How do you know that your gym is Not a Hardcore Gym? Here’s one sign:
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.
Another clue:
The heaviest dumb bells at Planet Fitness are 80 pounds, meaning it’s a place geared toward the general public, Palazzolo said.