Jaggy, thats right, you were a manager at a Planet Fitness, right?
I understand their right to make rules and freemarket to make $, but we, as people who are passionate about fitness, have a right to bitch and complain, spread the word of their restrictive policies (and stories of harassment of certain bigger members).....and boycott.
Unfortunately, there are not so many great options in certain areas. A lot of the smaller gyms also relied on the middle of the road lifter to keep them afloat. These Planet Fitness and 24 hr Fitness giants take a % of clientel common to both gyms because of price....but they take away necessary equipment and weights to build a physique....the point of a gym.
Of course, no one is forcing us to join....but they are monopolizing some markets and are becoming the dominant force in the industry. Your gym experience is my exact point!
There's no reason good for them to be so restrictive. I understand the value in capturing the beginner market, certainly, but a gym should be accessible to most people, not just beginners. Also, not allowing deadlifts and rack pulls and heavy squatting discriminates against all athletes too, not just hardcore lifters!!!!
I hope it does open up a market for more serious gyms...but having a place that makes it reasonable for both crowds to lift shouldn't be so hard!
