Okay, what the hell is going on inside the modern gym? Today’s Ironman training program called for weights and I was quite amused by the things I saw at our local YMCA. I can only imagine what happens at the fancy spas.
It is especially startling to the new “Ironman Monk” inside of me that likes to put 100 percent effort into the exercise with the least amount of distraction. I’ve even read arguments that say music during a workout takes away too much focus. But today, I ran across a few examples that were a little more blatant.
For example, Daniel and I are working our legs this morning and he says to me, “Check out that guy on the elliptical.” Dude is wearing baggy royal blue sweats, a white sleeveless t-shirt and drinking a coffee during his workout. I watched in awe as he pounded the beans and added texting to the mix.
Then, there is another guy that baffles me. He reminds me a bit of Ray Lewis because he is always fired up and walks around with a bandana on his head and a hands-free phone. He strides around the weight room with Tony Horton-like enthusiasm, talking non-stop into his phone and half the time I think he’s saying something to me. I mean, who would sit on the other end of a phone call listening to a guy workout? I am starting to wonder if he is the East Nashville Y’s version of Manti Te’o.
Then, for good measure, I’m taking a break between sets of box step-ups and I admire a woman tucked into a beautiful pigeon pose on her yoga mat. I felt the tension melting from my hip flexors as I gazed at the glorious pose. She was lost, deep in the stretch, focused on mind, body, and intention, all while reading email on her phone!
And all of this in one morning. Amazing!
It got me thinking. I’m sure there are hundreds of other stellar examples of tomfoolery at the gym. What the hell is going on out there? I’m sure you have some great stories to tell!