The “Average Joe” gym is already a reality.

In one of the most memorable scenes from the Hollywood farce film “Dodgeball,” Lance Armstrong casually comforts Vince Vaughn by assuring him, “I’m sure you must have a good reason for quitting.” The story praises the “Average Joe” gym as a place where everyone can feel comfortable and truly fit in without the fear and intimidation of musclemen, egomaniacs, or singles bar refugees. But now the concept of the conventional exercise environment is real. Far from struggling financially, they are taking the country by storm and driving the competition out of town! Not just imaginary gyms like “Globo Gym” from a screenwriter’s imagination, but solid, well-known organizations like Golds, and even the YMCA and JCC are being outplayed at their own game. Who is working this main street magic in small towns and metropolitan cities alike all across America? There are few players, but without a doubt the king of the hill is Planet Fitness. They’ve been ridiculed for their pizza night and bagel morning, both gym staples. Planet has the dubious distinction of being labeled one of America’s “softest” centers, right after Slimmons, Richard Simmons’ personal aerobics studio. Despite this, the runaway business model is making real headway, with over 400 successful locations and literally more openings every day, this organization clearly has something great to offer.

What makes these new age upstarts tick in the middle of the road? What are you doing to separate yourself from other gyms? First, there’s the tagline, “The Judgment Free Zone,” but the empty taglines are, well, just that. Closer inspection reveals the reality that this is really a concept-driven institution built from the ground up. The equipment is easier to use with easy-to-read illustrations installed directly on each station. The paltry rates, typically between $10.-$20. Per month, there is no long-term contract for a basic membership, so literally anyone can afford to join. High-tech, total-body circuit training is aerobically customized for the beginner, yet resists plateauing issues through the use of traditional cable resistance machines/weight stacks (unlike a large, women-only franchised national studio with a similar concept). A virtual sea of ​​aerobics machines greets the aspiring to be better toned. Clean, well-equipped locker rooms have replaced the mold and athlete’s foot cocktail found in many large nonprofits.

The psychology of the business is what changes the feeling of gyms the most. Fitness psychology is rarely discussed, but perhaps THE most important aspect of getting and staying in shape. It’s hard enough for the novice member trying to do the hard work of getting in shape. Add to the mix the annoying fitness freaks who are roaming the gym, whether they are simply nosy members, paid trainers, or worse, unqualified staff members who interrupt the novice participant with unsolicited advice. None of this is allowed at Planet Fitness (PF). The obvious reaction from the fitness fanatic crowd is “what about injury prevention?” It is true that the poorly educated participant performs many exercises incorrectly. However, it is that person’s responsibility to learn how to train correctly! In addition, statistics on exercise injuries show that these small defects in form do not usually lead to injuries. There were approximately 45 million Americans with a gym membership in 2009*, but only 224 reported injuries with free weights and weight machines in emergency rooms throughout the country throughout the country, according to administrators at Sports Insurance Risk Management in his latest online article**. Ironically, the treadmill was more than twice as dangerous (575 times) and is by far the most popular choice among newcomers to gyms. The fittest upstart would-be will take comfort in the fact that most PF members look and act like them, are unfamiliar with hard training or weight lifting, and simply want to spend some of their valuable time improving your health. (copyright of the author 2010)