Hitting the gym is a relatively normal for many people today. However, getting in the gym and doing the work isn't always the only struggle associated with weightlifting. Between the awkward facial expressions and insecurities, odds are you have come across one of these many struggles of a weightlifter.
1. Calloused hands.
So what if your hands are rougher than sandpaper? Gains!
2. Uncertainty on which clothes to buy.
Yes, you need a new business-ey button-down shirt, but that tanktop would look really good...
3. Eating healthy when out with friends.
Opting out of chips and queso is something nobody should have to do.
4. Getting yelled at for being the "health freak."
Your friends get irritated when you are all deciding on a place to eat because the restaurant doesn't have healthy options.
5. Keeping your mouth shut about someone's form.
As much as we try to be open-minded about people's training styles, it's inevitable to run into someone who is doing something not even remotely close to the correct exercise.
6. Dealing with one-upsmanship.
There's always a person trying to lift more than you on the same exercise. Sometimes they are stronger and it kills our confidence, but sometimes they just look dumb and we get a laugh.
7. Walking outside on a cold day drenched in sweat.
Basically, how to turn into a popsicle in 0.5 seconds featuring your sweaty gym bro or girl that forgot to put on a jacket.
8. Wired Earbuds = Clothesline Hazard.
This happens to EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US. You're just walking away from your bar or machine and almost clothesline yourself when your earbuds get tangled in the machine. So, if you're not on the floor, they get ripped out of your ear which is extremely frustrating.
9. Dead batteries.
Serious lifters invest in Bluetooth earbuds... then throw them at the wall when they forget to charge them the night before and they die mid-workout.
10. Pinching hazards.
Nothing is worse than pinching your finger between plates or while putting down a dumbbell.
11. Sweat. Every-freaking-where.
Down there? Oh yeah. In your eyes? Oh yeah. Dripping? Of course.
12. Limping out of the gym after leg day.
"Help, I've fallen and I can't get up."
13. Not seeing progress.
We all look in the mirror and think we haven't gained any muscle or cut down fat, even though everyone else thinks that you have progressed.
14. Having the motor skills of a 3-year-old.
You're tired at the end of your workout, try to drink from your water bottle, and embarrassingly spill water on yourself. It's fine. Everything's fine.
15. Being accused of doing drugs/steroids.
Don't be alarmed if you see white powder on people's faces... I swear it's just preworkout powder. Also, don't be alarmed if it looks like they just did cocaine.
16. Using the bathroom after leg day.
But hey, those glutes are looking great!
17. Injuries.
Skipping a muscle group because you're hurt is the death of all gains.
18. Bigger/cuter people.
There's always that gym bro/girl that puts everyone else to shame.
19. The dreaded anabolic window.
Yes I need my protein and carbs right after a workout, no you can't convince me otherwise.
20. People offering you delicious "normal" food.
Of course on a low-carb day, someone offers me cookies, chocolate, ice cream, pizza and freshly glazed donuts.
21. Facial expressions.
We've all had the look of a constipated horse while trying to get heavy weight up, then the cutest guy/girl in the gym walks by.
22. Getting the damn clip off.
Bench pressing 225 lbs. 10 times isn't hard... it's getting the clips off of the bar to put the weight on there.
23. Hating that you love it so much.
At the end of the day, going to the gym and bodybuilding isn't a choice: it's a lifestyle. Most days we love it, and the days we hate it, we apologize the next day and say that we love it again. Bodybuilding is the epitome of a love-hate relationship.
