2008 Woodie Awards
Fitness: Shut Up and Work Out!
Lionel Wynter
Issue date: 11/14/05 Section: Life & Leisure
- Page 1 of 1
If you ever visited the Golden Dome fitness center during the week, especially in the afternoons (and I'm sure you have), then you will not be surprised at the throngs of workout enthusiasts and fitness hopefuls who are there working out, parading their muscular bodies-which often leave a lot to be desired-or just hanging out. In fact, so little progress is observed in some situations that one would think that some of these people go to the gym to meet their soul mates.
With these circumstances prevailing, I thought it necessary to offer some advice-not that you will take it-about what your gym attitude should be. In the first place, it is well known (by now) that half the people who go to the gym are just there to do chest or arm exercise, especially on Monday or Tuesday. Why don't you dare to be different? You can make your workout smoother by attending to other less-emphasized muscles, such as your back, legs and shoulders. By the way you have to do a variety of shrug exercises before you develop the traps. They do not appear just by working on one's shoulder or chest.
Secondly, do you go to the gym to work out or to socialize? Goddamnit, can't you see the guy is trying to concentrate on his/her workout! If you suffer from this kind of situation, then here is the solution; wear an iPod--everyone has one these days. I do not care if it works, just wear one. However, if it does work, then you have the luxury of listening to your own music. But if your iPod does not work, or if you cannot even afford batteries, there is no cause for despair; just wear your headphones. No one will know that you are not listening to music, especially if you give them a blank look when they try to talk to you. Plus if you are someone who glorifies the occasional gossip between sets of exercises, you can eavesdrop on the often-pointless conversations around you, making no one the wiser, while at the same time giving off the "Please allow me to do my workout" vibes.
Another thing you could do is wear a baseball cap-not because you need a haircut or recently received a less than desirable one-but because you can pull the brim down to avoid eye contact with those you would rather not converse with.
Thirdly, rack the weights carefully when you are done. Too often we find people getting injured in the fitness center because some bright spark failed/refused to replace the weights. Remember the job of the fitness staff is not to pick up after you.
Fourthly, find someone whom you wish to emulate. Much of the ideas and strategies that I acquired came from interacting with and learning from the people whom I consider my idols; and I do not mean those guys who I see on the cover of Muscle and Fitness or the "juice bags" in most fitness magazines. I am talking about real people. My theory is that if it works for someone else then it could work for you. Copy your idols without stealing their identity. Remember, nothing speaks louder than results. However, do not follow negative examples, either. Achieve your goals in the purest, most natural manner. Unless you are aspiring to become a baseball player, or at least a professional bodybuilder, avoid steroids at all cost. It is not worth it.
Well, if I want you to shut up and work out, I had better do the same. I will now stop preaching and go work my legs. See you next week.
Lionel Wynter is a graduate student at Rutgers-Newark. He is a former Military Lieutenant, a Certified Fitness Trainer and Conditioning Coach, a Sports Nutritionist, and a Martial Arts Instructor. He is the Baruch-CUNY Fitness Champion for the last two years, and he can be contacted at Leowynter@hotmail.com.
With these circumstances prevailing, I thought it necessary to offer some advice-not that you will take it-about what your gym attitude should be. In the first place, it is well known (by now) that half the people who go to the gym are just there to do chest or arm exercise, especially on Monday or Tuesday. Why don't you dare to be different? You can make your workout smoother by attending to other less-emphasized muscles, such as your back, legs and shoulders. By the way you have to do a variety of shrug exercises before you develop the traps. They do not appear just by working on one's shoulder or chest.
Secondly, do you go to the gym to work out or to socialize? Goddamnit, can't you see the guy is trying to concentrate on his/her workout! If you suffer from this kind of situation, then here is the solution; wear an iPod--everyone has one these days. I do not care if it works, just wear one. However, if it does work, then you have the luxury of listening to your own music. But if your iPod does not work, or if you cannot even afford batteries, there is no cause for despair; just wear your headphones. No one will know that you are not listening to music, especially if you give them a blank look when they try to talk to you. Plus if you are someone who glorifies the occasional gossip between sets of exercises, you can eavesdrop on the often-pointless conversations around you, making no one the wiser, while at the same time giving off the "Please allow me to do my workout" vibes.
Another thing you could do is wear a baseball cap-not because you need a haircut or recently received a less than desirable one-but because you can pull the brim down to avoid eye contact with those you would rather not converse with.
Thirdly, rack the weights carefully when you are done. Too often we find people getting injured in the fitness center because some bright spark failed/refused to replace the weights. Remember the job of the fitness staff is not to pick up after you.
Fourthly, find someone whom you wish to emulate. Much of the ideas and strategies that I acquired came from interacting with and learning from the people whom I consider my idols; and I do not mean those guys who I see on the cover of Muscle and Fitness or the "juice bags" in most fitness magazines. I am talking about real people. My theory is that if it works for someone else then it could work for you. Copy your idols without stealing their identity. Remember, nothing speaks louder than results. However, do not follow negative examples, either. Achieve your goals in the purest, most natural manner. Unless you are aspiring to become a baseball player, or at least a professional bodybuilder, avoid steroids at all cost. It is not worth it.
Well, if I want you to shut up and work out, I had better do the same. I will now stop preaching and go work my legs. See you next week.
Lionel Wynter is a graduate student at Rutgers-Newark. He is a former Military Lieutenant, a Certified Fitness Trainer and Conditioning Coach, a Sports Nutritionist, and a Martial Arts Instructor. He is the Baruch-CUNY Fitness Champion for the last two years, and he can be contacted at Leowynter@hotmail.com.