Now, I know this isn’t a Vegan related blog entry, but I think that it’s high time I let out my feelings towards the gym. Actually, the gym itself I love. People can go there to get healthier, stronger, and more confident. You can relieve stress, make friends, and learn more about yourself. But, what I have a problem with is the different types of people that like to attend the gym.
The lurker/I’m-forced-to-be-here:
This lovely person is usually here because somebody else is there, like their ride, or because they were told that they need to be here. This person takes more time drinking water from the fountain, than some people do to run a marathon. They aren’t there to work out; they are there to constantly stand in the way of people who ARE working out. They can also be found on the stretching mats, either to stretch (after walking for 5 minutes) doing 1 sit up a minute, or just plain sitting there. My message to you: Learn to love it (for those that are forced) are get a better hiding spot. Hiding in the children’s area is not only a terrible hiding spot, but you also might get mistaken for a pedophile.
New Years Revolutionists:
Ah, it’s late February and some of these still exist. The person you see running on the elliptical at a 0% elevation level for 60 minutes (when the signs all clearly state that the machines are to only be used for 30 minutes during peak hours), who also decided doing any sort of research on productive weight loss would be a waste, so they have no idea what they’re doing is this person. I think it’s great when people make goals for themselves; except for when it comes to New Year’s Resolutions. These are the goals made by people who realize that they haven’t accomplished much this last year, and that this year will be the year…until about this time. The gyms are clearing of most of these people as they pack up their brand new Pink running pants in their Nike bag with their UnderArmor sweater (that never was used because they’ve only gone to a gym.) Those that are dedicated will stay, and I applaud them. They no longer are classified in this category; they are trying, keep trying, and are no longer taking up the elliptical for that stupid 0% incline. They are the few that made it past the first 8 weeks, and they say it takes 8 weeks to form a habit. My message to you: Keep trying! Form the habit!! You will almost never regret going to the gym (except for those that experience the pain pinching your fingers in-between two weights… that’s worth the regret.) But, if you’re going to try, accept the advice and assistance people try to give you, we all want everybody to succeed.
The Inexperienced-but-still-won’t-accept-help:
I’m two sided on this, mainly because everybody has to start somewhere. I’ve been going for almost a year now, and I still become a flaccid spaghetti noodle when I go to deadlift. My issue isn’t the inexperienced, it’s the ones who are offered help, especially on their form, and decline it because they, for some unknown reason, think that they know what they’re talking about. Usually this comes from reading a caption in a magazine, or seeing somebody else do it. What a lot of newer people don’t realize is that if you do anything right, it’s your form. If you don’t have proper form, you can get seriously injured, which later turns into an extreme hatred for the gym and all of its occupants. If you are one of the inexperienced, and somebody tells you to keep your back straight the entire time you are doing rows, I’d listen to them. Especially if they have muscles; it usually means they’ve been doing something right. The other reason these headstrong figures of noodles (I’m forever calling people who have little muscle tone noodles, which includes myself.) irritate me is the same as the 60-minute-elliptical-users. They take a lot of time to figure out one exercise, from a print out, or a magazine, they aren’t actually getting much of a workout. If you are offered a chance to workout with a group, why aren’t you taking it? You might not like their complete routine, but it gives you a base to start off with. My message to you: Take any advice about form; I’m not saying take all advice because I was advised to bench 3 times a week and all it did was make me irritated, not stronger. Also, if you’re doing something, and there’s a pinching feeling in your joints, bones, or tendons, ask for some help. You might be using the wrong weight, performing with bad form, or simply doing it wrong altogether. This can help you avoid injury, and that is a very important goal.
Old Yeller:
You know who you are. You are the person who can’t lift a weight from the rack without crying out in pure muscular excitement. The idea of your muscles all working in unison excites you so much that every single rep gets its own shout of exhilaration. I bet you think that it makes you look stronger, more intense; it doesn’t. Not only does this annoy the crap out of 90% of the people at the gym (we’ll talk about the other 10% next), but I’m pretty sure it makes some of the newer people act as if there’s about to be a bear attack. We get it, you’re hardcore, you drink protein shakes every hour because if you don’t your muscles will just drip away, and you spend more time at the gym than with a girlfriend (or boyfriend, I’ve seen a couple girls who do this.) However, every time you do this, I am the person who is lifting next to you laughing my head off. That’s right, I (and others) laugh at you. Every time. My message to you: Try to contain it to only every once in a while if you absolutely must yell, or try to just not do it at all. If you need a pair of socks to go into your mouth to make you stop, just ask, and I’ll give you a pair.
Mr. iPod:
I don’t care about your music, you shouldn’t care about mine. That’s why you most likely have a pair of headphones on. But, in case you didn’t notice, that means I shouldn’t be able to hear your music from across the gym (yes, even with the yellers in the background.) But then there’s the special 10% of the gym that should probably get their own area with padded walls and plushy weights. Why? Because you are so entranced in the latest song that came out that you become a danger to yourself and, much more importantly, to everybody else around you. I had somebody walk into me the other day. Straight up, walk into me. My Message to You: Turn it down. I really think that’s the biggest issue. If you turn it down, you can hear a lot of the noises around you, making you more attentive. If a fire broke out, we’d lose 10% of our gym members because they wouldn’t even notice, and that’s just sad.
“MINE MINE MINE!!!” Man:
This one I’m partially guilty for, and I’ll admit it. But, I’ve realized it and I’ve changed my ways as much as possible. The mine-mine-mine-man or woman knows what they’re doing, does it well, and can even educate a lot of us mere mortals on a lot of the different ways to work different muscles. But, where they fault is their location; it’s everywhere. This person uses 8 different machines in rotation, trying to do a circuit or superset or something. I understand where they are coming from, and a lot of the time, it’s brilliant. However, our gyms are becoming more packed (due to one closing and all around crappy weather.) and there isn’t any new equipment coming in. But, the cherry on the protein-filled cake in this one is when the 3M-man decides that, even though he isn’t actually on a bench, you can’t touch it. He’ll get back there, and you had better not be there when he does. My message to you: Once again, I understand where you are coming from. Try to plan your workout around the idea of only using 2 different things at once, a bench and maybe the Smith Machine. And don’t get so possessive, that’s just plain rude sometimes.
Overall, the gym is a fun place to be at and I’m sure other people out there could find something to complain about that I do (12 bathroom breaks an hour anybody???) but these are the things that all around are usually agreed on.
Have an awesome Vegan Day!! I’m going to the gym now!
