For some crazy reason this theme/idea has resurfaced in my world over the past couple days. The concept of grunting at the gym. Is it appropriate? If it is – when and where?

Check this video out of the ‘Lunk Alarm’ at a Planet Fitness:

I guess this ‘alarm’ is the real deal at all Planet Fitness facilities. I think it has it’s place, but it needs to be in the right context as well as given the correct approach to the guilty party. No need to publicly embarrass anyone.

I also found snippets of info on the internet about this ‘phenomena’ here, here, here, and here. I guess the intention is to make the facility’s environment ‘non-threatening’ for all who enter. This has everything to do with the loud-mouthed, muscle-bound, no-neck, roid-raged gym rats thinking they are Mr. Olympia. It can make those normal folk feel a tad uncomfortable. Also those individuals who are still fighting with their identity and their courage to actually work out in public tend to shy away and not share the same gym space due to the intimidation. This includes men and women of all ages, and types.

Those men who were at the gym and needed to show off there testosterone-induced prowess of “I am man – hear me roar” are also to blame. I likened this ‘grunting’ to the ‘look-at-me’ dress for women (yes, ladies you know what I’m talking about). Both were created for attention. Nothing more, nothing less.

Grunting can be beneficial in some instances, but for the most part it’s just down right embarrassing and uncomfortable for anyone that is within hearing distance.

The other debacle of this debate is how does one define ‘grunting’ vs. ‘breathing’. I for one am guilty of the ‘hissing’ noise. I do exhale forcefully when lifting heavy weights and doing heavy repetitions during my workout. When I’m doing a relatively difficult exercise the forced exhale I think helps me on some sort of weird psychological level. I would never defend the ‘hiss’ or the ‘grunt’ in saying that it helps you lift! Grunting or hissing is not going to make you stronger, nor is it going to get your body to lift a weight or finish a rep that you wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.

Here’s my summation.

Grunting – unless you are a professional athlete it’s not warranted. I said PRO-FESS-ION-AL. This means you are being paid money to perform your athletic ability. This could be bodybuilding or your chosen sport. This does not mean you THINK you are one of the elite. So all you gym rats who think you are the ‘one’ – you really need to rethink your world.

All your grunting is doing is making you look like a fool, embarrassing your skills and quite frankly wasting your energy. It’s also making those around you uncomfortable, or most likely laugh at your antics. It’s neither impressive or revered, so just stop it and control yourself.

I’m all for the deep and long forced exhale DURING the actual exercise or repetition. Anything before or after the movement is just another goofy antic to draw attention. I too lift heavy weights now and then and my psyche needs the extra push – but don’t turn it into a circus act.

Oh- for those who are habitual grunters and are pissed-off by the Planet Fitness ‘rule’ – quit your complaining and go find a ‘sweat box’ to do your work out. There are plenty of other places where your grunting will be not only accepted but will be commended.

This non-grunting is a powerful movement towards equality and ‘playing nice in the sand box’. We all bring something different to the fitness arena and the facilities who offer these services. I love to see the ‘non-fit’ members take the dive and try exercises with the free weights as well as show up during the most busiest of times to get their ‘fitness on’. I have more respect for the ‘non-fit’ person busting their rump, sweating and catching their breath to do an exercise than those idiotic grunters who ‘throw their weight around’ (literally).

It’s all about taking care of your body and increasing your health and fitness level. And I for one support any and all movements that make that effort happen.