My health had been in decline for a number of years. A combination of daily stress, my mother passing away, my finances, PTSD, and my general future overall helped to erode my wellness. I was also battling some depression and anxiety so a therapist I was visiting prescribed medication. This plus the meds I was already prescribed by my general doctor for cholesterol, and blood pressure made me feel like a pill-popping loser. A friend of mine suggested I get back to a regular workout regimen which amounted to walking or running and free weights. He said it would help fight depression, and lower my blood pressure. I nodded and did what I normally do when someone makes a suggestion, place it in the back of mind and forget about doing it until much later. Well, that time had come. I was sick of feeling like hammered dog poo. I was going to go back to the gym one way or the other.
The last time I stepped into a gym to be totally honest a certain actor turned politician had been President. Having been away from a workout joint was a bit strange. Part of me remembered from long ago the feeling of impotence working out on Nautilus machines and free weights while men and women with picture perfect physiques worked out. I was scrawny, skinny and lean back then and my workout t-shirt, shorts, and tube socks made me appear downright dorky. The floor to ceiling mirrors plastered all over my old gym didn't help. I hated looking at my reflection, especially when a muscle god or goddess sauntered by. I felt out of place back then and now that I was about to begin anew those feelings resurfaced.
The place was titled Gym Tonic. I decided this was going to be my gym and dammit I was going to do what I should've done so long ago, workout on a regular basis and get fit.
Gym Tonic was a decent sized place. The open floor plan allowed anyone entering to see virtually the entire facility. Rows of gleaming machines, stationary bikes, and treadmills were neatly divided on one side of the cavernous interior. Racks of free weights, barbells, and dumbells lined up on the other. The only difference between this gym and my old one were things like the interior color palette; gone were the muted pastel colors, grays, and neon lights. Now they were bold red, steel gray and black. Gone too were the piped-in pop songs from bands like Tears For Fears and 'Til Tuesday. Now it was from artists like Ariana Grande, Meek Mill, Halsey, and Kanye West.
I had the chance to sign up for either 6 months or 1-year membership. I went for the year-long one and handed the form with my credit card to a black guy named Troy who was working the front desk. Troy and his 5% body fat muscled physique were a good enough advertisement for this place while at the same time reminding guys like me that we would never look as good, not in a million years. Another guy took his place at the desk while Troy gave me a quick tour of the place. The place was super clean and maintained.
The last time I stepped into a gym to be totally honest a certain actor turned politician had been President. Having been away from a workout joint was a bit strange. Part of me remembered from long ago the feeling of impotence working out on Nautilus machines and free weights while men and women with picture perfect physiques worked out. I was scrawny, skinny and lean back then and my workout t-shirt, shorts, and tube socks made me appear downright dorky. The floor to ceiling mirrors plastered all over my old gym didn't help. I hated looking at my reflection, especially when a muscle god or goddess sauntered by. I felt out of place back then and now that I was about to begin anew those feelings resurfaced.
The place was titled Gym Tonic. I decided this was going to be my gym and dammit I was going to do what I should've done so long ago, workout on a regular basis and get fit.
Gym Tonic was a decent sized place. The open floor plan allowed anyone entering to see virtually the entire facility. Rows of gleaming machines, stationary bikes, and treadmills were neatly divided on one side of the cavernous interior. Racks of free weights, barbells, and dumbells lined up on the other. The only difference between this gym and my old one were things like the interior color palette; gone were the muted pastel colors, grays, and neon lights. Now they were bold red, steel gray and black. Gone too were the piped-in pop songs from bands like Tears For Fears and 'Til Tuesday. Now it was from artists like Ariana Grande, Meek Mill, Halsey, and Kanye West.
I had the chance to sign up for either 6 months or 1-year membership. I went for the year-long one and handed the form with my credit card to a black guy named Troy who was working the front desk. Troy and his 5% body fat muscled physique were a good enough advertisement for this place while at the same time reminding guys like me that we would never look as good, not in a million years. Another guy took his place at the desk while Troy gave me a quick tour of the place. The place was super clean and maintained.