#gymreality

[warriorden]

Gym struggles aren’t problems — they’re proof you’re leveling up 💪

Sore muscles, failed reps, empty energy… only lifters know this grind is part of the journey.

If you relate, you belong here 👊 📍 Train with people who understand the struggle

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[alliepopo]

Gymtimidation: Girls Getting Bummed Out During the Workout

For me, working out is not just a way to maintain my health. Exercise is a method by which I not only strengthen my body, but my head. It’s my act of catharsis. My daily anxieties and stresses dissipate when I move my body. Similar to a sacred or holy place, the gym has its collection of devoted followers. It is within this place that the sanctification of the act of exercise invites universal acceptance of the worshipper.     There is no fundamental difference between holiday Christians and frequent church goers other than that they choose to worship differently, and this is not seen as a problem amongst the gym community. The followers don’t focus their attention nor judge others’ methods of worship, for they all have a common goal, to better themselves. For me, the gym holds the same reverence. Those who choose to go once a week should not be compared to those who go 5 or 6 times a week. The common denominator is that most who go are either looking to maintain or improve their health.     On a humid August afternoon, I attended my sanctuary. I left my friend at the elliptical machine and endeavored to lift some weights. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted an ex-friend of mine. No travesty there, I hadn’t seen him all summer and I had no interest in his gym agenda. A few sets later, I heard someone laughing. I turn my head and my not-friend is pointing and laughing at me. Was I not lifting correctly? Was the weight not heavy enough? These thoughts and others circled my head but one thought was in the forefront screaming its head off. How could you have the audacity to laugh at someone at the gym? It was disgusting. I couldn’t understand how someone would think that kind of behavior would be acceptable, especially in this house of worship. My confidence suffered minor bruise, but I continued to finish my routine.     The gym - hallowed ground - is an environment where people big or small go to maintain their health. What kind of seedy person would try to embarrass or objectify someone trying to accomplish a goal? You sir are obviously a piece of crap with a cherry on top, and the cherry is an act of kindness.     Gym intimidation is a form of bullying  that is often overlooked and underreported. Most girls with whom I have spoken have either described their own similar experience or that of a friend’s where they’ve felt stigmatized. I know, guys experience it too, but  that’s an entirely different matter best left for later discussion. I’m more concerned with girls here because I know for a fact that girls experience it more so than men, and their culturally-induced sensitivities of self image are more intense. Stories run the gamut from intimidation to overt harassment. Some girl’s experiences have been similar to mine and others just involve weird and creepy staring. Gradually moving away from the sliding scale of intimidation on the left and approaching the harassment area on the right, girls also experience getting hit on at the gym. A friend of mine told me that once while she was on the elliptical machine, a guy came up to her and said, “You look like you could be my next girlfriend.” Really? I rest my case.     It’s both a bummer and a distraction. Who wants to be glared at as though they’re clueless about lifting weights, or running, or are the object of desire? There’s no difference in being a devout or occasional gym goer. When you go to your place of worship, you should be implicitly respected for getting your ass to mass at 9 am, period. Churchgoers, whether devout or not, are welcomed and invited to worship without judgement.  So should it be at the gym.