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Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 01:02 PM Jan 2018

Fitness chain bans cable news networks as part of healthy way of life

Source: Washington Post


By Samantha Schmidt January 9 at 4:54 AM

With the start of the new year, scores of Americans are rushing to their local gyms, resolving to get a head start on a healthier routine.

For some, particularly amid today’s high-velocity news cycle, this daily routine may involve hitting a treadmill or elliptical machine while catching up on cable TV networks.

But one nationwide fitness chain has decided that the combination of cardio and cable news does not align with a “healthy way of life.”

Life Time Fitness, a Minnesota-based gym chain, has decided to eliminate all national cable network news stations from the TV screens at its 128 fitness centers in the U.S. and Canada. The removed channels include CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and CNBC, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/01/09/fitness-chain-has-banned-cable-news-networks-as-part-of-healthy-way-of-life/?utm_term=.7cbd6592ba72

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Fitness chain bans cable news networks as part of healthy way of life (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jan 2018 OP
I wish restuarants would follow this model... Ferrets are Cool Jan 2018 #1
and doctors' waiting rooms. DinahMoeHum Jan 2018 #2
Yes, that too. nm Ferrets are Cool Jan 2018 #3
And automotive repair shops / quickie oil change shops Cirque du So-What Jan 2018 #6
That drives me nuts. I've noticed that the ones with Faux Noise on, lagomorph777 Jan 2018 #13
Hotel breakfast areas too. Really a bummer when trying to have a nice quiet weekend vacation away harun Jan 2018 #10
I am fine with this. Freethinker65 Jan 2018 #4
Excellent idea Phoenix61 Jan 2018 #5
Phoenix .. you're a great person. But I don't know if I can follow you on this one. ha ha YOHABLO Jan 2018 #9
I bet most never had M$NBC available on their tiers. BumRushDaShow Jan 2018 #7
Nope, I think it's a stupid idea. I like watching MSNBC while on the treadmill. We're paying for it YOHABLO Jan 2018 #8
Agree RobinA Jan 2018 #12
How about PBS and NPR? The others are mostly brain marinade. Hortensis Jan 2018 #18
Years ago, a privately-owned gym I wnet to did this obamanut2012 Jan 2018 #11
Oh, good idea. Good animal documentaries too. Hortensis Jan 2018 #20
The Gorilla Channel might be a good substitute... brooklynite Jan 2018 #14
I might go to the gym! sinkingfeeling Jan 2018 #15
I wish my gym would follow suit crazycatlady Jan 2018 #16
The clinic I go to switched from CNN nitpicker Jan 2018 #17
That's my gym. At least one TV always had Fox on it. I always assumed WhoWoodaKnew Jan 2018 #19

Ferrets are Cool

(21,063 posts)
1. I wish restuarants would follow this model...
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 01:06 PM
Jan 2018

If I see faux news on a tv in a restaurant, I ask them to change it or seat me where I cannot see it. If they will not comply, I leave.

Cirque du So-What

(25,812 posts)
6. And automotive repair shops / quickie oil change shops
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 01:29 PM
Jan 2018

I once told an oil change skop owner that I wouldn't be back due to his insistence upon running faux nooz on the TV.

lagomorph777

(30,613 posts)
13. That drives me nuts. I've noticed that the ones with Faux Noise on,
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 04:54 PM
Jan 2018

are the most dishonest as well. So yeah, moved on to smarter shops.

harun

(11,348 posts)
10. Hotel breakfast areas too. Really a bummer when trying to have a nice quiet weekend vacation away
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 02:28 PM
Jan 2018

from home with the family and they have that nonsense blasting away when I am trying to wake up
while eating some continental breakfast.

Luckily most won't put on Fox.

Freethinker65

(9,933 posts)
4. I am fine with this.
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 01:16 PM
Jan 2018

Provide WiFi and let users listen to their own media, or perhaps just unplug for bit while at the gym.

Phoenix61

(16,952 posts)
5. Excellent idea
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 01:18 PM
Jan 2018

Not to mention there are studies that show the level of exercise is lower when people watch tv while exercising.

RobinA

(9,878 posts)
12. Agree
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 04:52 PM
Jan 2018

It's not like people have to watch this stuff while exercising. I would agree with a ban in restaurants and such. There you can't tune it out.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
18. How about PBS and NPR? The others are mostly brain marinade.
Wed Jan 10, 2018, 08:35 AM
Jan 2018

Can't watch Farid Zakaria and a couple others all the time. Fox is designed to pickle, of course.

Agree with the entertainment value, but!

Before you disagree, just what did a couple million viewers learn from over a week of 24/7 blanket coverage of the Las Vegas killings on CNN, almost as much on MSNBC trying to compete, and the wedge issues their coverage moved on to (as usual) in further milking of emotions for profit?

Versions of this continue every week as marketing experts agree on the most profitable topic to focus on. It permeates everything but is at its very worst in daytime programming, which is all filled with low-budget "very thoughtful people" reciting the simplistic group-think required for those gigs.

On the plus side, only about 15% of the electorate watches more than 10 minutes a day.

obamanut2012

(25,911 posts)
11. Years ago, a privately-owned gym I wnet to did this
Tue Jan 9, 2018, 02:48 PM
Jan 2018

It allowed only the Travel Channel, History Channel, Bravo, and ESPN. That was it, because of people both fighting with one another about what was on the news, or because it upset them (this was after the invasion of Iraq). It was so nice! I may suggest this to my current gym.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
20. Oh, good idea. Good animal documentaries too.
Wed Jan 10, 2018, 08:57 AM
Jan 2018

Seriously, even though I know better, with all these amazing events I'm once again turning on more cable to feed the fascination. Then on turning to positive stories about an amazing world, it actually feels healthy, like leaving a bad place where only bad things happen to discover that wasn't the real world, that sunshine and fresh air still exist.

WhoWoodaKnew

(847 posts)
19. That's my gym. At least one TV always had Fox on it. I always assumed
Wed Jan 10, 2018, 08:50 AM
Jan 2018

that a member had requested it or they were trying to be fair. I'm really glad they're turning it all off. I go there to get away from news/politics/etc.

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