Hey, No Grunting in the Gym!

A recent study by researchers at the Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas essentially determined that grunting while lifting weights in a gym does not help, and is for the most part just offensive. I can’t say I 100% agree with their results (or their method of testing), because I think they leave out the psychological lift factor that a grunt might produce in someone working their very last set or repetition, or even the pressure on the body combined with the breathing exhale that might cause a non-intentional grunt to come out. But I do think "over-grunting" can be annoying in a public gym, just as I think over-breathing can be annoying, and can cause you to pass out, too.

I remember when I was in the USAF, working out at the base gym (Minot AFB in the early 80´s), there was this little Asian guy who was a power-lifter. He would walk around in circles, huffing and puffing, and then lift an incredible amount of weight over his head. Just as he was about to lift the weight past the breaking point he would yell really loud (talk about a grunt being annoying), and it would startle everyone in the gym. At first it really bothered me, but as I saw how much he was lifting, especially in proportion to his size, and the fact that he was totally dedicated to his sport, I gained a great deal of respect for him, as did everyone else in the gym. And, the fact is, he not only kept himself in the shape he wanted to be in, but he kept increasing his strength and ability. I know that I for one would never want to discourage someone like him. We really do need to think about what we are doing to the gym with all of our studies and rules. The next studies will determine that it´s not okay to grimace, and that it does not help at all, either. We should have a pleasant look on our faces while lifting weights. Men should not have body hair, we should all have 6 pack abs, and on and on. In reality the gym should be a place to work out, and a place to work as hard as you would like without worrying about being criticized for style of dress, appearance, grunting, grimacing, sweating, having a non-"perfect" form all the time, clanging the weights, etc.

It's getting to the point where we are deterring people from going to the gym to even get in, and stay in, shape. We really have over-scienced and over-studied simple exercise and diets to a point where we are hurting people. We now have personal trainers in just about every gym or fitness center in America who are overweight and out of shape. We have people who are afraid to step into a gym for fear that they might be wearing dated or the "wrong" workout clothes, the wrong sneakers, the wrong shorts, or they might not have perfect enough bodies to be in there at all. What are we doing to simple exercise, good hard heart-pumping weight lifting, aerobics, and healthy sweating?

Study estimates today range from 32% to 67% of the American population as being overweight to obese. Yes, that’s a wide range, but don’t look at me, I did not do any of the studies, that’s just the range from the results I have seen. But the fact is that even 32% of Americans being overweight or obese is not good at all. Another recent study says that in our lifetime we may see as much as 100% of our population overweight or obese. Take a look at: Obesity map of the U.S. and how obesity policies are failing in America - 2007 Report.

Those of us in the fitness industry really need to take a look at how over-complicated we are making things. We need to take a careful look at how we are deterring and discouraging people with all of our studies and science. Instead of encouraging people with all of this wonderful knowledge, we are discouraging them. We need to get back to the simple basics, while adding in our new-found knowledge, but without creating discouraging systems, routines, diets, ridiculous gym etiquette and rules. We need to make sure we find ways to encourage and include everyone, and design routines, programs, diets, and recommendations that people can and really will do. We need to help people make ongoing lifestyle changes that actually work and obtain real-world results.

I am a big fan of the home gym, and working out at home. The down side is the lack of socializing (which can also be an up side), and the lack of encouragement and support that comes from working out with others and partners. But if you are uncomfortable walking into a gym then it’s time to design your own home-based simple workout routines using simple and relatively inexpensive equipment. With a treadmill, a set of dumbbells, and an inclining/declining bench, you can reach just about any realistic exercise goal. Hiring a good personal trainer to help get you started, or even to encourage you to press on and stay with it day-after-day, until it becomes a real lifestyle change, is an incredibly valuable investment in your overall health and fitness.

Think about all the money you spend to entertain yourself (movies, TV, sporting events, dining out, shows of all kinds, hobbies, etc.), and then think of the possibility of improving your health, your fitness, your self-esteem, and your whole life by investing in a little time from a good personal trainer and some simple and inexpensive exercise equipment. Literally, without your health you really do not have anything. So I say go ahead and grunt, sweat, grimace, wear a pair of old baggy worn out jeans, beat-up sneakers, and a shirt full of holes, and enjoy getting in and staying in shape!

By Nick C. Casale, L.C., C.P.T.

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Nick C. Casale
Life Coach and Certified Personal Trainer
Creative Common Sense, L.L.C.
www.creativecommonsense.us