Man Expelled from Gym for Grunting

[MACDRIVE]

Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/02/AR2006110201317.html)


Grunting Carries No Weight in This Gym
By CANDICE CHOI
The Associated Press
Thursday, November 2, 2006; 11:21 PM


ALBANY, N.Y. -- Some gyms forbid hogging machines and or wearing flip flops. At one gym, grunting is grounds for expulsion. Albert Argibay of Beacon, N.Y. was escorted by police officers from a gym this week for grunting _ which is against Planet Fitness' rules for maintaining a non-intimidating atmosphere.

"Perhaps I grunted, perhaps I didn't. It's open to interpretation," said Argibay, a 40-year-old corrections officer. He said he had his headset on when he was lifting 500 pounds on a squat machine at the gym in Wappingers Falls, about 80 miles north of New York City.




Planet Fitness, which has 120 locations across the country, markets itself as a place where anyone can feel comfortable in its "Judgment Free Zone."

Its rules, posted around the gym, state members cannot wear bandanas, grunt or bang weights on the ground. When an offender is spotted, a "lunk alarm" sounds to warn the member.

Across its locations nationwide, there is at least one expulsion every two weeks, said Mike Grondahl, CEO of Planet Fitness. He said grunting and dropping weights are the most common offenses.

"When somebody's in there and they grunt and they grunt loud, it's trying to bring attention to themselves to show everyone how strong they are," Grondahl said.

Argibay emitted the offending grunt Monday evening, a peak time for gyms, said Carol Palazzolo, the gym's general manager. She said she heard it from across the room, even though "the place was a zoo."

"He was looking directly at me and he did it four times," she said. "I'm not a doctor, but as far as I know, a grunt is a noise that comes out of one's body that is loud and is intimidating."

An argument ensued when she confronted him, and the police were called. Argibay was escorted out, but no charges were filed.

"It's an embarrassing situation to be in, over a grunt," Argibay said.

Most clubs have policies regarding proper gym manners, although expulsions are rare, said Brooke Correia, spokeswoman for the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association.

Grunting might be more taboo in gyms like Planet Fitness, which cater to exercise novices, Correia said.

The heaviest dumb bells at Planet Fitness are 80 pounds, meaning it's a place geared toward the general public, Palazzolo said.

She didn't know if Argibay was a chronic offender _ he'd only been a member since Sept. 27. But it was the first time she kicked a member out for grunting.

"I don't know the reason behind grunting or not grunting. But if you need to grunt, you may go and join another gym," she said.






I guess Maria Sharapova wouldn't fair to well in that gym huh? :p

[benthewraith]

Wow...grunting. Um, that seems a bit too trivial to expell someone for.

[dornoforpyros]

well having worked in a gym I can understand why some of those rules are in place. There was a few personal trainers (one in particular) that definitely intimidated people with their demeanor and they noise they made while either working with a client or working out themselves.

That being said, you'd think they'd have more of a 3 strikes and your out type of thing. Regardless of if the guy grunted or not, the fact is he is still a customer of theirs and deserves the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps a polite "sir, we're going to have to ask that you keep it down" would have sufficed. However, none of us were there, so perhaps that is all they said and he went ballistic and then ran to the paper with this sob story.

[ziwi]

I imagine they can make and enforce whatever rules they wish - just seems real trivial for a banishment...

[BoyBach]

These gyms must be the strangest gyms in the world.

No grunting? So what to people do? Stand around and have polite conversations whilst "lifting" a couple of kgs in weight? If you're going to lift weights and "push yourself" to do that extra rep with a heavy weight, then you're going to expel air or grunt.

What's next, no sweating? "Sorry sir, your damp shirt is against company policy. Please leave the gym."

[Markleshark]

These gyms must be the strangest gyms in the world.

No grunting? So what to people do? Stand around and have polite conversations whilst "lifting" a couple of kgs in weight? If you're going to lift weights and "push yourself" to do that extra rep with a heavy weight, then you're going to expel air or grunt.

What's next, no sweating? "Sorry sir, your damp shirt is against company policy. Please leave the gym."

lol, that made me think of that Family Guy episode where those weight lifters come circus actors get arrested, bend the bars and sort of run/roll/jump down the street. I seem to think one of them, or most of the time both of them, ride a penny-farthing. Quality stuff.

Ha ah, jolly good. Barnaby and Phineas. That was them, wonderful thing this internet.

http://familyguy.neoseeker.com/image.php?image=barnaby.png

[iKwick7]

That being said, you'd think they'd have more of a 3 strikes and your out type of thing. Regardless of if the guy grunted or not, the fact is he is still a customer of theirs and deserves the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps a polite "sir, we're going to have to ask that you keep it down" would have sufficed.

I agree with that- unless he did, in fact, get out of hand, he didn;t deserve to get kicked out. Then again, they did have to call the police- so it must have been something.

Not too much grunting at the gym I go to, but there is from time to time. I just ignore it- makes me laugh, really. Can't say I've ever grunted, but then again I don't exactly rock much more than 120 or so in dumbells. My legs, on the other hand- machines!

:)

[ejb190]

Wonder what they would do if the grunting patron was pinned under a bar on the bench press?

[Erendiox]

This is ridiculous. Americans need to grow a pair if gyms need to ban grunting to get customers. This kind of stuff pisses me off.

[AJ Muni]

Haha thats hilarious. I thought it was pretty funny how the guy had headphones on, and the poor guy didnt even know he was doing it.

[andiwm2003]

thats why my old gym had a heavy weight room in the basement where all the strong guy's could do what they want. also there was very loud metal or techno music. upstairs it was quite family friendly. i think that is the best solution, a place for everyone.

[cantthinkofone]

500 pounds...you try lifting 500 pounds with out grunting. I cna barly do 315, and i found that a little grunting helped. Granted some people get a little out of hand :p

I agree with that- unless he did, in fact, get out of hand, he didn;t deserve to get kicked out. Then again, they did have to call the police- so it must have been something.

Not too much grunting at the gym I go to, but there is from time to time. I just ignore it- makes me laugh, really. Can't say I've ever grunted, but then again I don't exactly rock much more than 120 or so in dumbells. My legs, on the other hand- machines!

:)

120lbs on dumbells!! :eek: SWEET LITTLE BABY JESUS. im going to call BS on this one lol.

[Killyp]

I wonder if I can get expelled from MacRumors for grunting....


Urhh URHHH


MODERATOR!!!!!!!!

[Sol]

I guess Maria Sharapova wouldn't fair to well in that gym huh? :p

Man, I hate grunting tennis players. This is supposed to be a civilised sport where people play in white shorts and drink mineral water afterwards. Grunting in a court while being watched by a silent audience is very improper. Is the aim to irritate the other player?

As for the gym, it is the natural habitat of the grunters. If one customer felt threatened the gym should have politely warned the grunter to keep it down; calling the police seems like an over-reaction. He should be given a full refund and a written apology.

[benthewraith]

Man, I hate grunting tennis players. This is supposed to be a civilised sport where people play in white shorts and drink mineral water afterwards. Grunting in a court while being watched by a silent audience is very improper. Is the aim to irritate the other player?

As for the gym, it is the natural habitat of the grunters. If one customer felt threatened the gym should have politely warned the grunter to keep it down; calling the police seems like an over-reaction. He should be given a full refund and a written apology.

Actually, the grunting happens for a completely different reason. The air is forced from their lungs, therefore, the "urrhhh!" sound

[Leareth]

I wonder what happens in their martial arts classes when the people yell when the kick/punch etc

or even better how about OMMing during yoga class - "his OMM disturbed my inner balance"
Almost everyone I know who lifts heavy weights grunts when they do it, you are suppossed to breathe out when exerting force,

the bandana thing I can understand, the noise I don't

[MarkCollette]

These gyms must be the strangest gyms in the world.

No grunting? So what to people do? Stand around and have polite conversations whilst "lifting" a couple of kgs in weight? If you're going to lift weights and "push yourself" to do that extra rep with a heavy weight, then you're going to expel air or grunt.

What's next, no sweating? "Sorry sir, your damp shirt is against company policy. Please leave the gym."

I agree. When I started working out, I could barely lift any weight at all, but every set I did until my limbs would fail. I probably grunted a bunch, even though I was a novice.


120lbs on dumbells!! :eek: SWEET LITTLE BABY JESUS. im going to call BS on this one lol.

Not sure what exercises this guy does, but there are ones where you hold the dumbells in your hands, without actually lifting with your arms, as you instead exercise your leg muscles. And also ones where you just do shoulder shrugs. So, it's quite possible to be holding 2x120 lb. Not that I could do it, myself :p

[tech4all]

FWIW, this story made it onto Daily Snopes (http://snopes.com/daily/index.asp).

[Killyp]

I wonder what happens in their martial arts classes when the people yell when the kick/punch etc


You're supposed to yell. We used to make up really stupid noises and really long words instead of the usual KAI and IE sounds that most people made...:D Twas quite entertaining.... :D

[EricNau]

I'm sure the guy deserved it, after all, he had to be escorted out by the police.

The conversation probably went something like this:

Manager: Sir, grunting is against club rules, please try to keep it down.
Man: I'M A PAYING CUSTOMER, I'LL DO WHATEVER THE **** I WANT!
Manager: Sir, we are going to have to ask you to leave if you continue this.
Man: YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!
Manager: Please leave.
Man: NO!
etc. etc.


Personally, I don't care if the rules say no speaking English while wearing bunny ears; if you're on private property, you have to follow them. No one is forcing you (or preventing you) from doing anything.

[raggedjimmi]

Isn't that what pigs do?

[thedude110]

I wonder if I can get expelled from MacRumors for grunting....


Urhh URHHH


MODERATOR!!!!!!!!

Don't make me sound the Lunk Alarm.

[cantthinkofone]

Not sure what exercises this guy does, but there are ones where you hold the dumbells in your hands, without actually lifting with your arms, as you instead exercise your leg muscles. And also ones where you just do shoulder shrugs. So, it's quite possible to be holding 2x120 lb. Not that I could do it, myself :p

Right, but i thought you were talking about curls. Man how i hate lunges with dumbells :mad:

[technocoy]

i think the punishment as stated might have been a little harsh, but if the guy really became confrontational as mentioned, then I think he needed to be booted...

When I lift heavy weights I breath in and out. sometimes the air "whooshes" but I have never had the need to grunt. The meatheads do, but I've never seen the normal dudes do it.

I personally think it's a neat concept to have a place where all the fairly non competitive types who just want to get into shape without having to be bombarded with the beautiful people attitude that takes place at 99.9 percent of gyms.

I've never seen a shortage of gyms anywhere I've ever lived, I would think if someone doesn't like the concept of a non-meathead workout environment they could go to any of the other umpteen gagillion gyms.

[topgun072003]

Are people really intimidated by someone else grunting?* It's a gym for crying out loud.* I like the big guys that grunt, it gives the rest of us something to work towards.**:D * Sometimes I like to get on the same weight that someone else was grunting on and just do it silently, but while starring at them. :cool: :D *

[Scarlet Fever]

Don't make me sound the Lunk Alarm.

please do! i wanna hear what a Lunk Alarm sounds like :D

[Agent Smith]

Oh shut up! If someone is intimidated by a grunt at a gym, then they have more pressing concerns...like their shadow that keeps following them. They should stay in bed if they are that worried. What a stupid rule.

Edit: Shut up to the people who made the rule, not to any of the posters... :P

[gekko513]

Oh shut up! If someone is intimidated by a grunt at a gym, then they have more pressing concerns...like their shadow that keeps following them. They should stay in bed if they are that worried. What a stupid rule.

Edit: Shut up to the people who made the rule, not to any of the posters... :P
Good for you, that you're so confident. I have gone to some gyms, but I'm still a bit uncomfortable doing exercises in a room full of people. If people around me lift three times the weight I lift, strut around like they own the place and grunt loudly, then yes, I get more uncomfortable.

It has to be up to the gym itself to decide the business concept. They seem to have made one that is for (wussy) people like me, who want to get in shape without having to put up with the people who mark territory. They obviously have enough customers who like it since they're in business. And no, I'm not going to stay in bed and worry just because I'm not always confident.

[Queso]

My partner's gym stopped men from wearing vests because they said the sight of bare shoulders intimidated the women. He cancelled his membership. He's too hairy to work out in a t-shirt without working up a right stink.

I wonder if there's any link between the "grunters" being the ones that use the facilities more often, but paying the same membership fee. This guy gets banned, they have room for two more average members, and therefore double their cash intake.

[FoxyKaye]

please do! i wanna hear what a Lunk Alarm sounds like :D
It sounds like a really loud grunt. :D

I dunno - I worked in a gym long ago and far away for a summer job while in college. The grunting was definitely done more by men than women - it's perfectly possible to forcefully expell air from your lungs without vocalizing - which leads me to believe it's some sort of macho thing.

Although the occasional "Eeeeeeaaaaarrrrgh!" as someone finished 10-15 reps with an extreme amount of weight seems to be what a gym is all about. So, OTOH, a gym where everyone is silently working out would seem kind of eerie. Because even if people lifting weights don't grunt, there's always the inevitable clang of equipment slamming into place (or a bar hitting the bench) as people do their final rep and are about to be crushed.

I dunno, I guess I really don't have an opinion other than to say that there seems to be a difference between grunting when your finishing a series of reps and being an overbuilt, hypermacho, arrogent jerk who thinks they own the gym and won't give anyone the time of day. It's the latter of these two people who used to piss me off.

Isn't there like a war or something going on that folks should be more concerned about?

[kirk26]

Man, I hate grunting tennis players. This is supposed to be a civilised sport where people play in white shorts and drink mineral water afterwards. Grunting in a court while being watched by a silent audience is very improper. Is the aim to irritate the other player?

As for the gym, it is the natural habitat of the grunters. If one customer felt threatened the gym should have politely warned the grunter to keep it down; calling the police seems like an over-reaction. He should be given a full refund and a written apology.


I like it when she grunts. It turns me on.

[MarkCollette]

I like it when she grunts. It turns me on.

Me too. Pretty much any animalistic thing a woman does turns me on. I think that in a past life I was a four legged carnivorous predator, tearing at the rear haunches of delicate does. Rarrr!

Err, what were we talking about, again? :D

[wmmk]

the bandana thing I can understand, the noise I don't\
i agree completely. then again, the company is free to do as they please. anyway, I'm free to say that's astupid policy!

[redAPPLE]

I guess Maria Sharapova wouldn't fair to well in that gym huh? :p

http://images.macrumors.com/vb/images/editor/attach.gif

hell, i'd build my own gym and she can be the only customer, if she wants. :p

[hana]

Ah...the gym...the place I'm suppose to be going to... :o

Here's some thoughts:
1. How big is this guy (remember he's a 40 year old corrections officer) compared to the other clients? I'm thinking that telling someone who is rather large in stature (insert name of favorite wrestler or governator here) for the average joe to stop grunting at the gym might be intimidating for some.
2. I do agree with the "three strikes" and you're out. Some sort of warning would be appropriate.

When I've gone to the gym, I haven't encountered much grunting. What I did find annoying was this one struggling middle age woman making this high pitched "hee hee hee hee " noise that sounded like it was from one of Michael Jackson's old records. :eek:

[asphalt-proof]

I think the Lunk alarm is a nice idea actually. It saves the staff from having to confront a possible 'roid rage' event. A friend of mine works at the gym where I work out at and she tells me all kinds of horror stories of hypermacho men freaking out because the radio wasn't on the station they wanted or the drinking fountain water wasn't cold enough, etc. In a place were testosterone flows freely with the sweat its understandable why some people, especially women would be intimidated by grunting men. I think that's why women-only gyms are gaining in popularity.

[floriflee]

I think the Lunk alarm is a nice idea actually. It saves the staff from having to confront a possible 'roid rage' event.

On the other hand it might not work so well if the grunter has his headphones on and music up really loud when the alarm goes off. And how does he tell whether the alarm was meant for him?

[Mac Kiwi]

No grunting?........How your meant to do that if you were doing a set of pre exhaust or forced reps is beyond me.