Commentary

Health Club Forbids Cable News, Politics Too Controversial

by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, January 10, 2018

A major health-club chain based in Minneapolis -- Life Time Athletic -- has removed all national cable TV news channels from its TV screens, wanting a more family-friendly environment.

The company says there were major complaints across the country from its members about these channels, given their politically charged content.

Though a “cool” medium, TV offers motivation for various activities.

Now, your treadmill run, spinning workout or cross-training moves may have to find other inspiration. Wondering whether sultry afternoon soap operas would work in place of snarky political commentary? (Hey, you at the bench press! No grunting!)

I’m wondering what the rule is for one’s portable media device -- smartphones or tablets. If someone screams at a cable TV news programs’ news anchor, analyst, or other politico while on a steep hill climb, will he/she be ejected from the club?

What about bone-crunching NFL or college football, which often entails some unfortunate soul carried out on a stretcher? Is this considered "family friendly"’?

If the workout takes place on a weekday afternoon, confrontational talk shows -- such as Maury Povich, Jerry Springer or Steve Wilkos -- may be off limits, as well.

Are crazy-ass, hyped-up characters on these shows the model of family-friendly TV content? Guessing body slams from the WWE are OK, as well as the original sport where competitors can take a heavy head beating: boxing.

Will any health club restrict some TV networks? What about an in-house TV system that also sells local advertising avails? In that regard, I suggest those gyms find the highest-rated content to give their local TV advertisers the best impact for their campaigns.

Customers may have a take on where fake news really comes from -- but they should never fake fitness.

health and fitness, out-of-home, politics, tv

2 comments about "Health Club Forbids Cable News, Politics Too Controversial".

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Stephen Block from Amazon Partners, January 10, 2018 at 11:34 a.m.
Wayne, as a Lifetime Fitness member, I just noticed this week that the Fox, CNN and MSNBC channels had all been replaced with other nothing-worth-watching channels. I would have liked it if your article included more than that simple fact and your thoughts. Other than the facts contained in the first two sentances, I missed it if you had any insights into the broader meaning.
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Michael Margolies from Michael Margolies Photography & Design, January 10, 2018 at 2:46 p.m.

Are there a lot of little kids working out that the content needs to be family friendly? I doubt it.

Sounds like a PC PR answer to drop content because a small percentage of people did not like one or the other. A reminder of why I don't go to that gym chain. I don't need the gym censoring my news consumption.

I do wonder which channel was they one the felt was unfit for families? FOX, MSNBC, or CNN? It would go far in explaining where the companies politics really lay.