Equinox Gym and 24 Hours Fitness - Essay Example

These Two Places Differ: Equinox Gym and 24 Hours Fitness I. The point of comparison in this essay is to illustrate that people behaves differently in different places. To illustrate this differences, this paper will take the example of; Equinox fitness center and 24 hours gym Due to the differing resource requirements in enrolling in these two fitness centers, it will be inevitable that the people who will frequent to this gym will be categorized according to financial capacity. The economic disparity of these people will become obvious in this setting and this will translate to their interactions, norms and behaviors which will become a basis of comparison how people differ in different places. The Place The places of comparison will be the two fitness centers Equinox and 24 hours gym. Equinox gym caters to the higher end of the market and membership is very expensive. In contrast, 24 hours gym caters to the lower end of the market and caters to the mass market. II. Their differences a. The people Due to the huge disparity of the economic requirements of these two gyms, the people who frequents there can easily be categorized according to their income status. The people who goes to Equinox are typically professionals, business people, some entertainers and their dependents. They are typically well-off and rich and sports with designer clothes during work out. The people in Equinox gym have more choices where to train other than the present gym because of the choices that their economic capacity commands. The type of people who frequents at the 24 hours gym are typically those who belong in the low bracket income and sometimes the unemployed who take fitness to occupy their time. Their choice where to train is limited because budget is a major consideration to them. Their choices are often limited to those similarly priced gym and will have difficulty in moving up to gyms like Equinox because the resource requirements of gyms like Equinox will take toll on their resources. b. The interaction of people Due to their different economic standing, the interaction of people vary significantly. In equinox, it is observed that people there talks more about their work and business. Sometimes, the gym itself is made as a place to establish business connection. Conversations outside work typically revolves about the latest fad and hobbies like opinions on the latest model of cars, new places to visit, what’s in and what’s out. With regard to their dependents, it is observed that their conversations revolves around fun and how to enjoy life. They usually talk about gadgets and what’s “cool” today. It is also noticed that people in Equinox are more protocol consicous and more polite compared to those who are in 24 hours fitness gym. In contrast, people at Equinox talks more about issues. Especially on when will this economic crisis will end to make things better. They also talk about their everyday concerns on how to budget their resources and their worries of not being able to settle mortgages. Slang terms are also common and people are not very concern about decorum and propriety. c. Openness to stranger It is observed that people in Equinox fitness center are more guarded compared to those who are in 24 hours fitness gym. They are more reserved and seldomly talk to people that they do not know unless it is necessary. It does not mean however that they are not nice because they are very cordial with people they know. The people in 24 hours gym are more positively open to strangers. People who goes to the 24 hours gym has some sort of camaraderie where strangers are in social terms with other gym goers. Anybody can ask anybody about something and it seems common to ask fellow gym goers for help like “spotting” in bench press regimen. This cannot be observed in Equinox gym. People there tend to socialize only with the people they know and one cannot ask the other for a help like “spotting”. Perhaps it is because they are careful not to demean other people there by asking favors considering their economic standing. Instead, there are assistants and trainers who help the people who trains at Equinox fitness center. During work out, the atmosphere in Equinox fitness center feels like “mind your own business” whereas there seem to be a sense of community in 24 hours gym where people talks about their fitness programs and anything about the gym and their lives. They are more open to talk about their personal lives whereas it seems to be a guarded secret in the Equinox fitness center. d. On eating This may sound as a trivial observation but people in 24 hours gym are comfortable eating in the premises of the gym. Some even chews something while working out. And this is perfectly acceptable in the gym. On the other hand, none can be seen eating in the work out premises of the Equinox fitness center. There is a designated area for eating and although it was not seen yet, it is more likely that eating in the gym premises will be frowned upon more especially if one is eating while working out. One aspect in eating that is observably different with the two is the “conscousness” of what they eat in these two gyms. In Equinox fitness center, people who goes there are very conscious on what they eat to the point that they count the calorie content in it. They also avoid sugars. They are also averse to fats and oily food. When they are about to eat something they not familiar of, they have the tendency to ask their trainers whether they are healthy or not. In contrast, people in 24 hours gym does not give that much importance about calorie content and fats and just eat what they like. Chocolates are seen as a delicious food whereas it is being avoided at Equinox fitness being as a “sin food” even by those who are thin. e. The norm Perhaps the cliche that the more people progresses in life, the more layers are added to their personality because this applies to the people of Equinox fitness center. Its is observed that people in Equinox fitness center are more respectful and polite. They do not make unnecessary noises when they engage in exercise. People in 24 hours gym however can sometimes be overbearing because they are not very considerate about protocols. This is understandable because some of its gym patrons are less educated with some unemployed who goes to the gym to occupy their time. There is also one important thing which is worth mentioning in the Equinox fitness center which is the subconscious imposition of the norm of the rich. Even without talking, one would feel that he or she as to conform on the status of being “rich”. Cheap things are normally frowned upon and even ignored that would result to one being alienated in the place. f. Behaviors There is also a difference with regard to behavioral expectation and how long people who exercises in the gym stays. In Equinox fitness center, it is assumed that people can afford and as such, when services are offerred, price are seldomly mentioned. After workout, it is also observed that people rarely stay and immediately goes somewhere. This is the opposite in 24 hours gym. People there stays longer even after their work out either to chat or just to “hang around”. It is understandable because there are unemployed and less busy people who goes at 24 hours gym who has more time to spare. In offering additional services like massage,sauna, etch, the additional cost associated with the service is a major consideration where it is non-issue in Equinox fitness center. g. Hierarchy In Equinox fitness center, hierarchy is still observed but not on how long one have stayed or worked out in the gym but rather on one’s standing in their respective profession or his/hereconomic value. It seems that the structure in the office and business are being extended to the gym because respect and consideration are more accorded to those who are more successful and richer even if they are a newbie in the gym. In 24 fitness gym, the hierarchy of the old timers versus the newbies is adhered to. Also, more esteem is being accorded to those who have achieved a great muscular body. The old timers are more dominant and is usually given preference when two people are going to use the same machine. People who are fit in Equinox fitness center are still being admired. But not in a sense that he or she is being placed on top of the hierarchy, unlike in 24 hours gym where it can be a basis for being on top of the gym hierarchy. Also, what is important in the Equinox fitness center is considered unimportant in 24 hours gym. Maybe because there are really no bossess who goes there or people there just do not care about one’s social status. h. Rules Generally, the people in Equinox fitness intuitevely knows the rules in the gym and follow them. As stated earlier, they are more protocol conscious and generally “polite and respectful” by nature. Perhaps this was brought by higher educational attainment and learned decorum in their workplace and business that they have subconsciously brought it with them when they work out in the gym. The management of Equinox gym seemed to know this because nowhere in the area of the gym where rules are boldly stated but only on the papers they signed when they applied for membership. This is not to say however that people in 24 hours fitness gym are rule violaters of the gym. But because they put less premium on decorum, there are people who breaks the rule by using the equipments where they are not intended for. For example, equipments that has signage “for repair and not to be used” are still being used. Also, the house rules of the gym are imposed in the facilities through obvious signages to remind those who work out what the house rules are. i. Ways that they are different There are many ways that the people who goes into the Equinox fitness center differs from the those who goes to 24 hours gym. The first glaring difference is their economic status. The people who goes into Equinox fitness gym are obviously well off and classy. They go to the gym sporting the latest car model. If not, those which are of the expensive type. They wear designer clothes and is conscious of the facilities of the gym. Their needs are complex because it goes beyond using the gym. There has to be a nice shower, sauna and spacious lounges and lockers. They are quite sophisticated also. Their conversation revolves around the higher plane of talk like public affairs, business, trends and about who’s who. In contrast, people in the 24 hours gym talk about their worry in life and generally talks about the everyday life. Seldom are public affairs discussed, nor business or what the trends in business are. They also do not care about who’s who in society. But people in 24 hours gym are observed to be more open towards others. They can be easily approached and also easily approaches others. This is not to say that people in Equinox fitness center are unapproachable. But the norm and body language of the people their seem to be reserved and less open. The people who goes at 24 hours gym are also easier to please in terms of facility and service. Basically, they just want a place where they can work out and not that conscious about other amenities such as nice shower, sauna or lounges. These other amenities might be unimportant to those people who goes to 24 hours gym but they are very important to the Equinox fitness center people. Finally, for those who frequents at 24 hours gym, the establishment is really just for working out. But it is quite different for those who are in Equinox fitness center. The establishment is also being used to meet people where those who goes there can make business, transact, or make connections with. Perhaps this difference is being brought about by the fact that those who are in 24 hours gym are salaried employees whose business ends after work. Whereas those people in Equinox fitness center are business people and professional where the nature of their industry requires them to make connections. From this observation, it can be gleaned that the interaction in 24 hours gym is based more on personal connection, of having the same interest or likeness. Whereas, interactions in Equinox fitness center is more utilitarian because more relationships are based on professional relationship, business dealings, or potential connection. Personal connection like shared interest and mutual liking are secondary. Read More