This isn't 'Roid Rage'

While standing in the gym getting through my first set of lateral raises I look into the mirror and see the gym is absolutely packed. Where were these people 4 weeks ago? Finishing my set I move on to the next station.  

The following day is “leg day” I go through my routine at a grouling pace due to to the amount of people coming into the gym. While finishing my first set of deadlifts I look over at the bench to see a dark skinned patron angrily asking the person on the bench if he was done. The person on the bench, clearly resting in-between sets responds in a calm tone “I still have three sets to go, I can come and get you when I am done if you would like.”

The dark skinned man agrees but does not walk away, instead of patiently waiting he stands and watches the man on the bench finish one set then asks “ Are you done yet?”.

Angrily, the man states that he will tell the dark skinned man when the bench press is available. The dark skinned man smirks and walks away. The man on the bench looks to me and states “Some people just don’t know proper gym etiquette!”

This argument has only furthered my personal views of this gym society being a bigger than just a couple of people wanting to live healthier. Being in the gym and being a “gym rat” isn’t about working for an hour on your body and moving on, its more of a complete lifestyle for a majority of people. The gym rules their decisions outside of the gym too. What you eat, who you hang out with, when you sleep, how well you do in school, how disciplined you are, and what you do for fun outside of the gym are all governed by the gym for people who are involved in an athletic lifestyle.

The gym never ceases to provide material for this assignment. Not to mention the amount of insight I get daily into the culture I’ve slowly become a part of. The melting pot that is the gym society is a lot more complex than I had ever anticipated. More coming soon.