After a long hiatus, it was time to get back to The Gym.

On the internet I carefully perused the offerings and locations and while doing so remembered an old ism from way back when:

"Sign up with a gym that is easy to get to and preferably on the way home. That way it's much harder to talk yourself out of going!".

Well, there was one just on the outskirts of the local 'hood but I didn't like it. Two others were a little further out, but in areas I frequented, and one of those was in a pretty new building. The equipment in the club in the new building was likely to be new, which is always a plus with me, and so that's the one I chose to visit the other day.

Got me a free 'Day Pass' over the internet, something only available for prospective members, and let me just say here that from then on out, soon as I entered the door and got that pass scanned at the front desk, I didn't need any further guidance. I knew what the routine was for I have been a member of gyms in many different states and inside they're all the same.

It's funny to me now, this gym self assuredness, 'cuz it wasn't always that way. The first time I ever went to a gym I was highly nervous and fumblingly self conscious, thinking that everybody was looking at me. Took me about two weeks to settle in. But now? On with the gym clothes then straight onto the floor. Oh- and muy importante- in with the ear buds ‘cuz It's time to check out. Why would I want to check out? I'll tell you exactly why.

It's because zoning out is required. Everybody in the place is in for the same misery as me, the chore of performing body maintenance. They, like I, know that body maintenance is a necessary evil. The owners of gyms fully understand this and try to make our stays as comfortable as possible. To keep us happy they make sure that the A/C is optimal, the equipment is up to date, and that the free weights are in a separate area away from the workout machines. They also ensure that everybody has plenty of space, lockers are provided to keep our stuff safe (bring your own lock) and please, take a shower afterwards if you want. An’ look- there’s plenty of TV to watch on lots of channels. You can also choose to work out solo or in a group, get yourself a personal trainer, drop in at any time of day, and stay for as long or as little as you want in order to get that body worked.

Far as I'm concerned- and I've got lots of company with this- nothing gets it done like going to the gym. Chi gong and yoga at home don't quite get it. Working out by yourself- if you have the space and the equipment- isn't the same as being at the gym because the people around you act as motivation. Forget about suffering alone- it’s much better if the suffering is mutual!

Now, as to The Gym environment, here are the three things you must resolve-hookups, personal appearance, and people watching/judging.

With number one, I'm long past the point where I'm single and trying to meet somebody. Two is handled this way- I don't care what anybody thinks about my appearance! With three I can’t help from looking around from time to time to see the local characters and what they're up to. I'm sure they're checking me out occasionally as well. We don't say much to each other but I will eventually get to know most of the regulars on sight.

This particular gym, like all the others I've been a part of, is a public place but it's an anonymous one as well. That's okay with me. Few of us come here to socialize.

I like to budget roughly an hour and a half for a full workout. Doesn’t sound like a lot but you can pack a lot in in an hour and a half. Two hours and I'll be getting out of there for sure, getting on with my day. You don't want to, like, live there.

During my time in The Gym I hit up all the weight machines. I'm not a free weights kinda guy but I'll do some dumbbell work if the area is clear, which it usually isn't. Crossfit, Kettlebells, Spinning, Pilates, Zumba, etc. I'd like to try sometime, but I probably won't, because classes run on a schedule and I don't.

Once I make it through all the machines and about as many songs on my playlist I'll head over to the treadmill, stairstepper, elliptical, and stationary bike area for some cardio which I didn't used to do, not seeing the need, but now I find that the 'cardio burn' is very good for the system. I won't go as hard as those Spinning class people whooping it up in the closed-door classroom but I'll get my heart rate up there.

Maybe I'll do a few of these pieces of equipment and then at some point or another the workout will be called 'done'. I will either stop the machine I'm on or I'll ride it out in 'cool down' mode.

Once I get off the equipment the satisfaction of 'getting in a workout' comes over me. I've earned the feeling that I'm having, which is a pleasant overall body sensation. I'm feeling a little wobbly and a little tired, yeah, but my body is likin' it, I can tell. There's this afterglow.

Workouts, I've noticed, carry over into the rest of your day. There is an energetic lift and maybe a little more mental clarity. The spring in your step is back and you're moving at a speed faster than the sedentary crowd. But now that you're there there is a price you have to pay. You have to keep it up, which means you'll be hitting up The Gym again and again. Your mind might try and talk you out of going many, many times and present numerous excuses for you to use but- if you've followed the advice at the beginning of this piece- The Gym is going to be on your way home or close enough to it so that you can more often than not override that slacker voice and pull into the parking lot. If you choose to pull in, I can absolutely guarantee you this- you're always going to feel better on your way back out!