Just read this article and it’s oh soo true.
I’d lifted in traditional gyms in the past, then due to injury stopped. I was looking for a deal where I could lift to get back into shape, but PF eventually prevented my doing that there.
First off, the place had no barbells that weren’t attached to a Smith Machine. Ok so I use dumbbells, and the one I joined does actually have them to 100lbs, Because I already knew HOW to train, I pushed myself with dumbbells for a while.
One day I dropped a set and they sounded the “lunk alarm.” That was not encouraging for me to keep pushing but ok, I dealt with it for a few months.
Second, the heaviest leg option was a Hammer Strength Leg Press. It tops out at 8 plates per side. Plates are distributed between this and 4 Smith Machines, and to fully load the leg press often required a wait to scavenge plates after others were done using them (no Plate trees).
So I asked about them getting more plates multiple times. No luck. I eventually asked a guy who seemed to be a manager and was told he’d ask the higher ups but that he could already tell me it wouldn’t happen.
Now I did use some of their isolation machines BUT that doesn’t cover the need for compound movements.
I joined another gym at 2.5 times the price but it’s worth it in every regard. Plenty of barbells, power racks and plates, plus no clown sounding an alarm if I drop dumbbells or grunt while using anything.
I used PF to strengthen up but long term it prevents people from progressing just like the article says. So I used them without their guidance (they give none) and moved on,
Personally I wish I’d not considered the cost to be such a factor and had went to my current gym from the get go,
One thing I found interesting was that when I cancelled PF in person, no one asked why. They have plenty of people coming in to join where they won’t be “judged” so they could care less about one man leaving. Who knows, they may have pegged me as the future “lunk” who would tarnish their previous “workout” in comfort image - a sad oxymoron at best - and were glad I left before they had to kick me out.
Thank God there was a real gym close that wasn’t cost prohibitive! I’ll tolerate attitudes if they’re displayed , and as of yet they’ve not been, in order to have accesss to what is needed to get the results I want instead of worrying about their frickin “judgement free” zone BS rules.
Lastly, I’ve noted that the staff at my gym actually look like they workout, versus the doomed future sufferers of cardiac problems i saw at PF.
Sure they’re nice to their customers, but only as long as they don’t put forth enough effort to threaten the PF paradigm.
In summation, this was a great article, and
Viva la Barbells!