Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2014 12:01:57 GMT -5
To the topic at hand, I do think that fitness is a growing business. This is just a personal theory, and it might sound stupid, but I think that here in the land of freedom and giant sodas being fit is becoming somewhat rare. Because of its rarity it is becoming desired. Nobody is satisfied with their bodytypes. Norms are perpetuated for both girls (thin models) and guys (just look at comic book physiques, or wrestlers for example [it's not just a female thing, I'm a male with some pretty warped self-image issues, more on that later).
As obesity rates rise (sedentary lifestyles, technology, the foods and portions available, the sheer lack of proper nutritional education, etc), that makes more people dissatisfied with how they look. So, the gym business targets those folks and can make a ton of money off of them. If you're like Planet Fitness, you will throw in a few free pizza days to keep em fat and unsatisfied. Infinite business. Smart stuff.
So, yeah, I think a lot of people do join gyms because it's the cool thing to do; being fit is cool. Society says so. I'd even go as far to say that it's two-fold; that our human nature says so as well (fit people = healthier, better mates, etc).
And no, not many people are fully committed to staying with a gym or a routine; we're a society that craves instant gratification and instant results. It took me 8 months to lose 100 lbs, and even I admit that was *entirely* too fast to lose that much weight. That's why things like diet pills or extremely low-calorie diets appeal to people and still are on the market despite being total bull crap (one certain company saying you will lose weight while drinking their shakes and keeping calories below 1200, no crap you're going to lose weight in weeks eating that little. Also, a certain other company telling you you will lose weight replacing two whole meals with a bowl of ing cereal. As soon as you start eating normal you gain all the water weight back, you get disappointed, and the cycle starts over).
The bubble does burst. People quit after a week or so of doing the treadmill for 20 minutes a day or doing some sets of bicep curls a few times a week because those "routines," if you can call them that, do not yield instant results. Even GOOD (IMO) routines (pre-made strength programs designed by experts, like Starting Stength, Stronglifts 5x5, etc) take time to yield results.
I've also realized that, with the start of the new year, there are tons of fitness and "health" related commercials targeting the resolutions. There were probably a dozen Planet Fitness and "zomg low fat Subway subs" commercials yesterday during Raw alone.
There aren't a lot of gyms by me; the closest one is in some guy's warehouse 20 minutes over a mountain. I live in the middle of nowhere and WISH I had gym access since I can't safely squat in my basement.
Okay, now it's time to get into defensive mode: I'm a little shocked and disappointed at how much backlash the fitness hobby has gotten in here.
You don't understand it because you don't do it. Simple as that. Its a choice of lifestyle. What is there really not to understand about being in the best physical shape you can be? You only have one body. It's just like anything else. I'm sure people dont understand why you collect toys but it makes sense to you.
^
Bingo. This post. All of it.
1. Your friends are dicks; please don't think they're the norm. I'm the biggest/in the best shape of my male friend circle and I never do anything like that.
2. Anyone CAN, but how many people actually DO stick to a routine and make improvements? How many people take hours of time to read FAQs, books [like starting strength], studying form videos in order to ensure they're being safe and proper, reading nutrition studies and posts, and all that jazz? I've point countless hours into reading, researching, and practicing fitness-related stuff. Guess I'm a moron.
It's a mental game as well as a physical game; staying dedicated, staying motivated, throwing excuses out the window, not taking days off, etc.
3. Um, what about teenagers who, yknow, want to be healthy? I started going to the gym at 19 because I was morbidly obese. I guess that was stupid.
...
but if it makes others happy, where's the issue?
Terrific observation. Different strokes for different folks.
My personal reasoning, or why I lift heavy things- I'm sure a lot of you heard this before, but I was very obese back in the day, and very weak (I'm talking a 190 chest-bouncing max bench press @ 300 lbs bodyweight).
"what's the point"
Lifting is a hobby for me in a way that video games used to be a hobby. Who really gives a damn, though, that I beat the original Pokemon Green in Japanese text? Nobody! Who cares that I lost and kept off 100 pounds and became more muscular and strong? Well, a lot of people, because it reflects my better health, both physically and emotionally. I've received dozens of compliments from family and friends. I feel gratified. I feel accepted. I finally feel good about myself after being obese through all of my teenage years. And I want to continue that. I feel GOOD knowing I'm able to walk up steps without feeling winded. I feel GOOD knowing I'm in better shape than all the dicks who used to bully me in high school and are now bloated with alcohol and out of shape. I feel GOOD. Period.
"Who are you trying to impress"
Mostly members of the opposite sex and myself, honestly. I am objectively more attractive now that I'm muscular and over 100 lbs lighter, and I have more confidence as well. Again, physical and mental/emotional health. I can go out in public being proud of how I look. I can hang out with peers and not be bullied for how I look. Yes, I will admit that I'm quite narcissistic, but the day I decided to stop being a 330 lb manplanet in August 2011 was the day that I started a never-ending journey to be leaner and stronger. Because of that I don't think I'll ever be content or satisfied. Fitness has become a hobby and a part of my lifestyle the same way that pro-wrestling and wrestling toys are parts.
There's nothing wrong with fitness as a hobby.
As obesity rates rise (sedentary lifestyles, technology, the foods and portions available, the sheer lack of proper nutritional education, etc), that makes more people dissatisfied with how they look. So, the gym business targets those folks and can make a ton of money off of them. If you're like Planet Fitness, you will throw in a few free pizza days to keep em fat and unsatisfied. Infinite business. Smart stuff.
So, yeah, I think a lot of people do join gyms because it's the cool thing to do; being fit is cool. Society says so. I'd even go as far to say that it's two-fold; that our human nature says so as well (fit people = healthier, better mates, etc).
And no, not many people are fully committed to staying with a gym or a routine; we're a society that craves instant gratification and instant results. It took me 8 months to lose 100 lbs, and even I admit that was *entirely* too fast to lose that much weight. That's why things like diet pills or extremely low-calorie diets appeal to people and still are on the market despite being total bull crap (one certain company saying you will lose weight while drinking their shakes and keeping calories below 1200, no crap you're going to lose weight in weeks eating that little. Also, a certain other company telling you you will lose weight replacing two whole meals with a bowl of ing cereal. As soon as you start eating normal you gain all the water weight back, you get disappointed, and the cycle starts over).
The bubble does burst. People quit after a week or so of doing the treadmill for 20 minutes a day or doing some sets of bicep curls a few times a week because those "routines," if you can call them that, do not yield instant results. Even GOOD (IMO) routines (pre-made strength programs designed by experts, like Starting Stength, Stronglifts 5x5, etc) take time to yield results.
I've also realized that, with the start of the new year, there are tons of fitness and "health" related commercials targeting the resolutions. There were probably a dozen Planet Fitness and "zomg low fat Subway subs" commercials yesterday during Raw alone.
There aren't a lot of gyms by me; the closest one is in some guy's warehouse 20 minutes over a mountain. I live in the middle of nowhere and WISH I had gym access since I can't safely squat in my basement.
Okay, now it's time to get into defensive mode: I'm a little shocked and disappointed at how much backlash the fitness hobby has gotten in here.
Jan 6, 2014 18:28:45 GMT -5 @captaincharisma08 said:
I don't understand some of these people who go to the gym. They go and get really big but just what's the point? What exactly are you proving by getting that big? That you can lift heavy objects lol? I understand some people who go to lose weight, or just to stay healthy, but I'll never understand the reasoning behind getting jacked^
Bingo. This post. All of it.
No, I 100% agree everybody is doing it and it has become a major trend. There's a bunch of gym's around me and everybody cares about lifting weights and working out it's ridiculous. I had former friends who work out just to get big and then hassle me, because I stopped back then and they would always think they were better than me and get this cocky attitude. Any moron can lift weights it's not really a special talent to be honest. I understand if people just want to do it to stay healthy that's perfectly fine, but teenager's doing it for no reason is stupid. Most people do it just to impress that's it. I'm a teenager so I see witness things differently then everybody.
1. Your friends are dicks; please don't think they're the norm. I'm the biggest/in the best shape of my male friend circle and I never do anything like that.
2. Anyone CAN, but how many people actually DO stick to a routine and make improvements? How many people take hours of time to read FAQs, books [like starting strength], studying form videos in order to ensure they're being safe and proper, reading nutrition studies and posts, and all that jazz? I've point countless hours into reading, researching, and practicing fitness-related stuff. Guess I'm a moron.
It's a mental game as well as a physical game; staying dedicated, staying motivated, throwing excuses out the window, not taking days off, etc.
3. Um, what about teenagers who, yknow, want to be healthy? I started going to the gym at 19 because I was morbidly obese. I guess that was stupid.
This level of judgement seems odd to be found on a forum about pro-wrestling figure collecting.. on soooo many levels! lol, it's actually pretty funny.
...
but if it makes others happy, where's the issue?
Terrific observation. Different strokes for different folks.
My personal reasoning, or why I lift heavy things- I'm sure a lot of you heard this before, but I was very obese back in the day, and very weak (I'm talking a 190 chest-bouncing max bench press @ 300 lbs bodyweight).
Jan 6, 2014 21:44:02 GMT -5 @captaincharisma08 said:
I don't collect toys, but I do go to the gym to stay healthy. And what's the point though? Who are you trying to impress?"what's the point"
Lifting is a hobby for me in a way that video games used to be a hobby. Who really gives a damn, though, that I beat the original Pokemon Green in Japanese text? Nobody! Who cares that I lost and kept off 100 pounds and became more muscular and strong? Well, a lot of people, because it reflects my better health, both physically and emotionally. I've received dozens of compliments from family and friends. I feel gratified. I feel accepted. I finally feel good about myself after being obese through all of my teenage years. And I want to continue that. I feel GOOD knowing I'm able to walk up steps without feeling winded. I feel GOOD knowing I'm in better shape than all the dicks who used to bully me in high school and are now bloated with alcohol and out of shape. I feel GOOD. Period.
"Who are you trying to impress"
Mostly members of the opposite sex and myself, honestly. I am objectively more attractive now that I'm muscular and over 100 lbs lighter, and I have more confidence as well. Again, physical and mental/emotional health. I can go out in public being proud of how I look. I can hang out with peers and not be bullied for how I look. Yes, I will admit that I'm quite narcissistic, but the day I decided to stop being a 330 lb manplanet in August 2011 was the day that I started a never-ending journey to be leaner and stronger. Because of that I don't think I'll ever be content or satisfied. Fitness has become a hobby and a part of my lifestyle the same way that pro-wrestling and wrestling toys are parts.
There's nothing wrong with fitness as a hobby.