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Gym Musings

  • People with long legs would survive a landslide more easily than those of us who are less vertically endowed: I was on the treadmill next to a man who was a bit taller than me. Even though our feet hit at the exact same time with every step, I was going at a 6.0 pace, and he was going 7.5. This is completely unfair.
  • Yesterday I walked by a girl about my age on the elliptical. She was pointing frantically and looked like she was shouting something – I actually thought she was yelling at me for a second – but no sound was coming from her lips. Turns out, she was just really into her music. For the duration of her workout, she pantomimed along to the music. I have no problem with this – to each his own, you know? – but if you do act like this at the gym, be aware that you’re in public, and it’s impossible not to notice such behavior…
  • It’s easier to do interval training (run at an easier pace, with short intervals of high speed) than to run at a pace in the middle consistently. You can end with the same pace overall, and studies show that you increase your fitness more quickly AND have a higher ‘after burn’ (burn more calories in the 24-hour period after working out). It’s win-win!
  • I no longer feel like the fattest person at my gym. In fact, I often feel good about myself at the gym. Of course, that’s only when I don’t see myself in the mirror. I have these pants that are definitely function over form – they are not at all flattering. I figure that if I wear those pants at the gym, I can exercise my self-confidence at the same time that I’m exercising my body.
  • Don’t forget your walkman – or to charge it – when heading to the gym. It makes for a long and boring cardio session.
  • Being next to people who are really putting in effort makes me try much harder than when I’m next to people who are half-assing it. And while I’m at it…
  • People who half-ass it at the gym get me all bent out of shape. What’s the point?! You’ve done the hard part: Getting out of the house and to the gym. Now make the most of it! Quit phoning it in and step it up a notch. You’ll see the results in short order :)

That is all. Thanks for listening.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 11:18 am and is filed under Personal Stories, Workouts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • http://www.findingaimee.com/ Aimee

    There's a man at my gym who really gets into his music like that too. I try not to get on a treadmill next to him, it's hard to concentrate!

  • Kimberly

    You're right – it can be very distracting. In this case, she was far enough away that it was just amusing and not an interference.

    I wonder if people KNOW what they're doing and are just that confident in themselves, or if they are in their own little world and have no idea… Thoughts?

  • Shannon

    Long time reader. First time commenter. I have to agree with the half-assing it. As a student, I work out at my uni's physical activity centre and I get red faced, panting and sweating on the cardio. Otherwise whats the point. But I'm pretty sure that more than half of the girls show up to check out the college guys and to be checked out by the guys. Because they come back to the changeroom and look like they've been out for a Sunday drive, not a work out. Why bother?

  • http://www.findingaimee.com/ Aimee

    I think it depends on the person. The man I mentioned before seems to just be off in his own little world, like you said. He is clearly enjoying himself while he waves his arms around in time to the music and pays no attention to anyone else around him.

    But there is a woman who does this sort of thing and is always looking around to see if people are watching her (which, of course, they are), and she gets even more wound up.

    Personally, I'm a bit envious of the man's confidence!

  • http://eyeofthedrea.blogspot.com/ 'Drea

    The half-assing it doesn't bother me. Re: phoning it in, people who exercise while on cell phones and who hold long and loud conversations, that's what gets to me…

  • Kimberly

    Hahah – One thing I can say is that I definitely do not look like I've been out for a Sunday drive when I get off the treadmill. I look like I've been run over by a truck, more like!

    I'm glad you can relate. And thanks for reading – comment more often :D

  • Kimberly

    I hear you – it's a distraction to everyone around them. Here's the thing, though: If they were REALLY putting in effort, then having a long and loud conversation would be very difficult. So if they didn't half-ass it, EVERYONE would be better off! lol

  • http://healthy-nutrition-facts.blogspot.com/ Ask the Doctor Online

    I really enjoy your blog posts. When I am at the gym, I crank up my music and get lost int he workout. It is pretty hard to notice those around you when you are in tune at the gym.