In Praise of Co-Ed Gyms
Posted: Thursday, August 13, 2009
by Brianna Popsickle
They say, "When one door closes, another opens." I was reminded of that recently when it was announced that my gym was closing for one month for renovations. Everyone was skeptical it would re-open at all. I was really upset.
I had been a member of the all women' gym for two years and loved it! I got to know and like the staff, as well as the women I'd met while working out five days a week.
I wasn't a fan of co-ed gyms. I had a membership at one, years ago, and although I met a lot of great people, it wasn't ideal.
When I workout I like to plug into my ipod, and do my own thing, with guys there it's not always that simple.
Once I was running on the treadmill, when the guy next to me started to chat. He put his hand out to introduce himself, and reluctantly (I'm not the most coordinated person in the world.) I put my hand out to shake his. I lost my footing, and flew right off the back of the treadmill. My knee was burning, but I quickly shook it off, hopped back on and got back up to speed.
"Are you OK?" he asked.
"Fine." I replied, looking straight ahead.
"Well let's see if we can try this again," he continued, reaching out his hand.
"I'm Richard Dick."
Dick Dick? Are you kidding me? Who does that to their child? At that I lost my footing and for the second time in five minutes, shot right back off the treadmill, again! This time a couple of guys came to my rescue, as I fluffed back my hair and tried to stop the blood from dripping down my leg. Not one to give up, but totally humiliated, I got back on the treadmill.
Another guy at that gym was intent on doing whatever I was doing at the time. When I was on the elliptical he was on the one next to me, if I moved to the weights, he moved to the weights. He was nice enough, but he never came up for air, telling me his marriage woes and all about his first ex-wife. Not only was it uncomfortable at the gym, but equally uncomfortable, and awkward, when our worlds collided outside of the gym.
We ran into each other at a concert. I was with my son and he was with his. Turns out our sons were friends. He was totally embarrassed, and apologized for all his ramblings about his marriage and ex-wife. I told him it was no problem, and said I was happy to hear he had recently remarried. Turned out they were already separated. Had I still been going to that gym, I'm sure I would have known that.
Anyways, my point is, it's just simpler when you work out with women. You exchange recipes, you chat about family and work, and you usually come away feeling like you've had not only a workout, but an hour of therapy as well. It does wonders!
However, not wanting to miss a beat with my workout routine when my gym closed, I decided to give the co-ed gym a try.
Well it's been a month, and let me just say, "I'm loving it."
Men and women of all ages, shapes and sizes, slugging it out, doing whatever they can to be the best they can be. I admire that.
There are middle-aged women and older, in velour track-suits, who don't break a sweat or have a hair out of place. There are tiny, young athletic women strutting their stuff in lycra, who are half my age (and weight).
There's a gawky teenage boy, wearing a necklace and earrings, trying desperately to fit in, and an old man (probably eighty) who walks the treadmill at a snails pace, while wearing brown suspenders and a long sleeved cotton shirt.
There's a fit, thirty-something woman who sips on a Tim Horton's coffee, as she walks on the treadmill. (I know. I couldn't believe it either.) She's the same woman that scared me half to death one day as we were both listening to our ipods while doing our stretches. Suddenly I heard what I thought was a scream, I yanked out my headphones and turned around only to realize she was singing out loud to her music.
Not to be left out, there's the hard to miss, perfect looking, forty-something guy, Rolex and all, texting on his Blackberry as he works out on the elliptical.
Then there are my own personal favourites, the hard-core weight lifters. They're anywhere from eighteen to fifty; tall, short, tattooed, bald, but all, muscular. I can pretend to be viewing one of the many television monitors as I watch them sweat it out, while lifting hundreds of pounds of weights. On a good day, they'll do their stretches directly in front of the ellipticals. I tell you, working out has never felt so good!
So you see, it's true when they say, "When one door closes, another opens."
Not only that, but someone also once said, "For everything, there is a season." A co-ed gym may not have been what I was looking for years ago, but for whatever reason, it's working for me now!
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Brianna, I loved your light-hearted look at the meat market...er, gym. I have not been to a gym in quite some time, but since I have a Siberian Husky, I MUST walk a mile or so every evening. Thanks for the chuckle!Thanks Lorrie! I'm glad you liked it. I'm a big walker as well, although my Brittany Spaniel is slowing down some. Thanks for commenting.
...Smile... Brianna, I enjoyed the article imensely. To me, I was reminded of Faith. You have to step out on Faith to step into Faith. Your door was correct, one closed you knew and the other door expanded your horizon. Thanks for sharing. I would like to copy this for one of our Church lessons and use it as an Illustration? It is about, "People of Difference." You cannot learn another staying behind your door.I'm honoured Dr. Rucker, that you would like to use it as an example for one of your lessons. I guess the doors are always open, it's making the decision to walk through them that can be the tough part. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Sometimes we stay in our comfort zone simply because its familiar and safe and as a famous man once said man will never discover new oceans until he has the courage to lose sight of the shoreWise words! I don't think there's ever been a time I've regretted stepping outside of my comfort zone. (Not yet anyways.) Thanks for reading and commenting Robin.
Great humor.. Brianna.... thank you for starting my day off with a giggle!No problem Jay. Happy to help you start your day off on the right foot. :)Thanks for commenting.
Well ALLRIGHTY, Then!Great article, Brianna.Thanks Ken. I always appreciate hearing from you.
Oh Brianna, I just love your sense of humor and how you share it subtlety, wit and charm! I would have to disagree with you, though. It seems when that door closed windows were open and the view is absolutely stunning! ;)
Great read!Thanks Avis! I'm glad you enjoyed the article.
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