The Fitness Divide


I almost punched someone during the gym.


In some ways, I'm sorry I didn't. This would only have made one of my most recent fitness trends even worse.


I was at the gym to get a weekend lift. Although it was busier than normal, the gym was not too busy. The floor was full of all kinds and movements.


All of these activities can be done at the same location: burpees (and bench presses), and butt-shaking. (Yes, someone was dancing in their butts.


One guy stood out, however. He was wearing a beanie on his head with the half covering his ears. His other side is hanging out, delicately. He was muscular and lean. His interactions with the two other apparent beginners were what should have made him jump in the room.


I turned off my headphones, and listened in as the bearded man mocked another person for being weaker. The beanie took off his shirt, showed the 6-pack to an overweight man and said, “This is how it looks in here."

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I've witnessed a lot dumb things in the weight room.


I've been a part of the stupidity in many different ways. One time, in 2009, when I wasn't paying much attention to weight plates moving around, I did not pay any attention. I was naturally tempted to grab a 45-pound platter and smash it into mine. (Yes, it was not my best moment. I had cracked my front teeth and had slammed my weights so hard, that the metal of my plates became one. It could have been my attempt at grillz.


It's not uncommon to see dumb stuff in the gym. It's sometimes funny to make fun of it.


But it's not easy to make jokes and create a culture where people feel they don't belong, or are judged for their every move.


It's easy enough to say that they need thicker, more supple skin. Don't be a baby. We aren't in their shoes so we can't tell how they feel.


People who aren't happy with their bodies, or the gym culture can find it intimidating. People will often say, "If other people are judging your body, then you have bigger issues." But this isn't true. Some of the most popular brands in fitness have taken steps to address this issue.


CrossFit has you covered. CrossFit offers a place where everyone feels welcome, regardless of what programming or injuries you may have to say. What is the secret to P90X's popularity? Doing your workout at home does not mean you have to go to the gym.


It is often difficult to comprehend why more people aren’t in a better physical condition and can’t get to a gym.


We call people lazy.


They might lack motivation.


Keep insisting that there's not enough.


All of these statements could be true.


However, each year many people choose to start over and end up being rejected. We need to be more encouraging and not mocking those who do the same stupid things that we did.


This is serious. This is why so many people feel that the gym does not suit them. Are some people too sensitive for the gym? No doubt. Yet, for many, this threat remains real and overwhelming.


This is the truth. People can quit worrying about how they look or getting ridiculed by others and work hard to make changes. This judgmental, condescending attitude must be broken.


We don't need make the gym more welcoming to those who love lifting weights and spending a lot of time in it. We must acknowledge the differences in their training methods and allow them to do their thing. However, many people are uncomfortable with their training methods and want to live a healthy and fit life.


We must all work together to ensure everyone is on the same page.


Fitness isn’t just for me and you. It includes the Crossfitters. Yes, I can give my opinion as to what is the best or most effective.


But I'd rather someone found their place doing something active and not settle for a boring life with health problems.


Fitness is for everybody. Let's draw a line, allow everyone to enter, and let each person choose the one that suits them best. Fitness will be alive when this happens.


I encourage you to make the change. #BeTheChange is about that. Spread the word. Let's change this game.


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