anything like that.
5) I'm cuurently enjoying World Cup coverage during my cardio sessions.

[minime]

4.)“Boyfriends Teaching Their Girlfriends How To Lift”

I am guilty of this, but I hopefully know what I am talking about. Every week, I spot half a dozen couples working out together and they are made up of big buff guys teaching their “pilates-addicted” girlfriends “how they workout”. So what is wrong with this? Many guys who are in between the ages of 25-45 have grown up with watching the likes of Arnold, Dorian, Lee, and Ronnie (pro-bodybuilders). So if you are like me, you grew up wanting to be big, strong, and cut. Well, if you subscribed to all the magazines like I did, you learned a lot of the sagittal plane exercises from the bodybuilding sample routines. So flash-forward to the present day: boyfriends teach their girlfriends the bench press, lat pull-down, bent-over row, lateral raises, squat, leg press, curls, kickbacks, and many more. So girlfriends begin training like men who train like bodybuilders. What is wrong with that? Nothing…but if you know conventional bodybuilding routines you’ll know that they contain a lot of sagittal presses and most bodybuilders have the resulted syndromes of such training: upper and lower-cross syndrome & protracted shoulders. So why are you going to mess up your girlfriend’s body? The solution ladies? Seek out a qualified fitness professional to show you how to perform an abundance of multi-planar exercises including bodyweight, bands, balls, and core work. Don’t pass up the free session that you get upon joining a gym. It is your opportunity to ask questions and be instructed on the proper way to perform a variety of exercises. Back in the day, when a woman said “I don’t wanna look like one of those bodybuilding people”, now I know what they meant.


I disagree with this. It is difficult for a man to attain a 'bulky bodybuilder' type body without the use of drugs, for a woman phenomenaly so. In my opinion it is viewpoints like yours that lead to women everywhere being frustrated by the lack of results from their resistance training program. The trainers mostly are of your mindset "oh, u dont wanna lift that u will get all bulky" and so the ladies are given a resistance program that will do little to help them build the muscle necessary to attain that 'toned' look. I see it every day at the gym - the only weight training most girls do are the abductor machines, low back machines and curling with silly pink dumbells.

in my opinion training the way men do is the only way to gain considerable muscle definition. Ive been lifting weights at the gym since i was 16 and only since i started lifting heavy in the last few months have i seen any changes in my physique

[luke.w]

Originally Posted by minime

[b]4.)
in my opinion training the way men do is the only way to gain considerable muscle definition. Ive been lifting weights at the gym since i was 16 and only since i started lifting heavy in the last few months have i seen any changes in my physique

I agree, only he did state this "the workouts of Yates, Arnold, and the like", bodybuilding mag routines".........these, are the ones MOST, not just the ladies should stay clear from. How many men destroy thier joints overtime with benching,shoulder pressing, skull crushers, ect. and favor the upper-body over the lower? THE MAJORITY.

[Blaze]

I'd like to see you tell alot of ladies here, such as Lady C and many more...not to use weights, and jsut go with body-weight core excercises. I'd even more like you to tell them not to do SQUATS! Squats are one of the most beneficial excercises in ANY persons workout, male or female...and they generate strength and growth for your entire body. And don't try to argue that.

[standAPART]

Blaze,
I don't recall telling anyone not to do squats. As a matter of fact, squats are one of my top 5 prequistie exercises. You would be surprised in all my years and all the"bodybuilding folks" that I have met could not perform a CORRECT push-up, lunge, or plank. I garantee if I visually anaylzed any "bodybuilder" male or female, I could spot dysfunction in joint and movement. But hey...bodybuilders don't care abou that stuff, theyaonly care about hypertrophy. I think its that mentality that holds teh bodybuilding community at bay in regards to functional movement and "thinking they will lose size".
if you have evr heard of Joe DeFranco, he is a strength coach and a strong SOB. he pressed 100 lbs. DBs while laying a stability ball!! I have yet to find a bodybuilder who can do that.
Secondly, if you are afraid to "un-learn", you are not going to go far.

[luke.w]

Originally Posted by standAPART

But hey...bodybuilders don't care abou that stuff, theyaonly care about hypertrophy. I think its that mentality that holds teh bodybuilding community at bay in regards to functional movement and "thinking they will lose size".
Secondly, if you are afraid to "un-learn", you are not going to go far.

I like this..........I have a belief when it comes to strength and size most of 1800's and early 1900's guys had it right, sometime before the 1950's something went wrong/sour!!!!

[Maxgain]

Perhaps the introduction of a supplement called dianabol

[luke.w]

Originally Posted by Maxgain

Perhaps the introduction of a supplement called dianabol

one of many things.......mostly I was talking about training in general.

[standAPART]

Here is a quote from an article that featured a study regarding TV and cardio intensity. (Pay cloase attention to the bold face type)

As reported in today's LA Times, TVs are becoming the most common piece of equipment in many fitness centers.

Some experts say that entertainment helps people exercise longer while others say that this is leading many gym-goers toward relaxed, low-intensity workouts.

Research conducted by Jim Annessi, Director of Wellness Advancement for the YMCA, and published in the Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, found that those who combined their exercise with watching TV had lower dropout rates than those who didn't.</SPAN>

Annessi also said "we must recommend that beyond the first six months people should become more attentive to how long they're exercising and at what intensity. (END)

TV's in gyms are a commodity to help boost member retention. Great for manager and gym-owners, but detrimental to the general population that approaches exercise programs with unrealistic goals.

Originally Posted by etothepii

This looks a lot more like a pet peeve and a gross generalization than a fact. But let's say it's true. What would you rather have, people walking 2.5 mph watching TV, or prople sitting on the couch eating unhealthy snacks, watching TV.

If it weren't for the environment provided by the gym, these people may never even attempt to exercise. Should they be denied, because you don't like it?

BTW, I do HIIT cardio in front of my TV. I'm dripping wet and exhausted when I'm done. Plus, I got to watch the news, UFC, boxing, or part of a movie. Unless you know of a study that shows the existence of a TV reduces in close proximity of a piece of cardio equipment reduces the performance potential of that equipment, I'm keeping my TV on!

[maverick]

And what did that study have to say about the impact of maple syrup and hockey on intensity? JK!!!

Seriously though, I think its very specific to the individual. If you set the cardio machine to a setting and duration that you know will get you to your desired intesnity, then its a non issue.