Gym Culture, Some Observations

It's so weird when you start something new and this whole world you never knew existed opens up for you. The gym is this strange microcosm of the world, but at the same time, not.

• People read while running on the treadmill. I can’t even stay upright while on the treadmill, so the idea of reading is so far beyond me. How do you focus on the words as you bounce up and down? I get reading while on a stationary bike. That makes sense. And I saw someone this morning running on a treadmill, reading a magazine and listening to music. This goes well beyond multitasking.

• I’ve been putting on my bra like a fifth-grader. I've always cliped in the front, swung it around to the back and put my arms through. And I swear I’m not being creepy in the locker room and staring down other women while they get dressed, but you do notice things. Apparently, people put their bra on and hook it in the back. Again, a level of coordination I do not possess.

• Women really do stand around in towels and put their makeup on. I thought they just did that in locker room scenes in movies, but no, it’s true. They do not, however, have random pillow fights. Or maybe they just save those for sleepovers? Also, from a reliable source in the men's locker room: there are men who blow dry their, um, privates. 'Nuff said.

• The music at the gym is kind of lame. Perhaps it’s because it’s so early in the morning, but the music is much softer and more…tolerable than I would expect. Maybe it’s so people can hear their own music over it.

• There are two types of people in this world: those who throw their towels in the hamper and those who leave them lying around for someone else to pick up.

• Dear Equinox, What kind of cruel joke is it that you make me watch Down Home with the Neeleys while I'm on the ellipitcal? The other day they made deep fried chicken tenders, gumbo and BANANA PUDDING. There's only so many times I can watch them emote over how good the food is before I hate you for doing this to me.

• Most trainers look like normal people. Well, really fit normal people, but not all trainers are totally jacked. Gives us all something to aspire to.

Comments

[Gretchen Rubin]

I literally laughed out loud when I read this post. My gym observations:
-- gosh, a lot of people have tattoos, and in the oddest places
-- am I lame for using the shampoo provided by my gym instead of hauling in my own elaborate hair-care products? what DO people have crammed in those shower totes?
-- I see other people sweating up a storm, and worry that my work-out must be waaay too easy, because I hardly sweat at all.
-- no matter what, I give myself a HUGE GOLD STAR for going to the gym! even if I only stay on the treadmill for one minute, it counts as a work-out if I cross the threshold.

Thanks for these great observations. A happy start to my day.

[dee]

Wait a minute, women put their bras on and hook them in the back? That sounds like a physical impossibility to me. I'm with you, I don't have the coordination for that.

[Sherry]

Hmmm... I guess I'm not the only Equinox driving, food channel watching gal at the gym.

Don't worry about the bra thing, I put mine on like a 5th grader too!

[Christina]

I read this and immediately thought...I've never put my bra on like that...and until last year I had never saw someone clip it in front, turn it around and pull it up - doesn't that stretch out your bras?

[kalyani]

The post was so light and funny and happy; a great start to my day. And as for the bra thing, I'm so happy that there are so many women out there doing the same thing. I always felt a bit retarded about it. Thanks for bringing it out in the open.

[elaine]

As one of those woman who stands around in a towel, putting on my makeup, I must say that the towels the gym provides are too small for even creepy movie locker-room scenes. I think they sized the towels for a 5th grader! Thanks for a fun post!

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I think the reason they are keep reading is because they are annoyed at the muscles and sweats so they stick to another thing to while running, LOL!

-Harold

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[Account Deleted]

I was looking for information about my gym, and bumped into this post...

funny I've got a couple of gym observations as well.

-people don't love the boxing equipment (sweaty gloves syndrome)
-towels and tissues run out every 1st week
-people who run on the treadmills have a higher percentage of buying a wheatgrass shot from the counter than drinking gatorade.

[Richard@boxing headgear]

great post. it made me really chuckle to see gym life from a womens perspective.

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I better not ever see some dude blow-drying his junk in the locker-room. Some things are best done in private and this is one of em!

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Going to the gym, to some of us, is as important as a cocktail party; hair, scent, attire have to be perfect. I often see women applying lipstick and mascara in the locker room as they are about to head out and tackle the machines. I have never been to the men's locker room myself but I can tell from the multiple fragrant atoms flying in the air that a similar process is taking place.