To say that America is going through something of a turbulent time would be a pretty massive understatement. For the past few years, we've been inundated with all sorts of political, social, racial, and violent upheaval that feels like it's been happening almost daily.
Every time you turn on the news, it's pretty easy to feel like you're being inundated with nothing but bad news and depressing revelations, no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on. People are unhappy, people are getting hurt, and most of all, people are getting worn out from constantly being exposed to it.
A big factor at play here is the 24-hour news cycle that's been embraced by all major news networks for decades now, as it means that at no time is your televised or online newsfeed not being inundated with whatever the latest breaking story is. In short, it can feel like it's impossible to escape.
Well, pretty soon you'll actually be able to get a break from it all by heading to your local Life Time Fitness location, as the nationwide chain is effectively banning the showing of cable news in their facilities. Why, you may ask? According to them, it's for our own good...
According to a spokesperson for Life Time Fitness, all 128 locations nationwide will soon be banning the showing of any cable news channel on their TVs. This is because the "consistently negative or politically charged content" show on these channels conflicts with the company's "healthy way of life philosophy."
The statement continues, explaining that "It always is our goal to meet the majority of members' expressed requests and we believe this change is consistent with the desires of overall membership as well as our healthy way of life philosophy."
Our perspective on the recent tv programming change in our clubs. pic.twitter.com/r81EQFjZdE
— Life Time (@lifetimefitness) January 4, 2018
From the sounds of it, people were complaining about being subjected to the news during their workout, and the chain has taken these complaints into heavy consideration before making its decision.
The Chanhassen, Minnesota-based chain has removed CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and CNBC from its televisions. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, USA, A&E, Discovery, HGTV, ESPN and local over-the-air stations remain.
What do you think of Life Time Fitness's decision to take cable news programs off their TVs?
