Critical Reasoning: Paradox Questions

Many people start working out in a gym in order to become fitter. When surveyed a month after joining the gym, a large majority of these people report a high level of satisfaction with having joined a gym although the typical gym member gains, on average, 3 pounds in the first month after joining the gym.

Which of the following resolves the seeming discrepancy described above?

Correct! [[snippet]] This answer choice clears everything up - if working out makes you lose fat but gain muscles, it explains why most people who wanted to get fit are happier, even though they put on 3 pounds on average. That's three pounds of muscle!

Incorrect.

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This answer choice basically repeats the information provided by the second premise. Stating that the large majority of people are satisfied means that the rest of the people - a small minority - are unsatisfied.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice is irrelevant to the argument. Since the topic of physical injury is not discussed, it cannot help us resolve the paradox.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice actually strengthens the discrepancy as it further validates one of the seemingly contradicting premises. It does so by stating that another survey showed the same thing.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice actually emphasizes the paradox - if weight loss is the only way a gym can satisfy its members, then how can gaining weight still leave those members satisfied?

Not all people surveyed were satisfied with their gyms.

Working out in a gym increases muscle tissue and decreases fat tissue, which improves one's fitness.

People that are new to working out in a gym are not more prone to physical injury than those that are experienced members.

A similar survey conducted among gym members two months after they had joined a gym had very similar results.

The only reason for satisfaction with a gym is the amount of weight lost after joining it.