Gyms That Push Supplements
Over the weekend, we got in a discussion with a couple we met at home fitness equipment store about gyms. They had recently joined a high-end health club, which they were generally happy with.
Prior to joining the upscale club, they had belonged to one of those corporate mega gyms. Many of you know the type: huge facilities, more equipment than you could ever think about using, 24 hours (or at least early morning to late night hours), etc.
They hated it. It wasn’t so much the blaring music (though that didn’t help matters), but rather the fact they felt like the gym was constantly trying to sell supplements and other nutritional “plans”.
We understand that supplements can add greatly to a gym’s bottom line and, from a business sense, selling supplements is a good strategy. However, the overwhelming majority (we’re talking in the area of 95%) of people going to a gym do not need any supplements, except perhaps a multi-vitamin. Worse yet, supplements (especially the protein mixes and the sports drinks) are a source of extra calories and consuming them defeats the purpose of going to the gym in the first place. Not to mention that the fact that a bottle of water and a balanced diet of non-processed foods is considerably more beneficial.
If your gym constantly pushes supplements and you have a choice of going elsewhere, do so. There are several community gyms that, though smaller in size, are quite good. (We’ve often seen Precor machines at these facilities.) YMCA’s are also a good bet. There are also many smaller, private gyms that are well run. Look around, your choices may surprise you.
posted by Netsweat.com @ 9/25/2007
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5 Comments:
Thank you for the advice. I use to work at one of the corporate mega gyms and yes, they were always pushing news plans and supplements. Some people love them, others don't, but whatever works for you is good in my book. To help me figure out what's best for me, I want to read Dr. Dean Ornish's new book the "Spectrum". He provides you tools to customize a way of eating, managing stress, and exercising that is based on your own desires, needs, and genetic predispositions. Hopefully this will help me figure out what's best for me... Here's a link to an interesting discussion about it: http://www.wellsphere.com/viewGroup.s?id=110918
I so agree as that has ALWAYS turned me off.
that said Im sure there are so many people who are newish at the gym who think: OH OK. I GUESS I NEED THESE.
*sigh*
MizFit
I couldn't agree more. I have a somewhat guarded stance against supplements myself, although I do advocate protein, a multivitamin and flax seed. Anyway, your gym should never push anything on you, so I would certainly consider switching.
I have also started a fitness blog of my own and I am trying to recruit some constructive criticism from potential readers. Please if you have a chance, checkout www.bostonbodyfit.wordpress.com and share your thoughts. Thanks and keep up the good work.
I'm not sure I totally agree. If you have someone that is decreasing their calories a protein shake as a meal replacement can do wonders for them. Especially people that are at work and don't get a break for hours. They're hungry and are maybe only allowed to carry "drinks" not food at their desks. Starving them until they get to a vending machine or are driving home will lead to over-eating. On the other hand, with gas and food prices, people that are trying increase their caloric intake may need a cheap alternative to constantly eating "real" food. A calorie packed protein shake adds that boost to them. I think the problem is that people feel pressured when they should really ask for an education. If the trainers can't educate them on what to use and when and they are just "pushing" items, then yes, it's better to go someplace else. But if you have a trainer that can explain the use of each supplement and recommend only what you need, I think it's a useful tool in obtaining your goals. I don't know many athletes that do not use supplements. Let's not even get into the long debate that you can't get all your vitamins from food alone these days. Our soil isn't enriched enough and that's why products are selling "added Vitamins!" on their labels. Vitamins are a must. Everything else is optional.
I never really liked the taste of Body Building Supplements until about last year. It may be a coincidence, but whey protein shakes increased my fat loss. I think it may have helped me retain muscle and that was the reason for such great fat loss.
Great read, thanks for sharing!
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