Why have all gyms got the balance completely wrong between cardio and free weights?

I've not come across a single gym that has the balance right. Not even close to being right in fact. They have hundreds of treadmills, cross trainers, elliptical trainers etc. which are never more than 10-20% full (hence 80% of the machines are a complete waste of space). They have strange weights machines (which isolate particular muscle groups), most of which are empty all the time.

And yet the free weights section is absolutely rammed at virtually all times of day, with just 1 bench (almost always being used), 1 power rack (again, almost always in use) and 1 rack of dumbbells. With the 15kg-35kg almost always in use.

Why has every gym got it so badly wrong? You would think maybe one gym out there would understand...

Oh boy.

I never said cardio is bad, I said gym cardio. Cardio as a whole is more important than weight training. The fitness industry should be renamed to the lifting/cosmetic industry.

If you want to do cardio go for a run or a walk or a cycle or swim. So many better outdoor alternatives. Gym is for weight training which has it's place

People who drive to the gym to run on the treadmill are unbelievable.

I know you meant gym cardio, that is why I mentioned elliptical/stationary bike. I also said that although other activities might be more efficient, it is only worth it if people can be consistent at it. I completely agree things like a run is better than an elliptical, but I have met people who managed to use an elliptical everyday months end, but could only probably keep up running a week or just a month - that is why gym cardio isn't bad in my opinion, it is something that more people are able to keep at (instead of just watching Netflix everyday).

Of course gym cardio is better than sitting on your arse all day. But physical locomotion will always trump machine usage. I would actually prefer it if gyms were outside. Fresh air in irreplaceable

It doesn't get enough use to justify all the machines. Hence 10-20% of machines are in use even at peak times (did you even read what I wrote?).

They have got it wrong in terms of making money. Although in my opinion, they don't want to attract the type of person who uses weights. They'd rather take a small hit financially, than attract lots of meathead lifters by adding more weights.

Stop spending 11 quid a month on a gym membership then and go somewhere decent.

If you use a commercial gym (pure gym, virgin, david lloyds, etc.) they cater for the cardio market, because that's what women want. They want to turn up, do half an hour on a bike and walk around in their lycra.

Join a proper gym, and you'll find 2 tread mills, and a load of plates, and some woman behind the counter selling you steroids that you buy because she's got bigger arms and pecks than you'll ever have.

Commercial gyms are more expensive that the hardcore lifting ones.

It doesn't get enough use to justify all the machines. Hence 10-20% of machines are in use even at peak times (did you even read what I wrote?).They have got it wrong in terms of making money. Although in my opinion, they don't want to attract the type of person who uses weights. They'd rather take a small hit financially, than attract lots of meathead lifters by adding more weights.