A Cutting Edge Personal Training Editorial:
Judgement Free Zone?
Yeah...Right!
It's rare that I see a major media outlet tackle a subject that is truly important to the world of health and fitness. It's even rarer that they get it right when they do. Because of such rarity, I tip my hat to Comedy Central's The Daily Show with John Stewart for tackling a subject that I have been sitting idle on for years. A subject most don't realize or even think about. A subject the Daily Show nailed right on the head. Here it is....
One of the biggest health club franchises continues to make millions all at the expense of what people really join a gym for....getting in shape.
What this health club chain is known for?
- Claming to be the most innovative brand in the US
- Absurdly low prices,
- and most of all perhaps, their Judgement Free Zone® philosophy, which means "members can relax, get in shape, and have fun without being subjected to the hard-core, look-at-me attitude that exists in too many gyms."
In a world where we are told it's wrong to stereotype and discriminate, this money-making franchise uses these two dividers to market and appeal to the "Average Joe." Planet Fitness' so-called "Judgement Free Zone" is anything but that. Anyone above-average is basically not welcome there.
I'm sure by now many of you have seen at least one of their many ads. And as funny and entertaining as they may be, their depiction of muscular guys as meatheads is what really gets my goat. Where in our society did having more muscle mean lacking intelligence? And vice versa. I mean, have you ever seen a computer geek depicted with a nice physique? I haven't. But truthfully, does one really equal the other? And although these individual stereotypes certainly exist, they don't represent the whole, nor even the majority. I can tell you from being in the fitness business for well over a decade, Planet Fitness' depiction of the "meathead" doesn't even represent a small fraction of what truly exists.
Personally, every time I see one of their ads, I feel highly judged. And I know I'm not alone. I hope that most of you who have read my articles or follow my blog realize that being muscular has no way effected my IQ level. Unlike Planet Fitness' commercials, I don't have trouble tying my shoes, I do not shoot invisible guns with my fingers and bounce my pecs while filling out paper work, and I don't just "pick things up and put them down." Nor do any of the weight lifters, bodybuilders, or fitness enthusiasts that I have seen over my 24 plus years of working out.
But Planet Fitness perpetuates this absurd stereotype. And...it doesn't just stop with their marketing. Oh no! There's more!
The Lunk Alarm
Have you heard of Planet Fitness' Lunk Alarm? Well...let me paint you a little picture of this gem in action:
- If you breath with too much force, lift too heavy of a weight, or make any sort of noise that can commonly happen when you exert yourself, a loud alarm goes off.
- After the alarm has brought everyone's attention to you, a staff member will then escort you out of the gym.
Hmmmm...Isn't this the same franchise that doesn't want the elite lifter making the average man feel belittled? If so, then this Lunk Alarm sounds a little contradictory.
I can tell you right now, I'm not one who makes a lot of noise when I train. But I do train heavy and I like to think I'm stronger than the average gym person. I don't drop weights. In fact, I pride myself on being very controlled. But I would be a liar if I told you that I never let out a grunt or a forceful breath when I train. It goes hand and hand with training intensely. And training with intensity is absolutely essential if you want results. I would definitely be one that would set that Lunk Alarm off on a weekly basis. And I would surely feel belittled by the process of being singled out and escorted towards the exit sign.
In My Experience, It Seems That All Gyms Are Judgement Free...
Except Those That Claim To Be
I understand the idea behind the Judgement Free Zone. And I am all for getting the masses to feel as comfortable as possible to engage in the workout process. I also realize that there is a sector of the population that is intimidated by the idea of the joining the gym. These are the individuals that Curves made their initial impact with. And they are the souls that Planet Fitness feeds on. I can tell you, again with my 24 plus years of belonging to countless gyms and health clubs coupled with my 17 plus years in the personal training field, there is ABSOLUTELY no reason why ANYONE should feel intimidated. All gyms and health clubs that I have been a part of love EVERY single individual when they first walk through the door. One of my personal favorite types of clientele are those that have no experience at all. For one, they don't have any bad exercise habits formed yet. They usually make the biggest splash! And they tend to be the ones that are most grateful for what I bring to their lives.
Part of the Problem? Or the Solution?
It baffles me why anyone would want to be part of the "Planet Fitness" type of environment anyway. It defies logic! If they don't allow bodybuilders, athletes, or higher level fitness enthusiasts to join, then how long would one expect to be a member? Cause if you truly reach the goals you set out for yourself when you first bought that gym membership, wouldn't logic tell us that you won't be able to be a member once such results are attained?
This type of atmosphere breeds a lack of results.
I joined my very first gym as a semi-chubby teenager wanting to improve my athletic ability. It was the elite people in the gym that I drew my motivation from. It was the elite individuals that I modeled my training after. It is because of the INSPIRATION that I gathered from them that was a major catalyst in the rapid results that I witnessed. And I believe it was the lack of such inspiration that left many of my peers that decided to train in their basements at a level of mediocrity.
Planet Fitness has found a way to make unfit people feel better about being....well...unfit. But they have done so by lowering the definition of what it means to be fit by discriminating against the elite individuals that truly define it's meaning.
I have been around this game a long time. I know a lot of bodybuilders, athletes, and those who have drastically improved their physiques, health, and overall well-being. Most of these guys (and ladies) are smart, witty, good-natured, and overall great people. And they don't have trouble tying their shoes, they don't fire imaginary guns while filling out forms, and they don't just "pick things up and put them down."
Have I met the stereotypical meathead? Sure. But they are few and far between. And Planet Fitness depicting this stereotype as the norm is insulting, inaccurate, and just plain irresponsible.
So if you think Planet Fitness has solved the problem of unfit members feeling more comfortable, think again. All they have done is create a whole other sector of discrimination for another group of individuals.
As I see it, Planet Fitness is a part of the problem...not part of the solution.
Here is the segment from The Daily Show. Check it out!
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Jim Cipriani's Body Transformation Blog
I publish articles to empower you on how nutrition and exercise can support your weight loss and fitness efforts and how to get maximum results in minimum time. I also expose optimum health and longevity secrets that I have used to transform hundreds of clients from all walks of life with varying abilities and body types. Let me help you, too, reclaim your body! Read my latest articles now.
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