my gym

So folks,

Incedently I have not been on here in a very long time and the day I finally decide to return, I’m going to be babbling about the gym and not music.  Well since it’s me and my life, music will evidently arise, but just not as the main focus.

I used to hate the gym I go to…but due to its low prices and close location, I would force myself to go anyway.  Because I could just pop in my  headphones and really try to ignore those who went, I became less of a hater.  

Sometimes it was hard…the people who go there are either drug dealers, grew up on the street, the elderly (all of Portuguese decent), and/or hardcore gym buffs.  I do not fit into any of these categories so my presence is a strange phenomena to those around me.  I obviously feel intimidated by all of the above (mainly Portuguese elderly).  The largest percentage is the college aged male gym buffs.  

Though the latter group causes me to feel uncomfortable while I’m sweating my face off on the Cross-Trainer, they also motivate me when I’m doing abs and such.     “Oh she’s a girl, she probably can’t do more than 10 push-ups.”  I’m stereotypically having them scoff at me in thought.  I answer back with making sure I do at least 20.  This carries me through my workout session by competing with my stereotypical imagination of male cockiness.  

I suppose that could count as “one” way I have learned to enjoy my gym.  The other is I know times and days where it will be less busy.  A Saturday afternoon?  Dead.  A Monday morning at 6?  Just the elderly.  A weekday past 4 PM?  Everyone (except the elderly).  This prepares me for what I will be up against before I ever arrive.  If I get out of work and am really not in the mood for 24 year old show-offs, I will wait until the next morning to go.

This makes it sound like I go all the time.  I’m actually pretty inconsistent when it comes to going.  Because I’m a day-to-day substitute teacher, it’s difficult to have   a ‘set’ plan because if I don’t get called in the AM I would MUCH rather go in the early afternoon than 6 AM.  This doesn’t have much to do with what I’m trying to share, but I don’t want you annoyed with me or envious of my “motivation.”  

Back to the topic, I realized today that the fact it is in an old factory building brings this open and free sense of self.   There are no mirrors around or windows, just huge open ceilings with multi-toned large wooden beams with pipes sprawling quite a few feet above my head.  Immediately after I complete my work out I lay down on the mats and look above me.  With my fast heart rate and music pumping through my ears, I feel successful.  Like I just conquered something fierce.

Always having cleaning products is another huge plus.  It never smells.  The main music playing is never loud enough to interrupt MY music.  No gym member has ever talked to me.  And there’s about four sets of stairs in order to leave (feel the burn!).

The end.

I’ll write more about music when I get the chance!

What I listened to at the gym today:

WALK THE MOON - i want! i want!

album of the night - Saturday

fun.’s Aim & Ignite.  

I’m super bored and wish I was doing something other than staying home and watching My Girl 2 on a Saturday evening.. but while picking up Chinese for myself - fun. was definitely a good pick me up.