Most Embarrassing Gym Stories

Gyms are a sub-culture unto their own. The reason that some people find Gyms, and especially specialized Gyms/Training facilities, so daunting is the mini-“culture shock” of learning parameters of this subculture. These are the “do’s and dont’s” that allow one to avoid “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune”, aka complete social humiliation. Sometimes, however […]

Gym Etiquette – Unsolicited advice vs. Solicited advice

Warning – this post will likely appeal mostly to hardcore gym rats and/or inveterate students of human behavior. As I have said in a previous post, a gym is to human behavior what a watering hole is to the Serengeti. You see a lot of different types of behavior concentrated in a relatively small space. […]

The unexpected consequences of lifting.

What motivates people to train in the strength sports? Ask 100 different lifters why they lift and you will no doubt get a 100 different answers that are just variations of the same theme. The common thread running through their answers would be that it’s that it’s just flat out fun being strong. Being stronger […]

Random Musings on Gym Behavior – Part 1

30 years ago I joined my first gym. It was a hugely overpriced affair located in Boston’s Financial District. It was filled to the brim with big, bright, shiny machines (Nautilus was a big deal in those days) and entitled Type A douchebags. Forget even approaching the bench press in those days as: a) there […]