Good morning and happy Saturday!
Here is a link to the vision message from last Sunday if you wanted to see it.
Michelle and I were at the gym recently using the treadmills. As we ran along, even with ear buds in listening to music and the sound of the treadmill itself, we could hear the guy in the weight room. Every time that he got midway through his sets he started screaming with every rep. When I first heard it, I wondered if someone was hurt or going into labor. Neither of which proved to be the case. This guy just liked to let out a scream when he was lifting. I have seen people do that when they are trying to set a world record or win some kind of competition. However, it is usually not on every set lifting what could be considered a normal amount of weight. I am not really sure why he was doing it. If it was to impress others, then it didn’t work since it was just Michelle and I in the other part of the gym. As I ran along that day with The Screamer lifting in the other room, I started thinking about the other types of people that I have seen at the gym.
The Weight Dropper – this is closely related to the Screamer. There is a dude that finishes each set by dropping the weights to the ground. Again, you see this with Olympic athletes that lift the equivalent of a VW Bug. However, when you are doing curls with 20 lb dumb bells, just set them back down. There is no need to drop them and have them bounce off the floor. He even does it with the machines. He lets go of the handle when he is done and the weight plates crash together. Not really sure the point of it.
The Mirror Watcher – this variety of gym persona comes in both male and female variety. They are the ones that position themselves right in front of the mirror to watch themselves lift the weights. I am confident that 1 in 20 are doing so to make sure that their technique is correct. The other 19 are likely more concerned with how good they think they look. O vanity of vanities…
The Selfie – this takes the Mirror Watcher to the next level. These people are often spotted taking various selfies of themselves on the different pieces of exercise equipment. Some also take mirror selfies as well. It is possible that a small percentage are going to use them to gauge their progress – kind of like a time lapse of their fitness journey. Others, likely send them to their friends or post them on social media so that everyone can be impressed with their physique or their over-priced fitness attire.
The Prancer – This one was only spotted once in the fitness center. In this case, she was decked out in the latest fashion trends for the gym (which also means the mall, the grocery store, the carpool line at school, etc.). However, what made this one a bit unusual was the choice of shoes she wore. Instead of the latest $ 150 fitness shoes, The Prancer was actually wearing heels with her leggings. I am not making this up.
The Phone Talker – As you might expect, the gym can be a noisy place. The flatscreens are usually on, there is the constant hum of the treadmills and ellipticals, and the sounds of weight clanking together. Add on top of that, the potential of someone screaming while they lift, another dude dropping the weights, the sound of the shutters on the cameras going off like the paparazzi hunting Meghan Markle, and someone walking in high heels, and it is not as quiet as the local library. But, in the midst of that, you might encounter the Phone Talker. Yep, instead of going into the hallway, lobby or other secluded place, this person decides that talking on the phone is a good idea. Sometimes you even hear them tell the person on the other end, “What? I can’t hear you. Say that again.” Even better are those that think using the speaker phone is a good idea. That way we can all be part of the conference call. Michelle told me that the other day the gym was really busy. Nevertheless, a guy decided that it was a good place for him to do a business conference call. My personal favorite is when they give the other people in the gym “the look” like they need to be quiet so they can hear their call.
Honestly, I find all of this rather amusing. People, including all of us, are funny creatures. We all do things that probably make others laugh or at least wonder what in the world we are doing. Without realizing it, we could also be frustrating others around us without even knowing it. Perhaps, a little self-awareness could be a good thing once in a while. Let me encourage you to have fun, be yourself, and enjoy the journey. But don’t be surprised to discover that others think you are a bit strange.
18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:18-20)
Have a good weekend!
Larry
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