The gym is a training ground for everyone

I have a post on my Facebook page: “The gym is not a social club for the fit, it’s a training ground for everyone.”

Yep, everyone. That means you, the person to your left, the person to your right, your neighbor, your grandma, your kids who will then leave their stinky shoes on their living room floor where you will trip over them …

Nothing “chaps my hide” more than watching the looks that (some) people give other “beginners” or those who are super uncomfortable in the gym environment. We are all there with the same end goal in mind, right?

We want to improve our health — in one way or another. We all started at ground zero the very first time we stepped foot into the gym. I was constantly running into equipment, dropping weights, letting the cables flop, not using equipment the right way. I’ve walked into the men’s locker room, I’ve fallen way too many times to count, broken finger nails … and, sat down on a piece of equipment backward (among other things)

But, here’s the dealio — we asked for help. We found a coach. We grabbed a friend. We asked questions, we sought advice, we kept going back and back and back and back for days, weeks, months, years — and, we learn. Just like riding a bike — you crash and burn, you get back on.

For those of you that might have forgotten how you felt on the first day of your fitness journey: Be kind to others who might be on their day one. Show them how to do a hammer curl, show them how to do a leg extension, encourage them with a simple “thumbs up” … or a smile.

Don’t let me see you laughing and poking fun at someone else. It’s not acceptable behavior. Be nice and offer to be their mentor. Ask them if they want advice, offer to be a workout buddy. Not only will you help someone on their fitness journey, you very well could end up with a new friend.

Natalie Dreger is a certified fitness professional and can be reached at nataliedreger.com.