gym determination
At the gym lately something has been changing. It was subtle at first, but now it is more clear than ever before. People are determined. This may seem obvious, this is a Gym we’re talking about after all. But this is beyond simple summer buffing up and puffing out. This is more than firming muscles and leaning down specific physical areas. I’m seeing people taking control of their lives in a conscientious and productive way, day by day. And despite how busy the gym has gotten even during non-peak hours, people are extremely kind and courteous and respectful at every turn. I’m seeing it from the staff to totally buff strong dudes who you would expect to be macho. These guys are usually the ones who have the best attitudes are go out of their way to share the gym environment.
The strange thing is that during times like these, where things are uncertain, one might expect that people would hole up and isolate themselves. And I’m sure that’s happening…but not at our gym. I’m seeing less idle conversations and people are exchanging nods of respect and getting serious workouts completed. I see friends from Facebook and the neighborhood all the time, but I try to keep the conversation and pleasantries to a minimum. The reason for this, is because we are trying to do something. What that something is, I’m not completely sure yet.
Of course, this is Orange County, and people usually try to look their best here. But what’s been happening lately is not indicative of vanity. The feeling I get when I’m at the gym, is that we are all preparing.
Some of us may be preparing for the next day of work, others prepare for the dating scene or family, and others still prepare for the unknown, that distant event that the newspapers keep pointing at without actually saying it. I find myself preparing to become a better human battery, a better source of energy to be utilized when the time is right.
Today I was going to use a leg exercise machine, and a gentleman who was about 30 or 40 years older than I am obviously was interested in using it. I yielded to machine to him without a moments hesitation. It had nothing to do with honor or chivalry, it just felt right and I wanted to pass on the same courtesy that so many others have shown me.
When I sit back and think about what the future holds for us. I seriously come up with a blank. I just finished with a degree in International Relations and I should have some predictions…or something. But the more I learn, the more preparation instead of prediction seems to be the sturdier path. A bridge made of a million wires can support more than a bridge made of two beams of the strongest steel.
We all have busy lives, and busier minds. But at the gym, we slow things down. There will always be someone who is faster, stronger or tougher. Being at the gym is less about competition and more about showing up and making some progress. With every step on the StairMaster, and every crunch on the sit-up table, we add a small weight on the scale…and we will eventually tip it in our favor.
-Tyler