That's an odd viewpoint, if I may be so bold. If you surveyed those sections of society who are members of gyms, and compared them to those who are not, the percentage who are overweight or obese would, I'd suggest, be markedly lower in the former group.

So, whilst it could be argued that a 'rising gym culture' hasn't prevented the obesity epidemic, it's also fairly obvious that the epidemic could have been even worse if it wasn't for people using gyms (or taking other forms of exercise).

Your argument is akin to saying food aid doesn't stop famine because there are still people dying of starvation. And whilst you'd be right that more fundamental steps could/should be taken to prevent famine on a more widespread scale, there's no arguing that the food aid hasn't been beneficial to those who have received it.

But you didn't announce yourself on here having a go a me for being a 'self-declared nutritional expert'? Glass houses and stones, sunshine.

And now it seems that you're addressing the issues like a sort of exercise fundamentalist who thinks everyone should eat and exercise like some sort of sports pro. See San J's comments.

You think I'm old


I don't, I'm 25 in my head but far wiser than I ever was at that age.

Gyms work for some.
I'll emphasis the "some".

Mainly all that gyms do is extract £xx out of gullible peoples wallet every month for years, offer them a health and safety introduction, give them a "to do" list that the "Sports Science" students could write out in their sleep (and probably do), and leave you to it - been there, done it all, its why I am wise.

If you want exercise then just get off the bus two stops earlier every day, walk the stairs instead of taking the lift, cut out the sweets, eat a few less biscuits with your coffee at 11am, don't buy coffee with anything more than coffee and water in it - none of those things require a membership or joining fee, all of them will be of benefit.

You won't have abs like a boy band member or biceps like a WWE jock, but then those things don't last for long when you realise that you need to save £xx a month and spend it on heating your home instead.

To clarify, I was talking about some of the older posters' attitudes to gyms, rather than whether or not they use one.

Of course the gym isn't for everyone, I wouldn't pretend it is. But just as I don't deride a person who prefers to cycle to work or go for a walk, I don't see the need for others to deride gyms and gym usage.

I'm with you on the Slendertone items, but I'd have to take issue with the home exercise equipment. Many people do use the stuff they buy, and just because many more do not, is no reason to ban its sale.

Where's the evidence of that?

Looking at the people I know who go to a gym, they're either very sports minded (and rather younger than me), are fighting the same constant battle with weight that I fought for years (and, like me, losing it), or actually like the gym, or are actually panicking about being middle aged.

The ones who stuff the junk food etc aren't likely to be going to the gym (or doing much else in the way of organised exercise).

Seen many cookbooks Coddy?

And you wonder why I think you're old? Jesus.

Let's dispel one myth here and now: gyms are not only beneficial to those who want a six pack or bulging biceps. I used to manage a hotel gym whose members were nearly all aged 50-70. They benefitted from regular exercise in a safe, friendly environment, and got to have a chat with their friends. You see, not all gyms are massive metal sheds populated by steroid-fuelled tossbags.

I take your point about the staff not being great in a lot of places, but, again, this tends to be more the case in the larger commercial gyms.

You seem to be confusing 'wisdom' with intransigence, in this instance. There are good gyms out there, there are some good gym staff out there (though many are crap, granted), and gyms work for a much broader cross section of people than 'jocks' and 'boy band members'.

I don't see the size (

) of the problem here anyway.
We only have to change a t to an s in the thread title and we are sorted.

I don't have any evidence, just going on my own observations. When I look around the inside of a gym, I see fewer overweight people as a percentage of those present than I see in, say, the supermarket. So, if we have a 'rising gym culture', it's reasonable to suggest that this rise might have mitigated some of the effects of the obesity epidemic. Whilst not compelling evidence in itself, it has at least as much merit as your assertion that gym use isn't part of the solution to these problems.

Yes, thats why I said they work for "some".

Do you see what I mean about wisdom now as well ?

Not really, since you went to great pains to stress the "some", then went on a little mini-rant about gullible people joining gyms, boy band members and jocks. The subtext was abundantly clear.

Thousands, I've even bought the odd one myself - "Prawnography" being the latest

...and with you agreeing that many gyms and staff are far from being to the standard that you describe as your "friendly hotel gym"...



For far too many joining a gym is either a hope for a magic bullet with no thought about commitment or a trend that fails on the first cold wet morning or dark winters evening when an extra hour in bed or drinks at a bar in town with workmates seems like a better idea.

I've been a member in friendly hotel gyms (Post House and Seb Coe) and in one of your "commercial" gyms (Esporta), they were useful in their ways but no match for doing it for free in the fresh air with no goal but to stay fit.

LMAO where does a balananced diet with good physical exercise, become a sports pro???? Which sport for a start..... You obviously consider yourself a font of knowledge on this so please digress.

Many are. But we're talking about gyms in general, not all gyms. And even those that don't hit that particular standard are useful to some. My gym is far from the best in terms of staff, and many of the members are half-witted meat heads. In its favour though, it's cheap, well equipped, clean and relatively local. That works for me.



That can be said of any exercise regime or fitness programme. There are many people who won't get off the bus two stops earlier or go for a bike ride when it's cold/raining/dark/windy, either.



For you, and many others, perhaps. But there are just as many people for whom that method does not work, and for whom the gym is a better option. To suggest that one way is inherently better than the other is ridiculous and blinkered. I much prefer training in a gym, but I can easily respect those who prefer to stay fit in other ways. Horses for courses and all that.

Intense-workout.com is not a site aimed at ordinary people. It's a site aimed at fitness/sports buffs.

And when are you going to actually respond to the points I raised to you earlier? You seem to be ducking them at present.

And no, I don't consider myself a "font of all knowledge" and have never claimed that. That doesn't mean that I do not have knowledge and experience, and have not bothered to invest some time in studying some of the issues we're discussing here.

One of the biggest issues for many people joining a gym is education. I've seen many overweight people come into the gym, walk on the treadmill for 10 minutes, move some weight machines around (with minimum resistance), and then leave. They look nervous and lost. They barely break sweat and the heart rate certainly doesn't increase by any degree.

I've buckets of respect for someone entering a gym for the first time - it can be an intimidating place, but being there is pointless unless the person is educated on how to reach their goals. Weight loss? Aerobic fitness? Muscle building? If they're not getting anywhere after a few weeks they lose heart and stop going at all.

The site i posted was a reply for SJ to look at, it was to give them an idea of body type and shape. And reasons why some can eat what they want and not put an ounce on, where as others need to work harder just to stay even. As they raised that particular point to me. Your points, cant say ive read any of any interest to me. A balanced diet with good physical exercise is good enough for the majority of people, anyone looking for something different and lifestyle changing do the Mark Sissons primal (diet) life style.

Translation: you haven't got an answer.

If that makes you feel superior then jog on. Youll have to write them again as i really have no interest in what you have to say on this subject as you obviously try to over complicate a very basic principal, maybe you do this to try and look in the know on the subject, maybe you like to impress your peers on here, I dont know, but not me and not on this subject, It appears to me youve never done any real research on fitness diet and nutrition....

Your "phiz" should be looking seriously red with embarrassment given the way you're going on - especially for a newbie.

BTW: that was a clue to the proper meaning of a word that you don't actually understand.

Ooooooooh at what point does a newbie come an oldie LOL how pathetic of you to even mention that like it matters some


And you carry on thinking i know nothing of physical exercise, phiz whatever way you want it. But i assure you and yes i am going to blow my own trumpet here i know i not only know more than you but i also carry out more than you... OLDIE!

I have never said any such thing. And you do not know what I think.

I do know, however, that you're a new, but tedious little troll. And that you have limited literacy skills. And that you have a chip on your shoulder. And that you are incapable of understanding how to contribute to a grown-up discussion ('Your points didn't interest me' does not count as a proper debating technique).

Now potter off back to your toys and leave the adults to continue what was an intelligent and respectful discussion until you materialised.

Hmmmm seems like ive really hit a nerve, from a pompus know it all, limited litteracy skills!!! Where is the rule thats states you have to have a specific level of knowledge. And in just that one statement shows you self imposed superiority complex. You wouldnt know respectful if it came up and smacked you in the gob. And for someone so adult as yourself, throwing a tantrum and name calling is quite funny.