I can see a rule against shouting (especially shouting "it's all you") and yelling, but grunting is a natural noise that occurs under heavy strain with a great number of people.
...grunting is a natural noise that occurs under heavy strain with a great number of people.
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Exactly. I consider myself rather ladylike, but if I have been known to grunt when lifting something very, very heavy. At the gym, it is not a problem because I work on the machines, and I don't go that far beyond my comfort zone in terms of weights.
I think what another freeper said here is true. Grunting is seen as too male, and, therefore, would be viewed as intimidating to the women in the place (to the girly men, too, I suppose.)
Interesting side note: I recall reading something quite a number of years ago about a study that looked at what role was played by grunting in the lifting of a heavy object. The study concluded that the grunting actually helped the lifter to perform better.