What has happened to the free weights in gyms

[Growing Concern]

Yeah admittedly machines have there place and there are some damn good ones out there, but recently we have one of our gym members do a road trip around the north island stopping at many gyms for a workout.

What he said and so many more people are saying is there were hardly any free weights, not even a squat rack and the dumbells at alot of these gyms didn't even exceed 20kg.

It seems alot of the gyms as well seem to not like bodybuilders as they don't like people lifting heavy weights and that we are imtimidating. Yet the members of alot of gyms seem to always seek advice from a bodybuilder. probably as we look the part, where as alot of instructors these days ignore members doing things wrong, look like ethopians and couldn't muster the strength to do a chin up.

What has anyone else seen out there?

[2guns]

most people ionvolved in gyms couldnt give a rats id say, all therd care bout is money as it is a bussiness.

i think at most gyms u will see fat people walking in and fat people walking out due to lack of attention or advice they give to their clientele

[ngapuhi strong]

most people ionvolved in gyms couldnt give a rats id say, all therd care bout is money as it is a bussiness.

i think at most gyms u will see fat people walking in and fat people walking out due to lack of attention or advice they give to their clientele

i agree seams like most instructors just going through the motions, I see them taking newbies through the same workout like they have 2 rutines that the alternat between wen taking new clinents thriugh workouts, there must me millions of different combanations they could use

[Growing Concern]

I agree 2 Guns, It is a shame they are just in it for the money rather than the enjoyment factor. Real gyms are about atmosphere. Where other members inspire you and motivate you just by there own intensity in there training and a range of weights and dumbells that inspire you to grow.

[markrocooper]

the gym i go to is crap. the max dumbells you can get is 15kgs. and i have to avoid the owner and go when he is not here as he goes phyco if he sees me benching more then 50kgs

[Paul]

the gym i go to is crap. the max dumbells you can get is 15kgs. and i have to avoid the owner and go when he is not here as he goes phyco if he sees me benching more then 50kgs

What? Why? is there no other gym were u r ?

[The Legend Killer]

Yeah it's definitely a money thing. They know the majority of people that go there think having a gym membership is enough, and it's these type of people that like the convenience all these machines give.

[diamond]

the gym i go to is crap. the max dumbells you can get is 15kgs. and i have to avoid the owner and go when he is not here as he goes phyco if he sees me benching more then 50kgs

that's what you get when you join contours..

[Dragonlor]

pro-fitness is pretty good, they have db up to 65kg and a pair of 150lb ones sitting on the floor not getting used much :pfft:

[JamesR32GTR]

I agree its all about money.

Us muscleheads really are a minority in the gym scene nowa days which is ironic concidering that fittness clubs spawned from hardcore bodybuilding gyms like World and Golds.

My gym has had 51kg DBs for the past five years and only now has increased to 55s,60s and 65s so i should count my self lucky i guess

But the gym bussiness is just that a Bussiness,so there selling point is always going to make it look easy to the fat out of shape house wife to come sit on a machine and push 5kg whilst watching days of our lifes on the flat screen.

To me that is just plain rubbish,Id much rather get excited at inclineing the heaviest bells in the gym or squating 200kg or even pulling 5 plates off the floor on the deadlift,to me thats hardcore and is from the roots of the real gyms back in the day.

I blame Richard Simmons the fat leg warmer wearing twink

[Growing Concern]

Great to see there are some gyms around that cater well for us with big dumbells etc, which is why any of you are always welcome you train at my wife and I's gym if you are in the wairarapa as the bodybuilders are a minority. Our heavy dumbells collect a bit of dust too and get used rarely but go up to 80kg. But hey it gives us a goal to aim for which is good.

[NZPT]

machines cost more then free weights. id say the reasoning behind having machines is it makes a gym look like it has more to offer to the new member, who if they have never done weights before will generally head straight to the machines in fear of not knowing what to do with free weights.

so really it is to get the new punters in the door, paying for a membership most dont use. Some gyms have a range of free weight gear but there are plenty out there that dont.

Some one needs to open a bodybuilding/powerlifting gym franchise

:grin:

[markrocooper]

i live in a town of like 4000 people. we have one gym and thats it. im only 16 but 50kgs is nothing

[chchardgainer]

But the gym bussiness is just that a Bussiness,so there selling point is always going to make it look easy to the fat out of shape house wife to come sit on a machine and push 5kg whilst watching days of our lifes on the flat screen.

totally agree. it actually really pisses me off that out of shape people go to the gym with there ipod on - load up the smallest weight possible BLAST out 6 reps then sit there watching tv for 5 minutes while they recover for the next set.

the gym should not be about that - its a place of business, wanna watch tv then stay at home tubbie!!! :banging: