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I guess it has taken me 5 days to simmer after reading the ridiculous editorial featured in the Fairfax press last week end by Jacqueline Maley: Is the Gym Making Us Fat?

Did you miss it? Well sit down and here is the story.

In a world where obesity is literally killing people . . . where medical systems are screwed because of sick people . . . and where people are looking for ANY excuse not to exercise this crap is churned out.

It was obvious she hasd an axe to grind when she says, “I also  happen to truly believe they [gyms] are useless and stupid; overpriced temples to vanity.” Well Ms Maley, there would be over 2 million Aussies that would challenge you on this statement as they enter for a work out at some stage today.

I will give you some credit, gyms have not stemmed the expansion of the average Aussie’s waistline. Unlike Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Sure Slim, Tony Ferguson and others gyms do not say this is the only thing they offer.

If people follow a balanced diet and exercise weight will come off. There is plenty of research to prove that – did you name any of this Ms Maley?

You poor misguided fool when you describe Zumba “a self-esteem-destroying form of exercise that is a cross  between Latin dancing and those convulsions Haitian witch doctors make when  they’re possessed by spirits.” Where is your research now? You would have found that this form of activity has got more people physically active than any other activity. It is very popular amongst women of all ages and deomgraphics.

Your Kilojoule example is right in your next paragraph: The problem, of course, is that once you’ve done the run, you feel you  deserve the wine, or the pizza, or the ice-cream, or – dammit, why not? -  all of it.”

So then tell me Ms Maley where in this statement is the gym responsible? And how? Are you expecting the gyms to walk you home feed you and tuck you into bed, ensuring no excess intake?

Oh please!

Gyms provide a far safer environment to exercise than outdoors with the ability to ask a trainer professional. That would be a good reason to stay in doors. and as humans look for any excuse NOT to exercise, how would you suggest Aussies who don’t want to get wet or go out in to the winter cold exercise?

Your editoiral indicates you are a bitter and twistered journo who has crawled out from your rock and realised there are lots of healthy people who exercise in gyms. But you don’t have the self-discipline to stick with a program. Rather than seek some professional help so that at a worst case sceneria your weight stays the same and at the best case you improve your heart health and reduce the risk of cancer and mental ilness, it is easier for you ridicule the millions of Aussies who enjoy gong to a gym.

Wake up Ms Maley!

FYI – not sure any gym would want you to join them anyway!