Friday 5 September 2008

No paying, no gain

Sitting on the hammer press last night, in my gym, staring at Louise Redknapp's belly button, I began wondering, is it all worth it? All these people sweating and groaning in pain and hardship, some stressing themselves with dumbells or desperately trying to keep up with the moving tracks of the treadmill. Some on a quest for the perfect body and others, like myself, just after a bit of exercise and keeping in some sort of semi-toned shape? The advertisement poster of Louise Redknapp and her sports gear on the wall is obviously supposed to spur us all on to work as hard as we can, either that or just help sell her skimpy tops to anyone whose that easily led. But are all us gym members easily led? Is going to the gym the best way to keep fit? It's certainly a 'fashionable' thing to do these days, joining a gym though that's not the reason I did it. You do see some people who obviously did for that reason. I usually just trail into the gym with any old t-shirt and shorts on but you'd think, by a quick look around my gym, that some of the members think they're on some kind of machine strewn catwalk. Some of the girls come in with a face full of make-up, perfect hair styles and the most up-to-date in gymwear covered in logos of popular brands which all match meticulously, head to £200 trainer covered feet. Don't these girls realise they're going into the gym? A place where you supposed to tire and sweat? Don't they realise when they finish they'll all look like the melting wicked witch of the west? Their hair styles wirey and messed, the make up running down their faces and their top brand gear covered in body perspiration? That's if they do a proper work out of course. Some women go the gym to simply stand around and chat. They even have the cheek to tut at you if you excuse yourself as you pass them to get on to a machine which they are milling around as they talk about Debbie in the work. When they do get round to doing some exercise it usually doesn't stop them gassing. It always amazes me how two women can have an extrememly detailed conversation (probably about Debbie in the work) not taking their eyes off one another on adjacent treadmills rattling away at high speed. I need to concentrate on running in a straight line most of the time?! There's a wee woman in my gym who makes, let just say, "noises" on the treadmill or cross trainer. Now I know your supposed to feel good after a workout... but during? A treadmill has never made me make that kind of noise before. Another woman who attends my gym reminds me of Bet Gilroy from Coronation Street. She has a giant blonde, haircut and wears tiger skin leotards and always goes in with her giant bangles and necklaces on. I'm always surprised there is never a cigarette holder and am still listening to hear her call one of the gym attendants "cock". Some of the guys are just as bemusing with their growling demeanors and punching palm aggression. Some guys take it all way too seriously as they frown at themselves in the mirror whilst lifting the dumbells up and down, breathing loudly through their flaring nostrils. Some of them visually strain themselves with the weights they attempt eventually having to let them clatter to the ground, the noise echoing through the gym. It's only then the massive guys become sheepish edging away from the dropped weights in an effort to make it look like it was the small, puny guy working next to him (probably me). Honestly, some of the guys belong in the land of Mordor. Another thing, why do the gym attendants have to shout all the time? Talking to groups or taking classes is fair enough but when it comes to passing them in the corridor or in the gym sometimes they should take a sound check. Yes, the gym can be quite a loud place from time to time, but saying hello doesn't need to be heard by my Gran up the road. Still, at least they're friendly enough. They should be the amount you pay for being a member of these places nowadays. I can write and sit and complain about it but I still go three times a week, a glutton for punishment. It is a good place to keep fit and a good place to exercise. It wakens you up and invigorates you after a tiring day at work and hopefully does work in the fight against fat and heart disease. You could argue that a good run around the block would do the same but would you run around the block of your own accord everytime? Doubt it. For the moment I'm happy for my gym fee to force me fit. No pain, no gain, as they say (that pesky group called 'they' again, cuh!)

1 comment:

spuckle said...

Screw the gym, come to British Military Fitness instead!