Grunting. That noise you make when digging deep to exert physical force. Some of us do it when opening a pesky pickle jar, some when they are trying to bench press their bodyweight. The Williams sisters made grunting cool in tennis, long after Monica Seles became the most famous female grunter and created controversy with her particular brand of tennis noise, a half scream/half groan every time she hit the ball. Noise-making while engaged in sporting pursuits is not limited to tennis. Weightlifters are notorious for making grunts, groans, or even hissing noises while engaged in their craft. Heck, I’ve groaned in yoga when a particular sequence was very challenging. Vocalizing effort is part of the natural cycle of energy output for some, but how much is too much?
Jaime Fisher, fitness director with the YMCA in Frederick, MD, notes that in her experience, there is productive and counterproductive workout noise. Noise that is a byproduct of effort which directly ties in to the task at hand and is relatively short in duration is normal and appropriate. Where her instinct is to discourage willful noise, Fisher admits that in in some circumstances, a grunt or growl “unleashes your inner warrior” and can help to psych a person up for something strenuous or difficult. She is quick to remind that noise that is disruptive, repetitive, and annoying to other members is something that needs to be checked.
Fisher is not alone in her assessment, but it can be a tight line to walk. Planet Fitness attracted media attention back in 2006 for asking a member to leave after he refused to comply with their “no grunting” policy. A Manhattan studio was left with legal issues to sort out in 2007 when one member allegedly attacked another over his overly loud participation during a cycling…
