MF Poll: Negative Reinforcement
Could you be insulted and belittled into getting fit? One outrageous Denver gym owner has built a thriving enterprise saying, "Yes, you can, chubby."
by Megan Michelson | photo by David Clifford
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"It's not my job to kiss your ass," says Anti-Gym owner Michael Karolchyk. "If you want positive reinforcement, go to Richard Simmons or Oprah. Both of them are fat and make millions of dollars by making fat people feel good about themselves."
Karolchyk's style of extreme negative reinforcement--complete with degrading insults, embarrassing nicknames and throwing toy fish at clients--has garnered both praise and criticism.
What the Experts Say
YES: Jack Raglin, Ph.D., a professor at Indiana University's kinesiology department: "Negative feedback and the threat of punishment is a very strong motivator for behavior, and some people thrive on that," Raglin says. "There are people who are motivated by the stick more than the carrot."
NO: Roland Carlstedt, Ph.D., chairman of the American Board of Sports Psychology: "The key to successful training and results is tailoring routines and techniques to each individual," says Carlstedt. "Punishment is not the best way to enhance performance and motivate," he says.
POLL: What Do You Think?
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For more about Michael Karolchyck and his Anti-Gym, pick up the February 2009 issue of Men's Fitness, on newsstands now. |
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