About that Gym Anxiety
Show insecurity the door.
Some years ago I can recall being asked by a coworker about what I get into on my days off. So I mentioned my exercise regimen and visits to the gym. She replied with a mild sort of anguish, for lack of a better term. Centered around an intimidation born from her own insecurities. As in, she was insecure about her state of physical fitness in a sea of fit gym members. This is all according to her mind you. To which I replied, “Why does that even matter? Everyone goes to better themselves (via exercise). They will be focused on themselves, so just focus on you…!” On top of this, she did not appear to be unfit. Very confusing for the young man that I was at the time.
A few years later I can recall talking to a fellow gym member about his decisions to take steroids. He was young guy with red hair who happened to be extremely short in stature. The choice to take steroids at his size was crazy to me. According to him, he would go to the clubs and see buff dudes get lots of attention which would make him jealous. So, he decided to grab some of that attention for himself. Perhaps insecurities due to his height played a large role as well. Anyway, all this was baffling because although he was very short, his personality was larger than life. And judging by the ladies in his life, they felt the same.
His friend, and steroid taking buddy, got into a motorcycle accident around this time. The hospital he was recovering at basically made him confess to his steroid use. Upon hearing of another gym colleague to take this route, my eyes rolled a bit to be honest. Anyway, I guess the doctors and nurses had their suspicions. Not sure how as he wasn’t a super big dude. Apparently, his health care givers needed to know for his successful recovery.
Fast-forward to present day and things to me are a little more concerning. When I was young, social media did not exist. We had movies, magazines, and television to influence us through our visual senses. And music of course to tickle our auditory senses. Nowadays, kids have a plethora of content via social media outlets with a seemingly vast array of genres. Having been going to gyms for the past twenty years I have seen it go from a place that was mainly for adults to an environment including teenagers…which is weird.
The concern for me comes from why young teens feel the need to pump iron. As I have been paying attention to social media since the beginning, the answer is somewhat obvious. They are becoming influenced by these social media stars whom are in their early twenties. Naturally, kids want to be like them. After all, I used to do the same when I was young. But, there is something about a fifteen or sixteen-year-old kid mixing it up with adults in a gym that does not sit right with me. Working out with your mom or dad is fine, but left alone…? Nah…
Problem is, from what I see, a lot of these teens become somewhat enamored by the stereotypical gym dudes. Those that are in their 30s, lifting insane amounts of weight. Buff. Tan. Complete with larger-than-life personalities because they think they own the place. And because they are showing out to all the teeny boppers they sense are looking at them.
As a result, some of the teen boys try to act like them to an extent. Some even mix it up with these dudes on some level. Likewise for some of the teen girls. Especially those in their mid-late teens whose gym clothes are painted to their bodies. In addition, it is distressing when they are being charmed from these grown men whom know better.
The very same dudes, by the way, I can hear openly talk about their own steroid use. Not to mention their own intimate, adult exploits out in the open. In public. So uncouth.
Gym culture, for sure, is taking a concerning path. It really is not a place for teenagers to be left alone. It is a place where there does exist people for vain purposes only. It is an environment where one can influence another.
Yet, despite all of this, it is still a good place. Just like what I told my coworker all those years ago, most people are there to keep their physical fitness in check. So if you are concerned about the environment, consider the following.
You should be going to a gym for your own benefit. You should not be concerned with what other people think of you. You should not be concerned with other people, their influence on others, and their own actions. You should decide how you want to be influenced. You should be only concerned with yourself and your own clearly defined goals. If you let the nefarious side of gym culture get to you, then you will fail to benefit from the huge positives that business has for you.
Within the four walls of any gym will be individuals that are pleasant, helpful, understanding, and encouraging. They want to see themselves succeed as well as see you succeed. According to your own definition, not theirs or anyone else’s.
If you have ever been on the fence about joining a gym due to its environment you better get off. Take that message as a bit of tough love. This world would be nothing without tough love. Do not ever be afraid to join a gym for any reason. There is too much you’ll be missing. Your health literally is at stake.
