By Akram Nassar
Well, summer has come and gone and with it, swimsuit season! Most of us may have felt a little self-conscious about putting on the trusty trunks after our winter hibernation and the inevitable winter weight gain, and that’s where that old gym membership from our New Year’s resolution comes in handy! Here is a recap of the types of gym rats out there that you undoubtedly met (and ultimately forgot now that it is September!) to help better prepare you for next year’s run toward the gym and avoid anyone who might sabotage your momentum:
The Zombie: Zombies are somewhat active, somewhat decent gym-goers who are there to kill some time and get some exercise done at the same time. They are called Zombies due to the mindless shuffling and dead stare they exhibit while in between sets. If you are in a position of having to train with a Zombie, take advantage of the work out phase, but avoid the Walking Dead at all costs if you want to maximize your time at the gym!
The Headbanger: The Headbanger can be seen at your local gym sporting a decent pair of headphones/earphones, and (you guessed it) headbanging to the latest tunes. While some Headbangers show some startling strength due to the jolt they get from listening to their favorite music and are actually there to get some work done, others are too consumed by the music to actually attempt any form of exercise. Steer clear of those!
The Know-it-all: These guys stick out like a sore thumb. They can be found walking around the gym ‘flexing’ and barking advice to ‘newbies’ on proper form and exercise etiquette. Some have a solid foundation, but most don’t know what they are talking about. That said, it’s always best to avoid all types of Know-it-all’s and stick to getting your advice from a credible source: your professional trainer!
The Good Guy: Good Guys are the super heroes of the modern world. They are usually well built and advanced gym goers, and they are always there if you need someone to help out with spotting or to offer motivation to beginners and newbies. Befriend a Good Guy and your work out will be all the better for it! Without friends to help, Good Guys ultimately turn into Know-it-alls, so do them a favor and save them from that wretched fate!
The Self Motivators: These guys are there to draw attention to themselves. If you hear an unnecessarily loud groan or an extra audible grunt it’s probably coming from a Self Motivator. This type of gym rat is harmless and is usually the comic relief of the gym world. Try not to let them catch you smirking or laughing out loud though!
The Professional: The diamond in the sand of the gym world, this type knows what they are doing! They know all the proper moves, the proper regiments, the proper diets and supplement strategies etc. They are usually ripped and come in groups of two or more. If you are fortunate enough to befriend a lone Professional, consider yourself lucky! Follow his lead and you’ll make it to the top of the food chain in no time!
Use this knowledge wisely, and you will reach your future exercise goals sooner rather than later. Most importantly, though: have fun and don’t forget, it is all about form, form, form!
