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As my car grates over the too steep driveway, I see that the parking lot is packed again; the gym is really busy this afternoon. Going to the gym has almost become the American past time for many people, though most of those go more for the social aspect than for the actual health benefits that can be derived from exercise. The thought of actually becoming physically fit is not something that ever seems to enter their minds. Instead the gym is a social hang out, somewhat like the disco was in the 70’s. Everyone is there to show off their new workout gear and catch up on the latest gossip with their friends.
I find a spot, park my car and head toward the building. This is a relatively new gym, having been built less than two years ago. The building is really quite impressive sitting right on the corner with a curving, circular type entrance made out of two stories of glass and tall brick columns topped by white pillars that look somewhat Grecian in their architecture. Down one side of the building the swimming pool can be seen through the single story windows that span most of the length to the back of the building, and on the other is the day care where children can be seen playing while somewhat disinterested attendants stare at their cell phones.
Once inside the doors I wait in line at the circular front desk so I can scan my membership card before heading in to work out. You never know what the front desk person will be like, but today it’s a pleasant young girl who says, “Good afternoon! Have a great work out!” to each member as we pass by. As I walk past the front desk the weight room sprawls out ahead of me. The free weights are on the right with rubber mat flooring and mirrors along the walls. There are two cable cross-over machines in the front corner, dumbbell racks along the length of the wall, various flat, incline and adjustable benches as well as flat and incline bench press benches. As usual, there are a number of people actually lifting weights in this area, but there are even more standing around and visiting.
I still haven’t found Kevin, so I scan the opposite side of the building where all the weight machines are located. This is a pretty big gym, over 40,000 square feet, so there’s just about every machine you could want. This area is carpeted and set up with the equipment placed out in long rows, leaving just enough room for members to walk in between the machines that are next to each other, and wider aisles between the rows that allow for free movement through the larger area. The facility is brightly lit with high ceilings and an upstairs area that houses all the cardio machines. Treadmills stretch in a long row along the railing, and behind them nearer the wall are elliptical machines, stationary bikes, recumbent bikes and stair steppers. Sometimes Kevin will spend some time up there, warming up while he’s waiting for me, but today he’s nowhere to be found.
Finally I see him back by the racquetball court along the far back wall of the building. I make my way over to him and say, “Hey Kevin, how’s it going?” At first he doesn’t respond, and then I notice that he’s watching the girl with the dragon tattoo who’s doing her usual Spartacus type workout in an open area on the other side of a second set of dumbbell racks. Kevin looks at me with raised eyebrows, impressed as usual with this girl’s strength and stamina. He returns my greeting and we get started with our workout. Not everyone is here for the social scene. |