Have you ever been on a machine at the gym and started grunting while lifting weights? Some people get so into their workout that they feel like they need to grunt to push themselves further. However, some gyms may deem this “loud behavior,” I know of at least one gym where grunting results in an immediate kick out: Planet Fitness.
I read an article yesterday on how difficult it is for new franchisees to get off the ground; it talked about how many hoops they have to jump through etc. The author talked about his experiences with opening a franchise of the popular gym, Planet Fitness. He mentioned how he wasn’t allowed to play any music and had specific rules against machines making loud noises. He explained how one time a member was kicked out for grunting while lifting weights, and I thought it was hilarious. The kicker: he had just opened his second gym, and the new location was across the street from his first one!
My question is, how can they kick you out for making noise? How can they tell what kind of noise you are making, let alone deem it “loud behavior?” And if they kick you out for grunting, does that mean every gym in America has the same policy? I know where I work out will not be telling us not to grunt because we all do it! It seems like something that would be good motivation to keep going! any thoughts?
Does Planet Fitness kick you out for grunting?
Yes, but they don’t let members know about it. It’s part of their “loud behavior” policy that is not advertised to their customers. The general manager of one club said that he has had people try and argue with him about the policy.
He says: “I tell them we have a sign on our wall, and if grunting bothers someone, we ask them politely not to do it again.” For those who continue to grunt or yell loudly during their workout, “We ask them if they want to join another gym,” stated the new location owner of Planet Fitness’ first franchise.
Unfortunately, no other gyms want to let them in, and if they want to continue their grunting ways, the only option is to pay for a new membership at Planet Fitness.
My advice: if someone tells you not to make noise while working out, stop. If it’s that important to you that you grunt or yell during your workout, then go ahead and join Planet Fitness; we all know how much people love that place!
The 17,500-square feet of “judgment-free” workout space includes 80 cardio machines (including 40 treadmills), rows of pin-loaded apparatuses for the lower body, upper body, and abs, and a dumbbell section. Planet Fitness aims to offer its members a stress-free, unintimidating environment.
Does Planet Fitness Use the lunk alarm?
Absolutely!
According to a research; we have found that; they have 80 machines for cardio. They also have 40 treadmills, rows of pin-loaded apparatuses for the lower body, upper body, abs, and a dumbbell section. However, because grunting is deemed “loud behavior,” even during cardio (yes, their cardio has rules; too), it’s safe to say that Planet Fitness does not encourage weightlifting.
Some say that the loud grunting, groaning, and yelling during weightlifting distracts other members of the gym and gives them a false impression of what sports are like.
Yes, they have an alarm system on some of their machines called the “Lunk Alarm.” If you grunt while lifting weights or on some cardio machines, then you will be given one warning not to do it again since they don’t want their facility filled with unnecessary noise. However, if you continue your behavior, you will be escorted out by management, who will notify local authorities if necessary.
Anthony Ditillo invented the Lunk Alarm in 2010 after opening his first Planet Fitness location. The alarm and Planet Fitness’ exclusive grunting policy (yes, it’s a thing) has been known to cause controversy among those who believe grunting is not only good for motivation but also necessary in some cases. However, as stated before, Planet Fitness’ “lunk alarm” can be set off by any loud behavior such as slamming weights on the floor (even if it’s just one), dropping dumbbells after a rep, or yelling loudly at any time.
Planet Fitness advertises that its gym’s mission is to provide a “judgment-free zone.” They advertise with phrases like:
“Judgment Free Zone”
This means they don’t want you passing judgment on others while working out. It does not mean you can grunt or yell while lifting weights.
Planet Fitness emphasizes that it wants to be accessible and affordable for everyone, including members of the LGBT community. Nevertheless, an exercise science student at California University in Pennsylvania says grunting is a “basic principle of weightlifting,” according to ABC News. The student went on to add:
“Without [grunting], you would lift less, especially with the deadlift because your body doesn’t know how much force you’re putting into it without noticing how much resistance there is.” So why does Planet Fitness seem so strict about this one particular issue? It’s quite simple: their goal is to avoid making their gym appear intimidating, and they don’t want to intimidate potential members.
