Bro worries
The Student Activity Center can be a scary place. I know this because the first time I decided to go there for a workout freshman year was almost the last time.
Seconds after walking in, I realized I was embarrassingly underdressed for the occasion. It seemed everybody in the building was sporting Under Armor’s finest. Sleeveless bro-tanks and skin-tight yoga pants swarmed menacingly everywhere I turned.
And then there was me – painfully average from ragged sneakers to dollar store headband. How could I possibly feel comfortable sweating into such unattractive, off- brand attire?
I moved past my initial apprehension and headed toward the free weight area, where I was promptly greeted with Herculean grunts and a wave of testosterone. I ventured carefully through the row of bros, dodging any weights they threw to the ground in an apparent effort to assert dominance.
It was the beginning of the semester, and the gym was packed with people looking to show off their summer’s work. After nearly becoming a casualty of an over aggressive bro-shake between two long lost buddies, I saw refuge in the form of an open exercise machine in the corner of the gym.
This is where I learned how to properly workout. I thought it was all about exercising muscles and bettering the self, but studying the behavior of the SAC rats quickly taught me otherwise.
Apparently, the best way to work out is to work out as little as possible. The aimless laps around the gym, during which you stare down the mirror and flex obnoxiously, are crucial for the workout. Also, it’s good etiquette to claim gym equipment by laying your towel down and walking away for extended periods of time. Feel free to answer your phone at any time during the workout, and the louder you talk, the cooler you look.
Needless to say, working out is not about being cool. It is about setting personal goals, achieving them and ultimately feeling good about yourself, physically and mentally.
It would take me a while to get over my anxiety of gym culture and stop caring about how others perceived me. Nowadays, I frequent the SAC and make it a point to utilize the resources at my disposal.
I might not be able to bench 300 pounds or have six-pack abs, but every workout clears my mind and increases my confidence– even without the top-shelf protein shake or fad juice cleanser to cap it off.
