the lifter

Good Morning,

As part of my daily routine, I like to go to the gym for a good workout. The gym I attend is large with two floors of machines and equipment. To navigate the maze I motor from station to station using my wheelchair. It's speedy, efficient, and yes, safer than walking on tired legs.

Often, other gym patrons like to approach and offer words of support and encouragement. Over the course of 20 years of workouts this form of spontaneous support and sharing has touched me deeply and inspired me. There's only one problem. Sometimes people go overboard.

I was seated at the seated row machine concentrating hard on another "rep" when a woman in her late 50's squatted down beside me. She held a clipboard and had something important to say (well as important as it can be when the woman is wearing an over-sized tee and yoga pants). Without much introduction, she announced she wanted to give me an Award!

"An award?" the natural question I assumed here was why? She wanted to give me an award for...pushing a wheelchair?

Not exactly, she wanted to reward me for being an inspiration, a "Fixture" at the gym (i.e., Someone who always seems to be there, no matter what time of day it is).

Slightly irritated I smiled and nodded. I do not like to disappoint my "fans" so I tried to soften and listen. I shared whatever information she needed for her clipboard and laughed at the task that lie ahead of her.

She now had to go home to her husband, a person of influence, and explain to him why her submission for "the Award" was his Foundation's ticket to lots of tears and a $200 a plate chicken dinner. (What would her husband be telling the committee?)

...just what would she put on this nomination ticket? "There's a girl at the gym I see there every day and she uses a wheelchair...she walks too and has nice muscles!"

I cannot think of a more absurd set of qualifications so it is not surprising to me that I have not won any Award. In fact, after our interview/conversation this woman now seldom makes eye contact. I can only imagine it's awkward unsuccessfully nominating someone for an Award! (I think there should be an Award for those who have endured pain and perhaps marital disharmony on my behalf).

Anyway, all of this to say I think it's important to watch our stereotypes. We often need to make sense of a flood of information at a place like a gym. This can lead to quick judgments and embarrassing errors (see Award!).


If you've ever worked out in a gym, you've probably noticed stereotypical people too.

The Preener- Someone who checks themselves out in the full-length mirror repeatedly throughout a session.

The Screamer- Typically male. The "push" part of a lift is accompanied by an excessive often disturbing SCREAM.

The Cardio Queen- Very attractive (or secretly attractive) to Screamers & Preeners. CQ's live in Spandex and rule the treadmills and elliptical machines from their cell phones.

The New Years Resolutioners- Those whose fitness goals are broken in the first 30 days.

For a complete rundown of this lengthy list you can go your local gym.

It's about this time of year I encourage you to join. You can breathe easier as the "New Years Resolutioners" providing the most punishing pedals on the stationary bike or blitzing the ellipticals with lightning fast pedals...have gone out in a puddle of sweat.

It's the brief down time before the next flock of fleeting new members--those bent over gasping on the StairMaster trying to get bikini ready have left the core of gym culture and moments to appreciate...It’s not the Awards but the rewards of your efforts.

It is a common misconception that the most buff and serious lifters congregate in the free weight section, the area of the gym noted for its impressive racks of hand held weights, padded benches and excessive screams. The most experienced lifters crawl, hang, grunt, and yes, preen a little all about and around another central fixture called the cable cross over machine. Notable for its impressive steel frame and a workman like system of pulleys most come as multi-station units that give the look and feel of a jungle gym. Brilliant in its efficiency and functionality those with the trainer's mind and bodies literally hang out here.

I sat at the seated row station squeezing out another modified rep. (I will not give the tedious details but let's just say there is a proper form!...that belies my balance and desired capabilities). I noticed a young man as he approached, definitely an "Accessory Guy" or maybe an "Ego Lifter." I'd just watched him move an impressive amount of weight and every muscle in his arm ripple and pop as he recorded his progress in a log. A two-gallon jug of some powdered concoction sat close by and a well-used hand towel hung limply over his shoulder. I could see we were both wearing ear buds and required iPods to blast over the gym's re-modeling prize, a new speaker system with bone vibrating bass to PUMP UP THE 80's ROCK!!!

I smiled and nodded a hello. It is customary for the Accessory Guy/Ego Lifter to ask for use of multiple cable attachments. (I will say this is about the only place in life where a guy can ask a complete stranger woman for the ankle strap, rope, and double stirrups and not evoke lots of anxiety). I was prepared to share my equipment stash when the Accessory Guy surprised me with something else.

He pointed to his big arm then nodded at mine. "You're gettin' muscle." Yes, I felt inside like a giddy little schoolgirl. I'm so glad you noticed. Outside I nodded and gave a slightly surprised but cool “thanks.” That’s my reward. Come on and join me. What’s yours?

Happy Monday,

Amanda