The Gym

There are few venues that are more interesting for watching people than at the gym. There are many quirks and strange things that take place here - I intend to document.

(1) People who "work out."

You will often see these people at the gym, and you yourself may be one. You probably know if you are. These people are usually found on a stationary machine that allows them to "exercise" for a long amount of time. Usually, the machine is set on "high" resistance and the individuals on the machines are "sweating." These people are also "reading" their favorite book or "studying" for a class - and they may even be "listening" to music. They may do this for 30 minutes or so. Afterwards, they will probably tell you that they had a great "workout" at the gym.

(2) The drinking fountain

What is the deal? One person at a time only seems to be the rule - and the one that is higher up is clearly the superior drinking fountain - even though it somehow becomes frequently broken. I don't know how this rule got started, but I know that 98% of people are susceptible to it, myself included.

(3) The bullshit on the gym televisions

NO ONE WANTS TO WATCH CNN WHILE THEY ARE WORKING OUT. It is not motivational. Once, there were people on t.v. running on treadmills in a competition - looking tired as shit. That was motivational. The sight of Wolf Blitzer's strange facial hair and excited reporting about absolutely nothing relevant does nothing to motivate me to work out. If anything, I question my need to work out, as someone who is clearly out of shape is exponentially more successful than I will ever be.

(4) People at the front desk

Show some cheer, please - Your life isn't miserable

(5) The stretching mats

WTF are those people doing?