You know how movies about prision life depict the territorial nature of men. It’s not that different in gyms. If I have learned anything from working out in gyms all over the world is one thing, never ever get bullied. The first few days are your acid test for inclusion- exclusion criteria and they will follow you for the rest of your time in that facility. So just like Tim Robbins in Shaw Shank Redemption you stand up for your self when this huge guy comes along and either gets all pushy or worse, pretends he doesn’t see you.
I have just changed gyms to a very fancy huge commercial gym from the low laying all friendly university gym. Nobody said anything to me the first few days, then today I was doing my sets in the vicinity of the power cage, and 3 guys; huge, muscley and mean looking came over, pretended I wasn’t there with my iddly piddly weights and just moved in and started squatting, expecting me to take my stuff and move to another place; as the kings had arrived. I waited politely for 2 of them to finish their sets and just before the 3rd one could get in, I racked my bar, lifted it, grunted my reps away, racked the bar again smiled at the 3rd guy and said, "would you like to take turns?". He said, "Sure" and moved in. From that point on, they did not ignore me, they finished their turns waited for me to do my sets and world peace was restored.
Here is the interesting bit. After about 30 odd mins I was in another section and two guys there were working out. I generally have my ears plugged into the music and my eyes on the floor as I prefer very little chit chat in between my workouts. One of them actually went out of his way to get my attention and then chatted with me on my workouts and other general stuff. What I am amazed at is the pattern of behaviour whether it is Bombay, New York, Aberdeen, Delhi, or Preston.
All these fellas don’t even talk to each other, but someone picks on the new punter, everyone watches and then makes deductions on what the group dynamics of that particular gym crowd will be.
Superb, don’t you think? I couldn’t help but smile in the shower as I was waiting for this very break through. I am in the pack from tomorrow, that’s for sure!!
I have just changed gyms to a very fancy huge commercial gym from the low laying all friendly university gym. Nobody said anything to me the first few days, then today I was doing my sets in the vicinity of the power cage, and 3 guys; huge, muscley and mean looking came over, pretended I wasn’t there with my iddly piddly weights and just moved in and started squatting, expecting me to take my stuff and move to another place; as the kings had arrived. I waited politely for 2 of them to finish their sets and just before the 3rd one could get in, I racked my bar, lifted it, grunted my reps away, racked the bar again smiled at the 3rd guy and said, "would you like to take turns?". He said, "Sure" and moved in. From that point on, they did not ignore me, they finished their turns waited for me to do my sets and world peace was restored.
Here is the interesting bit. After about 30 odd mins I was in another section and two guys there were working out. I generally have my ears plugged into the music and my eyes on the floor as I prefer very little chit chat in between my workouts. One of them actually went out of his way to get my attention and then chatted with me on my workouts and other general stuff. What I am amazed at is the pattern of behaviour whether it is Bombay, New York, Aberdeen, Delhi, or Preston.
All these fellas don’t even talk to each other, but someone picks on the new punter, everyone watches and then makes deductions on what the group dynamics of that particular gym crowd will be.
Superb, don’t you think? I couldn’t help but smile in the shower as I was waiting for this very break through. I am in the pack from tomorrow, that’s for sure!!
No comments:
Post a Comment