[siglesias]

A while back when I noticed that many upscale gyms were offering high-calorie workout smoothies, shakes and bars. When I did the math, it happened that most of them would completely obliterate whatever workout you had just done (assuming your goal was calorie deficit)...thus prolonging the need for the gym.

[semitones]

I see your reasoning but disagree with it being an example of the shirky principle.

Even once you get "really fit" you don't stop needing the gym, so I don't think "prolonging the need for the gym" is something a gym can actually do, or would want to do. If anything, it's the most fit people that have the most consistent gym habits.

On the contrary, to go off on your example, it might actually be _against_ the gym's interest to serve high calorie smoothies, the reason being that those pursuing a calorie deficit are likely to become discouraged by the lack of results over time, and would be more likely to abandon the gym altogether.

Gyms are usually optimized for weightlifting and equipment-based exercises, which typically lean more towards performance and hypertrophy/strength training, in which case you need high-calorie nutrient-dense foods to be able to actually see results.

However, yes, if you go there for a Zumba session to try to lose weight and then you have three smoothies, you are still gonna be gaining weight. (I'd argue this is still _not_ in the gym's best interest)

[tracerbulletx]

Eh plenty of people are trying to bulk and those things are for them. I doubt that's a conspiracy, gyms want people who either pay and don't go, or if they do go they're probably more likely to stay if they get results than if they don't.