The Mindset Mantra Of The Gym Grunts (Screamers)
September 24, 2010 by Shaun
Filed under The Fitness Bug
Don’t know what a gym grunt is?
Well, take a look at the image above. A gym grunt is someone who makes the facial expressions and noise just like the guy in the picture. The main difference is that gym grunts feel the need to go to the next level and put that image above into overdrive, by letting the entire gym know that they are… well… grunting!
But why? Why do they do this? Is it really needed? Is it really called for?
In all honestly… no, I don’t think it is. But today I’m going to break down some of the reasons why these grunters do what they do, along with some possible solutions, so that all of us fitness freaks can just all get along.
#1 They think they look cool
When in fact, they look like fools!
In fact, I’m going to say ”continue grunting fools”
Why?
Because it’s flipping hilarious!
They say 90% of communication is done with body language. But in this case, it’s the complete opposite. Gym grunters kind of remind of those kids in school that decide to start smoking because they think it makes them look cool. Well, I have news for you grunters. It doesn’t. Keep the noise down peeerleeease!!
If you want to look cool, just be yourself, make progress in your training and like magic, people will flock to you because you ‘inspire’ them. And because they ‘respect’ your hard work and dedication. And not because of your blasted screaming. If you want to scream, take up tennis for fitness fun and take yourself to Wimbledon! Plenty of screaming goes on there, and the crowd don’t seem to mind either.
#2 They want attention
Now, there are a few different scenarios that come under this category, but wanting attention is a key factor in the mind of a gym grunter.
- They have muscles, but don’t ‘appear’ that they have… especially when fully clothed. Because they aren’t actually ‘that big’, yet. And they want to prove to the rest of the world that they really do have strength.
- They have muscles, but for some reason, they don’t feel they get the attention they deserve.
- Low self esteem! They wear shirts two sizes too small for them.
Those are the main reasons why gym grunters do what they do. But now it’s time to set some ground rules for grunters, because we have to at least try to make everyone get along.. right?
3 strikes and out!
If gym grunters reach this number of complaints, then they need to be punished. Revoke their gym membership!
Suggestion for grunters
Grunt when you actually need to. Like, in the last few reps
Suggestion for heavy lifters
OK, OK… I’m going to take the grunters side for just a moment and re-introduce the concept of training insane.
You see, I already know that in order to change your body you will have to give it a shock! Something I spoke about back in the shock body exercise series.
Now, once the weight gets really big, every rep can feel like the last set. Therefore, you can be excused for grunting every single time. If you are in this position, do yourself a favour and train in a gym where everyone who attends has that same goal to train insane
- Pushing themselves to the limit
- Getting the job DONE!
Once this happens, grunting, screaming, cursing, growling or whatever you want to call it will be second nature. In fact, it will be expected of you!
Here’s an example of this type of gym…
So if your goal is to really train insane, make sure you don’t train in a sterile gym, because if you do, you’re going to be accused and looked upon as a mindless gym grunter.
That’s enough from me about gym grunters. Just make sure you follow the above rules when grunting your lungs out. That way, we can all be happy. 
See you in the comments.
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Link to this page
Are you also saying that Serena Williams shouldn’t grunt, and make noises while playing tennis? Are you actually saying that you know don’t that there are studies that prove when exerting force making audible sounds is a benefit? Are you trying to say when a woman pushes out a child, when she makes sounds because the exertion, it is not needed? I’m a female lifter, I make whatever fucking sound I want to make when I do a heavy lift, heavy breathing, grunts, sometimes you can’t control the sounds at the end of a set where you have fatigued yourself, it just happens. But I’m not training insane, I’m training for change. If you want to batter peoples lifting styles, maybe you should mention people who feel uncomfortable with it can stay home and life their pussy weights of like 10 lbs in peace. You just sound like a douche bag who clearly is uneducated. Have you really not watched professional elite athletes at competition? You are entitled to your opinion, just as everyone else is entitled to their lifting style. PS Google is your friend, maybe you should go check out the facts first before sounding so narrow minded.
Hi
I think you missed my point a little. Grunting is ok, and required, as I mentioned in the later half of this article. What I say is ‘not’ cool is deliberate grunting, for the reasons mentioned above.
Its also what ipods were created for, if your paying too much attention to whats going on around you instead of to your own workout and being in your own zone, then why are you there in the first place? People need to learn how to block people out and just get the job done rather than QQ’ing about someone making sounds. Honestly, if its that annoying to people to hear another person making sounds while exercising, they probably shouldn’t do yoga either, which from my experience has lots of annoying sounds made during strenuous classes. The real issue is the people who complain rather than just getting in and getting out, you know whats more way annoying than screaming though? The social butterflies in their lululemon pants and sports bras, short shorts standing around cluttering up the work space. Those people occur more often than grunters but they don’t get banned from gyms.
Kudos Ebby.
Superficial people are always disturbed by the driven.
This “article” is of no benefit to anyone, perpetuating that what one wears or where one works out is of some sort of importance.
Very good point. And that is one reason why I mainly train at gyms like in the picture above. A gym where everyone has a goal of just getting the job done! It’s been that way for the past 6-7 years. You can choose your types of gym from this post…
http://www.stayfitbug.com/the-fitness-bug/11-gymspirtional-photos-for-exercise-inspiration/
But I already know what you are a fan of based on your comments. I think I will have to call out the social butterflies in the next post. I’ve done it before, but not specifically aimed at them.
That will be an article worth reading Shaun.
Don’t worry. I’ll be putting in some scenarios from experience in that one. Training insane is one of the core concepts here, so screaming is of the norm. This article was aimed at the deliberate screamers. Not the types who are insanely driven.
You also have to consider this fact, some people don’t drive. There might not be public transportation to their gym. In my case, I’m the first, by choice, I choose to not have a car, because I’m frugal, also because I’m into benefiting the planet (as well as get my warm up done before I get there) so this leads to a conundrum, if your choices are limited in terms of the distance that you can travel to a gym, should they be ostrasized because they grunt, because they are there to put in the effort? I’m totally against people abusing the work out equipment, bashing it around, dropping it like idiots, because I like to use stuff in good condition, that is one of my pet peeves at the gym, but to concern yourself over the sounds someone else making which is in fact harmless to everyone else and easily blocked out with music its not a big deal, I have been a member of 6 different gyms in different cities, I have yet to come across a lifter that was so annoying to me because of their grunting or screaming. I really think that there might be some extreme cases and yes those people should be in a garage style gym work out environment or a home built gym, but there are some of us who are delusional, deranged, or huge that do in fact grunt and exhale heavily, I’m one of 2 women I know at my gym who can do chins/pull ups and I’ll be damned if someone complains about my grunt… on every rep.
^ who aren’t delusional… oy I love me some typos.
Okay… in that regard, apologies for being so touchy… LOL. I know my lifting intimidates some of the women at the gym, I see them lift tiny little weights for reps and reps and have no muscle tone and show no sign of actually “being at work” during the entire time they are there. If they ever complained about me, wow would they have an earful.
Be as touchy as you like. We don’t do shy attitudes around here!
You sound like the perfect stayfitbugger. Taking your workouts to the next level. Encouraging the concept of training insane…
http://www.stayfitbug.com/the-fitness-bug/the-only-way-to-train-is-to-train-insane
The scenario you mention above is a classic reason to why some people train for years with little to show for it. Fat loss = short burst workouts. Lifting to gain =
1) Start with lightweights – This will allow you to understand how to lift the weights properly regardless of the exercise.
2) Do the exercise properly – Once you have mastered how to do it, focus on control and execution.
3) Lift at moderate speed – Explosive yes! But not fast and not slow.
4) Increase the weight – Do the above 3, but always aim to increase the weight.