Man Escorted From Planet Fitness Gym For Grunting

**RedwolfWV** · 11-02-2006, 08:44 AM

Website: wcbstv.com - Man Escorted From Planet Fitness Gym For Grunting

(CBS) WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. You can lift, strain, crunch and sweat all you want at the Planet Fitness in the Dutchess County village. But whatever you do, do not grunt.

Yep, "no grunting." It says so, in black and white, on a sign posted at the gym. One former member learned the new rule the hard way.

"This is really absurd, especially the part about the grunting," said Al Argibay, a corrections officer who learned first-hand "no grunting" means exactly that.

Argibay, a former competitive bodybuilder, joined the gym in September because it was affordable and convenient.

Planet Fitness is also somewhat picky, with a long list of dos-and-don'ts posted right inside the door.

"No grunting or screaming" is listed, along with "no bandanas or do-rags."

"We're creating an atmosphere that's not intimidating," said Carol Palazzolo, the gym manager, who yanked Argibay's membership on Monday.

Argibay said he was at a multi-press station, getting ready to squat about 500 pounds when the forbidden sin happened. "I let out a grunt, squatted down, back up, grunt again. That's it," explained Argibay. "Basically, grunt, grunt, basic breathing in heavy, and breathing out."

Grunting is commonplace at most gyms, but not Planet Fitness, which discourages so-called "musclehead behavior."

There's even a flashing light and siren on the wall, labeled a "lunk alarm," which sounds if someone grunts or drops weights on the floor.

Palazzolo admits she called the cops on Argibay. The Wappingers Falls police report said officers were asked to "escort a member out of the club for grunting while working out...which is not conforming with the rules of the establishment."

But Palazzolo said that's only part of the story.

"He did grunt, and when I told him he wasn't allowed to grunt, he got irate at me, he swore, and he yelled at me," Palazzolo said. "I asked him not to [grunt), he got irate and nasty, and I can't have him in my facility if he's gonna do those kind of things."

Argibay denied he yelled, cursed, or acted inappropriately. He demanded an apology from the gym and its manager.

"It's an attack on my character, and it's very embarrasing, and an insult," Argibay said. "At the end of the day, after serving your community as a corrections officer, the last thing I want is to be escorted out of the gym by the local authorities."

Palazzolo is standing her ground.

"I'm not out to hurt anybody," she said. "If he feels I hurt his feelings, I apologize for that, but I do not apologize for the way I handled the situation and I am not apologizing for our etiquette at Planet Fitness."

It's not personal, she said, it's policy. Grunters should go elsewhere.

Beebs · 11-02-2006, 09:20 AM

LOL!!!!! I like that idea of a lunk alarm.

**Jayhawkk** · 11-02-2006, 09:22 AM

While I hate to be around people who are constant loud screamers/grunters this is insane. Their gym their rules though.

dsade · 11-02-2006, 09:23 AM

Wow...it's a good thing he didn't sweat. I think the punishment is castration.

I hear they are instituting a saliva exam, instead of a log in...any detectable testosterone gets you permabanned.

glg · 11-02-2006, 10:18 AM

LOL

At the 24HR I use the only grunters are extereme muscleheads and mostly the want'a be's. When there is several hundred punds on the line it is expected but when you see someone with maybe 100 - 200# yelling like they are giving birth it's just rediculous. I do think it also depends on the atmosphere of the gygm. I don't think that most heavy lifters go to 24Hr, Bally's etc.

Beebs · 11-02-2006, 10:27 AM

I personally don't understand the grunting, and it bothers me when people big or small grunt loudly while lifting. When you go to a public restroom to take a **** do you grunt loudly?

dsade · 11-02-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beebs

I personally don't understand the grunting, and it bothers me when people big or small grunt loudly while lifting. When you go to a public restroom to take a **** do you grunt loudly?

What if I do? Will they kick in the door and drag me out, turtle head still pokin, and toss me disgraced into the streets with mudd butt?

Beebs · 11-02-2006, 10:31 AM

Lol!!!!

There's even a flashing light and siren on the wall, labeled a "dunk alarm," which sounds if someone grunts or drops turds on the floor.

klugman · 11-02-2006, 10:34 AM

I think this whole situation is retarded but since it is a private gym they can make it as gay as they want.

**bioman** · 11-02-2006, 10:49 AM

If they don't want any noise they should remove all the wieghts. They might as well since they are catering to wannabe's anyway.

dsade · 11-02-2006, 10:55 AM

Is that like Air Guitar?

**Jayhawkk** · 11-02-2006, 11:00 AM

Nerf weights!

**RedwolfWV** · 11-02-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Nerf weights!

**bioman** · 11-02-2006, 11:05 AM

Awesome.

Hey, check me out, I'm lifting 85 cubic inches of Nerf bro!

Vicarious · 11-02-2006, 11:19 AM

seriously I wonder how loud the grunt has to be. I always grunt at some level. usually a low grumble that tears apart my vocal chords from the tourque. I actually hurt my throat this morning leg pressing. Its 900 pounds who doesn't grunt?!?!? and if you dont....try 1200 lbs. I'm all for grunting, just not all out screaming...Hi I'm Jeff..I'm a grunter..and yes even on the can...

**Jayhawkk** · 11-02-2006, 11:21 AM

My gym would have nerf weights with the whistles in them to alert anyone lifting too fast.

ALERT ALERT!!! Lifter in room 101 has exceeded the maximum air veloctity allowable by law!