A Google User
August 14, 2018 15:21
It's a good gym. Had no problem with it until recently, but now I have a fundamental issue with one of the gym's seemingly recent policies:
I've been working out here for a bit over a year. Since starting, I almost exclusively workout in the "functional training" area where the majority of equipment consists of barbells -- most of which have knurling that has been worn down almost completely, I assume due to zero upkeep -- and plates. Because of the quality of the knurling on the barbells I have been using chalk the entire time I have been at Mountainside and have seen many, many other members doing the same.
Buuuut, last month, the manager informed me that Mountainside Fitness does not allow the use of chalk. My assumption is that this is because it would be a major inconvenience to employees, requiring them to vacuum the floor and wipe down plates on a regular basis, and perform maintenance on the barbells... wait, shouldn't they already be doing that?
I have been using liquid chalk since then, but assume I will be told not to use that either as it still leaves a minor residue on plates and bars.
This boils down to the staff not wanting to do their job at the expense of safety (sweaty, un-chalked hands and smooth barbells = bench press decapitations, among other things). If Mountainside is really looking to capture and keep members who are interested in weightlifting, Crossfit, powerlifting, or those just interested in learning barbell movements in general, chalk should be allowed; hell, chalk should be provided as it creates a much better lifting experience and provides an inordinate amount of safety for a vanishingly small cost, in terms of both time and money.