Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (Full Version)

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Christianiron.com -> Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 8:57:44 AM)

Hey folks,
Ifv you know any Christian friendly gyms or personal trainers with websites I can link to my site, please let me know Thanks,
Dave



stellaluna -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 10:03:53 AM)

What makes a gym Christian-friendly?



NoShow -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 10:15:36 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: stellaluna

What makes a gym Christian-friendly?


Well, I can tell you things that could make it non-Christian friendly:

The choice of music

The choice of dress

A narcissistic and\or idolatry atmosphere

So maybe a place discouraging those things and encourage praise of the Lord.



stellaluna -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 10:29:57 AM)

Well...I've never heard of a Christian gym.

quote:

ORIGINAL: NoShow
The choice of music

Doesn't matter...everyone wears headphones.

quote:


The choice of dress

Work out clothes are work out clothes.

quote:


A narcissistic and\or idolatry atmosphere

Not sure what that means in relation to a gym.



Konstantinos -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 10:37:06 AM)

as long as i find a gym that the trainers at least squat im happy.

i cant stand looking at the trainers or going to their gyms if they are too... you know



NoShow -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 10:45:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: stellaluna
Doesn't matter...everyone wears headphones.


No, not everyone wears headphones. And some gyms blast rap, punk music that is "hardcore" secular.

quote:


Work out clothes are work out clothes.


No, there's modest workout clothes and incredibly revealing workout clothes.

quote:


Not sure what that means in relation to a gym.


There are gyms where pecking orders are established. Where one is expected to give way to others that are bigger or stronger. Or where it's acceptable for fun to be made of, those that are weaker or fatter.

So a Christian-friendly gym could have Christian music playing, a dress code of modesty and not tolerant certain kinds of behavior.



Kat_D -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 11:04:49 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: stellaluna

Well...I've never heard of a Christian gym.

quote:

ORIGINAL: NoShow
The choice of music

Doesn't matter...everyone wears headphones.

quote:


The choice of dress

Work out clothes are work out clothes.

quote:


A narcissistic and\or idolatry atmosphere

Not sure what that means in relation to a gym.


Yep, Stella, we just had a "Christian Diet" thread and I didn't know diets had a religion, but I was told they did, and so it must follow that gyms do too!

If we isolate ourselves and only go to places where other Christians gather, how can we be the lights we are called to be to this dark and fallen world... and how will people ever be saved? Just somethin' to think about![sm=aside.gif]



his_chosen -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 11:07:38 AM)

Hmmm... I've been going to the gym since it got too cold to swim in the lake. I'm there at least 4 days a week.

There is music in the locker room, but I'm there to change only. There is sometimes music in the pool, but I can't hear it while I swim. The spin class does use music, but I never take that class (prefer to use my bike on the trainer at home).

Clothing, well, I wear a "competition" style swim suit because I'm training to compete. I run outside, and int he winter I wear tights because that's what's most comfortable. For bicycling, I wear cycling shorts becaue that's what's most comfortable. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to what others are wearing. They are there to work out. I assume they are wearing what's most comfortable.

People go to the gym to work out. I've had guys "race" me in the pool. Okay, they can get me in a 50yd sprint. But, I smoke 'em when I do my 2000yd workout. Whatever. Most people there are friendly. We get to chatting in the locker room.



NoShow -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 11:21:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kat_D

If we isolate ourselves and only go to places where other Christians gather, how can we be the lights we are called to be to this dark and fallen world... and how will people ever be saved? Just somethin' to think about![sm=aside.gif]


Think of it more along the lines of a nightclub and you liking to dance. The "typical" night club is people getting drunk, the majority checking out the opposite sex with a meat market attitude and much of the music containing "nasty" lyrics. Now imagine a night club were the music has been selected carefully, alcohol may be present but it's not about getting drunk and the people are there to socialize and dance. You can go there and dance and enjoy yourself.

The OP, judging from his website, is a fan of the heavy iron. Unfortunately, most gyms that cater to that, have a very "crude" atmosphere in both the equipment and attitudes. Not what you would call Christian-friendly. I took his post to mean, he was trying to create a list of places that were more Christian-friendly. Not to hide from the world, but to be able to fellowship while doing something, some are passionate about.



stellaluna -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 11:56:10 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kat_D
Yep, Stella, we just had a "Christian Diet" thread and I didn't know diets had a religion, but I was told they did, and so it must follow that gyms do too!

That actually made me laugh out loud! I nearly choked on my water!

Look...the gym is the gym. I can imagine that there are lots of Christian personal trainers out there that could be linked to, especially since two of my brothers fell into that category, but getting hung up on music and workout clothes...come on.

If someone wanted to open a chain of Christian gyms, it might go over, I don't know. But aside from my list of peeves in the "gym pet peeves" thread, I go to my gym to workout, not look at what everyone else is doing. And I certainly don't notice anyone paying attention to what I'm doing either.

Revealing workout clothes? What does that mean? Workout clothes should fit the activity. And at my gym, you can count the people without headphones on one hand. The music piped in is typically upbeat, I'm sure to get people in the mood to move, but "objectionable" is completely subjective. I guess what I mean is that I can't imagine a gym that is "Christian-un-friendly." I simply don't think anyone at the gym cares what your religion is.



Miss Giggles -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 12:07:13 PM)

I think a lot of people get too much into their personal hang ups when they go to the gym. There's germs, people are staring, people are too fit, people are out of shape, sheesh the list goes on and on.

It's better to go to the gym than to be one of those who are too "afraid" of going and then don't do any physical activity. Obviously some people prefer to do their own thing at home and that's fine.

But yeah just go, do your thing, go home. No one should be too hung up on what everyone else is doing/not doing. No ones going to remember the next day even if you do make a mistake.



SteelMagnolia -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 12:16:44 PM)

I don't know of any Christian gyms, but Bally's has a women-only workout room. That was kind of nice not having to worry about guys staring at my backside on the stairmaster.


Stellaluna, see that's where men and women differ. You don't go to gyms to look at other people, but a Christian man might be having a struggle in the lust area. If there are a bunch of women sweating in sports bras and little bitty shorts that almost show butt cheek, he may stumble. We, as women have a much easier time just thinking, "Hmmm, he's a handsome man...OK back to my workout."

Revealing workout clothes....There is nothing that can't be done in sweats or basketball shorts an a tee-shirt or loose tanktop, KWIM? I do understand that people like HisChosen have to wear the competition style bathing suits though. No way around that, but those are at least one-piece even though they are high cut.

When I went to Bally's I didn't have a diskman or anything, so I had to listen to the music they played. They often played bands like Godsmack and Rage Against the Machine.



kernsfamily -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 12:21:49 PM)

Our church has a "sports & fitness" center...so, it, in of itself is a "christian-friendly gym".....

the kids have all sorts of sports leagues they can take part of there (THOUSANDS come each and every weekend....)

there are plenty of sports for adults (lunchtime basketball games)....an entire "workout" room with weights, treadmills, stair-steppers, etc..etc...trainers are there, and available if you need them....
open EARLY in the morning, until late into the evening...
many "aerobics", step-classes, and other "group" work outs are held frequently, as well....

our "sports ministry" has been VERY VERY successful at introducing Christ to countless people...as they come to bring their kids to football/basketball/baseball league games, or to just work out with a friend....(people who probably would have never have stepped into the church otherwise)....

PARENTS, christian AND "non christian" love the sports programs, because while they are very competitive, you never have the "jerk coach" who is out there to "win at any cost"....it's a very encouraging atmosphere for kids of all abilities. ("Out of control" parents are definitely "taken care of" as well)....each coach leads team devotionals before and after games, and usually a time for that when practices are scheduled.....

here's a VERY "short list" of things our "sports ministry" offers:

Ballet & Jazz Ongoing
Baseball/Children April-June
Basketball/Adult March–May
Basketball/Children November–February
Cheerleading August–November
Football/Boys August–November
Martial Arts Ongoing
Personal Training Ongoing
Soccer/Children Spring & Fall
Softball/Adult Men Spring & Fall
Softball/Adult (Coed) Spring
Volleyball/Girls Spring
Volleyball/Sand May-June
Yoga Ongoing

the "mission statements" say it all:

Sports Outreach Ministry
The mission of the Sports Outreach Ministry is to glorify God by introducing Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, using the vehicle of sports and fitness in order to reach out to those around us with the message of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Children's Team Sports Programs
To glorify God by introducing Jesus Christ as Lord to as many people as possible and developing children in their chosen sports, through a quality youth sports program. Further we will build them up emotionally by teaching positive life values.

Think this might work at your church, even if done on a "smaller scale"???? See how we've done it.......http://www.psosports.com/default.asp



NoShow -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 12:28:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: stellaluna

I guess what I mean is that I can't imagine a gym that is "Christian-un-friendly."


Then you have limited exposure to many of the gyms that are out there. And once again, I think the OP is just responding to the ones that are out there, though you can't imagine them.



SteelMagnolia -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 12:29:22 PM)

Kernsfamily, that sounds awesome! I used to go to a megachurch that had a gym free for members and low-cost for non-members. It was cool.



stellaluna -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 12:31:38 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SteelMagnolia
I don't know of any Christian gyms, but Bally's has a women-only workout room. That was kind of nice not having to worry about guys staring at my backside on the stairmaster.

I haven't been to a gym yet that didn't have a women-only area. (Which kind of leads me to wonder why there is no men-only area, but I digress.) If a woman feels uncomfortable, she can go in there.

quote:


Stellaluna, see that's where men and women differ. You don't go to gyms to look at other people, but a Christian man might be having a struggle in the lust area. If there are a bunch of women sweating in sports bras and little bitty shorts that almost show butt cheek, he may stumble. We, as women have a much easier time just thinking, "Hmmm, he's a handsome man...OK back to my workout."

Stop looking. Or work out at home.

quote:


Revealing workout clothes....There is nothing that can't be done in sweats or basketball shorts an a tee-shirt or loose tanktop, KWIM? I do understand that people like HisChosen have to wear the competition style bathing suits though. No way around that, but those are at least one-piece even though they are high cut.

There actually are things that can't be done in sweats or basketball shorts, etc. It depends on what you're doing. Those clothes chafe. I don't work out in them and I don't expect others too, either. There is a reason workout gear is made the way it is.

quote:


When I went to Bally's I didn't have a diskman or anything, so I had to listen to the music they played. They often played bands like Godsmack and Rage Against the Machine.

Your machines don't have a place to plug in headphones? I'm accustomed to machines that let you do that. All you need is a $3 pair of headphones to avoid the music being piped. I find it hard to believe one would spend money on a gym membership and not a few dollars for a radio or mp3 player or whatever to take with them.

Again, maybe a chain of Christian gyms would take off...who knows? (But I would bristle if such a gym told me what I couldn't wear to the gym!) I found this article.



NoShow -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 12:47:11 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Miss Giggles

But yeah just go, do your thing, go home. No one should be too hung up on what everyone else is doing/not doing. No ones going to remember the next day even if you do make a mistake.


I think what the point is, there are people that enjoy (or would like to)camaraderie, while working out. So they'd like to train in an atmosphere of likemindedness.

I probably can't explain it to many of you, because it's not something that interests you or that you've ever experienced. But with some competitive type of lifting, one has to be able to count on their training partners or fellow gym members, for things such as spotting. So one sort of has to "befriend" others and can't just come-do-their-thing-and-leave. So now we get to the point of the fellow members. Well in a lot of the more "hardcore" gyms, the machoism runs high. The attitudes can embrace performance enhancing drugs to casual conversations of sexual conquests to all-I've-accomplished-I've-done-myself (rather than praise the Lord). The music blaring often praises satan or is disrespectful to women. Some of the "groupie" women are looking for big strong men with muscles and dress in a manner that would give a Victoria Secrets catalog a run. Over the years, I've seen many of these places.

Sure many of you can say your gym isn't like that, but many of your gyms don't allow free weight Squats, Deadlifts, Snatches and\or chalk.

So someone interested in serious lifting, but not interested in an environment that has all those other things, would see the need for a "Christian gym".



his_chosen -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 3:08:11 PM)

Maybe it's the time of day you are going? I am usually in the pool by 6am, swim for 60-90mins, then go for a run or ride. That time of the day, it's all professionals working out before work.



csl7037 -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 3:41:10 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Konstantinos

as long as i find a gym that the trainers at least squat im happy.

i cant stand looking at the trainers or going to their gyms if they are too... you know


LOL!! I so know! [sm=eek.gif]


quote:

ORIGINAL: NoShow

I think what the point is, there are people that enjoy (or would like to)camaraderie, while working out. So they'd like to train in an atmosphere of likemindedness.

I probably can't explain it to many of you, because it's not something that interests you or that you've ever experienced. But with some competitive type of lifting, one has to be able to count on their training partners or fellow gym members, for things such as spotting. So one sort of has to "befriend" others and can't just come-do-their-thing-and-leave. So now we get to the point of the fellow members. Well in a lot of the more "hardcore" gyms, the machoism runs high. The attitudes can embrace performance enhancing drugs to casual conversations of sexual conquests to all-I've-accomplished-I've-done-myself (rather than praise the Lord). The music blaring often praises satan or is disrespectful to women. Some of the "groupie" women are looking for big strong men with muscles and dress in a manner that would give a Victoria Secrets catalog a run. Over the years, I've seen many of these places.

Sure many of you can say your gym isn't like that, but many of your gyms don't allow free weight Squats, Deadlifts, Snatches and\or chalk.

So someone interested in serious lifting, but not interested in an environment that has all those other things, would see the need for a "Christian gym".


NoShow, you're just in another league. [;)]

I'm still at my gym after 7 years purely for the camaraderie. It's an all-women's gym and I've made some of my best friends there. Having said that, I do understand your issue in that I'm somewhat limited at my gym. We've got one tiny rack of free weights but only a few people use them and I don't think anyone else does deadlifts. But I'm not at the level where I need a spot on anything except very rarely if I'm going to try something new. My dh has tried to get me to go to his gym where there's a lot more to work with. I just can't bring myself to change and can't get into the huge gym with guys making all their noises.



SteelMagnolia -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/2/2008 4:38:12 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: csl7037
I just can't bring myself to change and can't get into the huge gym with guys making all their noises.

LOL! That cracks me up!



csl7037 -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/3/2008 7:29:05 AM)

For anyone who doesn't want the gym-atmosphere, and doesn't mind spending some money, there are several supplement/nutrition shops in my little town who have section with equipment and the owner does training. I can think of at least three such places; two of them are owned by my dh's bodybuilder friends (one is training him now). My friend is also a personal trainer at my gym and also works with clients at a little place that only does personal training. I find it hard to believe there's enough business in my little suburban town for all of that but they seem to be doing really well. One guy in particular (my dh's friends' competition) seems to be making a killing! He's training half the moms at my kids' school. I want to tell them I'd have done the same thing for them for free. But I guess some people are more dedicated when it's costing them a small fortune.

Dh and I would both love to get certified but haven't take the time to study for the test. Dh is trying to get his "side business" to the point it could support us so that he could get a "fun job" which would either be personal training or teaching middle school. (which doesn't sound fun to me!) It would be an interesting concept to market a Christ-centered private gym.



Christianiron.com -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/5/2008 1:51:52 PM)

Wow,
I was not trying to open the can of worms I seem to have here. Kernsfamily, thanks, that's exactly what I'm looking for.
I'm not trying to say Christians should only workout in"Christian" gyms.
As was pointed out, I am a powerlifter, and many "hardcore" lifting gyms
promote steroid use and other negative things. I am just trying to provide alternatives for folks that are looking for such.
If you are A Christian training at a "secular gym" and perhaps being a witness, even just by haviong a good attitude, great. More power to you and God Bless.



hawknelsonismyfriend -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/5/2008 2:14:58 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: NoShow

quote:

ORIGINAL: stellaluna
Doesn't matter...everyone wears headphones.


No, not everyone wears headphones. And some gyms blast rap, punk music that is "hardcore" secular.

quote:


Work out clothes are work out clothes.


No, there's modest workout clothes and incredibly revealing workout clothes.

quote:


Not sure what that means in relation to a gym.


There are gyms where pecking orders are established. Where one is expected to give way to others that are bigger or stronger. Or where it's acceptable for fun to be made of, those that are weaker or fatter.

So a Christian-friendly gym could have Christian music playing, a dress code of modesty and not tolerant certain kinds of behavior.


This is ridiculous. A gym is a gym, you go to a good one and work out. People would look at you weird if you just went into a gym and started sing hymns.



Konstantinos -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/5/2008 2:25:13 PM)

quote:

So a Christian-friendly gym could have Christian music playing, a dress code of modesty and not tolerant certain kinds of behavior.


haha considering how most "christians" are i'd expect this to be kinda awful. worse than a "fitness" center.

now a "christian" gym thats hardcore. if i see that ill have seen it all

quote:

Yep, Stella, we just had a "Christian Diet" thread and I didn't know diets had a religion, but I was told they did, and so it must follow that gyms do too!


hahahaahahaha

quote:

here is music in the locker room, but I'm there to change only.


locker room. oh man, i hated that part about the first gym i went to. then i changed and i dont even go to the locker room of the one i go to now at all.. not that anyones naked(ewwwwwww whats wrong with them) in the one i go to now anyway but this one smells haha.

but yeah i go to the gym with my workout clothes so i dont need to change.

quote:

The OP, judging from his website, is a fan of the heavy iron. Unfortunately, most gyms that cater to that, have a very "crude" atmosphere in both the equipment and attitudes. Not what you would call Christian-friendly.


actually i prefer that over most gyms' mentality. the first can be annoying sometimes, but most of the time its encouraging.. you are lifting heavy iron.. you cant talk about being "healthy" and dont lift too much and get encouraged. the second now.. its just.. disgusting to me now. especially the trainers that dare to call themselves as such.

in anyway.. "christian" gym or not, in the end its the people there that make the difference. if anything im probably thinking if someday someone decides to call his gym a 'christian' one, eventually people will go that wont act so "christiany" and then as always unbelievers will call us hypocrites.

but yeah i get you

quote:

I don't know of any Christian gyms, but Bally's has a women-only workout room. That was kind of nice not having to worry about guys staring at my backside on the stairmaster.


whats a stairmaster? the elliptical machine?

i thought most girls did that to have guys watch . i didnt know there were girls that actually took it seriously.

quote:

Or work out at home.


that can be impossible for some people. especially if you live in the city in an apartment.

from the article:
quote:

I found this article.

quote:

Yurly said he is going to offer prayer groups and group fitness classes such as a yoga class called "Yo God."


pff hahaa that was ridiculous

quote:

Sure many of you can say your gym isn't like that, but many of your gyms don't allow free weight Squats, Deadlifts, Snatches and\or chalk.

So someone interested in serious lifting, but not interested in an environment that has all those other things, would see the need for a "Christian gym".


so true.

thankfully the gym i go to just doesnt allow letting the weights hit the floor. or generally to make too much noise.. but only cause there are people that live on the floor above that whine about it. the owner doesnt care.

quote:

Maybe it's the time of day you are going? I am usually in the pool by 6am, swim for 60-90mins, then go for a run or ride. That time of the day, it's all professionals working out before work.


no it has almost nothing to do with time of day. gyms that are like that attract people that are like that.

quote:

guys making all their noises.


oh we are not that bad.

i wish i could go to your husband's gym...

quote:

He's training half the moms at my kids' school. I want to tell them I'd have done the same thing for them for free. But I guess some people are more dedicated when it's costing them a small fortune.


women have an obsession with professionals. at least, most do. they seem to always value a doctor's opinion over anyone elses. they are always the one that will suggest counseling in a marriage problem instead of telling the couple to solve it on their own. etc...

funny though cause i believe you that you could have taught them all they wanted.. to hear. and even if some of them were serious you'd probably again teach them most things they need to know for a long time



Cloak -> RE: Christian friendly gyms & personal trainers? (5/5/2008 6:19:36 PM)

Most gyms have strict rules every member should adhere to. Otherwise one can file or report harassment. When I visited the gym in my area, I noticed they have many rules, regulations and guidelines. In case you feel that someone is pestering you, you may always report it to the manager or the one in charge of the gym or club.

However, I am inspired by this idea of having a Christian gym. It sounds really cool. May be we should consider. Being a visitor to a health club is not the same thing as someone who goes there on a regular basis.



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