An unstoppable force

As I step into the gym I am confronted with a sudden influx of new patrons. While happy to see the gym being used to its potential for once, I have a hard time finding a place to work out. Mr. O greats me and has secured a bench for today’s exercises. While working out I take note of the people working out. It seems that more beginners are at the gym, due to the improper use of equipment and unneeded accessories they use it was easy to pick them out. Mr. O points out this as an opportunity, he knows that the amount of new patrons is frustrating but maybe if it continues then the gym would require a larger area to compensate all the new people.

During sets I try to pay close attention to the people around us, it seems that the bigger people around Mr. O give him praise for his larger muscle, but he stays humble in his conversations making sure to never get cocky from the praise. One of the side effects of the influx of people seems to be the unavailability of equipment, space, and resources which make the work out time for Mr. O and myself stretch from 90 minutes to 120 minutes. It seems that a majority of the new comers usually speak to a few of the intermediates in general fitness but almost never to the body builders. It seems that there is a sort of social barrier for body builders.

Mr. O has pointed out time and time again that it is easier to be slightly fit and work for 45 minutes than it is to be fully dedicated to building muscle for hours a day five days a week. My theory is that when a majority of the new comers do not see a big benefit of working out they will quit, a few will stay and even fewer will pursue a more serious lifestyle change. I base this on the experience of a gym goer for the past two years. People realize that gaining muscle and losing fat is hard work and takes a change in the life choices of individuals and are immediately off-put by this commitment.  In my eyes I feel that joining this group of constant gym goers and putting forth every drop of will and effort each rep, each set, and each work out makes you a part of an elite group of extremely hard working people who refuse to be satisfied with their current stage in life.

I’ve noticed a big increase in my effort put in school work this semester in college compared to when I didn’t work out as hard last semester. I’ve developed a new mental attitude that isn't satisfied with “good” or “decent” it has been replaced with  the need to be “excellent” and “inspirational” . This is the same fire I see inside Mr. O, Ms. L, and all the larger weight trainers who are in the gym for two hours or more a day. The determination to never stop seems to be growing in all of us who attend the gym every day. I have started to become what I am trying to study.