24-Hour Non-Fitness
Going to the gym is one of the most difficult things for me to do lately. Not because I dislike working out; in fact, it’s one of my favorite things to do. More so because all kinds of questionable or obnoxious characters seem to congregate there.
Meet White Goodman. Ever seen the movie, Dodgeball? This guy has a sweet, full bodied 70s do, is usually short in stature, and not wearing a lot of clothing. I’ve seen him twice and one time there was such uncanny resemblance I had to take a photo with him. Luckily, he didn’t ask why. (The White Goodman in him probably just thought I was into his vibe.) Today was the second time I had the pleasure of running into this fine character type at my charming North Las Vegas 24 Hour Fitness.
“Is that Kool Aid?”
Great intro. Creepily enough I’m not sure if it was a conversation starter or if he was just really hoping I was nine years old. I assured him it was Power Aid and then promptly made my way to the other side of they gym.
Sadly, it’s not usually much better over there. Male personal trainers have a real easy “in” to conversations with the opposite sex. Unfortunately for them it usually involves trying to suggest an alternate exercise, or add to the one I’m currently doing. Not about to stop my set I manage to squeeze out between breaths, “Used to be a personal trainer, thanks.”
Can you believe there’s only one 24 Hour Fitness in the whole northwest region of Las Vegas? I’m sheltered. I grew up in Oregon. I went to a gigantic gym with new equipment, plasma TV’s, floor to ceiling windows and clean walkways. I loved that place with all my heart; it was like a freaking country club. Nowadays, going to the gym is like going to my funeral. I stand outside my dirty, North Las Vegas 24 hour fitness like I’m being brought to justice and punished for some horrible, horrible misdeed. Who knows, maybe I am.
Just get back in the car, I think to myself before I step inside each time, you can go tomorrow. It usually takes me about five minutes of deliberating outside the sliding glass door to actually make it in. You had a bit of a sore throat this morning; it’s not good to work out if you’re sick. There’s so much other stuff you can be doing ….
Once inside, it’s the fishbowl effect. I have this young, sort of girl-next-door look and I think it makes me very approachable. My theory is that everyone sort of assumes I’m overlooked, which, really, works against them because if everyone thinks that then they all decide they’re going to be the one to jump on the opportunity everyone else misses. (Consequently, I may be the most approached person in the world) and that is the part that really makes me want to kill myself versus going to the gym. For those in the 16-50 age range that don’t actually approach, they just leer from weight racks and smith machines as if they’re invisible.
Even if I don’t work up a healthy sweat – I still need to shower when I get home. Which, I promise myself, is only 30 minutes from now.
Precocious entrepreneur, workaholic and a rabid perfectionist Crystal Starlight knows a thing or two about getting ahead at a young age. Email her at [email protected]