Is Commercialism Draining The Passion Of Gym Culture?
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ing fitness industry these days and that includes bodybuilding. New IFBB and NPC divisions like Men’s and Women’s Physique, Bikini and also Figure are gaining great popularity and publicity in the United States. New interesting competitors for both men and woman are stepping on stage – coming from all the corners of the world. And the supplement companies are growing in symbiosis with nutritional-scientific research focusing on new exciting products to put out on the market. But there is an important question to ask. Which direction is the general gym culture heading?
In both The US and Europe we see an “Ikea-fication” of many gyms – where the quantity often is prioritized over quality. By this term I mean that the gym chains are being established through straight commercialism and not passionfor the gym culture. By all means, we all live in a market economy and I have no problem with gyms expanding their business as long as quality is put in the front row.
As many of us have noticed it’s not uncommon to enter a gym today and find out that they lack basic equipment like solid bench presses, heavy and simply designed dumbbells, leg presses, lat pull-downs. Many times these chains have chosen machines instead of ordinary basic equipment in the first place.
The consequence in the long run of this Ikea-ficationor megastore mentality may be that these gyms focus more often on cheap orless equipment for members, express gyms, employees on minimum wage, bad contracts, and the market strategy of buying up old hardcore gyms for generating income rather than promoting the lifestyle of fitness and bodybuilding.
Another seeming misfortune of this marketing mindset is the anim
osity towards people who want to actually train hard and heavy is becoming more prevalent.
The megastore versions want to set a standard where everyone fits in the same mold and pleases the ownership in the simplest way – by making the best profit margins.
It is clear that this is happening in many other line of businesses, like sporting gear companies buying up smaller ones. But we should not accept these market trends taking over our holy grounds?
“A frog in the well knows nothing of the great ocean.”
By this quote, I mean that many of the people that are new to fitness and training accept these half ass gyms, just because they haven’t seen or really experienced anything else. So this is why we might have to inform or guide them to the great ocean, so they can leave the wells for good. And, thereby, together change the direction of the gym culture back to its hardcore origins.
And you don´t have to be a fitness freak to appreciate exercise possibilities with quality. Even if you just want to use the treadmill for 20 minutes or want to make a fast weight training session you are worththe good equipment to match it.
The Golden Era
Everyone who loves or has a bit of interest in bodybuilding has probably seen the 1977 cult movie “Pumping Iron”. The movie showcases Venice Beach, California during the 70’s with Arnold, Franco Columbu, Robby Robinson, and many other legends and important figures of the sport.
I remember the sunny beach
scene before Arnold headed to South Africa to defend his Mr. Olympia title against the newcomer at that timeand great threat, Lou Ferrigno, from Brooklyn, New York in 1975. The discussion Arnold and Eddie Giuliani hadwith the backdrop ofthe ocean waves and wind on the beach really shows a true brotherhood and compassion towards gym culture.
Sad to say “The Mecca of bodybuilding” Venice Beach and Gold’s gym isn’t the same any longer. It doesn’t have the same energy or culture as it once had. This is partly due to the new marketing mentality challenging the historical gyms and classic perception of training.
A lot of other legends – RicDrasin as one example – often refer to this time of brotherhood and passion and how it has changed during the decades. One thing has stayed the same though, Ric points out. And that is the smell of the pure, salty sea breeze entering the boardwalk of Venice.
We have to accept times are changing, but to what extent?
With Gold’s and the Mecca of Bodybuilding losing its status as the capital of the fitness world, the same change can be seen in many other parts of the world. Nowadays you should not be surprised if there are no possibilities to sit down and socialize with your friends after your workout. Or even get a simple coffee or a proper protein shake.
The gyms also hire employees who don’t have much knowledge about training or nutrition. They might have done a course for two weeks and now they are considered by some as certified personal trainers and nutrition experts. It is important in my opinion to shed light on these issues.
And, of course, there are exceptions. There will always be w
ell-educated people with many years of training and a passion. But the two-week PTs are getting more and more common, including gyms which match this dismal lack of hardcore soul or identity.
My hope is that true hardcore chains and bodybuilding-friendly gyms like “Powerhouse Gym” – a family company created through passion and quality or “Metroflex” and, of course, the single hardcore gyms will prosper even more in the future.
My final advice would be not to support these half ass gym chains. Or at least choose the ones fully stocked with proper equipment, so there will be a good general standard for everyone. Otherwise theseIkeaversions of true gyms might take over or, worse yet,advance even more! And then we might get used to using crappy meaninglessmachines instead of free weights. As I see it machines complement free weights and not vice versa. So go for the real deal next time you are planning to buy a new gym membership.
