PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE----- STOP THE MUSIC!

[#1]

With the advent of MP3 players and other personal music systems, it’s totally unnecessary to add to the already high level of ambient noise in the clubs. Why must members be subjected to being bombarded with someone else’s choice of "music".

When I workout I have my MP3 player and earbuds /headphone and want to enjoy the workout with my music. Not the ghetto trash or "energy beats" that is typically played in the clubs. Even with the volume up all the way (which is bad for the ears) the clubs music gets in the way. Walk into any club and it’s obvious that my sentiments are common. The majority of people working out are wearing earbuds or headphones to listen to their choice in music.

Another aggravation is when working out with my friend(s), it often becomes necessary to talk louder (adding to the already high noise level) to be heard, and difficult hearing them if they talk in a normal tone.

Why is it that the corporate management finds it necessary or acceptable to detract from the members workout experience by forcing us to listen to their crappy music. If there is some alternative motive for this (such as some kind of revenue stream for playing it, or some sweetheart kickback deal), they could just as easily put it on an FM channel like they do with the TVs.

[#2]

Absolutely unnecessary and extremely loud muzak is a never-ending source of aggravation for many members and it must be prohibited in the clubs, since nowadays more than 90% of people working out are listening to their own music using their own portable players ( MP3, iPods, etc.). Moreover, very often members are forced to crank up the volume all the way (which damages their hearing) in order to avoid listening to that extremely irritating muzak in the clubs. I'm sure that this damage could potentially become the basis for class action lawsuit against corporate management.

[#3]

Totally agree. Club music provided by a bunch of 20 year olds is usually bad and loud on top of being unnecessary.

[#4]

I personally agree with you guys... I listen to my own music and don't really care about what's playing outside.  However, have you ever walked into a business that's completely silent?  It's sort of odd.

Aside from that, our clubs have the option to change stations and control the volume.  Let your club staff know that you don't like the music or that's it too loud.  Tell your friends and other members to voice their opinion too.

[#5]

Scott,

Two points...

1. Eliminating the music will not cause the gym to be silent.  The ambient noise levels in the gyms is plenty loud just from the machines running, weights rattling, people talking, and other  commotion going on.

2. I've talked with several managers at multiple gyms (Ive lost track of how many managers that  the main one that I go to has had).  They all say (as you did) that they have (something like) 4 channels to choose from, and they can lower the volume to a point (the level of which is still unacceptable), but cannot turn it off due to corporate policy.  Therein lies the problem.

Can you provide the name and email / phone contact of the decisiion making individual at the corporate level to address this complaint?

Thanks

[#6]

I think that while "90%" of the clientele have their own music to listen to, the company has to be accountable to 100% of the clients. Would you want to workout in an atmosphere where the only noise around you is other peoples conversation, the sound of cardio machines, and clanking of weights? And consider this, some people don't have $50 to $300 to "waste" on mp3 players that they would only use for working out. So for corporate to get rid of the music, they'd have to supply every member with mp3 players, which would increase the cost of membership. I personally would hate to have to pay more, just because a few people don't like the music at the gym. Just ask for them to turn it down.

[#7]

Please don't get rid of the music.  I hate ALL of the music that is played, but silence would be even worse.  I use headphones while doing some workouts, but I don't like having my bulky phone in my pocket when doing other workouts.  Background music allows me to focus on me instead of the dozens of other people in the gym.  If there was no music, then the weights clanging and people grunting and talking would be quite distracting.  Plus, you can always just channel your hatred of the music into fuel for your workout.  That is what I do.  Rhiana works well for this! Ha Ha!

[#8]

I would hate not to have music on in the club too. The 24 hour fitness gyms I've been to all already feels pretty industrial/warehouse-y  to me and music is part of what makes them bearable. Wearing earbuds is also really isolating -- if you're there with your workout buddy you can't talk to each other then. Thanks.

[#9]

How many people now days don't have their own music in their ears and of those that do not how many of them want to hear the techno-pop at ear spliting volume?   I can't hear my own music even with my earbuds pushed way in and the volume way to high.  If not off then at least turn it way down.

[#10]

Ha, some people complain that no music would be worse than bad music -- too industrial, just sounds of people working out, etc. That's exactly what I prefer when I'm working out, feel it pushes me a bit more than music.

But I'd rather listen to my own music than any of the music I've heard played at the gym, so I started listening to my own. Probably too loud .