My Gym Let Me Down

[UpNorth]

So I show up at the gym this morning and to my surprise, over the weekend, they moved in entirely new equipment. The old equipment was pretty shabby so I guess this was a necessary upgrade. However, they got rid of the pullup station/bar (leaving only the assisted pullup machine), replaced two squat racks with one, got rid of the power rack and replaced two Smith machines with four! They also brought in more Cybex machines squeezing the space to do freeweights by 30% (so the manager exulted).

I flatly told the manager he would never see me again. I don't think I'll miss the place with the thousands of TV screens, bad music and meatheads curling the squat racks (now down to one), but it was cheap -- $10/month -- that I'll miss.

[eastcoastsurfer]

I'm not sure how a gym can call itself a gym w/o a place to do pullups. That really sucks

[Jean-Paul]

Bummer man! Too bad you don't live in Little Rock. My free weight section will never be diminished. Hell, I want to get rid of my machines to make more room for free weights!

[Chris D]

JP - At your gym do you have a lot of people that do free weights or are there still a lot that do the machines and such?

Also do you or your trainers advocate the big lifts and stuff like that?

Just curious to see what your gym is like!

[Lisa~]

Upnorth, we feel your pain! Where will you go?

[gobbla]

that sucks man. time to get a power rack in the garage.

[John Izzo]

Looks like alot of people are taking advantage of that $10/month to be able to afford new equipment.

[Jason B]

I'd be pissed. Were you under contract? If I was, I'd get my money back.

[UpNorth]

Bummer man! Too bad you don't live in Little Rock. My free weight section will never be diminished. Hell, I want to get rid of my machines to make more room for free weights!

So when are you going to start franchising? Enough with these people trying to compete with Curves.

that sucks man. time to get a power rack in the garage.

I'd have to get a garage first. Can you lend about $50k so I could put one in?

Looks like alot of people are taking advantage of that $10/month to be able to afford new equipment.

The place I was at is a Planet Fitness. I honestly think they're business model is to be so cheap that it encourages those folks that sign up and never go to never quit. Not a bad model really but not too good for the serious gym-goer either.

On a happy note, I just came back from my new gym! They just opened up last month and it looks pretty nice. The place is small but they have a good range of equipment (about 1/2 machines and cardio, and 1/2 free weights) and the owner seems to genuinely want what he call "quality customers." I'll be spending more every month, but at least I can go to a place I enjoy.

[Mahler]

Your gym did not let you down. It merely ceased to be a gym and has become a fitness center. God help us all.

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

However, they got rid of the pullup station/bar (leaving only the assisted pullup machine),

Can't you drop the platform? At my Bally's, you can drop the platform.

At the gym I used at the university, you could put a 5kg plate on the platform to make it go to the bottom. This was acceptable since the machine had all three grip positions available.

replaced two squat racks with one, got rid of the power rack and replaced two Smith machines with four!

This part is something you can't workaround. I'd say good riddance.

[UpNorth]

Originally Posted by Cynic

Can't you drop the platform? At my Bally's, you can drop the platform.

You can fold the bar (that you stand on) up into the machine to get it out of the way but I like to "kip" on my pullups and I end up banging my knees on the damn thing.

[austintwo]

That blows wind, Upnorth - but it sounds like it all ended well.

[Frank.S]

Originally Posted by Mahler

Your gym did not let you down. It merely ceased to be a gym and has become a fitness center. God help us all.

Hey there is nothing wrong with training at a fitness center!


hahaha. I cant wait until I move.

[managemysite]

Well, On the bright side, your muscles will adapt to the new equipment, instead of the old stuff you were used to.

[Mahler]

Originally Posted by managemysite

Well, On the bright side, your muscles will adapt to the new equipment, instead of the old stuff you were used to.

Especially the pink dumbbells.

[Lisa~]

On a happy note, I just came back from my new gym! They just opened up last month and it looks pretty nice. The place is small but they have a good range of equipment (about 1/2 machines and cardio, and 1/2 free weights) and the owner seems to genuinely want what he call "quality customers." I'll be spending more every month, but at least I can go to a place I enjoy.

The new place sounds great! I'm glad you found something better. Sometimes a change like this can bring new motivation with it. I hope it all works out to be a good thing for you in the end.

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

but I like to "kip" on my pullups

Stop that, you'll go blind!

[Dued]

that is terrible UpNorth, but at least you found a new home.

I'm more interested in the expansion question :p when is JPFitness coming to Toronto ?