Some Observations from the Gym

Wednesday, March 28, 2012
I'm pretty disciplined about exercising - unless I'm out of town or some other professional obligation interferes, I'm at the Parker Fieldhouse six days a week, in addition to using our home elliptical on my lunch hours. The Fieldhouse opens for business at 7:00 a.m., which means that the early morning crowd consists of the geriatric crowd, early retirees, and people who can start work somewhat later than the norm. And over the months since I've been going, I've noticed some trends in terms of the types of people who go on a regular basis.
  • Mr. Socializer. I think every gym has this guy. He's not really there to work out, although he's there each and every day. He's there to socialize. He approaches everyone, regardless of what they're doing, so that he can start his day with a friendly chat. He never breaks a sweat, and the most effort I've seen him put in is strolling on the treadmill while watching reruns of that retarded "Urkel" show on the house television. No, I'm not making that up - I've actually seen him change the channel so he can watch it. One time he asked me if I was satisfied with my results so far. When I said "yes," (I'd lost about 30 pounds at that point) he complained he'd gained 10 pounds in the year he'd been going to the gym. Um, yes. That's how it goes when you don't actually, you know, work. 
  • The Bitter Old Biddy. This is the woman who is, in fact, making an effort to get off the couch and get moving, but believes that everyone's level of fitness should match her own, i.e., poor. When I repeatedly lap her on the indoor track, I get the hairy eyeball, followed by snide comments about how I'm "making everyone else look bad" and "showing off," even though I try to be friendly and gracious. Um, no. I don't get any fitness points for lapping people 20 years older than me, those on oxygen, or those who use a cane. I'm very lucky to work in a job that gives me the flexibility to be able to work out at 7:00 a.m. and still make it to my desk at a decent hour. That does not mean I have some obligation to work less hard so that others won't look at me.
  • The Friendly Old Man. Unlike the Bitter Old Biddy, this guy is always as friendly as can be, and calls me "Speedy" every time I lap him on the track. He's 85 if he's a day, and I think he's a retired Air Force vet, based on his workout attire. His cheerfulness is awesome.
  • The Lame and the Infirm. I'm really quite encouraged by the number of people who come to the gym who use oxygen tanks and canes. In a few cases, it's obvious they're recovering from some sort of surgery or injury, but in most cases, they're simply old and unsteady, or are paying for years of smoking by being forced to carry oxygen everywhere they go. But they're trying, no matter how slow they end up going, and this makes me FURIOUSLY HAPPY.
  • The Professional Woman. This gal is focused. She does circuit training, and makes every minute she's at the gym count, whether it's running, weight training, or the Arc Trainer. She always leaves before 8:00 a.m., which leads me to believe she has work or some other obligation that needs her attention at a specific time. She always smiles and is friendly, but does not have time to waste on Mr. Socializer or anyone else. I suspect I fall into this category, as well. 
Due to the relatively late opening time of the Fieldhouse, the Smart Man goes in the late afternoon, and I expect the cast of characters he encounters are different, since he gets the after work crowd. But that's okay. With the exception of Mr. Socializer and The Bitter Old Biddy (who I find annoying), I enjoy my early morning crowd just fine.

11 comments:

life, in small chunks said...

I have the exact same crowd at my gym! I am sometimes forced to go to the gym after work instead of before and it's a completely different crowd -younger and much more competitive. Like you, with a few exceptions,I like my morning crowd just fine.

Janiece said...

Welcome, life, in small chunks.

The whole competitive thing doesn't do a thing for me.

Stacey said...

On Saturday mornings at our Gym (1) the pool is empty and (2) the Fireman come to play basketball. I find I am always very thirsty when they are here. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the skins vs shirts game and everything to do with the water fountain being strategically placed next to the court door.

Matt said...

I fucking hate Mr. Socializer with the intensity of a thousand white hot suns!!!!! I have my iPod earphones on (cranked up to top volume) avoid eye contact at all costs and work out the entire time I'm there, yet he will come up to me as I'm grunting out a set and strike up an inane conversation. I have dreams about doing the next set with Mr. Socializer's head under the weight stack and they maketh me to laugh!!!

The Mechanicky Gal said...

Stacey - GREAT strategy!

Warner said...

My wife and I generally go about 4 PM, haven't noticed the socializer yet, although we do see the same faces. What we see is somebody who sets up on a piece of equipment and then wanders to someplace else on the floor.

A high percentage of membership at this location are over 60, enough so that staff has commented on it.

Dana Teel said...

I'm pretty sure the frendly old man is just happy to see "Hot Chicks" working out. I think I'd probably fit into this category, but I'm probably not old enough.

MAW said...

I love people watching at the gym too. I want to say, while we're on the topic of fitness, a big thank you to you. I think you are the person who first recommend the FitBit in my vicinity. I have had mine for two weeks or so, and I LOVE it.....

Janiece said...

You're welcome, MAW. For those of us with OCD tendencies, it's just MORE DATA.

Hmm...DATA.

Anne C. said...

Speaking of data, you should of heard my engineer-dad's ears perk up at the amount of data I get from my new Fitbit. I promised to show him when they next visit. :)

MAW said...

mmmmm, data! we love data! :)