One of my favorite things to talk about is gyms. Not because I’m a hardcore “gym rat” or that I consider it a hobby
but because sometimes they are just hilarious to talk about. I do go to the gym semi-regularly, and not going to lie, I feel great afterwards. The difference with me though? I’m not trying to lose weight or obtain a six-pack (six-packs on girls are weird, in my opinion), I just want to be healthy and I know that clean eating and exercise lead to longer lifespans and an overall improvement in how I feel day to day both mentally and physically.
But let’s turn our attention to the different types of gyms there are. From what I’ve noticed, there’s two very different opposite ends of the spectrum: Planet Fitness and Crossfit training facilities.
Here’s a joke: If you meet a vegan who does crossfit, what do they talk about first?
I actually don’t have an answer to this question because my boyfriend is vegan and does crossfit and talks about neither. Hm. Defying the stereotype.
Anyway, “crossfitters” are infamously known for always talking about crossfit. How many burpees they did that day (ok, my boyfriend actually told me he did 70 yesterday, case in point), when they’re going next, what they’re body fat percentage is… etc. It’s a lifestyle for these people. I understand the principle of it, it’s simply circuit training, but these people are generally known for being OBSESSED with it. Crossfit is a borderline cult. Did you know that a crossfit gym is actually called “the box”? Yeah, I didn’t either. Crossfit puts itself into it’s own category of working out/going to the gym that they don’t even want to be referred to as a “gym,” but instead, have their own term. Granted, people who do crossfit are in fantastic shape, so it appears. Crossfit is meant to push your body to the limit in order to be some type of ideal body.
On the other hand, the gym I go to, is Planet Fitness. Planet Fitness is known for it’s “no critics” and “no gymtimidation” policies. Basically, it’s the gym that all the people who look like they’re trying to get on The Biggest Loser go. But hey, everyone has to start somewhere. Planet Fitness is not the place to go if you’re trying to get inspired to become some type of ideal Crossfit-esque body. Instead, they want people to know that everyone starts somewhere and that there is no shame in their body, fat or not. It’s a “go at your own pace and whatever feels right for you” type of place, and honestly it is actually kind of nice sometimes. If I’m not feeling great about my body and I want to go workout somewhere and not feel intimidated by the huge guys slamming weights, then yeah, I definitely see the appeal (PF looks down on “slamming weights”). Instead of pushing people to become the ultimate ideal body, they encourage people to set their own goals and accept that everyone has different goals without any type of judgement. I honestly think this is a great tactic (not to mention PF is $10 a month) to bring people in who normally hate gyms. No one should feel unaccepted at a gym, we’re just there to sweat and be disgusting, and that’s ok!
I used to be in really great shape a few years ago when I was obsessively going to the gym 6 days a week and back then, Crossfit probably would have been the next step. But now that I’m a busy bee with school and work, I just want to go running when I want to relieve some stress, lift some weights to keep myself a little toned and that’s it. Gyms don’t have to be a place where you should feel intimidated to lose weight and look a certain way. Know your goals, and don’t give a f**k what others think. It’s your body. Love it.
Unruly Bodies 
I did a crossfit class one time and it was most intense workout thing i have ever done. It was so difficult. I think its important to work on your body just for yourself and be encourage and feel good for yourself. I agree with you, nobody should care what other people feel because its not their bodies and they shouldn’t judge you. nobody is perfect.
This is a good read. I’m always intimidated my Crossfit and a little wary of Crossfit both because it seems very difficult and I’ve read things about the damage it can do to your body (likely due to people not doing it properly and pushing themselves too far and getting injured).
I think that your last paragraph is super poignant and great both for you and the reader. Often, especially if you used to frequent the gym regularly, people feel guilty for not going as often or not keeping up with the work-out schedule that they used to. I know I certainly feel guilty and a bit upset if I know that I’m not in the best shape that I can be in at that point in time. I love the way that you now look at working out as something you can do to relieve stress and when you have time.
This was awesome, thanks for sharing! I admire your passion for the gym…I can’t quite make myself get to that level. I had a Planet Fitness membership for a couple of months and can count on one hand how many time I actually went. I think it’s my general lack of knowledge about the gym equipment that kept me away, well that and the fact that I moved from the outskirts of Baltimore to an apartment downtown. They recently opened a Planet Fitness downtown by the harbor, only a 10 minute walk from my apartment. My roommate is a member but I don’t see her going to the gym much these days either. Oh well, I’ll stick to skateboarding and hope for the best.
I love going to the gym for the release of happy chemicals in my mind. I am not there to become “the image of fitness”. It is interesting that there are different gyms with different feels to them. My uncle does crossfit sometimes and it does keep his body in impressive shape. Semi-related, He once told me he didn’t think that yoga was worth his time because he didn’t care to gain more flexibility, he just wanted strength, and I was like yoga is about more than that and also it can be very difficult if you ramp it up.