1. The "Sluggish"
I "hate" people who come to the gym and don't do anything. Sure, it's not any of my business because they're paying the membership fees and wasting their life standing there like an idiot. But it becomes frustrating when you're waiting on a machine, i.e. the leg press and someone is sitting there with their iPod, and you know that they're gonna do a count of FIVE crunches and sit there for FIFTEEN minutes with music. Like hello, please go home if you're gonna waste your time and mine too! Everyone has the courtesy to wait for a person if they're using the equipment, that doesn't mean you take advantage of that.
2. The "Strollers"
Quite the common kind. I see a lot of people walking around uselessly. Not that my eyes are fixated on such kinds of people but come on, you get to notice things in three months! These types of people will stroll around from the washroom, to the water fountain, to their friends working out, and then to their own machine. Really? You worked out 10 minutes, and you walked around for 20 minutes. Way to go!
3. The "Creepers"
Ah.. how can I forget these types! Sure, I'd feel complimented if a guy is checking me out in my sweats, without makeup and hair tied. But when uncle ji's do that, it ain't so flattering. And I think they need to know that this is not a pick-up joint. You can't be a creepy person staring at young girls while they work out. Every time, I am doing my abdominal crunches, I notice someone or the other staring at my breasts. I am sorry I have to say such a thing on my blog, I usually never would but I am just so angry right now! Arghhh.. like yes, your body moves when you workout. Does that give you a reason to give your wiener a little treat? I don't think so! :@
4. The "Peepers"
Done ranting about uncle jee's. Welcome aunty jee's! Since I live in Brampton, I am sure you can already get a sense of how many brown people go to that gym. Most of the times, I work out in the ladies room to avoid encounters with uncles or guys in general. It's not that I care that someone's watching me. But when someone is standing there, freaking staring.. that just gets me so pissed off. So, the aunty that will be beside me on the treadmill, will keep staring over at my machine trying to read how many calories I am burning or what's the speed and time etc. WHY! You've got your own body, own weight loss goal, own endurance level, then why would you want to copy mine or see what I am doing. Then, there are aunties who look over my treadmill, walking on 3.5 and give me that "oh look I am older than you and still running on 5.0, haha" look. Umm, aunty jee.. there's a freaking button called "incline" on your treadmill. Try switching from "manual" to "fat burn" and inclining it to level 13, and then try running. Thank you! And then they wonder, how I burn more than them just walking, and they keep running and peeping over in wonder. Geez.. Same for the elliptical machine.. If you're peddling really fast on Level 1, and I am on Level freaking 10 million, struggling to even peddle.. I am building muscle and you're just moving your legs. Please educate yourselves about the machines, and the fact that they have more than just a "power" button.
5. The "narcissists"
Hello sexy guys! Sure.. y'all are good to look at, working hard in the gym.. but what's with checking the mirror every 5 minutes? Uhh, are you expecting your biceps to pop another inch in 20 minutes? Yeah? Oh gawd.
Again, I didn't mean to offend anyone. When I first walked into the gym, I had no clue about the equipment and what I should do with myself and how I should even start. That's why they have people walking around with a tee-shirt saying "Trainer." If you don't have any fitness knowledge whatsoever, please just go up to the front desk and ask questions! And I am not saying this so I will be less annoyed. I am saying this for your own good. Even if you don't want to subscribe to their services, just ask questions. No one will ever say "no" to telling you about the equipment and how to best use it. And if you don't wanna do that either, then read.. there are instructions and things written on the machines. I also know it is a huge ego crusher to see all these hot looking girls, and all these built/toned men and other people pulling heavy weight. But at the end of the day, you should do what's right for you and your body and not just copy "the big guy" or peep over to see what the "hot girl" is doing. I mean, come on. I don't think that 50% of people at the gym even know what they're doing. The only thing they probably know is, you drink shakes and you get big. *rolls eyes*
I didn't know either, so I am not hating! But I took advice from the trainers, I read the machines before I use them and see exactly what part of my body will be working out. And you can be the "hot girl" and the "big guy" at the gym. Start slow, keep steady and just stay committed and dedicated. It's a lot of hard work. I started with like 30 pounds on the leg press. And now, I am at a 110 pounds. Your stamina builds up eventually! Anyway, that's it for the rant.. and I am sorry this was long.
Ignore what others are doing, and focus on yourself. Enforce your tunnel vision to simply focus on your heart beat and your willpower. Watching others is distracting, and it will throw you off your balance. Fixate your vision on a point on the wall, and let your thoughts run wild. This will help you get your mind off the discomfort and slight pain you might be experiencing.
ReplyDeleteThat is, all of that works for me. I hope it works for you too.
As far as the treadmill goes, I run at 7.5-8.0 but that took a while to get to. It isn't helping my endurance either, but it is making me deliver bursts of energy that last only a lap and a half maybe. So, you going slow is right.
As for the creepers, come to UTM's gym. Theres hot guys left and right. They can serve as a distraction, but thats much better than an annoyance or feeling uncomfortable.
Also, put on some music that motivates you. For me, personally, hip hop is a great choice. Most EDM music is really good too, but it doesn't help me maintain that level of focus as well as hip hop does. Get a new song to motivate you, if you're listening to the Murder 2 tunes, upload em to your iPod and make it so that you can only access them at the gym. For the first time I mean. This way you'll have slight motivation to go to the gym because you get to hear the new music you're dying to here (it's a silly strategy, but trust me, it's effective). Hip Hop and Rap works great for me personally, because I get so entwined in listening to the lyrics, and understanding their meaning. It keeps my mind away from the lazy voice in my head saying ok thats enough, home time now. Angry music would help you too, it does for me. It'll get you pissed off and riled up enough to dispose of that energy via your movement (ie. running, the weight lifting, the crunches, etc)
ReplyDeleteIve noticed for me, closing my eyes increases my concentration significantly. But that is a little problematic on the treadmill if you don't hold on.
Good Luck, I'm sure you can run off that sad, disgusting feeling you are currently entangled with, too.
hear*
ReplyDeleteI also forgot to mention, French rap is absolutely awesome when working out Lol. Even though I understand nothing, French rappers tend to have an aggressive delivery, so it adds to the rage.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck, do whatever works for you and do it for you.
Hey!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words and encouragement. "Focus" is not an issue. This rant was just something I have been witnessing for a long time. None of it is really distracting. It is distracting when I am waiting for machines when the gym is really busy. When I am on that treadmill, and I got my music plugged in... I do my own thing. At first, I was conscious about who is looking at me and how my body looks when I run, but now I barely give a shit because I see results. And I do the same thing as you. I have a playlist on my phone, especially for the gym with lots of Bollywood fast dance tracks and Arabic beats, since they get you going. And I love that about my workout. Hopefully, I will also build my way up to a 9.0 on the treadmill, being a severe asthma patient.