So...I'm now a member of two gyms.

My "home" gym (XSport Fitness) close to where I live and my "work" gym close to my job (Planet Fitness, $10/month, go there afterwork with my buddy sometimes).

TWO major differences;

1) Planet Fitness enforces the "clean machine after use" rule. At my old gym NO ONE wipes down ANYTHING after using it. Even though there are signs posted, it's ignored and not enforced. At PF, everyone wipes down the machines after use. It was like that at Synergy when I belonged to that gym. I don't know if XSport people are simply spoiled or what. But it definitely took me some re-adjusting to going and getting paper towels & spray after each workout.

2) Even though Planet Fitness has a "no lunkhead" policy (It's a "Bodybuilders Not Welcome" judgement-free zone allegedly)...I find that people at PF actually stare at you MORE than at XSport, where roided-out bodybuilders abound. In fact, some dude actually approached my friend at PF and tried to solicit comments on his own physique. WTF?!?!? I figure either; a) Planet Fitness attracts more freaks looking to stare at folks, or b) the absence of muscleheads makes people pay attention to us lesser beings more.

Anyway... that's my current observation & comparison.

What I don't see at either gym is an abundance of loud twentysomethings running rampant, like at Synergy.

I really don't know what to say about the "no lunkhead" policy.

At the gym I belong to, it depends on the location on whether or not how hard they enforce the "Please Wipe the damn Machines Down After Use" signs. I notice at the bigger location near my job, you see the signs on every single machine where as the one that's only one level that's closer to my home, you just see them randomly posted. I'm used to wiping down the machines after I use them anyway, so I do it regardless.

$10 a month????

WTF? With it being that friggin' cheap I can't imagine anyone saying that can't afford to go to the gym.

Anyway, I find that bodybuilders not welcome policy really weird.

My gym has a wipe down policy and I'd say it's 50/50 in regards to who does it versus who doesn't.

I never touch a machine without first cleaning it and of course, I always clean when I am done.

I'm not really paying attention to anyone at the gym.

I've not noticed a wipe-down problem at our gym. There are a couple of guys that aren't very good about racking their weights when they're done. Not a big problem, though.

We don't have any real bodybuilders at my gym but if we did, I'd probably love to talk bodybuilding and bodies with them.

I always wipe the equipment off before using it (Hello staph people!). If I am sweating I will wipe off after.

I try not to chat with people-'Cuz if you do, you spend 2 hours there to get a 40 min workout done.

My gym attire consists of a low slung,battered-to-shit ball cap that covers my eyes so that I can avoid eye contact and stay in the'zone'. No time for conversations. Also a member of planet fitness, and the $10 per month is fucking awesome.

PurpleJedi said:

So...I'm now a member of two gyms.

My "home" gym (XSport Fitness) close to where I live and my "work" gym close to my job (Planet Fitness, $10/month, go there afterwork with my buddy sometimes).

TWO major differences;

1) Planet Fitness enforces the "clean machine after use" rule. At my old gym NO ONE wipes down ANYTHING after using it. Even though there are signs posted, it's ignored and not enforced. At PF, everyone wipes down the machines after use. It was like that at Synergy when I belonged to that gym. I don't know if XSport people are simply spoiled or what. But it definitely took me some re-adjusting to going and getting paper towels & spray after each workout.

2) Even though Planet Fitness has a "no lunkhead" policy (It's a "Bodybuilders Not Welcome" judgement-free zone allegedly)...I find that people at PF actually stare at you MORE than at XSport, where roided-out bodybuilders abound. In fact, some dude actually approached my friend at PF and tried to solicit comments on his own physique. WTF?!?!? I figure either; a) Planet Fitness attracts more freaks looking to stare at folks, or b) the absence of muscleheads makes people pay attention to us lesser beings more.

Anyway... that's my current observation & comparison.

What I don't see at either gym is an abundance of loud twentysomethings running rampant, like at Synergy.

So there really is a "lunkhead"/juicehead/ gorilla sub-culture existing?

I really only thought that was limited to the world of the Jersey Shore tv show

I'm wiping off my equipment right now.
This comment is being posted with the use of only one hand.

PurpleJedi said:

I find that people at PF actually stare at you MORE than at XSport, where roided-out bodybuilders abound. In fact, some dude actually approached my friend at PF and tried to solicit comments on his own physique. WTF?!?!? I figure either; a) Planet Fitness attracts more freaks looking to stare at folks

No, those types of people are at every gym. You either have people with huge egos looking for people to compliment them on their bodies or you get the people who really aren't there to workout as much as they are to socialize or find somone to have sex with.

I'm back a Planet Fitness and of all the gyms I've been to, PF is probably the one where people mind their own business the most. I've been to several different locations and people just seem to come there, workout and leave. There is no socializing in the locker rooms, trolling the floors or staring at people. When I was at LA Fitness, half the time I didn't know whether I was at a gym or in a bar! The locker rooms were an absolute nightmare! Way too much socializing going on.

missfee said:

I really don't know what to say about the "no lunkhead" policy.

At the gym I belong to, it depends on the location on whether or not how hard they enforce the "Please Wipe the damn Machines Down After Use" signs. I notice at the bigger location near my job, you see the signs on every single machine where as the one that's only one level that's closer to my home, you just see them randomly posted. I'm used to wiping down the machines after I use them anyway, so I do it regardless.

At Synergy I was in the habit of doing it...didn't even THINK about it.

Then I got spoiled at XSport.

...that being said, I scrub my hands thoroughly with lost of soap after every workout at XSport.

JustErin said:

$10 a month????

WTF? With it being that friggin' cheap I can't imagine anyone saying that can't afford to go to the gym.

Anyway, I find that bodybuilders not welcome policy really weird.

My gym has a wipe down policy and I'd say it's 50/50 in regards to who does it versus who doesn't.

I never touch a machine without first cleaning it and of course, I always clean when I am done.

I'm not really paying attention to anyone at the gym.

Yeah Erin, they advertise themselves as the "normal people's" gym.

This is the funniest commercial with almost a cult following;

NO JOKE - one of my buddies is a gym rat. He tried out PF once, and they actually FORBID his gallon water jug. Had to leave it in the car. They told him to get a small bottle or drink from the fountain.

They actually have a "Lunkhead Alarm" siren & light at every location. My other buddy wanted to try to start grunting & yelling "COME ON! ONE MORE REP! ONE MORE REP!" and see if the thing actually works!!!

As for the price...yeah...$10 down + $10/month. No commitment. There really is little excuse. I even got a free T-shirt for using direct debit from my checking account.

RodeoSchro said:

I've not noticed a wipe-down problem at our gym. There are a couple of guys that aren't very good about racking their weights when they're done. Not a big problem, though.

We don't have any real bodybuilders at my gym but if we did, I'd probably love to talk bodybuilding and bodies with them.

NOBODY racks their weights at XSport.

It's probably just spoiled members then.

I go to Planet Fitness as well even though it's about a 15 minute drive away and there are other gyms within minutes from me..those gyms are 6x more expensive

It seems like the sweatiest people at my gym are the ones that don't clean up after themselves I wipe the machines and benches and mats down before and after I use them. And you're right about the staring. I think that some folks just go to look at others or to pick up. I have a problem with one man that is there sometimes when I go to workout. He always tries to talk to me when I'm in the middle of lifting. Or he will just sit directly behind me and stare while I squat with the barbell. He gets the death stare forever.

Dang, you guys really have trouble at your gyms with "staring"? Wow. I have to say that I don't have to deal with that...even when I go to the weight area. Normally everyone is into what they are doing and aren't worrying about anyone else. Or if they are standing around, it usually means that they want a certain bench or weight machine...but that's about it. Oh and all the married guys speak and say hi.

LionsAndTigers said:

I go to Planet Fitness as well even though it's about a 15 minute drive away and there are other gyms within minutes from me..those gyms are 6x more expensive

It seems like the sweatiest people at my gym are the ones that don't clean up after themselves I wipe the machines and benches and mats down before and after I use them. And you're right about the staring. I think that some folks just go to look at others or to pick up. I have a problem with one man that is there sometimes when I go to workout. He always tries to talk to me when I'm in the middle of lifting. Or he will just sit directly behind me and stare while I squat with the barbell. He gets the death stare forever.

I don't understand.

Can you re-enact that for us?

When I was a member of a gym last it was the YWCA. No staring, no crazy weightlifters grunting all over. It was a fairly family-oriented place (there's a pool popular for kids/swimming lessons, daycare on site, etc.).

The only socializing was neighbors running into each other.

I never saw any staff members "enforce" the wipe down rule, but I never noticed anyone not doing it either. The only problem was someone not understanding you had to sign up for cardio equipment and most folks are nice enough once you let them know how it works.

CarrieMpls said:

When I was a member of a gym last it was the YWCA. No staring, no crazy weightlifters grunting all over. It was a fairly family-oriented place (there's a pool popular for kids/swimming lessons, daycare on site, etc.).

The only socializing was neighbors running into each other.

I never saw any staff members "enforce" the wipe down rule, but I never noticed anyone not doing it either. The only problem was someone not understanding you had to sign up for cardio equipment and most folks are nice enough once you let them know how it works.

Awww....sounds idyllic.

sorry Carrie...did I fail to mention that I live in New York? Fail to sign up for cardio equip here, you get stabbed.

stoopid spelling edit

[Edited 11/15/12 10:42am]

PurpleJedi said:

LionsAndTigers said:

I go to Planet Fitness as well even though it's about a 15 minute drive away and there are other gyms within minutes from me..those gyms are 6x more expensive

It seems like the sweatiest people at my gym are the ones that don't clean up after themselves I wipe the machines and benches and mats down before and after I use them. And you're right about the staring. I think that some folks just go to look at others or to pick up. I have a problem with one man that is there sometimes when I go to workout. He always tries to talk to me when I'm in the middle of lifting. Or he will just sit directly behind me and stare while I squat with the barbell. He gets the death stare forever.

I don't understand.

Can you re-enact that for us?

How about no My ex used to take video of me while I did it so I could check my form but I'm not about to ask him for them

I was doing squats today in the gym. I switched to using a dumbbell and I like it better. I felt it a lot more in my butt and hamstrings. I'm trying to get...

Not that I don't already have a big butt. I want it bigger and rounder I went a little too hard and nearly fell when I stepped off the sidewalk while walking to my car. My legs were like jello ... and I love it!

PurpleJedi said:

CarrieMpls said:

When I was a member of a gym last it was the YWCA. No staring, no crazy weightlifters grunting all over. It was a fairly family-oriented place (there's a pool popular for kids/swimming lessons, daycare on site, etc.).

The only socializing was neighbors running into each other.

I never saw any staff members "enforce" the wipe down rule, but I never noticed anyone not doing it either. The only problem was someone not understanding you had to sign up for cardio equipment and most folks are nice enough once you let them know how it works.

Awww....sounds idyllic.

sorry Carrie...did I fail to mention that I live in New York? Fail to sign up for cardio equip here, you get stabbed.

stoopid spelling edit

[Edited 11/15/12 10:42am]

LionsAndTigers said:

PurpleJedi said:

I don't understand.

Can you re-enact that for us?

How about no My ex used to take video of me while I did it so I could check my form but I'm not about to ask him for them

I was doing squats today in the gym. I switched to using a dumbbell and I like it better. I felt it a lot more in my butt and hamstrings. I'm trying to get...

Not that I don't already have a big butt. I want it bigger and rounder I went a little too hard and nearly fell when I stepped off the sidewalk while walking to my car. My legs were like jello ... and I love it!

...yeah...I'm sure he was taping you to "check your form". Uh-humm. Yeah. Ok.

BTW - I can't see your pic.

CarrieMpls said:

PurpleJedi said:

Awww....sounds idyllic.

sorry Carrie...did I fail to mention that I live in New York? Fail to sign up for cardio equip here, you get stabbed.

stoopid spelling edit

[Edited 11/15/12 10:42am]

PurpleJedi said:

LionsAndTigers said:

How about no My ex used to take video of me while I did it so I could check my form but I'm not about to ask him for them

I was doing squats today in the gym. I switched to using a dumbbell and I like it better. I felt it a lot more in my butt and hamstrings. I'm trying to get...

Not that I don't already have a big butt. I want it bigger and rounder I went a little too hard and nearly fell when I stepped off the sidewalk while walking to my car. My legs were like jello ... and I love it!

...yeah...I'm sure he was taping you to "check your form". Uh-humm. Yeah. Ok.

BTW - I can't see your pic.

This is the pic I posted http://29.media.tumblr.co...o1_400.jpg

LionsAndTigers said:

PurpleJedi said:

...yeah...I'm sure he was taping you to "check your form". Uh-humm. Yeah. Ok.

BTW - I can't see your pic.

This is the pic I posted

CarrieMpls said:

When I was a member of a gym last it was the YWCA. No staring, no crazy weightlifters grunting all over. It was a fairly family-oriented place (there's a pool popular for kids/swimming lessons, daycare on site, etc.).

The only socializing was neighbors running into each other.

I never saw any staff members "enforce" the wipe down rule, but I never noticed anyone not doing it either. The only problem was someone not understanding you had to sign up for cardio equipment and most folks are nice enough once you let them know how it works.

Did you mean the YMCA? Because the YMCA I joined in my city was awful. If you signed up for a machine, sometimes people would erase your name on purpose and write their info on the board. I witnessed a heated argument one time between two women when that happened. It wasn't nothing nice either. Also it was funky in there...soon as you hit the door all you smelled were funky armpits and day old cheese. I don't know if that came from not cleaning the facility on a regular basis or what, but I wasn't a member there for long.

missfee said:

CarrieMpls said:

When I was a member of a gym last it was the YWCA. No staring, no crazy weightlifters grunting all over. It was a fairly family-oriented place (there's a pool popular for kids/swimming lessons, daycare on site, etc.).

The only socializing was neighbors running into each other.

I never saw any staff members "enforce" the wipe down rule, but I never noticed anyone not doing it either. The only problem was someone not understanding you had to sign up for cardio equipment and most folks are nice enough once you let them know how it works.

Did you mean the YMCA? Because the YMCA I joined in my city was awful. If you signed up for a machine, sometimes people would erase your name on purpose and write their info on the board. I witnessed a heated argument one time between two women when that happened. It wasn't nothing nice either. Also it was funky in there...soon as you hit the door all you smelled were funky armpits and day old cheese. I don't know if that came from not cleaning the facility on a regular basis or what, but I wasn't a member there for long.

No, this is the YW. There are YMCAs here too, but I belonged to the YWCA.

Here they are one of the mid-range price options, not super cheap, but not super pricey either. The one by my old house was a new facility and it rocked. Clean and good equipment, lots of classes, lots of machines and not pretentious at ALL. It really reflected the neighborhood it was located in. I loved it. I've since moved to the other side of the city and don't have an easy way to get over where it is (since I share a car w/my bf and usually bus it everywhere).

CarrieMpls said:

missfee said:

Did you mean the YMCA? Because the YMCA I joined in my city was awful. If you signed up for a machine, sometimes people would erase your name on purpose and write their info on the board. I witnessed a heated argument one time between two women when that happened. It wasn't nothing nice either. Also it was funky in there...soon as you hit the door all you smelled were funky armpits and day old cheese. I don't know if that came from not cleaning the facility on a regular basis or what, but I wasn't a member there for long.

No, this is the YW. There are YMCAs here too, but I belonged to the YWCA.

Here they are one of the mid-range price options, not super cheap, but not super pricey either. The one by my old house was a new facility and it rocked. Clean and good equipment, lots of classes, lots of machines and not pretentious at ALL. It really reflected the neighborhood it was located in. I loved it. I've since moved to the other side of the city and don't have an easy way to get over where it is (since I share a car w/my bf and usually bus it everywhere).

Oh okay, I see. Glad that it's working out for you. After I left the YMCA, I did eventually find a gym that met my needs that I'm satisfied with.

missfee said:

CarrieMpls said:

No, this is the YW. There are YMCAs here too, but I belonged to the YWCA.

Here they are one of the mid-range price options, not super cheap, but not super pricey either. The one by my old house was a new facility and it rocked. Clean and good equipment, lots of classes, lots of machines and not pretentious at ALL. It really reflected the neighborhood it was located in. I loved it. I've since moved to the other side of the city and don't have an easy way to get over where it is (since I share a car w/my bf and usually bus it everywhere).

Oh okay, I see. Glad that it's working out for you. After I left the YMCA, I did eventually find a gym that met my needs that I'm satisfied with.

...the one with all the married dudes hitting up on you?