Classes are starting to gear up, and although the prospect of a new semester is exciting, the threat of the Freshman 15 (because it is scary real) can be daunting. In order to fight this many students take to the school gym and silently cry about the 20-piece chicken nuggets they ate last night while pounding out a few miles on the treadmill. The school gym can be a scary place, and having my peers stare at me while I work off the entire loaf of cheesy bread I ate by myself isn't my idea of fun. Although the gym isn't my favorite place, you'll eventually find yourself there. It may be earlier in the year when you're combating the inevitable weight gain, or if you're like me you'll show up in November 15 pounds later. Both are perfectly okay, and you can survive them both with a few tips.
1. Don't be a lurker.
The people that choose the treadmill right next to you when there are 8 others open are the same people that decide to get in the stall next to you while you're trying to poop. You can do the task with someone next to you but you'd rather not have company. Especially follow this rule if you plan on running faster than me because I do not have time to deal with this competition.
2. Do bring a buddy.
Gym buddies are the best ways to stay motivated. Grab a friend and hold each other accountable for completing the workout. I've found that friends also might have other exercises that can help get you out of the gym-funk.
3. Weight room: head down, don't laugh.
The weight room in a college gym is basically an excuse for dudes to look at themselves while they pick up heavy things and put them down. A little warning, there will be grunting, and it will be hilarious. My general strategy in the weight room is to take up as little as space as possible and get out of there as fast as I can. Don't worry about other people judging you for picking up the 10-pound weights because they're honestly too involved checking their reps in the mirror.
4. Don't do curls at the squat rack.
As a someone who sticks mainly to 15-pound free weights, this sounds like something I would probably do if I ever ventured to that part of the gym. However, I've heard lifters complain about this, and don't you want to piss off dudes who are jacked out of their minds.
5. Private rooms are your best friend.
If your gym offers classes they probably have private workout rooms that are empty when not in use. These are the best way to have a low-pressure workout, especially if you're into using the bigger weights. With a med ball and a few free weights you can still have a killer workout. Added bonus, you can look at yourself all you want without people judging you.
6. Work out for you.
Hitting the gym can be daunting if you're a freshman, or even if you're brand new to working out. Just make sure whatever you're doing, you're doing it for your own personal health and self-image. There is nothing wrong with gaining the Freshman 15 or 20 or 30, but if you decide to shed the pounds, make sure you're doing it for your own approval, not that of others.
