The Fitness Divide

I almost punched someone in a gym.

And I am in some ways disappointed that I didn’t. Doing so would have only made the latest fitness trend even worse.

I was there for a weekend lift. The gym was busy, but that is normal for this time of the day. There were all kinds of movements on the floor.

There were also bench presses, burpees, and even butt shaking going on simultaneously. (Yes, that's right. Someone was actually dancing their way through burpees and bench presses).

There was one man who stood out above all the rest. He was wearing a beanie that covered half of his head. The other half is delicately hanging out. His muscular build and muscle mass should have been enough to make him stand out in the room. However, he was constantly interacting with these two novices.

I put my headphones on and listened as the beanie ridiculed a stranger for not being more powerful. The beanie raised his shirt, showing off his 6-pack to overweight, and said, "This how it's supposed look in here."

I've seen some dumb things in the gym.

Many ways have I contributed to this stupidity. One time in 2009, I didn't pay attention to the weight plates being moved. I grabbed a 45-pound plate from the table and crushed it into my mouth. This was not the best of moments. I broke my two front teeth and had slammed weights so hard that the plates were one with my teeth. You could say that it was my first attempt at having grillz.

There have been some embarrassing things at the gym. Sometimes it's funny to laugh about it.

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However, there is a distinction between making jokes or creating a culture that makes beginners feel unwelcome or that judges them for every move.

It's easy for them to claim they need thicker skin. Be a grown-up. However, we are not their parents and cannot tell them what to feel.

A gym can seem intimidating, especially to those who aren't comfortable with their bodies or the culture. Some will argue that "if other people judge you then you have greater problems." However, most fitness brands have attempted to address this issue.

CrossFit is your best choice. CrossFit has created a welcoming culture, no matter what your opinions are about injuries and programming. What made P90X so appealing to so many people? Home workouts are different than going to the gym.

We often wonder why so many people don't feel in good shape and can't go to the gym.

People are often called lazy.

You might say they lack motivation.

You must insist that there isn't enough time.

All of these could be true.

Every year, many people attempt to start again and are still pushed aside. Instead of mocking, shaming, or inflicting people who do the same dumb things as us, we should be encouraging them to learn and feel more comfortable.

This is serious. This is a serious problem. Are there people who are too sensitive? No doubt. For many, however, that threat is real.

Let's face it, people don't need to worry about appearing stupid or being laughed at. They can be free to work hard and kick some guys. However, the condescending and judgmental attitude has to be stopped.

For those who lift heavy weights or spend lots of time in the gym, we don't have to make it more welcoming. However, we need to be open-minded about their training methods and let them do what they want. Many others are still new to the sport and may feel uncomfortable. However, they want a healthy lifestyle and exercise to be part of their lives.

Everyone needs to be on the same page. We need to create a culture that encourages exercise regardless of your level of expertise or preference.

Fitness is not only for you and me. It includes heavy lifters, Crossfitters (P90xers), and the cardio crew. My opinion is valid on which is better and more efficient.

I prefer someone to find their place by doing something active, rather than living a sedentary lifestyle and causing health problems.

Fitness is for everyone. Let's draw the line. Open the doors to everyone and let everyone choose what is best for them. Fitness will only live when that happens.

I encourage all of you to open the doors. That's #BeTheChange. Spread the word and help us change the game.