Are Modern Gyms Killing Leg Training?
by Christian Duque  The vast majority of Iron Magazines loyal readers are avid weightlifters and bodybuilding fans. We know our demographic and we always strive to write articles that will make our readers happy. Ill admit, there are times when whats newsworthy isnt my cup of tea, but as a writer in the fitness media, I shouldnt decide whats news and whats not. On the flipside, theres stories that I tend to feel passionately about, such as the piece youre reading at this moment. Now, Id like to make a very important clarification, moving forward. I know that purists in our sport will say that health clubs and fitness centers arent gyms. Perhaps, within that narrow definition, theyre not, but I dont draw those lines. Most people today are training at places like Fitness 19, Planet Fitness, and Retro Fitness. To them, theyre training in gyms and so, Im not going to exclude them. The fact is, the big box gyms of the past (Golds, Worlds, even Powerhouse) are not competitively priced. Not all, but most, simply havent kept up with the times. When franchise fees are high, franchisees ultimately stop paying and go independent. Some will buy into $10 a month gym chains and others will just hang a sign outside that reads gym. In any event, whether people are training at discount gyms, independent gyms, and/or even some of the big box gyms of yesteryear, Ive noticed a marked tendency to downplay the importance of leg training. Part of the problem rests with the clientele, another aspect to the problem is space/cost, and finally there are considerations related to the type of atmosphere the facility wants to promote. I know, I know, that last one seems like a gag, but I assure you, its a thing. Its actually a major angle to many gyms marketing strategies!! All things in life, at least in Western capitalist nations, are based on capitalist principles. Perhaps the most basic concept of all, is that of supply and demand. Members could fill suggestion boxes with requests for more leg equipment, but if all this {expensive} gear is collecting dust, then gym owners and operators would much rather free up the space and get rid of the equipment. Also, most owners/operators do not in fact own the machines  or even the dumbbells and plates! Everything is on a payment plan or on lease. This means that every month, notes need to be paid. Creditors dont care where the money comes from, they dont care if memberships are down, or if theyre dealing with a single gym owner who got annihilated by the pandemic. When creditors arent paid, they come to the gym and seize whats theirs. Ive seen this happen at gyms, followed by waves of members cancelling their memberships. Everything costs money. Gyms have to pay for the building, the lights, all sorts of insurances and then of course, equipment. All the money comes from memberships. Trust me, gyms dont make or break based on how many cans of Bang they sell from the cooler by the door. You dont even want to venture to guess what leasing Nautilus, Hammer Strength, or even knockoff machines cost. Gyms also have labor to consider. Everyone from the cleaning crew to clerks to management, need to get paid. Everyone needs to get paid and with Covid19 still with us, everything needs to be cleaned multiple times throughout the day. You cant expect gym members to do it  most wont even re-rack their weights!! Theres a long-running myth, that only people on the east coast train legs. I live in Louisville, KY, and I train at two gyms. One is a Planet Fitness, where the only option to squat is in a Smith machine. To a purist, that would never do; but if thats all you have, then its better than nothing. I see a few folks  here and there  train legs on those stations. I also see people training on the leg press sled. Theres only minimal weight and the machines are just enough to get by. Nonetheless, theres very little traffic. The other gym I train at, is more bodybuilder-friendly. It even has its own crossfit section; however, very, very few people ever squat, few do leg presses, and its been that way since Ive been going there (for 6yrs). At one gym theres no real equipment, while at the other, theres plenty of it. Overall though, legs dont seem to be trained anywhere near as much as chest, delts, or arms. And ironically, legs are the largest muscle group in the body!! Leg training just isnt big. Its not a muscle thats celebrated by the fans, its not something companies really invest much attention in, and theres even divisions like MPD, where having great wheels wont get you so much as one point. I`m not knocking the Division per se, but its just wild that a physique-based division would overlook the largest muscles in the body. Then again, its not that bizarre, as people are basically skipping over leg day  each and every week. I just dont know. As gyms, particularly small chains and one of a kind type businesses, have to make tough calls post-Covid19, I can see lots of places downsizing. If they suddenly can get rid of leg machines, platforms, and even reduce the amount of weights on hand, theyll save money on all those leases, not to mention have a ton of free space. If a gym can successfully downsize on equipment, they could also potentially downsize on the square footage needed to operate. Everything costs money. The more money thats saved, the greater the profits will be. This is where purists usually fall off. Well, when building great physiques keeps the lights on, Im sure gyms will invest in equipment no one uses or even cares about. Many gyms have taken a page from PF. While their lunk alarms and cheesy ads may have created some good bodybuilder solidarity on the message boards, many bodybuilders are quietly PF members. These places are kept immaculately clean, theyre worldwide, and if you have a little imagination, you can get a fantastic workout. One of the biggest contributions PF has made to the fitness world, is their direct hand in creating a gym atmosphere. Through the use of marketing, employee training, and self-policing among members, the chain has been able to keep the riff raff out, keep their equipment in one piece, and grow/spread like wildfire. Whereas management at hardcore gyms might turn a blindeye to meatheads tearing up benches and slamming/destroying dumbbells, at Planet, theyll throw your ass out and if that doesnt work, theyll call the popo on you! No joke!! I see no problem with creating an all-inclusive gym vibe. No one should be scared or intimidated when they go to the gym.