Do you go to a gym? Do you workout at home? Do you workout at school/college? And does being gay/lesbian/bi/TG effect this decision?
I used to workout at our local rec center (I live in "soccer mom suburbia") but often found it uncomfortable with all the stepford wives and teenage boys. So I found a Powerhouse Gym close and joined there. That is also where I met my trainer (whom I've been seeing twice a week for 6 months.) Since joining that gym they opened an even closer/ 24 hour a day Powerhouse Gym, yep, I'm a member there too. When my sessions with trainer are over, I will cease going to farther away gym and will just go to the one closer to my house. I have found that most people are pretty cool (especially the guys in the weight room when they realize that we (my partner and I) know what we are doing with weight and we're not just fooling around. But still have the stare downs in the locker room when women walk in and assume that I am male because I don't fit the stereotype in dress, body type or hairstyle.
So, where do you go and what are your experiences?
We work out at a local place called Aspen Fitness, they have everything from free weights to cardio machines. They have classes, a movie room (watch movies while working out), LCD TVs all over for entertainment (and to listen to if you plug into the adapters, tanning, etc, etc.
Otherwise, good looking guys to stare at (and be stared by), not drama at all and people know we're a couple. A few of my friends/co-workers go there too and it's close to our house, just off the highway too. We choose the place also because our Lincoln dealership was in the same complex so it was convenient, but we have since totaled the Lincoln and the place moved out of the same complex and next door.
I'm a long haul trucker so unfortunately I dont have access to gyms or fitness equipment so I have to be a little creative when it comes to working out. At first I was a little reluctant to working out because I didnt want to stand in front of my semi truck at a truck stop in gym shorts jumping around looking like Richard Simmons but I'm getting over that..hehe.
I recently bought some resistance bands in various colors (the colors represent various weight tensions) and I hook them up to the back of my trailer to do various upper body exercises like standing row, chest presses, etc. For lower body I do squats and lunges and cardio is a 1-2 mile walk around the town I'm in and when I come across a big curb or small wall then I do those alternating step up, step down moves (whatever they're called). I do miss being able to go to a gym tho'.
Love the creativity...that's awesome! You are proof that you don't have to have a gym to stay in shape. Have you thought about the TRX suspension system (known as fitness anywhere)? It would be perfect for someone such as yourself. Okay, now I have a visual of you in little striped pants doing some dance aerobics in front of a truck in a truck stop ("jumping around looking like Richard Simmons but I'm getting over that..hehe."). Very funny indeed! I used to worry about what I looked like next to all the big, strong, beefy guys in the gym but have found that they are much more accepting and helpful then I thought they would be. Thanks for answering my question.
Original Post by djbrianariz:
I'm a long haul trucker so unfortunately I dont have access to gyms or fitness equipment so I have to be a little creative when it comes to working out. At first I was a little reluctant to working out because I didnt want to stand in front of my semi truck at a truck stop in gym shorts jumping around looking like Richard Simmons but I'm getting over that..hehe.
I read this last month in Runner's World and found it really awesome. I don't know if you have heard of this guy, but here's another long haul trucker who has made getting fit a priority:
http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/0,,s6-243-0-0-0,00.html
(you have to copy paste the whole link in, for some reason it won't link!) :)
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