Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Gym Culture v3

One of my favorite places to think of blog topics is while I’m at the gym. As Rudy aptly said onVicariously Rudy, there’s no better time to think than running. Well I would agree, but since I hate to run, I prefer to do my thinking while surrounded by freaks at the gym... and trust me there are TONS of freaks. Today was no different.

If you’re anything like me, when you’re benching and need a spot (to make sure you don’t die), then it takes you awhile to finally ask somebody. I usually sit there and look around, let people walk by, and am usually too timid to ask. I hate asking somebody to spot me, it’s so much pressure. What if they think you’re a pussy? What if they say no? Eventually when I do, I form a bond with this person. Often times when I need another spotter, the same guy will ask if I need help. I’m sure many of you have experienced this camaraderie before.

Today this big meathead was benching and asked me if I could give him a spot. I feared that if I said no, he was gonna eat me so I agreed. He was only doing 295 lbs, no big deal… ha yea right. I hovered over him and thought to myself if I could even help this guy if he dropped the bar, so I just prayed that he didn’t. I gave him a lift off and grunted so loud, it drew the attention of the entire gym. I looked around and shrugged my shoulders as to say “whoa, I don’t even know this guy.” He did 8 reps and thanked me for my help.

I carried on with my workout and fully expected the meathead to ask me to spot him again. No big deal, we had that bond now.

Only the next time around, he had another person spotting him! I know this is a bunch of dudes at the gym, but this meathead broke gym etiquette! I felt betrayed. I felt inadequate. I felt like I was cheated on. I had to laugh at this because this is a small bond that dudes form at the gym, and I was dumped. Think about this next time you need a spotter.

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