Working out at the gym is a community...

Working out at the gym is a community. There are so many reasons why working out at the gym and the people that participate is a community. People, including myself, that go to the gym to work out do it for many different reasons, whether it is to socialize, relieve stress and tension, or to get healthy and fit. I go work out at the gym for the latter two of those reasons. All three of the reasons, and many others, are what keep people in the community.

It is funny, when I am at the gym, I rarely talk to anybody but I see the same people there everyday that I go. You smile and/or nod at these people and get a smile or some sort of acknowledgement back and know that you are accepted. Some people are there with friends, or "workout buddies" and others are there on their own. Most people listen to headphones and watch the big television screens up on the wall. Although everyone is somewhat on their own, they are accepted as part of the group at the same time.

Everyone that is at the gym is there to benefit themselves. They are there to improve their looks and their attitudes. These people may not be there to make new friends but they are being supported, sometimes without even knowing it. It's kind of funny but I see the same people everyday that I go and it's kind of fun to cheer them on and watch their progress or see how they are changing up their routines. You can learn a lot about people and from people without even talking.

I think the intimidation factor between men and women at the gym is the main tension that works against the cohesion of this community. The women feel a lot of apprehension to join in the weight room activities and exercises because of this intimidation, for example. That is the one thing about this community that I would love to see change.

I fit into this community in several different ways. I love going to the gym and working out so that I can feel better about myself and also get healthier. I love seeing what other people are doing and what type of results they are getting. I like being known as one of the regulars, its just a really good feeling.