At the Gym

For about 2 months now, I've been going to the gym religiously in an effort to build up my strength and endurance. Why ? you ask... Because I could....Things were a little slow at work, and this was a good way to keep my sanity.

This is actually my second foray into the gym - the first one having been a rather unsuccessful stint some 10 years ago - when I also worked out with a personal trainer. She was nine months pregnant, I felt confident that she would not push me into doing really difficult stuff.

This time was different - I was committed to make the most of the time available to me, and I was going to work out and give it my very best. My selection of trainer was based on who was in the gym at the time I wanted to work out. I ended up with a Young man who participates in body building shows - ok his name is Young and perhaps his attitude - he just placed first in a contest of body builders over 55! His military like demeanor is a far cry from my 9 months pregnant teacher from 10 years ago.

Going to the gym 6 days a week plus cardio, even someone as non-observant as me starts to notice people.

Like the 3 stooges - Larry, Curly and Moe or is it Darryl, Darryl and Darryl that come in every morning. Darryl has a hearing aid, Darryl is hard of hearing and the third Darryl is practicing to be in a show, and training his other two buddies. So their conversation is generally loud. Most of the time it is amusing - but I swear, one of these days if it interferes with my concentration, I will be having a talk with them. I suspect part of the problem is that they want me to talk to them, but gimme a break - they are very out of shape and very senior. So the only talking to they will be getting from me, is "Could you keep it down, please".

Then there is this extremely fit chiropractor - he is a cage fighter for sport - I am sure I never want to go to a chiropractor, and definitely not him.

There are the various couples that come in and train together - always the guy giving the girl instructions on what to do and how to train. Funny thing is they are right, only about half the time.

Then there are the young, enthusiastic guys. There is this one guy - I think if I would get a full cardio workout just by being his weight caddy - taking off and putting back the weights he uses on the leg press and the other machines. The other night he was excercising his back - he had 8 50lb wheels on each side. I usually moan and groan and struggle though with 1 20 lb wheel.

Then there are the twins.. well actually lots of twins. This is because I cannot distinguish one bald guy from the other. And generally speaking body builders prefer to shave their heads bald - at best they will sport a crew cut.. So this morning I saw this guy in a pair of tight plaid shorts and a tank top. His muscles were literally bursting out of his arms. Then I saw him again - this time in long dark pants and a full sleeved t-shirt. I figured he must have put on clothes to keep his muscles warm (yeah there's a whole ritual to this).. then I turned around and there was plaid shorts - so maybe there were two of them or three or four. Trouble is body builders prefer to shave their heads bald. So in the gym, to my untrained eye, they all look the same! So much for making any friends or acquaintances there - Darryl Darryl and Darryl seem like my best prospects so far. Atleast I can tell them apart when they are standing together.

Every gym has its share of gossip and intrigure as well. Like the body builder that got his picture in the paper but really did not deserve to and so on.

All in all, there is enough excitement to keep me amused every single day and keep me going back to the gym - at the end of the day, that is all that matters.