How The Ipod Killed Socializing In The Gym

This is a rant. If asked to give five reasons why working out in a gym is more fun then your parents basement, a social environment would probably rank up at the top. Guys would be in even worse shape on average if there wasn't the promise of half-dressed women ignoring them on treadmills. The funny thing is that other then that membership advisor that is counting on your renewal at the end of the month few people really socialize at the gym.

I see people walk into the gym with white ear-buds hanging from their head, they don't even take them off to speak to the person at the front desk. If you look at body language you could equate this to standing at a bar with your arms crossed, just not approachable. So, if you are going to the gym to meet people you might try:

-Only wearing a headset when doing cardio.
-At minimum take out one ear-bud when you check in.
-Turn to volume down below puree.
-Offer to spot people when you see them attempting heavy lifts.
-Smile every once in a bit, that pissed-off look doesn't make you lift any heavier.

OK, so not everyone goes to the gym to meet people and spread there social butterfly wings, you may even be going to get away from that. I remember my days as a pharmaceutical rep selling all day left me spent and all I wanted to do was get to the gym and pump out some reps in perfect silence. All I'm saying is it wouldn't kill everyone to be a little more friendly and detach from the headset every once in a while.

Why Do We Workout?

Oh, my hiatus is over and I'm back in business. I was kicking my butt the other day at the gym, one-hour straight of kettlebells, jump rope and running. I actually left a puddle that I had to get a towel and mop up, gym courtesy and all. As I was limping out of the gym doors I had to ask myself why I do this to myself, even more interesting, why do people pay me to do this to them?

The psychology behind choosing exercise over lethargy would probably show that people unleash similar hormones and enzymes when they workout, as they do when they have sex. I'm sure the research is out there, I just don't feel like looking it up; instead I am going to pull from my experience and tell you that it is not any ware near an orgasm but finishing a workout feels oh so good. I put myself through ritualistic torture because I like the way it makes me feel and look.

The thing is it takes a while to get to a point where you actually take pleasure out of the routines that you put yourself through. You really have to break through, and work to obtain a level of fitness that allows for the mix of pleasure and pain. Your physiology will bitch and resist until you create an internal environment that converts the strain as euphoria. Words from the fitness hippie, "just let it happen man."