Back in college when I was a young buck filled with hopes, dreams and blissful naivety, I was asked to pick an extracurricular activity to compliment my studies. Being the painfully shy young buck that I was, I chose “fitness club”, because I thought it sounded like something I could do without having to participate in much human interaction, and also because I didn’t really have a true understanding of what it involved.
Well – it involved me standing to the least crowded wall of the gym watching three ectomorphic guys desperately trying to lift weights heavier than their capabilities in front of the only girl there. I’m not sure if I ever even spoke to them, so I guess I got my wish after all.
That experience was understandably enough to firmly implant into my brain the notion that going to the gym is a load of bollocks. A load of bollocks stocked with the swollen bollocks of blood-thirsty men. This, of course, is an untrue statement. But it took me until the age of twenty-three (seven years and an eating disorder later) to recognise this once I plucked up the courage to re-join another gym.
I joined a Fitness4Less in London, a five minute walk from where I live, for £17.99 a month (which is fucking amazing for London). My main reasons for joining this one in particular were that, one, I hopelessly fancy one of the personal instructors there, and two, for their boasting of a women’s only gym.
I thought that however awkward or unfit I may be, at least the other women will understand. At least the other women in the gym also might have grown up with body issues. At least these women might understand that pretty hurts, and that it’s really tough being female, what with all the wage-gaps and periods.
Whilst those heavily-stereotyped assumptions might be true, the reality is that no one gives a shit about your life story in the gym. Everyone there is there for themselves. Although that sounds like I’m being unkind, I find the attitude admirable. Here is the place where you are allowed to work on yourself without interruption or questioning.
The mantra goes: “You do your thing and I’ll do mine”.
Recognise that if you want to join a gym, it is nothing but a positive step for yourself and your health. You know, you might even meet a friend or fall endlessly in love whilst you’re there.
I know that’s what I’m holding out for with this personal trainer (kidding, not kidding.)
