Upamanyu Biswas
Netflix’s ‘Bad Thoughts‘ centers on madcap stories that delve into the dark side of humanity through a comical lens. While the show is littered with numerous standalone narratives, one of its more resonantly whacky storylines comes to the fore in the last episode, where we are introduced to a struggling professor named Hale, who wants to reinvent his life by embarking on a fitness journey. After getting a membership at the Hardcore Gym, Hale grows addicted to their pre-workout, which ends up having a significant impact on his physical features, specifically enlarging the size of his genitals. As he takes pride in his new sexual appeal, Hale finds immense success in bedding the opposite gender. However, it comes at a considerable price as he realizes that the Hardcore Gym pass may be too much to bear.
Hardcore Gym is a Fictional Gym at the Center of the Story
While Hardcore Gym plays a prominent role in one of the memorable storylines within ‘Bad Thoughts,’ it is essentially a fictional spot with no connection to reality. It is brought to life by creator Tom Segura, who plays the lead roles in most of the narratives, with help from the production team. Filming for the show took place in two regions – Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles, California. Both locations were utilized for different reasons and in varying capacities, such as for interior and exterior scenes. The latter was likely shot in and around the plentiful neighborhoods of LA, while the former is mainly recorded in Troublemaker Studios in Austin. Thus, it is likely that Hardcore Gym was crafted through a combination of on-location filming and intricate studio environments that lent the final glossy look.
Although there are no notable gyms named Hardcore Gym, it can be read as an indicator of the gym’s primary focus. Generally, a gym is classified as “Hardcore” based on its intense training schedules and adopting a no-nonsense approach to bodybuilding. In the show, Hardcore Gym seems to exhibit these qualities to an extent, as most of its regulars are exceptionally well-built and show the same signs of genital growth as Hale experiences himself. To that end, the name Hardcore is likely meant as a signifier of masculine traits and how men can go overboard to redefine their lives through their body image. This is personified by Hale’s changes in his social standing and sexual appeal while going to the gym. It is probably intended as a commentary on the overindulgent attitude towards fitness.
As the story progresses, Hardcore Gym becomes the backdrop of a lot of inner strife within Hale. While his genital growth initially seems like a great blessing, it quickly turns into a curse as the enlarging process continues without any signs of stopping. Eventually, Hale realizes that his body transformation is happening due to the pre-workout handed to him by the gym’s handler. He uses Hale’s insecurity to keep him addicted to the pre-workout, which eventually causes his genitalia to grow well beyond the norm, turning it into a burden. Desperate to find a solution, he dismembers the body part in the gym’s basement area, bringing a dark end to his story. Thus, despite being an excellent spot for turning his life around, Hardcore Gym becomes the living embodiment of Hale’s worst nightmare by the end.
Read More: Where is Bad Thoughts Filmed? Filming Locations of the Tom Segura Show
